Backup plans - what's yours?

[Rhorn]

Honest question, I'm new to the forums for this new generation. I really want to get into the new CTR but I highly doubt I'll be able to drive one before I buy (and I've never driven the fk8 either). I've only driven BMW M cars the last 20 years or so (e46 M3, and now 1M), but I really want a car that's more practical, cheaper to own and one that I'm not as worried about on a day to day basis. But I cannot give up having a 6Mt and having 4 doors will be really nice. I don't drive much (<5k miles per year), so mileage hasnt ever been an issue on my cars. That being said, will I enjoy driving the CTR? Or am I spoiled by driving 6MT RWD M cars. I really want this CTR but a part of me is worried I may not enjoy if I'm lucky enough to get one, and worry the build quality may not justify the price. Backup option is (was) the new M2 but that car looks pretty terrible from the leaks, and I really wouldn't mind saving $25k or so! Plus, I'm keeping the 1M so that will always be there to scratch that itch. Not trolling, honest question, and would love to hear from those that have experienced both.

Just rent the FK8 CTR by using a rental app like Turo and see if you like it

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[Robert.C]

Honest question, I'm new to the forums for this new generation. I really want to get into the new CTR but I highly doubt I'll be able to drive one before I buy (and I've never driven the fk8 either). I've only driven BMW M cars the last 20 years or so (e46 M3, and now 1M), but I really want a car that's more practical, cheaper to own and one that I'm not as worried about on a day to day basis. But I cannot give up having a 6Mt and having 4 doors will be really nice. I don't drive much (<5k miles per year), so mileage hasnt ever been an issue on my cars. That being said, will I enjoy driving the CTR? Or am I spoiled by driving 6MT RWD M cars. I really want this CTR but a part of me is worried I may not enjoy if I'm lucky enough to get one, and worry the build quality may not justify the price. Backup option is (was) the new M2 but that car looks pretty terrible from the leaks, and I really wouldn't mind saving $25k or so! Plus, I'm keeping the 1M so that will always be there to scratch that itch. Not trolling, honest question, and would love to hear from those that have experienced both.

I've been in some recent 3- and 5-Series cars and didn't find the build quality to be remotely noteworthy. That sounds like a dig, which isn't my intention. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention enough. What I will say is that the Civic will be leaps and bounds better than any Subaru or Toyota. My sister owns a current-gen hatch and the interior is as nice as any BMW I've been in. But your mileage may vary.

 

[VarmintCong]

Honest question, I'm new to the forums for this new generation. I really want to get into the new CTR but I highly doubt I'll be able to drive one before I buy (and I've never driven the fk8 either). I've only driven BMW M cars the last 20 years or so (e46 M3, and now 1M), but I really want a car that's more practical, cheaper to own and one that I'm not as worried about on a day to day basis. But I cannot give up having a 6Mt and having 4 doors will be really nice. I don't drive much (<5k miles per year), so mileage hasnt ever been an issue on my cars. That being said, will I enjoy driving the CTR? Or am I spoiled by driving 6MT RWD M cars. I really want this CTR but a part of me is worried I may not enjoy if I'm lucky enough to get one, and worry the build quality may not justify the price. Backup option is (was) the new M2 but that car looks pretty terrible from the leaks, and I really wouldn't mind saving $25k or so! Plus, I'm keeping the 1M so that will always be there to scratch that itch. Not trolling, honest question, and would love to hear from those that have experienced both.

I went from E36 325i to E46 330i ZHP, then got a field service job so I bought a Civic Sport hatch, drove that 90k miles in 3 years and traded for a 2020 Si. All four were 5/6mT.

I did miss the rear drive feel, I used to drift the car in snow driving to work. But the Civic particularly the Si made up for it by being so light and agile, and the shifter is awesome. BMWs come alive when driven hard, while the Civic is fun just doing commuting or driving at moderate speeds. The big thing I miss is the in-line six engine sound. The Civics sound really boring. Even the Type R is lacking. I haven’t driven a Type R since the Integra, but those were amazing to drive, and had the engine sound the new ones are lacking.

 

[mbaapk]

I've driven a F80 M3 a ton so I can only draw my suggestions from there. The BMW M cars are fantastically built so as a huge generalization I'd say almost any BMW M car is going to be better than a Civic Type R in terms of interior quality and driving dynamics.

The Civic Type R builds on what is an economy car platform, but the upcoming Type R has evolved over the past few generations to become quite the value in terms of performance and comfort (although R seats are the bedt in the business) while also delivering that undeniable Honda reliability.

