Jack's FN Civic Type S

[Tchaaa]

So as some of you may have seen on the thread for my Micra, I recently jumped ship and bought a new car! I'd been pondering with the idea for some time but never really put too much effort into it.

Whilst my sister was test driving some cars prepping up for her first car purchase I was sitting bored in all manner of dealerships, and eventually started taking some test drives, and absolutely fell in love with the Honda Civic.

Two 300 mile round-trips to Retford and a 59 plate Civic Type S GT, in Milano Red with 16,500 miles on the clock was mine!

Bye Bye Micra!

Easy to misjudge where the back of this car is!

I've had it for about three weeks now and I'm still besotted, there's a few pet-peeves and a few bits I miss from my Micra (like seats that remember where they were before you slide them forward to let people in the back!) but it's a great car.

Not much else interesting has happened so far, we've had two minor incidents, one where it ground out in a car park, and another where I misjudged the rear and bumped my neighbours decaying Astra.

Not that many mods planned for a while, I've got this car on Finance so I'll be a bit shorter on cash for the foreseeable future! But there is a few bits I'd like to change, so watch this space!

 

[MaxK11C]

Nice nice.
FN always seemed a little grown up for me, I'm a total yob you see. It'll be interesting to see where (if anywhere) this goes.
Can't beat some VTEC, Yo.

 

[Tchaaa]

Decided I'm going to have to invent some makeshift way to protect the nose from abuse after I energetically swung into a friends driveway and it met the pavement again. Thinking some kind of even lower chin spoiler haha!

 

[Tchaaa]

That said it has black plastic splitter-like spats underneath and they give me no indication of when I'm scraping so no idea how well this'll do.

 

[Tchaaa]

So it's not been a good few days for the Civic

There's been a nasty clunking noise coming from under the passenger side front wheel in the warmer weather, which sounded really nasty with a full car. So I figured as it was under warranty I'd take it into my local Honda branch. Whilst it was there I asked if they could put the outside temperature sensor that is dangling in the grille by it's wire, back where it should go. Dropped it off Thursday morning, and waited for their call.

They said I'd got a really big leak from my shock absorber and a wrecked tie rod end (something my dad and I thought was odd as if this was the case it would handle badly, whereas until I dropped it off it was absolutely spot on). Then gave me the price. Which was when I told them it was under warranty which was met with an "oh.." they called back shortly after saying the warranty company had approved the repair, for everything except for the sensor, and they would ask £280 to reach inside the grille and put it back where it goes... I told them in a very polite manner to stick it with that one, I'll do it myself.

Friday afternoon rolled around and I called to ask how they where getting along, the parts they'd ordered weren't coming until monday and they said I could pick it up for the weekend if I wanted to. I got a colleague to drop me off and we hurried back to the office, on the way back it was handling absolutely horridly, felt much more like a leaky shock and buggered tie rod end like they suggested (foul play here?), it was muddy down a quarter of a tank of fuel (despite only having 20 more miles on the clock!) and the interior smelt like something had died in there. To ice the cake, when I got back to my office I walked round the passenger side to find two massive scratches from the headlight to the tail light, all down the passenger side.

Calmly told Honda this over the phone, and they said they were sorry, the service manager would call me before 12 (still waiting!) and they would rectify it when it comes in to have the new parts fitted on Monday.

When I was at the Honda dealership in Retford that I got the car from I felt like all my issues were well handled and that I was looked after, however at this branch (which will remain nameless until they've sorted everything) I feel like I've been given the run around at my poor car's expense.

Will keep you all updated as to how things progress.

