Pros and Cons of the Type R

Maybe there is thread already on here with this information, but I haven't seen one. If the Type R owners here could tell me what they feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the Type R, that would be awesome. I feel like it would helpful to have one thread dedicated to this subject to help prospective buyers know what to expect.

For me, missing alot of creature comforts im used to in my DD.
Non power seats, no honda sensing, no parking sensors, no homelink

i had and sold my Type R, I loved it and loved everything about it.

many things i loved about it but here are some of what i loved about it.
- cheap rare car ( in comparison to cars under 40k) and yes you can get them for sticker.
- great mpg for a performance car i averaged 28 over 8000 miles
- Fun and easy to drive
- great build quality
- holds its value ( i bought mine for MSRP and sold it for 34k with 8k miles on it 8 month later)

what i did not love.

- Infontainment system is garbage
- no homelink or a mirror that automatically dims incoming light
- 20 inch wheels. I know everyone is going to say its a performance car but most owners including my self switched to 18s or 19s (even when i sold my car the very same day a fellow Type R owner bought my 18s )
- and the most annoying is the exhaust. for how loud the car looks and how well it performs i wish it would have had adequate sound to match it.

final thought: expect to spend about 2-3 k on wheels and tires to change out from the 20 inch. Also 1500 on a decent exhaust. But buy it if you can afford and put up with the little things i mentioned as negatives.

I think everyones pros and cons are different. If this is your only car I can see items like the lack of tech or nannie systems being a negative but if it isn't it's one of the best pros to me. I don't want all of that junk interfering with my driving.

Also people saying a con is how quiet it is I find to be a pro. I don't want a loud obnoxious Honda and while loud and obnoxious is different to everyone I think it's low key sound is perfect. Could've done for an active exhaust button to make it slightly louder but that adds cost.

I guess to me there are enough reviews and articles out just Google some and watch the videos. It'll tell you all you need to know about the performance, sound, ride quality etc.

Definitely eager to hear more pros and cons. I'm going to be buying my Type R next year.

I personally like the look of the stock wheels so I don't want to swap out. Are they really that hard to live with?

thatonedaveguy said:

Definitely eager to hear more pros and cons. I'm going to be buying my Type R next year.

I personally like the look of the stock wheels so I don't want to swap out. Are they really that hard to live with?

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Not at all, people who are switching them want better performance tire options only available in 18-19" sizes as well as weight savings for lap times. Others do it just for looks but if you like the looks of that boat anchor wheel it rides just fine : P

.grimace said:

I think everyones pros and cons are different. If this is your only car I can see items like the lack of tech or nannie systems being a negative but if it isn't it's one of the best pros to me. I don't want all of that junk interfering with my driving.

Also people saying a con is how quiet it is I find to be a pro. I don't want a loud obnoxious Honda and while loud and obnoxious is different to everyone I think it's low key sound is perfect. Could've done for an active exhaust button to make it slightly louder but that adds cost.

I guess to me there are enough reviews and articles out just Google some and watch the videos. It'll tell you all you need to know about the performance, sound, ride quality etc.

Click to expand...

Agreed on all of this. I don't need power seats, auto-dimming mirrors, heated seats, sunroof, etc. Wouldn't mind parking sensors but I'm fine without them, just forces me to be a little more careful without relying on the beeps. All that other stuff would add weight and $$.

I also don't give a crap about the volume knob or the "laggy" infotainment system, it works just fine for what I need and the navigation is significantly better than my wife's Toyota. Upgraded the sound system with replacement sub, sub amp and front door speakers, and it kicks. The OEM head unit and amp are good, but OEM speakers are paper cones and begging to be replaced.

Also agreed on the exhaust, I don't want people to hear me coming a block away. The car is very quick, responsive, gets great mileage and has a ton of cargo capacity for its size. Front seats are extremely comfortable. All in all it's a great daily driver.

Cons:
Didn't like the 20" OEM wheels so I sold them. Got a set of 19s with summer tires and 18s with all-seasons. For me it wasn't a performance issue, I drive on shitty roads in the DC area and knew those rims with rubber-band tires wouldn't hold up.
Wish it had a bigger gas tank.
Back seat should be a normal bench seat for 3, though I have two kids so it's rarely an issue.

That's about it. Obviously the styling is over the top, but it's grown on me. I've had mine for almost a year and it still makes me smile when I get in. Every time.

