30 MODERNCLASSICS
)
High-revvinghothatch thatwillmakeyour heartsoar
1997-2000
200
UK cars left
CLEVER
BUYS
MONEY
Why you want one
Buying a classic hot hatch, or
something such as the Alfa, is all well
and good – but concerns about
reliability, usability and the cost of
repairs can quickly blunt the
ownership experience.
One solution is to buy something
eminently reliable. How about, for
example, a dependable four-cylinder
Civic? Okay, that might not have
grabbed you; what if, though, the Civic
packed a ferociously fettled 1.6-litre
engine that produced a stout 182bhp
at a heady 8200rpm? If that sounds
more like it, then the EK9 Type R
should head up your shopping list.
It’s a treat to drive, thanks in part to
its limited-slip differential, while its
uncommon nature and niche appeal
help buoy its future value.
What the experts say
There’s nothing like a good curveball
from time to time, and the EK9 is
certainly just that. It was never
officially sold in the UK, for starters,
so any car you encounter here will
have been imported – and, all in, only
a handful have made it over to our
less-than-sunny shores. Thus, they
will be off the radar of many.
Those who have ever picked up a
consolecontrollerinthepasttwo
decades,however,willhavelikely
encounteredtheEK9initsdigital
formintheGranTurismoseries.It’s
herethattheCiviccementedits
positioninthemindsof many,which
has ledto a cultfollowingforthefast-
fourHondatoday.
‘Ihaveactuallysolda few,’says
Daniels.‘Alotof peoplehavenostalgic
memoriesof these.If youjumpedin
one nowafterhavingdrivena modern
hatchI thinkmostpeoplewouldthink
it ’s verystiffbutnotthatfast–you
haveto revthemto makethemmove.’
Thatsaid,theabilityto windan
engineoutandenjoyit is notto be
overlookedinthisdayandage.A
modernboostedfouris allwelland
good but, if you have to change upand
back off before blowing away your
li cense, you might find the real-world
fun to be lacking.
Those who appreciate fine
engineering will also find muchof
value beyond the Civic’s spirited
nature; for example, the VTEC-
equipped B16B features a then-
punchy compression ratio of 10.8:1,
while a torque-sensing helical LSD
helps catapult the 1040kg Civic
through corners. Consider it a more
modern, tuneable alternative tocars
such as the 205 GTI – but, given that
many have lived in the UK for
a considerable time, don’t
overlook the chance of
structural corrosion.
‘They are rare,’ says
Lamport, ‘and I know
they are great, and a
good investment. It’s
supply and demand and
there's just not enough,
to go around once people
catch onto them – so
it’s a wise investment.’
Buying a car with such
a small yet devoted following
requires care, that said.
‘Read forums, do your
homework,’ says Daniels.
HONDA CIVIC TYPE R (EK9)
Engine 1595cc, 4-cyl, DOHC
Transmission FWD, 5-speed manual
Power 182bhp@8200rpm
Torque 118lb-ft@7500rpm
Weight 1040kg
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 6.6sec
Top speed 112mph (limited)
Economy 33mpg
Hardcore
immediacy
is the name
of the game.
