Less is sometimes more, look at a three legged stool, it never wobbles!
Less is sometimes more, look at a three legged stool, it never wobbles!
Member since:23.05.2005
Reviews:11
Honda announced this limited edition model to commemorate 30 years of the Civic model in production. As a UK model it was restricted to 300 examples: 100 Red, 100 Black, 100 Silver. I was fortunate enough to order one back in October 2002 in Silver for early 2003 delivery.
The Type R in standard guise became something of a cult vehicle to many performance car enthuisiasts. This was mainly due to it's normally aspirated engine producing 200bhp (197 according to manufacturers figures), race car handling and a VFM price tag.
However producing a limited edition was something of a masterstroke by Honda's marketing department, because virtually every example found a home well before they were officially advertised, mine included.
To make this car that little bit special, Honda added red Alcantara Recaro seats, a leather MOMO steering wheel, red carpets, and tinted privacy glass to the rear hatch and two rear windows. Not forgetting a small 30th Anniversary decal on the rear window below the wiper arm.
After ordering my car, I was told January 2003 for delivery, this then became February shortly followed by March the 3rd when my car was actually delivered.
To say these vehicles are quick is a slight understatement, especially when you consider other manufacturers have to stick a turbo on their cars to reach anywhere near the hallowed 200bhp figure. The engine redlines at a manic 8000rpm, which can be slightly unnerving when you hear it for the first time. I can only liken the noise to a hybrid of sports motorbike meets formula 1 car. Quite scary considering the car's is equally at home in Asda carpark and doing the school run.
0-60 figures don't do this car justice, 6.6 seconds (or 6.8 depending on who you believe) doesn't sound frighteningly quick, but it's the way the car carries on to propel you towards the wrong side of 70mph that makes you take note.
The top speed is quoted at 146mph, but some members of the thriving civictype-r owners website will claim slightly more than this (on private runways of course).
Handling is excellent, but a tradeoff is the ride quality which can at times be harsh to say the least, on some of the UK's many poorly surfaced roads.
Inside the interior is purposeful, and like Ronseal does what it says on the tin. The seats on the 30AE are slightly better than those in the standard car, due to the better build quality from the Recaro brand, and also the adjustable thigh supports can prove helpful on long journeys. The plastic trim is OK, but not in the same league as say Audi or BMW, but then neither is the price!
The styling of the car is like marmite, you either love it or hate it, fortunately when I ordered the car I liked it, and still do to this day. The 17" wheels are some of the best OEM ones I've seen fitted to a car for as long as I can remember, the standard Bridgestone tyres have received mixed reviews from owners after an alarming number caused accidents by blowing out at speed. This was something I never had an issue with, although they did need replacing after 10K miles at £120 per tyre.
The standard stereo to be brutally honest is pants, but the engine noise sounds so good as the i-VTEC kicks in, you'll mostly be having the tunes turned off anyway.
After selling this car I was a little sad, due to it being such a rare car, rarer now a few have been written off. It was a practical, good value performance car, which for families wanting a load lugger and a weekend car it ticks all the boxes.
So if your reading this R-20333 (the cars unique R number from the center console) I still miss you, a little.
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