Looking into purchasing an MY09 FN2 Type R

[maatt94]

Hey OzHonda,

I specifically joined up to create this thread as i've pretty much seen a 50/50 split on this car. It seems that people either LOVE it (generally Honda lovers) or people either HATE it (generally Top Gear lovers/Honda haters) I have yet to actually inspect/drive the car however will be doing so shortly so try to refrain from the typical "drive it and if you like it then buy it" comment. I'm looking to go into a bit more detail than that.

When it comes to cars i'm pretty much a noob looking to get started in the JDM scene. Currently a green p plater, 12 months out from a full license. My first car was a 1998 toyota paseo to learn manual on, which i sold after 12 months and purchased an auto VE SV6 Ute which i kept for around 7 months due to working a job that required a ute. Since changing jobs that no longer needed a ute and couldn't wait to get rid of auto transmission, I sold it, and with minimal thought nor research/testing i purchased a new Corolla Levin SX which i'm now bored to death of.

I'm pretty much looking for a naturally aspirated car that's fun to drive. I don't care about features like sat nav etc. I loved the raw power of the sv6 i had but can't help but smiling like an idiot any time i'm in my mates '01 Integra Type R. My other mate has a Sportivo, which while has a nice engine, nothing much else appeals to me about that car. It feels pretty stiff around corners, not very comfortable etc.

My budget is anywhere up to $30,000, preferably a jap made car and has to be naturally aspirated. From what i've seen this is pretty much Sportivo vs FN2R vs SP25 vs ???. I wouldn't really go for an EP3 as i'd rather a more modern looking/feeling car, especially internally. I love Intergra Type R's however as mentioned my mate has one so I wouldn't get one based on that alone.

What are the general pro's and con's of the FN2R or any similar car given my situation?

Thanks for the help :D

[Honda_FD]

Which state are you from?

[maatt94]

I'm in NSW

[Honda_FD]

I would personally go for the EP3R and a Corolla Sportivo. Ep3R has a good pull with 6 Speed box and the JDM K20 engine.
I've seen EP3R beat alot of S15 and Evos and some V8s, And you cant say no to the interior. Who wouldnt want a
warm fuzzy hug by Recaros while driving?

As of the corolla, Has a pretty good amount of power for a little 1.8L toyota and sounds AMAZING due to their lift.
Sounds exactly the same a a B series engine when vtec kicks in.

You could look around for an S2000 :D My cousin has one and its nice as! Rear wheel fun with a Vtec Motor. Take it sideways
and what not. Not that im encouraging you to :)


A short clip from youtube for the 2zz-ge sportivo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAXY134ZaJw

[RenzokukenJ]

I would personally go for the EP3R and a Corolla Sportivo. Ep3R has a good pull with 6 Speed box and the JDM K20 engine.
I've seen EP3R beat alot of S15 and Evos and some V8s, And you cant say no to the interior. Who wouldnt want a
warm fuzzy hug by Recaros while driving?

As of the corolla, Has a pretty good amount of power for a little 1.8L toyota and sounds AMAZING due to their lift.
Sounds exactly the same a a B series engine when vtec kicks in.

You could look around for an S2000 :D My cousin has one and its nice as! Rear wheel fun with a Vtec Motor. Take it sideways
and what not. Not that im encouraging you to :)


A short clip from youtube for the 2zz-ge sportivo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAXY134ZaJw

I was going to say, for that money you can get a s2k with prob 5-10k left for mods!

[charliebrown]

By fun to drive, you mean revs to the sky, light-ish and decent handling? considered an rx8? way more fun to rev up than a honda and imo looks much nicer. accualy looks like a sportsy car and sound of a rotary is butiful

R32 mkv golf or an 86 might suit your criteria? considering you've got 30k to blow :P if you're considering the convertible route, mx5 nc s1/2 is within budget

[Honda_FD]

I was going to say, for that money you can get a s2k with prob 5-10k left for mods!

You can but because Australia the Insurance will be high as for P Platers. Especially a Two Door convertible Sports car.
My cousin as a SV6 VE Z-Series Ute for work and he pays over $1,000.

[RenzokukenJ]

You can but because Australia the Insurance will be high as for P Platers. Especially a Two Door convertible Sports car.
My cousin as a SV6 VE Z-Series Ute for work and he pays over $1,000.

Why not pay 3rd party insurance until 25 and/or off P plates, and then get full comp?

[nvmee]

Just bought an 09 model FN2r and was in the exact same position. Pm me if you have any questions

[r3ckless]

Ps... if ur budget is capped out at $30k... i'd consider stretchhing that budget to $40k.... take a loan/save a bit longer and imo it really opens the doors to better cars!

