2002 Honda Civic Type R: JDM EP3 review and tour

[@ljgr6045]

Ive imported one and they are for a mint example surpassing there original price they will go up alot once america can get them and they realise how good they are

[@justso1823]

Ep3 value is growing in the uk

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I was so impressed with both the car and the price. I think the days of cheap, clean JDM EP3R's are numbered.

[@seatoskyadventures6130]

Absolutely love my JDM EP3 type R One of the most fun cars to drive - ever.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Agree with this. I think often of getting another one!

[@waseemsells5378]

Great video of the beauty. A real piece of JDM history.

[@TheKevzx6r]

Awesome cars, I imported the ep3 from Japan. The Japanese keep the real type R's for themselves, if you want one you have to import.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

After importing and driving one, I am a fan. They are great cars. Hope you enjoy yours!

[@justso1823]

Made in england

[@TheKevzx6r]

just so 1 You're right the Japanese shipped over the JDM spec to Swindon.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I did point this out and discuss starting at 2:31.

[@seatoskyadventures6130]

@@justso1823 Only the chassis

[@OctaneMonkey]

I like those ep3, they are growing on me.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

you need to drive one. The EP3R's are so much fun!

[@haelewynbrecht]

Nice to see some still care

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

sharing is caring :)

[@chrisdicintio2933]

Bought a 2002 ep3 new in 02, had it until 2015 when it got totaled and I was sad, 160 HP and fun but slow, I just bought the same year, but with JDM K 20, Turbo Ep3 with Dyno ed 414 HP at the wheels. BIG difference! It is smoking fast. You ether love or hate these they are of a specific taste.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

That sounds like a Monster! I have felt the night and day difference between USDM and JDM, your build would be wild in this little car!

[@robertm3029]

Enjoyed this video, short and concise. Thanks!

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Thank you!

[@SR22VET-S15]

ive been quite lucky to have owned afew japanese imports, 300whp r32 gtst, 410whp rb25 s13, 360whp s15 and currently another 800whp sr22vet s15. While waiting for the motor in my current s15 to be built i needed a daily and found a decently priced jdm facelift ep3 type r for sale, ticked all the right boxes for a perfect daily so i bought it and i have to say its my favourite car of the lot, more so than my current s15 (bit of a pig around town and bad street manners) Ep3 Has a tonne of personality, easy to drive, fun, reliable and the most practical car ive ever had with huge amount of cargo space and passenger space, not to mention the marvellous engineering honda put into these cars. I think to myself if i had one of these all those years ago i mightve kept it to this day instead of wasting all my money building all those nissans lol

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

SR22VET they are big and comfortable inside eh? And can be really composed at city speed, highway speed or track. Really good all round car. I’ve never done an S15, but do recall s14’s or skylines feeling like a lot more to handle

[@SR22VET-S15]

@@BonsaiRidesImports ep3s easily the most comfy inside and way more cargo space, even more if you put the rear seats down, took all my semi slicks in the back with jacks and tools easliy to the track and yes easily the most well behaved at city crawling speeds and a completely capable track machine.

[@clone000]

Owned a 2002 civic si. Hope to own a ep3 type r.

[@redlineracing4947]

Lol just bought a 60k mile ep3 type r premier edition with air conditioning that’s full standard with a FULL HONDA service history. Has the red Recaro and the tinted windows, also is in cosmic grey which is the special colour. It’s gonna be worth so much in few years lmao

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Nice! I think you're right on value. I bought an EP3R for a client very recently and Japan prices have gone up in one year already!

[@adrianpitt4211]

The UKDM Type Rs are numbered as well, all are.

[@SamBakingTray]

fun fact the premier edition ep3s in the UK came with similar extras like the type r embossed calipers

[@SamcatgGingues69]

Got a SIR one, one of my favorite car

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Samcatg Gingues you, sir have great taste

[@natel5370]

Nice review awesome in fact ! .. I am in the uk I imported cars into BC while I was staying with family for a year . I was lost without my evos and Subaru’s so I sent them to your country from JP. I imported the first v2 ra and evo 3 in BC to my knowledge back in 2009. I have just completed a full restoration on my 30th anniversary type R 1of 100 in silver of the 300 made there’s only 108 left here in the uk 🇬🇧. I have owned pretty much all rare jdm s and currently own a modified Mk7 gti as a daily and have a manual BL5 gtb but give me the Ep3 any day for driver fun. My car is returned to totally oem but with a LSD and Hondata and a fast rd setup and sticky tyres I will add the jdm arbs and shocks and dampers next as a oem upgrade

[@threadscrossedmechanic1622]

Great video Craig!

