I'm considering a Type R civic; what else should I be thinking about?

It's time for a new car. I'm considering the Type R, I don't mind the looks and it is pretty much accepted by everyone to be a fantastic car, an instant classic for performance and handling if you believe the press. It would be nice to own one of those even just once.

However, my cheap ass side kicked in when I found out they're $45K CAD. Now I still may do it. But it got me thinking; what other car produced from let's say 2015 on was/is considered a classic drivers car? The only requirement is that it needs to carry four adults. A true manual is a plus, but not required. And is should be under $40K CAD/30K USD, hopefully quite a bit under, otherwise I should just get the R.

Always appreciate the hives thoughts.

What does the GTI performance pack 2015+ run now? I always prefer to go "lightly used"

Go with the Type R. Live it up! The VW R,  I think, with a DSG is pretty awesome but it's more money.  

2018 Mustang GT. 

Used Focus RS

just get the R. 

I really have fallen for the car over the last couple days from reading up on it. 

Could you even find a Civic R if you wanted one? I haven't checked recently but I  think they are slim pickings in the states as in one or two per dealer per year..............something like that. I like them too but gave up when none were available and/or the dealer gouged the heck out of the price. Maybe things have changed now that they are not so new and the latest thing.

They are still over priced here in Houston $50k at Honda cars of Katy they have 2 on the show room 

Does Hennessy Honda have any?

I suggest considering the 2016+ Camaro SS and Camaro V6 1LE (or similar variants arguments' sake). Seriously, drive one. They handle very nicely, both are fully covered by warranty while on the track.

An affordable way to do it would be to buy a utterly base V6 1LS. It's $29k CDN or 2/3rds the price of a Type R. Buy the GM performance parts lowering/handling kit and your own set of wheels/tires. Use the factory wheels for winter tires. The lowering handling kit is suppose to gain 1.6 seconds on GM's 1 min autoX course. The V6 1LE has the same suspension as the base SS (V8) Camaro, so it's easy to buy take off parts and essentially make your own, however only the genuine V6 1LE and better are fully warrantied at the track. The V6 sounds great, I think its the best sounding V6 on the market.

Motor Trend recorded a lap time within a tenth at Streets of Willow between the Civic Type R and the Camaro V6 1LE. I would argue what I've proposed above is faster than the Civic type R for a lot less money. I haven't driven the type R, but my next car will likely either be a ND Miata or a V6 Camaro.

The 2.0L Camaro varient weights in ~3300lbs, V6 ~3400lbs, V8 3700lbs. Civic Type R 3100lbs.

I just rented one for 24 hours.  Do it.  

I can’t believe how cool it was. 

There's not much out there (new) that is special in the way the TypeR is. It's a very interesting mix of affordable-ish and rare and potentially good daily. 

In reply to Datsun310Guy :

Really?  Who let's you rent a Type R for 24 hours!!??  I would be up for that!

In reply to Jeff :

Here's my solution:  '15 GTI manual w/Power pack & light package,  APR Stg 1 91 Octane low power tune, some lightweight 18X8 wheels.  Massively fun to drive! I suspect a nicer interior than the Type R with a more subdued external appearance. (Nothing against the Type R, but I think you can do better with less money given supply/demand for the Type R)

I bought new and waited for the warranty to expire before I did any of this. The car was fun before, unbelievable more fun now. I feel like I'm getting away with something.

I don't know what the '17 or '18 model year packages/etc. on the GTI are needed to get this. In 2015 I paid <$26KUSD for my custom ordered GTI, then after the warranty expired added the ~$700USD to have the tune, and another $1200USD for the hubcentric Neuspeed wheels.

The GTI seats 4 comfortably and I've hauled 10 tires in the back with the seats folded down (eight 18" and two 17" tires). That's some versatility!  Good luck with you search.

Feedyurhed said:

In reply to Datsun310Guy :

Really?  Who let's you rent a Type R for 24 hours!!??  I would be up for that!

https://turo.com/rentals/cars/il/burr-ridge/honda-civic/353961?s=ZlTeUQ-J

Thanks for the feedback. The Camero idea is interesting if there's enough  backseat room. 

rocketrich said:

In reply to Jeff :

Here's my solution:  '15 GTI manual w/Power pack & light package,  APR Stg 1 91 Octane low power tune, some lightweight 18X8 wheels.  Massively fun to drive! I suspect a nicer interior than the Type R with a more subdued external appearance. (Nothing against the Type R, but I think you can do better with less money given supply/demand for the Type R)

I bought new and waited for the warranty to expire before I did any of this. The car was fun before, unbelievable more fun now. I feel like I'm getting away with something.

I don't know what the '17 or '18 model year packages/etc. on the GTI are needed to get this. In 2015 I paid <$26KUSD for my custom ordered GTI, then after the warranty expired added the ~$700USD to have the tune, and another $1200USD for the hubcentric Neuspeed wheels.

The GTI seats 4 comfortably and I've hauled 10 tires in the back with the seats folded down (eight 18" and two 17" tires). That's some versatility!  Good luck with you search.

Yeah I think the mechanical diff current generation GTI with a tune is an understated performer

I think you need to be 18 years old to really like the appearance - maybe if they offered a wing delete it would improve the looks. 

The 4 cylinder Mustang Ecoboost is a nice little package....

Used M2 anywhere close to that?  

Okay, so I neglected to figure out which side of Canada you were on before I did this research, but I would presume it's still applicable.

The most similar counterpoint would be a Mini JCW GP. Hardcore, rare, FWD. I just happen to think they look better.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/ctd/d/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp/6517307095.html

If you, as I, would prefer something with RWD, the BMW M235i seems like a good choice.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/d/2015-bmw-m235i-gorgeous-6/6536741367.html

If you, as I, would prefer something with 700hp, a supercharged Mustang is a thing.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/d/2015-mustang-gt-base-model/6548649449.html

If you, as I, are a complete fool, you would say berkeley the arbitrary criteria I just made up, I can afford a motherberkeleying TVR.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/cto/d/1997-tvr-chimaera-450/6500415342.html

If you want a hot hatch you could save $20k and buy a FoST. It isn't as racy as the Type R but you'd have a lot of money leftover for mods.

Don't know what the market is like in the Great White North, but down here it's not difficult to find Boss 302 Mustangs with 30k miles for $30k US. Google tells me that's under your budget in Canadian $.

NA V8 with 440+hp, RWD, Manual trans vs Boosted 4 cyl with 300+hp, FWD, Manual trans

Different strokes for different folks and all that, but I know where I'd be heading with my money.

Jeff - one of my peers has a Type R and he let me drive it one night. They are quick.

My input would be try a WRX - one of the new ones with the FB series engines.

white_fly said:

Okay, so I neglected to figure out which side of Canada you were on before I did this research, but I would presume it's still applicable.

The most similar counterpoint would be a Mini JCW GP. Hardcore, rare, FWD. I just happen to think they look better.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/ctd/d/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp/6517307095.html

If you, as I, would prefer something with RWD, the BMW M235i seems like a good choice.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/d/2015-bmw-m235i-gorgeous-6/6536741367.html

If you, as I, would prefer something with 700hp, a supercharged Mustang is a thing.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/d/2015-mustang-gt-base-model/6548649449.html

If you, as I, are a complete fool, you would say berkeley the arbitrary criteria I just made up, I can afford a motherberkeleying TVR.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/cto/d/1997-tvr-chimaera-450/6500415342.html

He's in Ontario - near or in Toronto.

A used Matrix XRS and about 25 grand in the bank?