Wapcar Automotive News – After months of searching, agonizing, and almost refusing to buy a car, I’ve finally found a commensurate overkill. Perfect. I bought a 2019 Honda Civic Type R in Sonic Gray Pearl, and it’s the second car I’ve owned that I can’t help but regret. I love it even with its 80,000 miles.
With the Volkswagen GTI on the move, I considered a first-generation Subaru BRZ, an E92-generation BMW M3, a Porsche Cayman S 987 and a Hyundai Veloster N(by the way, I am looking forward to the performance of Hyundai Veloster 2023). The BRZ is gutless but pure, the M3 is a bit pricey for a clean one with a great maintenance record, a good manual Cayman S is hard to find these days for around $30,000, and I don’t believe that the Veloster N will keep it a $32,000 car longer than the market is unusual.
Most of all, I was afraid that spending or borrowing money to buy a car could cause me to break down during maintenance. I didn’t initially review the Civic Type R because most of them cost $40,000 or more.
This is the biggest purchase I’ve ever made in my life. The maximum I’ve spent on a car before was $8,000 for a 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B, and every previous car was $6,000 or less and very risky to own, like my 2007 BMW 335i. Out of about 13 cars I’ve owned during my brief time on Earth, the only one I don’t regret buying is my 2009 Honda Civic Si.
Like most bargains, the Type R was born out of a last-minute stroke of luck. Anyone shopping in today’s marketplace knows it’s pure pain. Expensive cars and desirable options are in less than ideal condition, especially for car enthusiasts. These days, getting a clean car often means overpaying, which I don’t want to do. Looks like my great $6,000 cars are gone completely, cars I previously owned cost $15,000 or more.
Coincidentally, I found out that my friend was selling his R type for a much lower price, and everything changed. I also happen to have a decent amount of money thanks to reasonable funding from my credit union. After some small talk, I gave him $32,000 for his (now mine) well-maintained Type R with 80,000 miles.
Discussing the value of cash versus financial transactions is for another article, but overall, I’m extremely pleased with my purchase. My friend is a detail enthusiast, so the car has applied paint protection film and full ceramic coating, as well as corrected the paint before painting.
He knows a thing or two about quality parts too, so the car comes with an upgraded PRL cooler, Spoon Sports hard collar, AP Racing/Essex J-hook front brake rotor, wheels Titan7 18×9.5 with 265mm wide rubber, reworked gearbox. to combat the infamous second-equipment failure and meticulous service record from the showroom floor. This is a truly tastefully modified single-owner car.
Mileage is what has helped keep prices under control. I doubt these cars will ever really be cheap cars and keep their value, so hopefully, I bought the car at the top one mile/value. It’s definitely one of the longest Type Rs I’ve seen, but the love and care for this car paid off, as did the thoughtful mods.
But the car is much better for its mileage. Compared to the 700-mile press car I got in January, it drives a bit better, the engine is less powerful, and the cabin has settled into a nicer, quieter position. It has aged gracefully, enough that I like it much more than the low mileage loaner. Truth be told, the main reason I own this car now is the magical time I’ve had with the lender. Now I feel it all the time.
Taking it on some mountain roads and highways over the past week reminds me of how dazzling Type Rs are. The steering is quick and the weight is good if slightly lacking on-road feel, but that pairs well with the car’s absurd directional changes and stability into the fierce lateral grip. The gear lever is subtle but well built, with effervescent gears and synchronous communication down to the teardrop button.
It makes me feel special no matter where I am, doing or going. I think that’s the mark of a great car. He does everything for me. It’s the kind of car I dreamed of driving as a kid, and it’s the car I’ll come across in traffic as an adult and reminisce about the stolen hours I spent with one. Now I can climb up and feel the embrace of those red seats and feel the brazen Honda character whenever I want.
However, there were plans for this car. I will modify it and use it as a testing ground for the more scientific elements of The Garage. My first test with the car was this Friday at Willow Springs International Speedway, and from there the mod list will begin.
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