[@Kenneth1350]

Review the Mugen RR if you can find one. 😭😭

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Kenny_Fa5 it’s a bucket list car but they aren’t legal here yet

[@gearhead3500]

i have it@@BonsaiRidesImports

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

really?? What country are you in?

[@TheKevzx6r]

Bonsai Rides Imports My mate has one. It's in Scotland. Think there's around 5 in the UK.

[@chavezunseen]

Wow that was beautiful

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Thank you! glad you think so

[@nierlluc4705]

Granted that both have their back seats folded flat to the ground, do you happen to know if the EP3 has more boot space than a BMW compact 325ti?

[@purocangrinag]

LOVE mt ep3 usdm but still a solid car and its quick enough dont be fooled

[@jcdenton4902]

Are we not gonna talk about the dog in the begning

[@giraykharizzma7737]

What kind of exhaust?

[@powersportsmania1933]

where did you find insurance for a RHD, I am in ontario.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I own a dealership and have commercial insurance

[@shaanrai4429]

You need to do your valve clearences

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I don't know how my mic does that but every car I film gets that weird clatter noise when recorded. Actually sounded great in person.

[@shaanrai4429]

@@BonsaiRidesImports weird clatter lol it's your valves tapping because they need adjusting

[@phenix3st]

What did you pay? And where can I get one?

[@jimlentz924]

How difficult is it to get these models imported into the US? I absolutely love the EP3's for their design and shifter layout, but we were significantly shortchanged with the anemic K20a3 power plant.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Jim Lentz I feel for you man, but I don’t thing there is a legal way to federally import an EP3R for 8 more years

[@jimlentz924]

Ahh yeah the 20 year rule. I guess I'll have to settle for swapping parts around on my standard Si EP3 for now when I can find them.

[@gearhead3500]

just swap the engine @@jimlentz924

[@adrianpitt4211]

You could just buy the engine from the UK or read "Building Honda K-series Engine Performance" By Richard Holdener, hes from your side of the pond. Great book to read.

[@larshbn]

i love the type r ep3 but people dislike it bc of some people who drive it

[@chadbooth2114]

Would you ever sell this car? Or is it for sale? Been looking for CTR EP3 for ever.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

chad booth I sold this car not long after the video. But I have imported others for clients since then. I run an Ontario based car dealership. You can contact me at [e-mail] if you are interested in importing.

[@LBCurbFiend]

Nice vid. Last part tho 😁

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

sam p just glad to hear you made it that far 😂

[@calvinwong365]

How much did it cost you to import this car? I'm looking at JDM connection.ca now and they have EP3 with 124,000km plus for $8183. not sure if thats CAD or USD. What are major you need to know before purchasing one? I live in ottawa

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

could you get in touch by email to [e-mail] please? I sold this car a couple of months ago, Ontario registered in the client's name, fit, plated, taxes paid but the client likely doesn't want me to broadcast the sold price. If that site's price is for Alberta, I was substantially cheaper.

[@st3v3nb915]

I still have mine it’s a 2004

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Steevnb * nice! One owner Civics are rare!

[@haelewynbrecht]

Don't sell it. It's legendary

[@Prij95]

I have the facelift ep3 type R, but the ukdm, since I’m in the uk, so instead of 212bhp, it’s 200bhp..lol. But, lovely car nonetheless though 👌🏽

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I bet it's a lot of fun to drive! Is there any mechanical difference between the UK early and facelift cars?

[@Prij95]

Bonsai Rides Imports yeah it’s a really fun little car to drive, I’ve literally only had it for around 8 months now. Only bad thing is insurance for me is quite high since I’m still only 23. Lol, but for the difference between the facelift and prefacelift I think the only difference is the lighter flywheel? Not too sure if there’s a lot of difference (there must be? But I’m not too sure myself!)

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Prij .T I wasn’t sure on differences either. I’ve been asked to import them because some prefer the cosmetic changes. Hang on to that car! I think they’re going up in value!