Having said that... fn2r are a good buy around the $22k mark... consider aftermarket engine mounta. Coilovers. And an intakr to open up the vtec crossover. Those three mods u be very happy and are sensible mods.

Last but certainly not least.. look at my car for sale. No exaggeration but once u drive it. U cant fault anything wrong with it

[nvmee]

Yup, 40k ! I would of gone the new WRX or the 86. I can't really fault the fn2r so far however the seats can be a pain in the ass to get in and out of.

[ogen]

Fn2 seats are relatively easy to get out of compared to other cars with deeper bucket seats. I would know, I have an fn2.

[EKVTIR-T]

Test drive all of them and decide

[503asy]

I bought a fn2r about 6 months ago and i have never doubted it.. it's quick enough, looks good, awesome on fuel, handles like a dream.

Only cons I can think of (and this is by being really picky) are that it's very bumpy for a stock car, seats are pretty uncomfortable after long drives and the vtec isn't as raw as I would've liked.

Anyway, that's my opinion, overall easily the best car I've owned and I highly recommend it.

[ogen]

^ get an intake and you'll take your words back on vtec lol. My crossover is crazy

[tom_son]

30K budget? Why not look into the Toyota ft-86. It's new, modern and its the next big thing... I think.
I own a stock 08 fn2 for 3 months now and i totally agree 100% with 503asy.

Also another con from what I've gathered is if your thinking about modding, parts for fn2s are all the big brands so getting your I/H/E is going to be pretty expensive.

[ogen]

Parts are expensive, but they're all worth it! Get it done right the first time, no shortcuts allowed!

[maatt94]

Heres to everyone saying s2k mx5 rx8 etc. I'm really not into the tiny cars. I'm a solid 100kg lol. not be big headed but i'm well built, not fat so for me to squeeze in and out of a tiny ass car like that isn't my thing.

Driving home sideways isn't my thing either. That's what i loved about the fn2r when i drove it. How stiff it was around corners. My biggest worry is losing money as i've only just bought a $25,500 corolla levin sx 6 months ago... :(

[RenzokukenJ]

Heres to everyone saying s2k mx5 rx8 etc. I'm really not into the tiny cars. I'm a solid 100kg lol. not be big headed but i'm well built, not fat so for me to squeeze in and out of a tiny ass car like that isn't my thing.

Driving home sideways isn't my thing either. That's what i loved about the fn2r when i drove it. How stiff it was around corners. My biggest worry is losing money as i've only just bought a $25,500 corolla levin sx 6 months ago... :(

wow they are that expensive???

dude a well modded s2k will stick around the corners

though being that big might kinda suck in a s2k

im 60kgs and it fit me perfectly

[HmGLuCaS]

i have a fn2r atm, and considering buying a s2k if thats any help, fn2r doesnt compare to the s2k. s2k becoming a classic car now, build and ride quality out competes the fn2r imo

[maatt94]

only issue with s2k as mentioned above is that as im 100kg i also didn't mention im just a tad under 6 foot so yeah not going to happen haha. **** all i know is my car is boring lol. I might just tough it out for 12 months until my horizons broaden into the turbocharged market.

[nvmee]

HMG ! I think you should start selling your aftermarket parts to me ;)

[RenzokukenJ]

only issue with s2k as mentioned above is that as im 100kg i also didn't mention im just a tad under 6 foot so yeah not going to happen haha. **** all i know is my car is boring lol. I might just tough it out for 12 months until my horizons broaden into the turbocharged market.

nekminut buys ford focus hahahaha

[damienm]

fn2 handles like shit ive driven one on the track. Id much prefer a dc5r or S.

[HmGLuCaS]

fn2 handles like shit ive driven one on the track. Id much prefer a dc5r or S.

thats correct, if only it didnt have a rear torsion bar...major downside

[Grayfox]

FN2 with a good exhaust kit and mods can't be beat.

FN2 with Martelius exhaust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TPeBe67An0

Blasting around the Nordschleife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeA7pFAnCeY

This is the M200 version that the UK chaps only got.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AUMWbhZnkg

[charliebrown]

100kg might have trouble in FN2R seats? im sub 60kg and found them to be quite hard to get in and was a tight fit

[NightKids]

I would really recommend you to get a EP3R... it looks hot as hell and have heaps of go compared to a FN2R.

The style is not outdated either, i think it looks quite modern/good

[Grayfox]

it looks hot as hell and have heaps of go compared to a FN2R.

Blasphemer

Never say the 8th gen civic hatch has bad looks.

Its looks are out of this world and not the same as every one else.

[flop101]

Have you jumped into a sportivo yet?