I didn't imply that oil usage meant fragility, I had just heard that the cars were not as tough as they might be. Don't rotary engines need re-building relatively often as well?

My E36 M3 had a belter of an engine but the Integra was more fun, convincingly so.

I didn't imply that oil usage meant fragility, I had just heard that the cars were not as tough as they might be. Don't rotary engines need re-building relatively often as well?

You are thinking of the RX-7 which was popular for modifying with big turbos etc. They often needed rebuilding every 30-50k. The RX-8's engine is both hardier and na, generating 210bhp, so doesn't have the same stresses. I was in the UK owners club, and tales of rebuilds were few and far between. Emissions are a bit of a problem, they are in the highest tax bracket. The new 1.6x engine that is about to go into production for the RX-7/8 replacement has lower emissions and more torque lower down.

I did notice that Warranty Direct rank Honda number 1 for reliability and associated costs by a really long way.

I'm not comparing cars.. because they are too different; more a case of comparing driving experiences and the Octavia, for me cannot match the rev-happy Hondas.

The E46 330 I had was another great all rounder but the engine was souless and apart from decent pace it didn't excite me.. especially not after the Hondas. I think the next plan is to find and driver another Type-R and see if it's worth the trade given the Skoda's outstanding abilities.

honestly, a £500 downpipe/sports cat, £300 HPFP internals, £300 intake and £500 stage 2+ remap and you'll be looking at this.

even a fully mapped/modded type R only peaks at about 230hp right at the top of the RPM band @ 8krpm+. The TFSI k03 engine can manage that at less than 4000rpm, and then there is the torque.

believe me, Even tuned type R's go back wards at a rapid rate. they sound fast and that is it. the only thing i like is the handling. But that is at the cost of comfort.even with coilovers mine was a comfier ride than my mates type R.

Handling wise the vRS as standard is a bit soggy IMO. Uprated ARBs(cica £250) and whiteline anti lift kit make an monumental improvment over stock.

I had the above with front poly bushes and Coilovers, and tracked my car alot. Cant say ive ever had any issues with anything. The mk5 chassis in itself is excellent.

if your interested in modifying your car to make it the perfect car have a read through this forum. GTI forum Same engine and chassis so an excellent source of info.

I sold mine which was fully modified after 3 years ownership. Ive tried so many different cars but im going to buy aniother vRS. nothing out there does everything as well as it. Its only downside was the performance. But throw £3000 at it, and it becomes a truly fantastic car.

Where abouts are you located. i 100% reccommend you try a modded car.

Edited 10 November, 201015 yr by janner_Sy

Mine will be on the rollers this Saturday so I'll chuck a BHP figure into the mix after the weekend. The goal is to beat the figure I got a year ago *cough* 251bhp *cough*.

When I bought my VRS 2 years ago, I literally considered every car possible for similar money, which were reasonably practical. Final 3 were Leon Cupra R, CTR and VRS. VRS won in the end as I'd already owned a Cupra (Non R) and having driven my brother's CTR a few times, I knew I'd end up driving it like an idiot to seek out those VTEC thrills. It really is quite a boring drive at 'normal' revs. The fact that it's a 2 door and crashes over every pothole was the final nail in the coffin.

However, if I was looking around now with a bit more money to flash around, just from a tuning point of view I'd look for something with a (up to date) K04 in it. Mazda 6 MPS is brilliant value for money too nowadays.

This has now turned in to a modding discussion over the mere mention of costs by me Sure, there are plenty of things you can do to improve the VRS, but that goes for many cars. Also the quote of 230 bhp is inaccurate, people generally only look at the popular models (EP3, FN2) and easy mods so I guess that can be ignored. Incidentally my last Honda was 235bhp as standard

The ATR is a fantastic machine but it is ageing now, I still struggle to think of anything modern that offers what the VRS does at such a good price. The 6 MPS does also represent a good secondhand buy and is ultra reliable but runnings costs are also much higher.

I to considered just about every car going, my previous car couldn't really be bettered without a silly spend so to me there was no point spending money pointlessly. For this reason I bought a used VRS and for the price I paid I can't think of any other car that offers the pace and practicality. I'm not so sure I would buy one new though, or at least I certainly wouldn't pay anywhere near list.

\Ive not tried to turn this into a modding thread for what its worth.

what i have said is that the vRS is quitr possible the number 1 all rounder available on the market, and is pretty much unrivalled in regards to value for money.

