Is The Honda Civic Type-R FN2 Unfairly Judged? | Driven+

[@glitch2998]

I've had the FN2 for nearly a year now, and its one of the, if not the BEST car i've owned. So much fun to drive and they look great too.

[@gavinsmith9022]

I've had my fn2 for 8 months now, it's a bit rough round the edges but is factory standard, i changed eng oil, filters an plugs etc and i swear it drives like new, that k20 NA is a masterpiece.

[@andrezejobuch4527]

In my humble opinion this was a great car... comfortable for a long drive, everything you needed and pretty swift. Good review buddy 😊😊

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks! I agree too

[@jimkennedy7784]

Drove lots of cars but do love driving my FN2. Sticks to the road like a go kart and love the revving engine. Looks great also. 👍🏼

[@cl63uk]

I had one. Great little car. I much prefer driving this everyday than when I owned my ep3

[@paullewis7287]

From an owner of one of these for 6.5 years now (supercharged) and 2 dc5s 1 supercharged, 3 dc2 type rs including a turbo one and a total of near 20 years of driving all the type r's apart from newer turbo models or the nsx., I believe I have a solid opinion on them. Basically all type rs need something modified to make them very good. Either suspension,brakes or at least alignment and some gearing. But the fn2 is a stonking car once modified. Even good tyres an alignment and a map makes huge difference. They all need a dif at the bare minimum and a smidge more power. Weight is the fn2s biggest downfall but once u get that down they really are excellent cars. My friends one is na at 260hp with just bolt ons and cams and weight down to 1150kg. Laps faster times than a lot of 350+hp cars and not once has the rear beam been an issue. Its very stable and pointy ( really helps with a decent rear anti roll bar ). Too many people judge them without ever having driven one...and I kinda like the underdog status and the surprised look on people's faces when they see its lap times

[@eaglehigh-h3e]

Nice. Can you tell more about making 260hp and how to reduce the weight. Thank you

[@matta6806]

Dont forget the Fk2, the car that launched the R into turbo realms 😉 (for better.. or worse) keep up the good work guys 💪

[@DrivenPlus]

You’re right, thank you!

[@billionbear]

I had an EP3 followed by 2 FN2s one of which was the Mugen200. I much preferred the EP3.

[@Birmingham_racing]

Top gear definitely influenced my and many peoples opinions on these but still love the vtec sound

[@DrivenPlus]

They definitely did influence a lot of people

[@EvoBeard]

Regarding the VTEC engagement, the Z4 in the FN2 did indeed have a lower crossover point than the A2's in the EP3, but as the one you were driving is mapped, it's probably had the engagement point brought lower, likely to the mid-high 4000's, for extra fun times. 😁

[@TheLmkPL]

I have never understood the phenomenon of EP3. It was like previous civic generation with better engine and more nervous rear end than EK chassis. I also preferred the look of older hondas than van-style in EP3. It was neither race car in its stock form nor comfy car. But FN2 was new quality for me - nicer looking, much nicer interior, stiffer than stock EP3, more stable in high speeds, had better steering ratio. I have champ white FN2 for more than 8 years now and I really like driving it as a weekend car. Recently I had a chance to replace it with FL5.. But I have chosen to take Audi RS5 and to keep FN2. FL5 would be just another FWD honda that doesn't even sound right..

[@glenhallworth2966]

Had 2 ep3s when new they were fantastic

[@JordzyBrev]

Had mine 2 years best car I’ve ever owned

[@stuartmclaren7285]

As a ep3 owner I have to say it’s hands down a far better car than the fn2

[@docloco86]

I had two ep3s, pre face and face-lift 10 years ago. My friend had an fn2. The thing handled like crap. It understeered like crazy. Both my ep3s outperformed c63 amgs in the canyons and that fn2 was a total mess. With aftermarket coilovers it makes it a much better car but the ep3 was far superior.

[@EddieSpaghettiFN2]

Call me biased, but I reckon these are brilliant cars. With a few performance mods they become the car they should’ve always been.

[@SEGASaturnLad]

Some of your stats are off mate, the FN is approx 50kg on the EP3 and the Mugan edition was still a 2.0 not a 2.2 and made 240bhp, not 256. But otherwise a solid review.

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks for your comment. Have a look at the M20 FN2, only 20 were made worldwide and came with a 2.2L engine

[@matta6806]

@DrivenPlus a very rare beast indeed. I saw one for sale acouple of years ago for around 50k, not seen one since. Seriously cool unicorns

[@DrivenPlus]

Very rare and very cool

[@respirotyper929]

@@DrivenPlus M20 is a 2.0liter with 240ps. The Mugen FN2 2.2liter with 260ps is a prototype and there’s only one.

[@sibusisozondi4738]

I'm owing one plus and Ek,fn2 is just a different car its brings smile on the face when you it its comfortable and Ek on the other side is like raw more especially when its lowered its like you are connected to it in a nice i can't compare the two its depends on the mood I'm in

[@phildunn1983]

I test drove an fn2 in about 2007. Remember being utterly disappointed by how slow it felt. I ended up getting a clio 197 instead at the time as it felt quicker to me and handled better.

[@samsung40_media87]

sounds good

[@iLudez]

Brilliant cars, on my 2nd now. Sold my mk5 gti manual to go back into one. The fn2 just gets a bad rep because it got one abck in the day and it stuck, its fashionable to hate.

