Civic Type R
Call me a lucky twat if you want too…… I certainly would!! I am in the fortunate position that my company car is the all new Civic Type R!!! Can hear the mumbling now!!! and to make it worse I’m on my second!!!! Sorry!!!!

I’ve probably clocked up around 10,000 miles in them now so have a good idea what they are like.

There’s a lot of press right now with the arrival of the New Focus RS but I’m not interested in finding out which of these cars is best……. I can guarantee that if you are in the market for this sort of car then you won’t be disappointed with which ever you get behind the wheel of!!

The initial response I’m getting from people when chatting about these cars is the price! The CTR I currently have is a standard GT in Milano Red and has a retail price of £33,800…….. Yes I agree £33,800 for a Civic is a little excessive!! But you have to ignore the fact it’s a Civic….you sort of have to think of it as a Type R Type R as its a complete animal compared to its predecessors!!!!

This car is incredible – if you want to pop to Tesco with the kids to get the weekly shop it’s quite happy to do so, want an afternoon bimble to the garden centre again quite happy…… a trip to Edinburgh for the family holiday…. again more than adequate…… but you want a bit of fun, an over take or there’s always a dick in an Astra glued to your rear bumper then just drop a gear, bury your foot in the floor and OMG get ready!!!! This car is quick…… If you’re not watching the speedo and just driving you will be having fun – look down at the digital speedo and you will s**t yourself!!!!! 

I have never been in a car that attracts so much attention, people love it, they wave, point, thumbs up and drop there window at the lights to comment…… Unfortunately I have attracted the attention of a blue undercover Police Land Rover Discovery when I had the freshly launched Crystal Black GT but luckily it took him a while to catch up and I was happily parking up when he eventually appeared!! 

There are a few gizmos on this car that I agree, even I thought they were a piss take but now driving it, I sort of agree with. The G counter isn’t one! I DO NOT GET THE POINT OF THIS! However the lights above the speedo which light up when you get close to the red line is brilliant as driving a car this quick needs to give you all the help in the world to drive and drive and drive.

If you are on a drive (drive meaning drive!) then forget pushing the ‘+R’ button!! Press this and your spine will just simply shatter, the car will break and you will be forced to buy a softly sprung French car next, as this mode is just stupid! Honda say this stiffens the suspension and eases off the traction control……. all good on the track but on the roads around Sheffield results in a pretty dash board but once arriving at your destination a big pile of vomit!!!

So keep the car out of ‘+R’ mode and it is f*****g brilliant…….. GT gets: Dual Zone Climate Control, Parking Sensors and Reverse Camera and Nav…… Not sure why you would opt for the standard Type R for £3,000 less as you don’t even get a boot floor or parcel shelf!!!

There are down sides to this car as with any car!!! It is being picky but I’m honest and open when writing these reviews!!! The curb side front alloy has a tendency of being bullied by curbs!!! I’ve never really had an issue with curbing alloys but on these cars my god I’ve twatted it more times than I’ve changed my Socks!!! 

Front seats are an issue too….. I’ve been in quick cars that when you tip into a bend you fall out of the drivers seat but the side bolsters on the Type R seats are just ridiculous, they hold you in but trying to get out need climbers ropes and pulleys – Id done less that 4,000 miles in my current car and the side bolster was showing signs of wear already!!!!

Passengers are moaning that the ride is too firm which it is but when challenged about it and compared to older less refined cars then they do agree that it’s not that bad when they see what it can do!

The Type R is unbelievable for a front wheel drive car and it’s the first car I’ve had that if I had the money I WOULD buy one! 

For a 310 BHP car I think this is a bargain…. You might be thinking ‘get fucked it’s£33,800’ but bare with me……. Servicing is the same price as a 1.6 Diesel Civic and behave yourself and it will do 37mpg! Buy a new one and you get 5 year servicing for £555 and 5.9% APR PCP finance…….. negotiate hard and you will get a discount…… Look hard and find a dealer with a car in the showroom and you are on a winner especially if they have a Demonstrator car too!!! (If you’re not sure what i mean then email me) The only issue is the Continental Continue Sport 6 Tyres – sound impressive and are phenomenal but only last for cough cough cough 5,000 miles if you’re lucky…… 

Look at the car…… Bad side is tyres, a pain to get out and you need an Alloy Wheel Insurance Policy……. But all this is forgiven the moment you punch it through the gears!!! Comparing it to the Focus RS and the Golf R – if you want to stand out then this is your car with its flared wheel arches, huge rear wing and standard black alloys where as its rivals get lost in the whole ‘Sleeper’ look.

Reading this blog back to myself, it does read like a Sales Pitch!!! 1) I am in car sales and 2) rarely do I like a car soooooo much!!!!

So, two words for you……..

BUY ONE!!