 

[Jen319]

Aww man, sorry you're having problems with it.
I'd have serious words with the management of the dealership that are messing you around. They have a duty of care to the car when you leave it with them, if they've left it worse than it was when you dropped it off they need to be held responsible

 

[skymera]

Poor service by Honda and you don't expect issues like that on a 4 year old car with just 16k..
Who owned it before ?
How does VTEC feel being the SOHC variety ?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Tchaaa]

Poor service by Honda and you don't expect issues like that on a 4 year old car with just 16k..
Who owned it before ?
How does VTEC feel being the SOHC variety ?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

I only learnt that the R18 was a single cam engine last night, which came as quite a surprise actually! Alas I don't get 'proper' VTEC, so it's pretty much like a normal engine, just mad fast compared the Micras I'm used to In the R18 there's an economy cam and a normal cam, the economy cam kicks in under low rev cruising so to delay the inlet valve and allow the throttle to open wider, reducing pumping losses and increasing fuel economy - or so youtube taught me!

 

[Tchaaa]

Aww man, sorry you're having problems with it.
I'd have serious words with the management of the dealership that are messing you around. They have a duty of care to the car when you leave it with them, if they've left it worse than it was when you dropped it off they need to be held responsible

I'm just going to let them know how upset I am that I dropped my car off to them under the belief it was going to be not only fixed but well looked after, and that I am very distressed that it was my new car that has suffered as a result of their negligence. Should this get me nowhere then I shall get nice and firm with them.

 

[Jen319]

I just hope they don't throw it back in your face
...you know...

"Well, it was like that when you brought it in"

BS <_<

 

[Belly93]

They should do an inspection with the customer when the vehicle is left so both partys agree what damage is on the car when the garage recieved it. If they didn't do this as a main dealer theres something wrong

 

[Tchaaa]

They should do an inspection with the customer when the vehicle is left so both partys agree what damage is on the car when the garage recieved it. If they didn't do this as a main dealer theres something wrong

From what I saw when I went to collect it, the dealership was very busy so the lady on reception just asked the first service person that walked into the reception area to get my car down off the lift and then passed me the keys (as no work has been carried out yet, just a diagnosis) so no inspection was done on their part.

 

[Belly93]

It should if been done when you handed the keys over

 

[Tchaaa]

It should if been done when you handed the keys over

There was no inspection with me present. There will however be tomorrow morning when I drop the keys off, and I'll point out their mistake.

 

[Belly93]

I would take pictures of it outside the dealer too for your proof incase any more damage is done

 

[BarnsleyNath]

Chances are they'll pay when they cant prove it hasn't happened in their care, if it was mine I'd mention over the fuel and mileage done. Seems a bit excessive to listen for a suspension knock :/ our test drive route is about 7 miles total they've cocked up so push them and if need be say yiur contacing Honda customer services if they werent already that will more than likely make them sort it for you

 

[Tchaaa]

I would take pictures of it outside the dealer too for your proof incase any more damage is done

I dropped it off this morning, and I showed the member of staff where the scratches are. Haven't got any pictures of it outside the dealership but I took some of the passenger side at my office on Saturday of the offending area.

Chances are they'll pay when they cant prove it hasn't happened in their care, if it was mine I'd mention over the fuel and mileage done. Seems a bit excessive to listen for a suspension knock :/ our test drive route is about 7 miles total they've cocked up so push them and if need be say yiur contacing Honda customer services if they werent already that will more than likely make them sort it for you

I'm not too fussed about the fuel/mileage as long as the suspension issue is rectified, if 20 miles means the issue is fixed then that's fine by me. If they cock up the paint whilst trying to fix the scratches then this may come into conversation as part of my complaint. They seem pretty happy to get it sorted for me, no queries at all, my only hesitation is that if they try to fix it, Milano Red is a really nasty colour to try and polish so they might ruin the finish, which will cost even more to fix. But should this happen I'm going to demand that I take it to a proper body shop, and they pay the bill.

 

[McMicra]

Shouldn't be any problems with the paint providing they actually know what they're doing.

You'd be surprised how many people "think" they can paint

 

[Tchaaa]

Shouldn't be any problems with the paint providing they actually know what they're doing.

You'd be surprised how many people "think" they can paint

Believe me I wouldn't, even I've "thought" I could paint before haha!

 

[Tchaaa]

Quick update for everyone!

