The Upgrade...

[Mr Burns]

Regulars will know I've had a few Clio Sports with the most recent being a tidy coilovered and caged 197, then I downgraded to an Ignis Sport which again got the stripped and coilovered treatment. Sadly the Ignis became more and more impractical the more I modded it, then when I had to start doing more miles I decided it was time for a change. I had trouble deciding what to go for as I'm pretty hard to please, so instead I went for the 'sensible' option on my list...

 

[Kieran..]

Love it!

 

[Naith]

wrong sections burns!

car looks very nice though, little terriers these, you'll run her hard i'm sure

 

[Nashy]

Nice mate one of my fave colours too!

 

[Greeny.]

Breadvan! Looks tasty though

 

[alex-avfc]

Good choice I reckon mate, got a lot going for them these. Just hope it satisfies the keen driver in you.

 

[Ian_182]

Another convert.very nice and a great colour.

 

[Andy.]

So much nicer than the Ignis. Nice choice.

 

[Silent_Scone]

cool cars, nice pics too.

 

[Philip.]

Welcome to the club
Looks spot on, enjoy 8k!

 

[Englebert]

Cool photos! Car does nothing for me though.

 

[Gally]

Nice choice mate. Cosmic grey?

 

[Christopher]

Yup, Cosmic.

Looks great!

 

[Sir_Dave]

Shame the steering lacks the detail of your photos.

Best colour though

 

[Dunn]

Cool photos! Car does nothing for me though.

+1 cool photos

 

[_Tom]

Nice. Best colour too.

Im tempted to shop the Bora in on a CTR or ATR so i can use it on track.

 

[Philip.]

I didnt know what everyone was on about with the steering for a while.
Then i started pushing the car more and more in the bends and nearly ended up in a field!

Fast road set up needed.

 

[Coby.]

Lovely car... I often consider changing to one.

 

[Brett]

Good choice. I'd be interested to see how you compare it to the 197.

Great photo's.

 

[Goodj]

nice.

One thing, if this was the "Sensible" option, what were the others on the list?

 

[Mr Burns]

My thoughts so far... The Civic has vague steering there's no denying it, it's not awful but it does take the edge off the cars performance. It does however make up for it in nearly every other way by being everything I wished a Renault was. The Honda really does feel like a technical masterpiece, the driving position and gearbox are sublime. It doesn't give you impression that you're breaking it when you're driving hard either. The 197 is the better 'drivers car' IMO and the Ignis was more fun than either of them on track, but as a daily driver I'd take the Civic.

I'd considered an MX-5, VX220, Elise, DC5 and similar cars, but for what I needed those cars were a little too special or impractical.

 

[Goodj]

MX-5's are better for driving, no doubt, but if you needed seats and a boot then yeah, they dont add up.
same for the Lotus & Vauxhall Elises I guess.
DC-5's are epic though, even if they have insurance costs to match!

It's a good call anyway, hope you enjoy it.

 

[Mr Burns]

The DC5 was my top choice, but with a car like that I'd want to keep it immaculate all the time where really all I needed was a practical hot hatch for the commute to work. And at half the price of a nice Integra it was a no-brainer.

 

[Waitey]

How much was it?

 

[Mr Burns]

How much was it?

PM'd

 

[Y7 ADW]

Nice choice. When my cousin said he was opting for an EP3 i wasn't convinced but when he took me for a drive it changed my mind. With the right mods they are amazing cars!

 

[Slammed172]

#21 sums this car up perfectly !!

The exact reason I want one.

You got the bestest colour too, nice one.

 

[Mot!]

Good choice dude - there's so much vtec around Cannock now.

Decent intake and exhaust mani make a hell of a difference on these..

 

[Darren S]

My thoughts so far... The Civic has vague steering there's no denying it, it's not awful but it does take the edge off the cars performance. It does however make up for it in nearly every other way by being everything I wished a Renault was. The Honda really does feel like a technical masterpiece, the driving position and gearbox are sublime. It doesn't give you impression that you're breaking it when you're driving hard either. The 197 is the better 'drivers car' IMO and the Ignis was more fun than either of them on track, but as a daily driver I'd take the Civic.

I'd considered an MX-5, VX220, Elise, DC5 and similar cars, but for what I needed those cars were a little too special or impractical.

+2!

Both of those factors I loved when I test drove one. The new shape feels like it's lost those qualities to me now....

D.

 

[Gaz_]

They are superb, and i've nearly bought one about three times now, but when i've drove my mates a few times, its always left me somewhat cold...?

 

[Mr Burns]

I hear what you're saying Gaz. Unlike some members I'll admit my cars shortcomings, the EP3 isn't a drivers dream. More like Japans answer to the Clio, without the charisma and personality. As a car it has the Clio nailed, but as an experience the Japs could learn a thing or two from the French.

 

[mini_nick]

Sounds like you have had a similar experience to me, I wanted to love my EP3 but I found I couldn't due to the steering, Im not sure mine was quite right though They are a solid car with an amazing engine and gearbox. One thing I did notice with mine was that if you wanted to drive it hard, you had to drive it absolutely nuts, there didnt seem to be a middle ground!

I had the fast road set up done by ABP over in Cheshire which did seem to improve it slightly.

Hope you enjoy it

Just reminded me about these pics!

 

[Philip.]

Cool pics!

I do love my Ep3, the steering is an issue though, but I find when you drive hard, its not TOO bad sometimes.
Deffo looking at ABP FRSU, as theyre only 30mins away from me.

 

[imprezaworks]

I do love these and have been tempted many a time. Took a mates round oulton and it was great, so composed. Would I buy one, yeah eventually but still love mine. I've been down to tdi north(Honda speciallist) a couple of times and like allready said with the right mods there epic cars. Love them in red.

Dan

 

[Mr Burns]

Right then, since the purchase I'm enjoying the car... I've fitted an AEM v2 induction kit, DS2500 pads and braided hoses. Next on the list is a FRSU and some decent rubber with perhaps some new shoes to fit them to.

 

[aucky]

Stunner

 

[kpowell911]

You win @ Photo's

 

[Clart]

shed

 

[Mr Burns]

shed

Renault -

Honda -

Yeah?

 

[g.cameron]

Ha ^,
thought you were getting rid of Ste?