Hi All! New member 26/11/09 - EP3/FN2???

[LittleDragon^^]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about finally getting a different car so I've started my research.

I currently own a 93 Toyota MR2 turbo...it's my first car and I've owned it for 5 years now. Spent plenty of money on it and I'll be sad to see it go but I want something more practical now...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/mister2darwin/CIMG0260.jpg
Wiper blades are black now


I would like a sedan or hatch...something with a bit of space and still enjoy driving.

The CTR EP3 and CTR FN2 have caught my eye and I thought I'd better join a Honda forum to find out more :) so here I am! I'm sure being here will be a big help in finding the right car.

[DLO01]

Love the MR2, one of my all time favorites. Good luck finding a new car. Any questions, just ask.

Welcome Little Dragon. :wave:

[DC5-4ME]

Welcome :D
That is one good looking MR2

[hisoka]

nice mr2 mate, is that gen 3 ?

what mods you got. lol those mr2s are quite fast, and come with some awsome handling mods stock loL~

[LittleDragon^^]

Thanks for the warm welcome! :)

My MR2 is a GEN2 with some minor mods - manifold, full blitz nur spec exhaust, eboost2 boost controller (not set up for crazy boost), HKS bov, TEIN coil overs.

I have a whole heap of parts sitting at home ready to be installed but I've lost the motivation. Parts are -

Trust TD06 turbo kit with external gate
Trust copy intercooler
Forged pistons/rods kit
Power fc
Apexi pod filter to replace the crappy air flow meter
Custom intercooler shroud, custom intercooler fan mount for davies craig fan, custom engine lid exhaust fan mounts with 2 SPAL fans
600cc injectors
Walbro fuel pump
and other bits and pieces...

Would be nice to have it all go on but as I've said I've lost motivation to go further...



So about the EP3/FN2...what are the common issues with the EP3 since they're a few years old?? Differences in the pre-04 and post-04 models??

The FN2 is pretty new so I guess the problems haven't been identified yet...

Is it ok to ask here or should I post in the Civic section??

[hisoka]

you should dump all that stuff into your mr2 gen 2, and do some handling mods, garunteed fun, no way yo will be happy with a honda, after owning something with a td06 and a screamer :)

[LittleDragon^^]

you should dump all that stuff into your mr2 gen 2, and do some handling mods, garunteed fun, no way yo will be happy with a honda, after owning something with a td06 and a screamer :)

Haha! I don't think that will be a problem since I want something more practical and NA...at the moment I'm thinking a 04+ EP3-R.

[pair08]

How you going mate,

If you head over toe the Civic Post 2001 section, there is a 500+ page thread on the EP3 :P

You'll be able to find any information you want on the car. I literally read the whole thread (over days :P) before I made my decision to buy the car.

You loooking at buying local or import?

[LittleDragon^^]

Local or import, doesn't matter. Are there any benefits with going either way?

After reading a lot of EP3-R threads it seems that IMG are the best importers?

[pair08]

well i imported (still in the process) and its fairly long winded process, you may save a few thousand and there obviously is a much greater variety.

there are three ways to import under sevs

-use a broker (that's what i did)
-go to a dealer to import (like img)
-DIY

but be warned it often takes months (typically 3-4 months) until you can register the car so if you don't wanna wait i'd advise you to go local.

heaps of ppl are selling anyway :)

ps. that mr2 is nice

[LittleDragon^^]

well i imported (still in the process) and its fairly long winded process, you may save a few thousand and there obviously is a much greater variety.

there are three ways to import under sevs

-use a broker (that's what i did)
-go to a dealer to import (like img)
-DIY

but be warned it often takes months (typically 3-4 months) until you can register the car so if you don't wanna wait i'd advise you to go local.

heaps of ppl are selling anyway :)

ps. that mr2 is nice


It won't be for a while until I'm ready to purchase another car so the 3-4 month wait won't be an issue.
I want an 04+ EP3R with low k's and I haven't noticed many of them on sale.

[pair08]

do you have a budget?

if you choose the import path there are heaps over in japan, but the usual fob price is at least 1.5mil+ (approx 26k landed and complied)

[LittleDragon^^]

I'm prepared to go up to 30k for a 04+ EP3-R. I'd like it to be under 50000kms though. That's my main buying points; 04+ and around 50000kms

[jks24]

welcome mate, nice mr2 you have and love the plates on it :D

Personally I would go the ep3r, they are hawt :D

GL

[LittleDragon^^]

Yeah my heart's set on the EP3R at the moment. Can't stop thinking about it :D

[jks24]

Yeah my heart's set on the EP3R at the moment. Can't stop thinking about it :D

good choice :D CW one?

[LittleDragon^^]

I know CW is a VERY common colour but I think it's the nicest of the lot :) Plus there aren't any EP3R's up in Darwin so I wouldn't really be comparing to anyone up here :D

[denrie]

EP3R FTW! Test drove both, got the EP3R! Bang for buck. :)

[LittleDragon^^]

Yeah they're usually pretty low k's and a decent price.

So what parts usually break and how hard are they to source since these cars are all imported??

[pair08]

if you want to import there are 3 big importers which ppl use often

-jspec (i used them)
-prestige motorsport
-iron chef

all reputable and very knowledgable.

doesn't hurt to send each one an email to get a feel for who you like and they can explain the process further and give you an estimated price. but i'd say with a 30k budget. you'll get a nice FL no worries.

if you want to use the guy i used. shoot me a pm and i'll give you his email.

cheero :)

[SHU-ES1]

ep3r's are nice, handle better, go harder and look much better then the fn2r but each to their own opinions. i think you won't regret choosing an ep3r! i've driven one and they handle great, easy and cheap to maintain, go nicely and quite good with fuel consumption and i'm assuming thats what you're after by downgrading from turbo to NA! all the best with your purchase, and don't forget to drop us some pics when it's landed!

[LittleDragon^^]

if you want to import there are 3 big importers which ppl use often

-jspec (i used them)
-prestige motorsport
-iron chef

all reputable and very knowledgable.

doesn't hurt to send each one an email to get a feel for who you like and they can explain the process further and give you an estimated price. but i'd say with a 30k budget. you'll get a nice FL no worries.

if you want to use the guy i used. shoot me a pm and i'll give you his email.

cheero :)

Thanks for the info. I'm aware of those 3 importers and will definitely be in contact with them when I'm ready to buy.


ep3r's are nice, handle better, go harder and look much better then the fn2r but each to their own opinions. i think you won't regret choosing an ep3r! i've driven one and they handle great, easy and cheap to maintain, go nicely and quite good with fuel consumption and i'm assuming thats what you're after by downgrading from turbo to NA! all the best with your purchase, and don't forget to drop us some pics when it's landed!

I'm not too worried about the fuel consumption. I've never been big on fuel. The few hundred you save per year on fuel really doesn't compare to the thousands you spend on the actual purchase price and maintenance (and after market upgrades ;))