Picked up the car from Honda today and the suspension is sweet as a nut! They'd given it a proper good clean inside and out, and polished the whole car - looks like a mirror if you can look past the orange peel Honda is well known for!

I took my dad to pick it up with me, as after 30 years in the paint business (sadly he paints planes for BA so I can't send the car to work with him!) and he says some of the scratch is still there and they've buggered up the polishing around some of the lines in the bodywork, I can see the latter but my eyes are only designed for computer screens.

I've had enough of arguing with them, so I'm sending him down there with it to point out exactly what he's seen.

Few good points though, she looks bloody fantastic all sparkling clean, and now the suspension is properly sorted, it handles better than ever. Gave it a good thrashing on it's way home and she sticks like hell!

 

[Jen319]

Well, that's a better result than before ^_^

 

[Tchaaa]

So my dad took the Civic in today, apparently the car is 'too fancy' compared to his Note, I had to walk out to it with him and show him how to start it haha!

Paint is to thin to do much more polishing, so all but about an inch or two of the scratches are gone, and what's left is almost invisible unless you're in the right light! Excellent.

Can finally go back to enjoying my car - pictures of the shiny shiny-ness on the way!

 

[Tchaaa]

It's starting to look like my luck is never going to improve! A few faultless weeks with the civic, and I'd been enjoying it thoroughly. There's still a squeak from the steering column but I've almost mentally tuned it out.

It's well known that Milano Red paint is thin, but I had no idea quite this thin. I noticed two small spots of bird toilet on my bonnet today at work when I went to move the car to avoid the local parking wardens (which is becoming a daily trial!) I had nothing to clean it off with at the time as I'd just run out of my office with my keys to avoid tickety goodness.

Set a reminder on my phone to clean it off when I got home, did it as lightly as possible with a very damp cloth, and after just a couple hours on there, it had already eaten through the entire clear coat in two patches on the bonnet, so the bonnet will need a respray at some point now!

Christ knows what I've done in a past life to end up with this sort of luck - however my memory serves with my blue Micra, I had about a year of everything breaking or going wrong, and by the time I'd had it a couple of years it was impeccable and faultless... so maybe this is just a learning curve.

In other news taking a spin to drop off a cable to a friend this evening, the civic decided to get revenge and mullered a pidgeon. So an eye for a eye... or an eye for a hole in the clear coat... who knows!

All that out the way, here's a few more photos that I promised weeks ago!

 

[Tchaaa]

One more, in rainy getting-dark goodness.

And other good news! Blue Jeff, my Micra's old companion wouldn't fit over the mirror on the civic, but with some rubber band trickery he's back... shame his colour doesn't quite match anymore :/

 

[Clodo]

Think you need a pappa smurf that's sucks about the bird poo..... I reckon it had been eating nuclear waste.... Silly bird... X

 

[Tchaaa]

Think you need a pappa smurf that's sucks about the bird poo..... I reckon it had been eating nuclear waste.... Silly bird... X

Blue Jeff is part of the system now, he can't be replaced... I did toy with the idea of dying him red though. Got him the first week I had my blue micra and he went on the mirror cause he matched and I just couldn't let him go

It wasn't even a big bit of toilet, my first micra got covered by some crap so big that we were pretty sure the bird must have expired mid flight, nothing that can fly could put out that amount of excrement! Just so disheartening! My damn luck!

 

[r-reg-sr]

your paint is water base,isnit?

 

[Tchaaa]

your paint is water base,isnit?

I'm pretty sure they changed it for this version of the civic, the old EP3's where I believe. I'm not entirely sure wether that was to or from water based paint, as it's not one of my hot topics, much more of an electronics man!

 

[r-reg-sr]

be interesting to know

 

[Tchaaa]

be interesting to know

Saw a thread about this subject on civinfo the other day actually, let me see if I can find it.

EDIT: Found it!

 

[r-reg-sr]

yeh well then,,,,act accordingly

 

[Jen319]

I've always loved the exhaust exits on these, never realised before that the front fogs match 'em

She looks great, sucks about the bird poo but.....swings and roundabouts eh?

