Hi Everyone,

I'm currently on the lookout for a 'hot hatch' for £10k, and I've narrowed it down to two quite different models.

I'm looking at late EP3 (old shape) Honda Civic Type-R's and Skoda Octavia VRS's. Two very different cars, but both great in different ways.

I like the idea of getting an Octy cos they look subtle, and most won't have been thrashed... well not like Civic's anyway! Seen a nice one not far away but it's been in a smash, so avoiding that. There's another I'm also looking at which doesn't have many options, but the price is good meaning I afford to get a remap, a decent set of tyres and the suspension set up not long after.

Anyway that's me - just thought I'd say hello! I'm gonna have a read around, I'm sure people will have already asked about common faults etc.

If anyone is thinking of selling their black Mk2 VRS in the East-Midlands area then let me know

Yep, very different cars.

CTR everytime though. Certainly more reliable than the vRS, better handling, better brakes, faster and a much more enjoyable drive, as a drivers car. Oh, and about 300kg lighter.

If however your looking for a good day to day car with good all round ability then the vRS is a good choice.

The CTR can do all that the vRS can, and more. Sadly, without modding the same can't be said in favour of the vRS.

Lance

It depends what you want out of the car, the Honda will handle better but you will have to work so hard for that power!

I saw a line on a forum, "V-Tec - all that lag and no turbo - it's like waiting for bad sex"

I had a vRS for 2 years and a mate of mine has a CTR which I've driven many many times and whilst the vRS is certainly more torquey, the CTR is no where as bad in the mid range and most people think, for day to day driving you can bimble around without fuss. If however you are in a hurry, say lapping the Nurburgring, then yes you need to keep in on the boil, hence a better drivers car.

Lance

not for me , just drive them in everyday situations , i agree the ctr is better handling but its got to be thrashed to go anywhere, , i fancied 1 till i tried it on a motorway my stage 1 just pulls in 6th instant power for overtaking , great in the civic if you fancy a blast but for real world octy everytime

stage 1 which is hardly a big issue and my car just pulls away from ctr, reliability is at least as good if the polls are read, and probably better longevity , ctr seats are supposedly weak and the silver trims mark easily, maybe age is relevant tho , realistically i would imagine younger drivers would prefer the ctr image.

I actually had a CTR for a couple of days, was great fun. Like someone else says - the lack of midrange/torque is no where near as bad as people make out. You just don't care when the car is screaming it's way to 9000 rpm and you're hitting silly speeds (where legal and appropriate, of course!).

I would definately have a CTR, they are gorgeous, very racey and would suit me perfectly. I'm just struggling to find one in decent nic, they've all been wrapped round a lamp post and thrashed by young chavs!

The Octavia is nice, mainly because it's different. When I had a test drive (admittedly I didn't really push it with the Skoda salesman in the back seat) I thought it handled quite well, and the power is obviously there. The main thing that I like about the Skoda though is the interior. The Civic feels like a 90's car with some expensive race-spec items thrown in (Recarro seats, Momo wheel in the Premier model). The Octavia doesn't feel quite as racy, but it's a mile ahead of the Civic in terms of comfort, equipment and finish inside... it's thoroughly modern inside.

There's also pleanty about for my budget that have been carefully looked after by more sensible drivers...

I'm keeping my eyes open for both cars

I would go for the octy tbh. Both in standard form they would be quite even but with a remap the octy will pull away where as the type r has basically hit a brick wall due to it being a normally aspirated engine. Tuning the type r to go faster after that could be very expensive.