kevo10

yes, thanks for that lol. To be truthful, did look at the CTDI and wondered if it could be remapped as my PD golf was ? That was Revod and took 130 brake up to 180 with loads of torque . And still 45 mpg

Devildog

Won't drive like a Celica mate.

Arguably the best front drive chassis ever on a road car.

kevo10

No doubt it would Devildog . But from an exterior pOV, it reminds me of one

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

The standard clutch struggles to cope with the power as it is. Re-mapping kills them very quickly, along with the DMF.

daveyj

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't be too hung up on Prem Editions tbh. Just buy the cleanest you can for the money. Prem Editions only have seats/carpet/brake calliper embossed as major differences. You can purchase any of these items second hand for the look and save money.

I stuck with prefacelift versions as I preferred the look. Headlights are a bit meh but it's a sunny days motor so not fussed. I'd avoid Milano Red. I've got one and, despite best efforts, it faded in spots. Cosmic Grey really suits them and you can get a clean non-Prem Edition for £3750-4000 and have change for tyres/servicing and maybe an LSD if you fancy it. Mine's standard power but I have an MFactory diff fitted and it's far better in all conditions than my two previous ones that didn't have them.

Wait until the new one comes out as it will force FN2 prices down and they are far nicer day-to-day than the dated EP3 just not quite as much fun out-the-box.

P1Fanatic

I had an FN2 on lease for 2.5 yrs. I found the gearbox disappointing tbh. Nice location but I had the common problem with the synchromesh on 3rd which meant it felt like it went in but didn't. The clutch also whined when shifting fast near the red line. The red start button did make me laugh - you still have to put the key in the ignition and turn it plus it only starts the engine doesn't stop it. Bit of an afterthought tbh.

I did like the VTEC sound - was quite addictive and had some good comments from passengers. However it was very much a lot of sound and not a lot of go. On your own ok but add a passenger and luggage and you might as well be paddling in treacle. The best analogy I ever heard was "all fart and no poo". I averaged 28mpg over 25k miles only 2.5mpg over the MK2 RS I moved to. The lack of torque means you have to drive around at 3k rpm plus. That same lack of torque especially in 6th gear means its not good at motorway cruising where you want to speed up to get into a gap etc.

Extremely harsh for the handling it achieves. Mine understeered very easily when pushed - partly due to the stiff ride as nowhere to go. That seat feature was annoying - I always made rear passengers get in the other side

Don't get me wrong it was a very good value for money - at the time they could be had sub £18k new. That's why they sold so well. But the lack of low down torque, needing to drive round at high revs and poor traction (in first the wheels start spinning as it takes so long to get into the powerband by which time you have to shortshift into 2nd and repeat into 3rd) annoyed me and was glad I leased one rather than bought outright.

Uncle Creepy

Yep, me too! Think I only ever folded my seat two or three times during my ownership!

Matteeboy

I tested one when they first came out; the engine does need ragging but it sounds good above 6krpm.
The chassis is a bit wayward; grippy front end, light, skittish back end.
The gearbox is superb like all Hondas; I love the gearstick on the dash (we had the same in our VW van!).
The interior is a bit flaky; looks sporty but wears quicky.
Not that quick by today's standards but when they came out, little could touch them.
Like Imprezas, they carry a bit of a chav image but look past it and they are good cars.

kevo10

Thanks guys. Certainly gave me more info than i was expecting. Really am stuck now. Impreza blob or Civic?