 

[Tchaaa]

I've always loved the exhaust exits on these, never realised before that the front fogs match 'em

She looks great, sucks about the bird poo but.....swings and roundabouts eh?

With the windows down if you redline it, it actually makes a really nice noise for a system which, at idle is pretty tame and quiet. I've got to be a good boy with it though, if you drive it hard the mpg drops from low 40s to mid 20s (eek!) I will say it is fantastic fun though, where my micras had a point where they'd start to struggle in each gear this thing pulls like a train, and puts a beaming grin on my face. Makes me wonder what the Type R is like!

 

[chrisuk2009]

How are you finding it? I'm after a Civic from 06-08 but I'm scared the giant wheels of the Type S will make the ride even firmer. Seen an amazing Vivid Blue ES one with Panoramic roof within 50 miles I'd like to get. I can't justify getting the car yet, just finished university and on the lookout for a job that would warrant longer commuting.

 

[skymera]

This red looks awesome!

In comparison I left bird doo doo on my paint for around 2 weeks. Brushed off with some effort with no paint issues. Though I think mine was painted by MG/Rover. Were they renowned for their superior painting abilities?Certainly not for their engines

With the windows down if you redline it, it actually makes a really nice noise for a system which, at idle is pretty tame and quiet. I've got to be a good boy with it though, if you drive it hard the mpg drops from low 40s to mid 20s (eek!) I will say it is fantastic fun though, where my micras had a point where they'd start to struggle in each gear this thing pulls like a train, and puts a beaming grin on my face. Makes me wonder what the Type R is like!

Slower than an EP3.

If you're ever considering a Type R, it has to be a EP3 just because the K20 is pretty damn good.
Get one soon because the EP3 seems to be turning into the new Saxo in my area!

 

[MaxK11C]

This red looks awesome!

In comparison I left bird doo doo on my paint for around 2 weeks. Brushed off with some effort with no paint issues. Though I think mine was painted by MG/Rover. Were they renowned for their superior painting abilities?Certainly not for their engines



Slower than an EP3.

If you're ever considering a Type R, it has to be a EP3 just because the K20 is pretty damn good.
Get one soon because the EP3 seems to be turning into the new Saxo in my area!

(The FN2 is also a K20 iirc)


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[skymera]

(The FN2 is also a K20 iirc)


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

But dat weight tho'...

 

[MaxK11C]

But dat weight tho'...

I agree the EP3 is superior, but the EK9 is the pinnacle of hot hatchery.


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[McMicra]

This red looks awesome!

In comparison I left bird doo doo on my paint for around 2 weeks. Brushed off with some effort with no paint issues. Though I think mine was painted by MG/Rover. Were they renowned for their superior painting abilities?Certainly not for their engines



Slower than an EP3.

If you're ever considering a Type R, it has to be a EP3 just because the K20 is pretty damn good.
Get one soon because the EP3 seems to be turning into the new Saxo in my area!

EP3 and EP2 Type R reps are everywhere up here

 

[McMicra]

I agree the EP3 is superior, but the EK9 is the pinnacle of hot hatchery.


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

I disagree

Im sure @h701micra would agree the lancia delta is far superior

 

[MaxK11C]

I disagree

Im sure @h701micra would agree the lancia delta is far superior

A: I meant Honda
B: he's wrong


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[Tchaaa]

How are you finding it? I'm after a Civic from 06-08 but I'm scared the giant wheels of the Type S will make the ride even firmer. Seen an amazing Vivid Blue ES one with Panoramic roof within 50 miles I'd like to get. I can't justify getting the car yet, just finished university and on the lookout for a job that would warrant longer commuting.

I absolutely adore it - If you're gonna get a Civic from that era I'd recommend 09-onwards, which would have been when the face lifted models with a few extras came in (mine's a 59 plate). The Type S has 17" alloys and I'm running 45 profile bridgestones all round, also has a wider track and stiffer suspension than the other models. The ride is definitely firm but it's not uncomfortable in any way. Panoramic roof makes the interior feel vastly bigger too!