[@SomeRandomChannelHandle]

250bhp-300bhp and they are great

[@bigkaswrx8115]

All I know is this: right now in the UK this is the cheapest Type R civic's will ever be in the world. £3-4k gets you in a half decent one. No where else on earth can you buy a K20 R car that cheap. I would say to everyone buy them now while you still can. Remember when the GC8 wrxs were £1500? And the Evos were £8k? And the e36 M3s were £4k? Grab em ! 🤷‍♂️😄

[@DrivenPlus]

Well said

[@MA-ed3wl]

Which alloy are fitted on it / dimensions/ weight ? Look like rage but not rage. Thanks

[@carolusdero6663]

I think it would be faster launching it yourself without the mapped in launch control. Nice video though.

[@markrhoden68]

When I was 20, if this car had been around, then I'd get it. But as it wasn't and I'm not 20 anymore, I guess it's an acquired taste. And that big spoiler, at what speed does it create downforce 🤷‍♂️

[@Matt.4877]

It’s ok had one as a company car 07-10

[@DjNikGnashers]

Loved the EP3, but the FN2 I just thought was ugly, especially from the rear. They make a lot of noise, and feel like they are going fast, but it was a case of all mouth and no trousers.

[@SpoonGT500]

yes

[@shabba890]

Thought the Champ Whites had a LSD too?

[@respirotyper929]

Correct

[@shabba890]

​@@respirotyper929and didnt the last run of normal fn2s get them as well as a bit of an Easter egg.

[@respirotyper929]

@@shabba890yes. From April 2010 👍

6.6 seconds was the manufacturers claimed speed of the original car, with 230bhp this should be more.

[@dillons_cars5634]

winter tires

[@hoodwinker7932]

I’ve owned both and the fn2 definitely does not handle as well as the ep3. Running Bridgestone on both.

[@krishanprasad20]

You forgot about the FK2 type r gt

[@DrivenPlus]

Don’t worry I didn’t forget about it I just didn’t mention it

[@krishanprasad20]

@ I also own a FK2 type r quite the unicorn

[@DrivenPlus]

Nice!

[@alexbakermault4518]

And the FK2? Did that not happen then?

[@Everything_cars_12]

Where abouts in north wales you from?

[@DrivenPlus]

I’m in Wrexham

[@Everything_cars_12]

@ not to far then. I’m in Broughton. Fancy a Tesla on one of your videos?

[@DrivenPlus]

Nice! What Tesla do you have? I’ve got a Tesla review coming out tomorrow actually

[@Everything_cars_12]

@ got the model 3 performance

[@DrivenPlus]

Ah no way! That’s what I’m posting tomorrow evening. Really appreciate the offer though!

[@sir_christmas_leopold_duckson]

Hey man, I just wanted to mention something that concerned me. Your lap belt is sitting too high and could horrifically and fatally injure you in a crash. Picture someone opening a tube of toothpaste and stomping on it. It would be comparable to that. Definitely pull it down lower so it's not over your belly at all. Snug over the upper thighs right at the hip bone. Drive safe, brother.

[@hairycornflake8580]

Fk2?

[@chrismc1977]

Hmm. More porky than an EP3 & no more power. An 1800 DC2 Integra accelerates every bit as quickly as this ‘tuned’ version & feels special & hardcore to drive with double wishbones all round. The FN2 I’m afraid was a backward step built on a budget for the masses with a torsion beam rear end & softer handling. When I drove one I found it fidgety & nervous on the road. Not a patch on a proper EK9 or DC2 Type R

[@user-ue6iv2rd1n]

FN2's start at 2k and a DC2 is more like 10k, it's like comparing the DC2 to a Ferrari because that's how far off the prices are.

[@chrismc1977]

Hmm. They are both FWD N/A high revving Hondas wearing a Type R badge - so they aren’t exactly poles apart. The earlier cars like the DC2 & EK9 were just more focussed as a driving tool & thats why they command a premium. As an owner- All the rave reviews were absolutely spot on. By the time the FN2 came along I think Honda were cashing in on the Type R legacy somewhat- because the standard car was dynamically poorer than its predecessors. It was a Type R for the masses. The Mugen RR was obviously popular as it had more power- but was born out of the fact that the standard car didn’t really hit the mark in the same way. These were a limited special edition with a premium price tag though hence they are mega money. The last truely great N/A type R was the FD2 Civic for me. FN2 just a wee bit ordinary- but then I guess that’s why they are relatively cheap nowadays…

[@tseliontselion937]

i have FN2 big turbo whith a lot money of parts.the car is amazing i have and anothers fast cars but this is my toy i dont know why some ppl dont like it .the FN2 vs ep3 in turbo is a lot of safer and better car hp more then 550 hp

[@justchilling8875]

how come the ep3 with a turbo makes more horsepower then the fn2 with a turbo?? i thought that the fn2 had a slightly better engine

[@tseliontselion937]

@@justchilling8875 hm the FN2 i say is better on turbo because the platform and engine is better

[@justchilling8875]

​@@tseliontselion937 you mean the ep3??

[@jurassicmatt2796]

Does Josh know you keep overrevving for no reason?

[@tmntbkb6692]

Overrevving a type r!? 😂😂😂😂

[@jurassicmatt2796]

@tmntbkb6692 Yeha he's holding the red line and losing speed. It's what dumb Americans do.

[@jimkennedy7784]

Actually had my boss say to me, when picking him up that i am leaving it in gear and revs too high! 🤦🏼🤣🤣🤣

[@jurassicmatt2796]

@@jimkennedy7784 yeah cos they've never been in a Type R probably. It sound nuts to normies. You should change it at max revs though. This guy lets the needle bounce before changing. It's not doing damage, just slows him down.

[@franciscoon1083]

Of all the NA type R's the FN2 is definitely the worst performing and the ugliest.

[@TheLmkPL]

Depends on the track layout. On high speed ones ek9 isn't as capable as legends tell.