M/T: Hot Hatch Comparo (WRX, Golf R, Focus RS, Type R)

[Bob]

I don't have approval for a manual at the moment, but I don't have a definitive no either. I would actually enjoy getting back into a manual car, but I am not sure it will get approved. Realistically, there are some very rare occasions where this might be inconvenient, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work since we own a very reliable automatic car.

Actually, if I get approval for a manual, I would strongly consider buying the Evo when my friend gets rid of it. This would be a car that I could buy, drive for 2 years and probably lose $0, or possibly less than zero given that there are few stock, responsibly owned examples left. This is the GSR model which is the enthusiast's choice due to the stronger 5-speed manual so that helps as well. Also, I think it's a lot of fun to drive and they are actually pretty reliable in stock form. I would keep it stock for resale purposes. Basically, I would have more fun commuting in the Evo than a Vsport, due to the short gearing, manual transmission and responsive chassis, but the Evo wouldn't be as good for highway trips.

[kevm14]

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/honda/c ... al-review/

M/T is starting a long term test on the Type R. Some quotes from the intro:

We fell in "enthusiast" love with the Civic Type R in the first moments we drove it in Montreal last year. During its First Test, features editor Christian Seabaugh, who is never at a loss for words, said, "Thinking of clever ways to describe cars pays my bills, so rarely does a car leave me struggling to find words to describe it—yet that's the situation I found myself in after driving the Honda Civic Type R. I settled for three: 'Holy s---. Wow. '"

Angus MacKenzie, wrote, "This is the most impressive new Honda I've driven since the original NSX." Riding that impressive endorsement, we then pitted the Type R against its closest performance analogues: special edition versions of both the Ford Focus RS and Subaru WRX STI Type RA plus a VW Golf R. Again, the Civic Type R shined brightly, and handily—and unanimously—won that comparison test.

Currently, Honda doesn't offer any options on the Civic Type R. It comes in one well-appointed Touring trim level but lacks the Honda Sensing safety suite and LaneWatch that come on the Touring trims of Honda's other models. Instead, the Type R gets LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights; deeply bolstered racing-style front seats and two rear buckets; push-button start; cruise control; auto up/down front windows; a leather-wrapped steering wheel; voice-compatible navigation; a 7.0-inch high-resolution touchscreen; 12-speaker (including subwoofer) 540-watt audio system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/Bluetooth compatibility and SiriusXM; HD radio; 1.5- and 1.0-amp USB ports; and Honda Link with apps, Pandora, and SMS text compatibility. It comes loaded for the fair price of $35,595.

We're happy to report our Type R got a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds on its way to a 13.6-second, 104.7-mph quarter mile. Its brakes are strong, as well, with repeated stops from 60 mph in just 100 feet. Our Civic Type R averaged 1.00g in lateral acceleration as it put down a competitive 24.5-second figure eight. All of these results land it right in the middle of the three previous Type Rs we've tested.

I don't support this over a V-sport but I guess if you had to get rid of the Elise, this could make sense. I mean it's the best driving, overall best performing AND best deal in this class. And it's FWD!

[Bob]

Yeah, I have occasionally thought about getting a manual transmission car that is more practical to replace the Elise. The most recent time was in 2012 when I considered the BRZ (good thing I didn't do that). If I did a straight swap of my Elise for a brand new Civic Type R and drove it as little as I drive my Elise, I probably wouldn't lose any money. Looking back on it, what I should have done was kept the Integra Type R and sold the Elise. I would have had a lot more opportunities to use the Type R over the last few years since it is possible to transport a child in it. I probably would be tempted to cash out on bringatrailer now though. $35-40k can buy a lot of other fun options.

One crazy scenario would be to buy a Civic Type R to replace the Elise and a Vsport as a daily driver. Unfortunately, manual is still a no-go as a daily driver so I can't give the Civic Type R any serious consideration for that role.