Honda Civic Type R Review

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Honda Civic Type R
4.5 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.5 out of 5

From 22 ratings and 54 reviews

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GmanHam1980's Review of Honda Civic Type R

11th Dec 2006

Overall Rating

5 stars
  • Value for money
    5 stars
  • Length of ownership
    3 Months
  • Performance
    5 stars
  • Reliability
    5 stars
  • Year Manufactured
    2002
  • Doors
    3
  • Practicality
    4.5 stars
Good Points

Engine noise is music to the ears, Performance in the dry is phenomenal, Attractive looking hatchback.


Bad Points

As said before, no traction in the wet... At all, Engine noise on motorways even in 6th is quite loud and turning circle is appalling.


General Comments

I bought my Red Civic Type-R from a Honda dealer for 9.5k with 44k on the clock. It has no air con which I was told gives it a slightly quicker 0-60 time due to the fact that there isn't an Air Con unit under the bonnet. My previous car was a Peugeot 307 and that has a large boot but I can still fit as many sets of golf bags in the back of this so it's very practical.

The engine noise when you get over 6000 rpm's is amazing, I have been in the new Focus ST and yes it is a lovely car but I actually prefer the sound that my car makes. Put the CTR in 4th at about 35mph and no it doesn't accelerate very quickly but the noise of the VTEC is a high pitched whining noise as if there was a supercharger in it. That's what I do when my mates get in it and they can't believe the noise of it!

I minor gripe with the noise is that if your doing a long journey you have to play your music at volume 26+ (which is loud) to mute the engine noise out when your cruising in 6th. But I suppose that's the draw back of having a performance car. If you don't want the moan of the engine buy the Type S.

I was going to buy an Astra VXR at the beginning of the year but with 236bhp the steering falls short of most other hatches especially the CTR and at 17k brand new and me only paying 9.5k for a 52 plate model with reasonable mileage I feel I've got a bargain. I also feel that the Type-R has just enough power for the size of the car. Too much and you'll under steer into a tree like the VXR.

Now I'm not a boy racer but when I get into my car I know that 85% of other cars can't touch the power and handling of mine which give confidence when exiting a roundabout onto a by-pass. (95% in terms of hot hatches).

This car is a must have for all people who love to drive.

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Members' Comments onGmanHam1980's Review

  • MrGrady on 8th Jun 2007

    Hi Graham,

    When you say the engine note is loud on motorways, what kind of speed and revs are we talking here? If you're in 6th and you're at 3,000 rpm, that's a guess by the way, is it still very loud?

    Thanks very much,



    Sam