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Goodbye Type-R

12/12/09

Goodbye Type-R

I woke up today with an unexpected phone call. The Prestige dealer in Leeds has called me to let me know I can go and pick up my new car. This was a few days earlier than expected and although they’re few pleasures as great as collecting a new car, what I was leaving behind in exchange was saddening affair. I realised to myself that the final “send-off” drive that was originally planned in my Type-R was not actually going to happen at all. Sad indeed.

The spacious yet sporty aggressive stance that welcomed me on the road was to be the last time and I was starting to doubt weather its replacement could match the thrill the Civic gave to me. The 20 or so mile drive into Leeds was a sad one. Knowing I was experiencing everything for the last time from the Civic Type-R somehow made me feel empty. The perfect gear change of the dash mounted gear lever. The superb front wheel drive handling and of course the marvellous 200bhp Vtec engine that screams and pulled frantically after 6000rpm, was to be the last time for me.

Although it was sad to see it go, there is an agenda that had to be filled. Money had to be saved. Although £500+, I decided was too much to be spending on the civic per month, I didn’t want to compromise the performance that I had gotten used to by trying to spend less. I found out it would be very hard to get a car that could out perform or equal the Type-R for less or equal money, so I needed to come in from a different angle. I thought lightweight and handling could be my main form of attack, and if I could get a different drive train layout, MR or FR, regardless of the performance, I would be more than happy.

First thoughts obviously send you to the lotus elise. I found a red 2003 model with 160bhp. This car was lightweight, had brilliant looks, and the lotus badge would bring kudos my way. Although I was all set for liking this car, it didn’t quite vibe with me. The ride was relentless. I’m sure that 90% of all journeys I would have made would be full of knocks and bangs as the ride was too firm for my liking. I found the seats just too unconfortable and un-adjustable. Worse of all was the brakes and steering. No power steering, no servo assisted brakes and no abs just killed the deal for me. Maybe that is the pure lotus way, but on the road as a daily drive it just aint happening, my back ached and I felt its potential could never be obtained on public roads by me. To top things off, the K-series engine just felt a little old and out-dated compared to the Vtec engine.

I needed something similar to a Elise, with a more supple ride and power steering with brakes that was servo assisted with ABS. which was MR layout had a engine similar to the vtec, and if possible even a convertible which wasn’t a VX220. I cant believe what I came up with. A Toyota MR2 roadster. This little beastie is a true gem and I would have honestly believed lotus if they had given me the MR2 and told me it was the Dale-Spec Elise. It is exactly what I was looking for. Having everything I liked in the elise and everything I wanted which the elise didn’t have. Plus I save Hundreds every month. I am sad to see the Civic go and I’ll forever miss that screaming engine. But every time I come to a corner I’m even happier now I’m the MR2.

2009: 12/12
POSTED BY: Dale
CATEGORY: Dale
TAGS: Type r type-r honda civic
3 comments

MR2 Diary 12/12/09 ( The New Owner of a MR2 Roadster)

MR2 Diary 12/12/09

I think that when one collects there new car from the garage, its one of the best feelings on eath, especially as a driving enthusiast. Its also a dreaded feeling. Knowing you have commited to pay finance for the next tens of months, or significantly reduced your bank account for a machine which you only spent a limited amount of time driving rather conservatively, it leaves a lot to be expected. When I collected the MR2 today I really hoped to god I would be satisfied with it. It needed to handled well, feel punchy and also bring driver enjoyment. You cant know for sure if what you are buying will achieve all this. All you can do is make a judgment from the conserved short drive with the saleman when you had a test drive.

At least the sun was out which aint bad for December. I’m sure this was a sign from the car gods (it is a convertible). After handing the keys over for the Civic Type-R I felt alittle sad inside. The MR2 was mine now. I remember thinking to myself “is this the right thing to do?”. I suppose I would find out on the way home. My sister climbed into shiney new MR2 which looked so small next to my now ex-Civic. We looked about the cabin and checked the cubie holes, pushed the buttons and finally placed the tax disc. Excellent we was on our way home. I took one last look at my old Milano red civic, and hoped its replacement would bring me as much fun and take as much care of me as the Type-R did.

Becoming familiar with the MR2 on the 20 miles trip back home I noticed a few things. First, my sun visor was loose, annoying yet a simple fix for when I get home. Secondly I am pleasantly surprised with the engine. It pulls extremely well, with a more throaty sound. As I go along I am now in my own time able to feel the car more and enjoy the drive more so that the test drive. Thankfully I was pleased. Its instantaneous handling and precise steering is exactly to my prefrence. Its much more fun that the Elise I test drove. Braking has a good firm pressure to the pedal and works perfectly in conjuntion with the steering feel. You can really feel which tire has how much grip, this in my eyes is how every drivers car should be. But strangly enough the steering and brakes was lacking in the Type-R, So having this information been fed through my body was welcomed. It was like switching from 56k to broadband, I was feeling so much more, and all this from mundane city driving.

Adventually we hit the motorway. Time to open the throttle abit. Although the engine sounds quite muted in comparison to my type-R which screamed at everything, it did have abit of a grunty burble at about 5000rpm. Speed in all gears seemed very reasonable, its not Type-R fast but its no slouch and could definatly keep up with my old Fiesta ST. Another thing you notice is the lower down driving position, even “Small” cars like Corsa’s, Fiesta’s and the like all look large and heavy, and they are heavy, and you can just sense by the way they move that the MR2’s must have massive agility in comparison. Further down the motorway my sister finally persuades me to pull into the service station to take the soft top down, and with that I fear the cold winter child been blasted into my head as I drive at 70mph down the M62,

Suprisingly enough though no cold entered the cabin. There was no wind in the face. Just a steady warm breeze from the heater. Outside air only touch the very top of my head and that was no hassle what so ever. So my first top down motoring drive was a pleasant experience. Fifthteen minutes later I pull up outside my home with my little 4 year old brother, my nan and my other 12 year brother waiting on the pavement for my arrival. They all liked the look of my car especially Coen. I took the “MR2 Passport” which is basically the manual and took it inside for a read. Through-out the day I took my mum, auntie and nan for a drive. Even let my mum drive it herself.

My nan got a drive all the way to Hollingworth lake. This was a great driving for me as I got to drive on country roads where the MR2 really excels and I’m convince would challenge the Type-R. I visited the petrol station and my nan put £10 worth of fuel in for me. All I got back was great praise for the car. Good to be in and great to drive. And that’s exactly my thoughts. To say I’m saving so much money and still having so much fun driving, I’m a happy bunny indeed. I’ve not got the chance to push it today due to driving other people who was excited to check the car out. But what I did achieve was a basic understanding of the cars dynamic set up and ride. Handling and driver enjoyment is the MR2’s priority, I can sense this. Theres still a lot to discover and much much more potential to unlock.

Tommorow I will have a drive to visit Chris and introduce him to my new machine. Also no doubt I will get to push the MR2 abit harder and see how it will cope.