RedFK8R said:

i had and sold my Type R, I loved it and loved everything about it.

many things i loved about it but here are some of what i loved about it.
- cheap rare car ( in comparison to cars under 40k) and yes you can get them for sticker.
- great mpg for a performance car i averaged 28 over 8000 miles
- Fun and easy to drive
- great build quality
- holds its value ( i bought mine for MSRP and sold it for 34k with 8k miles on it 8 month later)

what i did not love.

- Infontainment system is garbage
- no homelink or a mirror that automatically dims incoming light
- 20 inch wheels. I know everyone is going to say its a performance car but most owners including my self switched to 18s or 19s (even when i sold my car the very same day a fellow Type R owner bought my 18s )
- and the most annoying is the exhaust. for how loud the car looks and how well it performs i wish it would have had adequate sound to match it.

final thought: expect to spend about 2-3 k on wheels and tires to change out from the 20 inch. Also 1500 on a decent exhaust. But buy it if you can afford and put up with the little things i mentioned as negatives.

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what made you sell it?

kevv_FK8 said:

what made you sell it?

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My work location changed and I went from driving 20 miles in 30 min to 40 miles in an hour and 45 min (each way) so I wasn’t really enjoying the car as I wanted and I got offered 34k for it so I thought it was a sound decision to sell. I miss it and glad I got to experience it.

I second the quietness as a pro.

Pros:
Affordable performance car
Manual transmission
Not obnoxiously loud
Android auto
Decent mileage for performance car
Comfy Seats
4 doors
All the go fast and slow fast bits included (big brembos, lsd, adaptive susp., etc)
Hatchback and space
Decent factory sound

Cons:
Strange noises (actuator or lsd or whatever)
Headlight output could be better
Heat soak sensitivity
Outward appearance is overdone
Body panel gaps
Infotainment lag
Slightly crunchy 2nd gear

I'm probably missing a few but that's a decent list based on my preferences.

I love my Civic as a fantastic all-rounder and daily driver. I also love the exhaust - you can keep your loud ones that a cop can hear a mile away. I'm not that starved for attention.

Pros:

It's a special car even though it's relatively cheap. The steering, the clutch, the shifter - they're all special and make for a truly great experience. A true Driver's Car.

Excellent fuel economy for the performance.

Cheap insurance for the performance.

It's a civic - low maintenance, plentiful parts.

Can seat 4 and haul a bunch of crap while still hauling ass.

Cons:

Infotainment could be better but I honestly don't pay attention to it most of the time.

12 gallon tank is a bit small (filling up more than once a week) and premium isn't as fun to buy as regular.

Tires are going to be pricey but not as pricey as a RWD monster.

Constantly paranoid about some jackleg stealing my wheels, badges, airbags...the car itself.

RedFK8R said:

i had and sold my Type R, I loved it and loved everything about it.

many things i loved about it but here are some of what i loved about it.
- cheap rare car ( in comparison to cars under 40k) and yes you can get them for sticker.
- great mpg for a performance car i averaged 28 over 8000 miles
- Fun and easy to drive
- great build quality
- holds its value ( i bought mine for MSRP and sold it for 34k with 8k miles on it 8 month later)

what i did not love.

- Infontainment system is garbage
- no homelink or a mirror that automatically dims incoming light
- 20 inch wheels. I know everyone is going to say its a performance car but most owners including my self switched to 18s or 19s (even when i sold my car the very same day a fellow Type R owner bought my 18s )
- and the most annoying is the exhaust. for how loud the car looks and how well it performs i wish it would have had adequate sound to match it.

final thought: expect to spend about 2-3 k on wheels and tires to change out from the 20 inch. Also 1500 on a decent exhaust. But buy it if you can afford and put up with the little things i mentioned as negatives.

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I feel like these sorts of posts are the most illuminating....thanks for taking the time to post!

RedFK8R said:

My work location changed and I went from driving 20 miles in 30 min to 40 miles in an hour and 45 min (each way) so I wasn’t really enjoying the car as I wanted and I got offered 34k for it so I thought it was a sound decision to sell. I miss it and glad I got to experience it.

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What did you move into?

RajjyP said:

What did you move into?

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well i had a 2017 accord hybrid ex-l which i currently use as my daily and i love it i average 44 MPG. but i got a 2018 pilot ex-l AWD as part of the deal during the trade of my type R for the wife. I think i am leaning toward getting either a tacoma or a wrangler as my fun car to go off roading still undecided but those new wranglers are pretty cool.