In terms of coming from a K12 Sport+ to the Civic, it's a whole different league - Micra was more fun to fire about a car park and be a bit nutty in, civic is more grown up, pulls like a train through all the gears, cruises nicely, but can still be chucked about windy roads when the mood should take you.

 

[Tchaaa]

This red looks awesome!

In comparison I left bird doo doo on my paint for around 2 weeks. Brushed off with some effort with no paint issues. Though I think mine was painted by MG/Rover. Were they renowned for their superior painting abilities?Certainly not for their engines

Slower than an EP3.

If you're ever considering a Type R, it has to be a EP3 just because the K20 is pretty damn good.
Get one soon because the EP3 seems to be turning into the new Saxo in my area!

Yeah both my Micra's had much better paint, it's so annoying because the birds of the local area are targeting my car, it's getting coated in **** daily! My temporary solution is just to leave it a bit muddy. I nearly inherited my dad's Rover 45 as I was turning 17 and that thing was amazing, as a company Rover were a bit underrated but they were also plauged with issues. But Milano red does look amazing

I understand what you mean about the EP3 in terms of performance, but when it comes to something you can use every day, the FN2 is so much better. Same power plant, but heaps more bootspace and a much more upmarket interior. If I were to buy a Type R solely for driving like a tool then you're right the EP3 is the one - however the FN2 has more of an every day appeal.

 

[Tchaaa]

I agree the EP3 is superior, but the EK9 is the pinnacle of hot hatchery.


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

K20 + EK9 = Maaaaaaaaaad.

 

[MaxK11C]

K20 + EK9 = Maaaaaaaaaad.

Might ruin the whole balance of the EK9 somehow ... I'm not sure K20 is the best way to go ALL the time!


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

 

[Tchaaa]

Might ruin the whole balance of the EK9 somehow ... I'm not sure K20 is the best way to go ALL the time!

'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

Stick a HR412E in it

 

[skymera]

Might ruin the whole balance of the EK9 somehow ... I'm not sure K20 is the best way to go ALL the time!


'Sent from my bed using paper planes'

EK9+H22?

 

[MaxK11C]

EK9+H22?

Same issue I fear

 

[Tchaaa]

Same issue I fear

Well... if it fits.... (as demonstrated below!)

 

[Tchaaa]

Civic hit 20,000 miles the other day so I treated her to a quickie wash, couldn't get most of the bugs and road grime off but she is looking much shinier after some neglect in the looks department.

Have been considering some mods for the car, which I will no doubt argue with myself about for the next few months before deciding wether or not I will action but the list goes...

• Civic Si Grille (Has the same dark grey stripe along the bottom as a Type R grille but won't make me look like a tit for putting a red badge on a non-R)
• HID's and LED's - Someone on Civinfo does a kit of every bulb you'll need for a reasonable price so worth considering.
• New exhausts & induction kit - Want some more noise when I put my foot in it, so this is preying on my mind.
• Some kind of bluetooth kit - really miss having it in my micra, haven't found a kit elegant and factory-looking enough yet.
• De-brick front numberplate - probably not going to happen, brick has saved the nose from inconsiderate drivers trying to park many many times.
• Type R gearknob and gaiter - Didn't like the Type S gear lever at first, it has grown on me, another I don't know yet.
• TDI North Turbo conversion - pipe dream, not going to happen unless I win the lottery.
• Locking Folding Mirror Mod - Achieved by a box from (I believe) an accord, mirrors fold in when you lock the car.

Like mentioned in the explanations, these aren't gonna happen any time soon and might not happen at all - they're just what I have in mind at this point in time. It's gonna be stock for a little while longer whilst the warranty runs out, and I recover from the financial shock of paying the finance/running it.

Realistically the next step is gonna be taking it back to Honda to get the squeaking steering column sorted before it completely diminishes my mental state.