Is Honda Civic Type R Worth It?

According to owner reviews, the Civic Type R doesn’t have any irreparable flaws. Instead, a number of elements demonstrate that the high cost of ownership for this sporty compact is unjustified.

The cost of thrills is high. Therefore, individuals who buy this hot hatchback will pay a premium. The starting price of the 2021 Honda Civic Type R, for instance, is $37,895. Additionally, since the car’s 2017 model year launch, MotorTrend claims that retailers have frequently pushed up the price of the vehicle above MSRP.

Some customers, nevertheless, complained that they didn’t obtain a good return on their investment. Only 3.4 out of 5 stars were given to the current-generation Type R in Kelley Blue Book customer reviews. Notably, the vehicle received one or two stars from 43% of reviewers, ranking it among the least popular Honda cars on KBB.

Is buying a Type R worthwhile?

That was a brief history lesson, but we’d like to concentrate today’s conversation on the 10th generation of Civics since they are currently being sold for the sake of simplicity and accessibility. Here’s a hot take for those of you debating whether the older Type R is preferable than a SI: It is absolutely worth it. These automobiles will unquestionably sustain their worth and, if maintained well, most likely increase in value. However, importing one will cost you dearly.

But what about the tenth generation? Let’s explore what the Type R and the SI are.

How long is the Civic Type R good for?

So, let’s get to the point: how long are Honda Civics good for? The short response is: a long time! The lengthy response: Honda Civics occasionally have a lifespan of up to 20 years or 200,000 kilometers.

Some will assert that it can travel up to 300,000 miles, however we prefer to be a little more cautious when using these figures. Nevertheless, you can count on the Civic to last a very long time because it is a really dependable vehicle.

Of course, this assumes that you purchase a new Civic and maintain it well. Your results may vary depending on a number of variables. For instance, if you purchase a used 2010 Civic, you can anticipate it to last another 10 years rather than 20, given its first 10 years have already passed.

If you purchase a new Civic, you’ll get the greatest use out of it. Even then, you’ll need to take good care of it by doing necessary repairs as soon as they become necessary and keeping up with routine maintenance. Of course, you should drive it safely on uneven roads and avoid burnouts, redlining, and other mechanically aggressive behaviors.

We’ll cover maintenance advice in more detail later, but for the time being, consider this point concerning the dependability of cars:

A Note About Car Reliability

Be aware that just because Honda Civics have a solid reputation for dependability doesn’t mean they are trouble-free and flawless. In actuality, every car has issues. Automobiles are very intricate, with thousands of interlocking parts. In a piece of machinery this complicated, something is sure to go wrong.

The most important thing to keep in mind in this situation is that no car is perfect, and reliability issues are inevitable. Some are only annoyances, but others are dangerous issues that could endanger vehicles.

This also applies to the Honda Civic. Despite their generally long lifespans, not all Civics are created equal; some of them have major reliability issues. These are blips on the generally impressive reliability record of the vehicle.

Honda Civics are generally very dependable and easier (and frequently less expensive) to maintain over the long haul than other vehicles.

The main lesson to be learned from this is that while these issues do not indicate that the Civic is unreliable, there are some model years that have greater issues that you may want to steer clear of.

Is Honda Civic Type R maintenance expensive?

The cost of maintaining a used Honda Type R is high. On their long-term Type R, Car and Driver damaged a wheel, and replacing it cost them $1,800. Other parts and accessories will be less expensive, but this performance-built racer will require more maintenance (and cash) than the typical secondhand Civic.

The Civic Type R is it a gimmick?

It’s true that the Integra Type-R is among the most overrated vehicles I’ve ever examined. The Civic Type R is also hideous. However, to argue that a review “felt” unwillingly done is undoubtedly a victim mentality issue; I wrote the review, so I can attest to the fact that it didn’t feel that way.

It started with a kiss… a kiss of the rev counter’s red line.

Drivers realized the Civic Type-R from Honda was unique at that point. It defeated the opposition and took home more honors than it should have. It was feisty, focused, and enjoyable.

Racing is what Type-R stands for. The goal of Honda’s engineers was to create a racing vehicle for the road that would excite drivers and immerse them in the action. They had success. Even one of the finest racing drivers in the world, Ayrton Senna, was captivated by the first Type-R.

The Type R is cozy, right?

You could be excused for believing the 2020 Honda Civic Type R has a harsh and unforgiving ride when you first see it. According to Car and Driver, it is mounted on 20 wheels covered in 245/30ZR-20 Continental SportContact 6 tires. The sidewalls on those tires aren’t especially thick.

However, the adaptive dampers in the Type R’s sport-tuned suspension have been revised for 2020, according to Motor Trend. With firmer bushings, lower-friction ball joints, and altered geometry, the suspension has also seen some improvements.