Disagree on the driving dynamics. Anything the last 10 years is driving a very heavy car that has zero steering feel. If your interest is engagement with the car and cornering performance the R will blow you away. If you want comfort (although the R seats are best in the business) straight line speed off the line and decent handles stick to the M. On a short track the R is right up there with the M2 only waaay more fun to drive.

 

[JBO]

I will gradually wade through the 42 pages of this thread to see what people are saying but my ridiculously eclectic mix of cars to replace my Fiesta ST with, are as follows:

Type R
It all hinges on price in Australia. If they get greedy, I'm out.

BACKUPS (not in any order)
Used Lexus GS-F
Used (2018 or later) Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce, or (with all chips on the table) Quadrifoglio
Used Porsche Macan S or GTS (2017 or later)
New Cupra Formentor VZx
New Audi RS3 (again this will be a stretch) - driving one tomorrow.
I also wish to express my extreme distaste that the Lexus IS500 will never be sold in Oz. Bastards!

WEEKEND CAR
2016 GT4

 

[hhkb]

I will gradually wade through the 42 pages of this thread to see what people are saying but my ridiculously eclectic mix of cars to replace my Fiesta ST with, are as follows:

Type R
It all hinges on price in Australia. If they get greedy, I'm out.

BACKUPS (not in any order)
Used Lexus GS-F
Used (2018 or later) Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce, or (with all chips on the table) Quadrifoglio
Used Porsche Macan S or GTS (2017 or later)
New Cupra Formentor VZx
New Audi RS3 (again this will be a stretch) - driving one tomorrow.
I also wish to express my extreme distaste that the Lexus IS500 will never be sold in Oz. Bastards!

WEEKEND CAR
2016 GT4

Hopefully you can find a dealer not marking up but it’s not looking to be in the buyer’s favor as of now.

 

[JBO]

Dealers cannot markup in Australia. Consumer laws are different here.

 

[citrus]

BACKUPS (not in any order)
New Audi RS3 (again this will be a stretch) - driving one tomorrow.

How do you like the RS3?

 

[JBO]

Driving it tomorrow. Will advise.

 

[TypeSiR]

Just a lowly Stingray would suffice:

 

[POPNTEC]

Just a lowly Stingray would suffice:

Cheapest Vette I can find for sale is $107,900cd.

 

[TypeSiR]

Cheapest Vette I can find for sale is $107,900cd.

It’s MSRP ($66k, base Stingray) down here if you don’t mind the 8 - 12-month wait. GM is forcing MSRP by only allocating to dealers that sell them for MSRP. Something that Honda can borrow (but unwilling).

 

[POPNTEC]

It’s MSRP ($66k, base Stingray) down here if you don’t mind the 8 - 12-month wait. GM is forcing MSRP by only allocating to dealers that sell them for MSRP. Something that Honda can borrow (but unwilling).

I know. But that’s what they sell for here. 90k from the dealership if you wait.

 

[JBO]

How do you like the RS3?

Just came back from a test drive of the RS3.

Huge performance but laggy low down.
Sometimes got caught in the wrong gear.
Good steering and I love an Alcantara wheel so that felt nice.
Good ride too.
Average turn-in, average under brakes. Not confidence-inspiring.
Ultimately it felt like an amazing drivetrain in search of a chassis.
I tried all drive modes and set an individual mode as well.
$108k on the road was my quote and there's currently a 9 to 12-month wait.
I'm glad I experienced it and I can understand why its sold out for 12 months.
BUT...it just didn't have that locked-in feel I like and was ragged under brakes.
Good, but not as great as the effusive reviews would have you believe.

 

[ScumbagRob]

Just came back from a test drive of the RS3.

Huge performance but laggy low down.
Sometimes got caught in the wrong gear.
Good steering and I love an Alcantara wheel so that felt nice.
Good ride too.
Average turn-in, average under brakes. Not confidence-inspiring.
Ultimately it felt like an amazing drivetrain in search of a chassis.
I tried all drive modes and set an individual mode as well.
$108k on the road was my quote and there's currently a 9 to 12-month wait.
I'm glad I experienced it and I can understand why its sold out for 12 months.
BUT...it just didn't have that locked-in feel I like and was ragged under brakes.
Good, but not as great as the effusive reviews would have you believe.

Thanks for the review. The RS3 is on my short list of possible backups, but I wasn't feeling super excited about it. After your review, that pretty much puts me in the "Type R or bust" camp. The RS3 seems like it would be pretty thrilling at first (and looks and sounds amazing too), but I'm guessing I would get bored of it pretty quickly, whereas the Type R will likely always stay fun.

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