I test drove a 2010 Civic Type-R (FN2) today.
Main reason for doing so was not that I'm looking to buy one, but because I wanted to compare the steering and handling to my 180.
This is in the context of my current frustration with my 180's slow/unresponsive steering (to my taste anyway) as described in my thread:-
http://www.themgzs.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?p=328380
I thought a good modern FWD performance car would be a good benchmark to see if I was just being unrealistic in my expectations of the steering on my 180.
Please note
I'd like to say that I DO NOT want to start another CTR vs ZS "mine is better than yours" thread. I'm a fan of both for one reason or another.
My 180
My 180 is standard apart from polybushed front suspension, ITG induction and a catch tank. 2003 Saloon with 130000m, I've owned it for 8 years.
The steering feels very "lazy" to me and too light, requiring too much steering input and has a rather "soft" steering bite.
CTR (FN2) test drive impressions compared to my 180
The CTR's steering when compared to my 180 is on a different planet!
Much more responsive, much more bite, much less steering wheel input required, much better turn-in. Much more "kart like". Basically exactly how I want my 180 to handle.
SO, how do I make my 180 steer/handle like that?
Or am I basically just going to have to get a CTR FN2?
Other aspects
I was expecting to be more impressed by the CTR engine than I was. I was expecting it to be noticeably quicker than my 180. But whatever the on-paper performance figures suggest, the performance
felt more or less on a par.
The engines deliver in different ways, but overall the acceleration
felt similar.
The VTEC engine has better throttle response than the KV6 though and a better clutch bite, but I didn't like the CTR gearbox much. The ZS PG1 gearbox has a nicer gear shift. I've never been a big fan of 6-speed boxes, but I'm sure it's something you would get used to.
The CTR seats are much better than the ZS ones. More comfortable and more supportive, but I really don't like the CTR dashboard, which I found to be a very fussy and untidy design. Even though the ZS dash is rather dated, I actually quite like it's simplicity and it's always had very good/clear main instruments.
Back to the point.
Anyway, back to the point of all this, the steering/handling.
I want to keep my 180 ideally, but I really want to sharpen up the steering if it's at all possible.
Dave
Threaded Mode