When you turn on the car, Sport Mode is selected by default. But you may switch to +R or Comfort Mode via a switch placed on the dash. Each mode alters the steering settings, throttle responsiveness, and damper stiffness. According to Roadshow, in 2020, Sport and +R turn on the sound synthesizer, which plays simulated exhaust sounds through the speakers.

Fair enough, a car with its tires and big wheels should ride far worse than the 2020 Honda Civic Type R does. The hot hatch was definitely hard, but still relatively compliant, even in Sport Mode. In Comfort Mode, it becomes even more docile while maintaining its nimble and enjoyable handling. Plus, it makes a reasonable but fast commuter with a smoother throttle and no manufactured exhaust noise.

The driving mode switch, though, only goes so far. The Type R has some athletic features that cannot entirely be disabled. Specifically, the wheels, tires, and a stiffer chassis and suspension system than the Civic standard model. Coffee will spill out of your covered cup even in Comfort Mode if you drive over a railroad crossing or a potholed road. Additionally, at highway speeds, the performance tires produce audible noise.

Can Type R handle snow?

No of the weather, I have to get to work because I reside in Cleveland, Ohio. In many inches of snow or slush, I’ve encountered no problems. Put your car in comfort mode to lessen torque. I have no problems running Michelin Alpins on 235/40/R18. With all-wheel drive and all-season tires, it handles just as well as or better than my previous vehicle. The CTR is lower than 6 inches over the ground, which is the only restriction I would make. It is probable to experience troubles getting hung up if you frequently go through deep or drifting snow. My area has good plowing, therefore I don’t have this problem.

What is the Honda Civic Type R’s top speed?

The 2.0-liter, in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled engine that powers the 2021 Honda Civic Type R and Type R Limited Edition produces 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

A 6-speed manual transmission with rev-match control is teamed with the potent engine, which is encased in a flaming red cover.

Three driving settings are available for the Type R: Comfort, Sport, and the unique +R mode. To improve the driving experience, you can alter the suspension, throttle response, and steering wheel in the various settings.

Type R Top SpeedFastest Hatchback!

The Type R’s strong engine, lightweight, reinforced chassis, and all-aluminum hood enable it to move quickly and accelerate more quickly.

This gets us to the top speed of the vehicle. The 2021 Honda Type R is said to be capable of reaching a high speed of 169 mph and accelerating from 0-60 in under six seconds, according to a number of publications, including Topspeed and AutoExpress. The Civic Type R Limited Edition, the quickest hatchback on the market, can push the needle to 180 mph for drivers seeking even more speed, though.

Do Honda Civics experience issues?

The venerable Honda Civic is rated third out of 36 compact cars by RepairPal, with a dependability score of 4.5 out of 5.0. Despite its stellar reputation for dependability, there are a few problems with the Civic that you should be aware of:

  • Transmission problems – If you’re considering an older Civic, the transmission is one reliability concern that you should be aware of. Transmission systems on older Civics, starting with the 2001 model, could slip or outright fail. For an average of $2,300, you may have the transmission rebuilt or replaced.
  • Defective airbags: As part of the extensive recall, Takata airbags, which were disastrous, were installed in early 2000 Civics. When activated, these malfunctioning airbags may detonate. When purchasing a Civic from the first half of 2000, make sure this problem has been fixed.
  • Faulty A/C systems – The climate control system in used Civic models, particularly those from 2001 to 2004, is notoriously problematic. A broken thermal fuse is a frequent reason why the blower stops working.
  • Body integrity issues – The 2009 and 2010 Civics have difficulties with things like broken sun visors and peeling paint that are related to body integrity. The owners were perplexed that there was no recall because the peeling paint is so pervasive.

This question’s solution is more complex than you might think. Let’s investigate the distinctions between gasoline and diesel engines as well as the precise number of spark plugs that a diesel engine truly has.

Is Type R too expensive?

It’s only the most recent in a string of progressively higher prices for Honda’s most popular Civic model.

Fans of affordable performance automobiles will be disappointed to learn that the price of the Honda Civic Type R, the brand’s hottest and most potent small car, will rise as 2021 approaches.

A $400 rise in the Civic R’s base MSRP is combined with a destination fee increase of $40 for cars and $55 for trucks and crossovers, for a total price increase of $440 for the 2020 model year.

Depending on how long a customer may be financing, that may not seem like much for a car that already costs close to $40k in the US, but it’s better than half of an entire additional monthly payment. It’s also not the first price rise the Civic R has experienced since going on sale.

Although pricing changes from year to year are by no means rare in the auto industry, it’s unclear whether you’re actually getting more for your money. The 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed manual and 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque remains the same in the 2021 Honda Civic Type R.

However, the majority of the range is increasing by $200 to $300, not only the Type R, in anticipation of 2021. It’s interesting to note that the $400 base price increase does not apply to the top-of-the-line Limited Edition Type R. The only vehicle receiving a bump is the Type R Touring.