What i was adding to the mix is that tghe only short falls are that its not quite hot hatchj standard dynamically or performance. a few choice mods and it becomes pretty close top being the perfect car.

It always was a modding discussion fellas

I treated the old bus to a service and bits today, plugs were about 40k old, air filter full of muck so it's freshened up nicely. I'm sure there is a placebo effect to some degree but it is more responsive. Found nothing untoward either, which is nice, rear tyres weren't knackered either, can't remember if mine has had the adjustment or not.

Eibach springs net?

Having also owned a 2.2 Prelude Vtec (as well as a 2.0 and 2.3), a CTR and am now on a my second Vrs, I felt obliged to comment.

I was always a massive Honda nut, loved the engines and had excellent reliability from all of them. Got rid of my Type R in 2006 after 3 years, due to having a baby on the way. It was really a sad day for me, however, as I was going to an Impreza, not too sad! That didn't last long as we decided we needed a bigger boot. Got a PD Vrs next which was good although due to DPF issues went after 14 months for my current petrol FL Vrs.

As most of my previous cars had been re-mapped, doing this one was a no brainer. After just 800 miles on the clock, it was booked into my local Revo dealer for a quick stage 1. Eibach's fitted shortly after that and then an ITG maxogen induction kit. As you can see from my sig, there are other things in the pipeline when the funds allow.

Now, quite interestingly, my mum's partner still has a Type R and the other day I got to drive them back to back. I was quite surprised to find that the Type R felt surprisingly gutless. Yes it makes an incredible sound up to the redline and is obviously quite quick, however, with such little torque, didn't feel it. The Vrs has nearly double the torque and feels massively quicker, although I expect in a straight line there would not be much in it. The Vrs just pulls so hard from very low down in the rev range and is so much easier to drive quick when compared to the Type R.

I dont doubt that the Type R would be quicker on the bends and would be the more involving drive and the Integra would be another step on top of that, however, I am certain that the Vrs is the best value car under £20k. Its certainly the best I have owned, and by some margain!

exactly my point. your vRS looks ace in silver as well

I really wasn't bowled over by my CTR (EP3). The engine is great, but it doesn't have the drama of the DC2 Type-R. As a rule I preferred the violence of the original VTEC system, as opposed to I-VTEC, but equally the smaller displacement engines seemed livelier than the 2.2 of the Accord & Prelude. What I really didn't like about the EP3 was the handling, duff steering and loose back end, none of which inspired confidence when pushing on. No LSD to me, means not a proper Type-R, a play on the Type-R name to shift cars, not a Type-R in the truest sense of the word. By comparison the Octavia felt planted and with reasonably direct steering, but the thought of pushing another 50bhp and 70lb/ft through those front tyres just seems a waste unless you can better use it, but where do you stop? A 20mm drop and some ARBs wont ruin you, but when you up the power to that extent, is it really only for mid-range punch as opposed to the 'nail it out of a bend' point and squirt delivery you can achieve with the proper Type-Rs? You just can't go fast these days unless you are on track, but the great thing about the Hondas is that they can involve you at walking pace and just get better the quicker you get. The Skoda is hands down a better all-rounder, better value and has so many more tricks up its sleeve, but when you just want to go for a drive, the Type-R's and I mean ATR/EK9/DC2 and DC5, take some beating.

Edited 13 November, 201015 yr by Silverback

Think you've answered your own question there then. Get the Integra. One of the few cars I regret not owning, along with the Supra twin turbo!

Yeah, but the thing is.. 'just going for a drive' doesn't really happen any more. 'Just taking the kids round my mum's' does.. and the Octavia wins hands down there.

I will own a DC5, I am sure of that... just not sure how soon. Used to look after a twin turbo Supra at a previous place of work, nice cars, quick and easy to drive.

The Skoda is hands down a better all-rounder, better value and has so many more tricks up its sleeve, but when you just want to go for a drive, the Type-R's and I mean ATR/EK9/DC2 and DC5, take some beating.

I agree that the VRS is a better all rounder and it's part of the appeal. I wouldn't go as far to say it's the best car for less than 20k, I can think of others but they are great for the money and superb second hand buys. As for the last comment, I disagree - my FD2 beat them all hands down!

From the list above I would still take the ATR, that H22A7 is an awesome engine and I prefer the drive to that of the DC5. The EK9 and DC2 are both amazingly involving to drive but just feel underpowered these days. If you get a chance to drive an FD2 in the future I highly recommend it - It moves the game on massively. You won't find a better car under 30k.