[@Prij95]

Bonsai Rides Imports yeah there are a few cosmetic changes to it and there’s a few differences but not too sure what either to be honest! Yeah definitely going to keep it for a while, they’ll be a classic in no time!

[@josephbell465]

Bonsai Rides Imports the difference in mechanics is the UKDM doesn’t have an LSD and has lower compression ratios, UKDM never came in championship white, only in japan was that colour sold, also, footwell light, no side indicators and KMPH cluster compared to MPH

[@carlosgj1308]

Which one is faster as standard ep3 or ek9

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I think the EP3 is quicker if the two are left stock.

[@King-Gilamashur2758]

@@BonsaiRidesImports way faster. A stock European ep3 does 100 to 200 kmh in about 19 seconds (tested with draggy in several units), I suspect the jdm one is even faster. The ek9 is about 26 seconds.

[@TonyTony-dq4cc]

Love my ep3, too bad it's an usdm si, k20a3😭😭😭....

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

USDM or not, I like the shape, ergonomics and feel of those cars. It was a design ahead of it's time and its aging well. Enjoy it!

[@purocangrinag]

@@BonsaiRidesImports its has enough power im zipping by people like nothing with mine theres a few cheap mods that will get you to grs power but with more tq

[@toniwonkanobi]

It would be cool to have this in the US. Sigh.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I believe the guy that bought it had done so for meets, pre-lockdown of course

[@ashleydaviss1514]

very nice dude :)

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

ashley daviss thank you!!

[@ashleydaviss1514]

dude where did you get them factory booklets for the ep3 from ?

[@D4Z3Dii]

They sold tens of thousands of the EU DM ones in the UK. Right now they are almost completely worthless, starting at £2k :D

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

garbage examples might be worth 2k but you can't even buy a good engine for that much.

[@D4Z3Dii]

they range from 1.5 - 7k from garbage to mint, and the engines are so common there is no point in buying a "good one", you buy one for a grand and build it :)

[@SamBakingTray]

@@D4Z3Dii about 500 are being written off a year however so wont be many left for long

[@D4Z3Dii]

@@SamBakingTray i think rust will get them first :D

[@SamBakingTray]

@@D4Z3Dii that too mines already starting to go

[@SloanZurnToto]

Is your EP3 for sale?

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Doug Maverick it has sold, but easy enough to import another if you are interested

[@SloanZurnToto]

@@BonsaiRidesImports are they only imported from Japan? I'm asking because importing a left hand drive car would be a little easier to drive. Since the car has to be 15 years old or older, I guess in 2019 you could import a 2004 EP3 which is the model I like with the revised HID headlights.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Doug Maverick I mainly import from Japan which is RHD. I can import client sourced cars from Europe, but you won’t find comparable condition/price. you can email me to my business address [e-mail] for more info on the process

[@SloanZurnToto]

@@BonsaiRidesImports will do. Thanks.

[@putamakkk]

@@SloanZurnToto I think you need to Import the facelifted modell from eu, because honda developed a lot of stuff with the facelift, (better steering, stronger engine,Lighter flywheel , Additional sound deadening, Different front and rear light clusters, Different bumpers Red door inserts and red inserts on the seats) and after you can buy jdm parts from japan, like lsd, manifold, ecu, etc, and yeah it's left hand drive...:)

[@donnyp.4456]

The EK9 doesn't come with a single cam

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Donny P. Yeah. And??

[@colinmathers3672]

type r 👍💣

[@Wesley_C]

Original Civic SiR vs Civic Type R EP3

[@bones6978]

0:28 dickTV is a legend I'll have you know!

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

I only wish I had the on camera talent to make a video like that!

[@bones6978]

Never understand why they received such a bad rep in North America, in the UK everyone apart from vw kids agree that they're good cars.

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

Here we only got the Si and and SiR, those two trims are a world apart from the type R.

[@koltonnadermann4652]

hoping this guy agrees to my offer for a US ep3 with k20a engine/trans... hes currently "sleeping on it."

[@emmadeeba2038]

always loved Hondas and had type r’s but I have to say their horns sound pathetic 🤣

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

there should be a special type R horn

[@josephbell465]

Dc2 civic type r doesn’t exists

[@BonsaiRidesImports]

you make a valid point, question is why?