Looking to buy Type R - considering potential options

[eap35]

Hello folks,

Currently in the process of buying a new car( I have had the type R in the past ) and I am fairly certain I will buy the type R again ( even though, this is a second car ) car will be driven ~12k miles per year with probably 4-6k very hard ( track, autocross , spirited ).

Questions for this post :

- Is there ANYTHING else I should consider sub-50k ( brand new, or slightly used ) that will give extreme value ? after some research, GR Corolla, nd3, gr86 come to mind ?

- some people say, 2-4k below MSRP is doable on the type R.not sure, maybe that's more doable for integra type S

- any info on the 2026 orders? any website to track?

- Lastly; the goal with this purchase is to definitely keep the car for AT LEAST 15 years ( ~200k miles ) , and want money/value to go a very long way. Cost of maintenance/upkeep/track/consumables are definitely considered since I was told the C8 stringray used could be had for around 50k used but is too hungry on consumables that it doesn't make sense ?

Anyways, feel free to comment and leave your thoughts! thank you

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[lilDumpsterRat]

Hello folks,

Currently in the process of buying a new car( I have had the type R in the past ) and I am fairly certain I will buy the type R again ( even though, this is a second car ) car will be driven ~12k miles per year with probably 4-6k very hard ( track, autocross , spirited ).

Questions for this post :

- Is there ANYTHING else I should consider sub-50k ( brand new, or slightly used ) that will give extreme value ? after some research, GR Corolla, nd3, gr86 come to mind ?

- some people say, 2-4k below MSRP is doable on the type R.not sure, maybe that's more doable for integra type S

- any info on the 2026 orders? any website to track?

- Lastly; the goal with this purchase is to definitely keep the car for AT LEAST 15 years ( ~200k miles ) , and want money/value to go a very long way. Cost of maintenance/upkeep/track/consumables are definitely considered since I was told the C8 stringray used could be had for around 50k used but is too hungry on consumables that it doesn't make sense ?

Anyways, feel free to comment and leave your thoughts! thank you

No there isn't a better option. Only because you said you want to keep it over 15 years though. If you just want a fun car to do the things you mentioned, those other cars would also be fun too, no doubt, but if you're in this for the long haul I can't think of a better option at all besides the type R.

It's handling character and it's overall build quality has a cohesive level of detail and depth that none of those other options do and that will be very clear as the years go by. If you buy a classic color like white, in 15 years it will absolutely outshine all those other cars. I would put the GR Corolla second, because it is unique also, but not as fun or storied as a type R always will be as a car.

I cannot get any info on 2026s' coming into the US, but I wouldn't be surprised if they suddenly did show up late. that said, other things could change too, what if there is no 26? then wouldn't the remaining 25's be marked up? Right now you can still find dealers in out of the way places that will sell the car to you for less than MSRP, or MSRP. But I called all of texas and they all wanted over $5K above MSRP... I believe you could get some places down to $2500 over MSRP as a ragged edge, but these dealers are getting really greedy and if the 25 is the last year I could easily see dealers holding firm at their ridiculous $5-20K (yes one stupid dealer wanted 20K over in CA) so that is a risk, maybe you should get yourself a little christmas gift.

One thing is for sure, you will never regret it. This I believe is historically Honda's nicest product it has ever offered at a bargain price for a long time. I am unsure what the exact tariff pain is on this, but they have not dramatically raised the msrp yet. Everyone always praises its handling and street/track credentials, but less talked about is in comfort mode, which is hilarious to me, with the little 2 mundane dials appearing, and it quiets the exhaust, even in that mode as a commuter the car is very comfortable, easy to drive and still fun... It's just one more thing among a long list of points that this car just really punches above it's weight. You can't even buy a new audi s3 for the same price much less a BMW M2 etc . You want to talk about value this thing is it. with the options you mentioned , no theres nothing else close. I would also consider a used elise, but that is a really old car now, compared to a brand new type R.

I think it needs upgrades to cooling for sustained hard track use though, but it's not that expensive.

 

[RedCarrot]

For any new MY 2025 CTR, MSRP would be considered a good price until MY 2026 is officially confirmed. I personally kept my options open between the MK8 Golf R and CTR when I was looking.. When I came across a perfect-to-me spec 20AE Golf R (only way to get manual and slick top) with only 1,700 mi and at a good price 5 weeks ago, I scooped it up ASAP as replacement for my 30AE Miata.

The Golf R is a great DD and a lot of fun on mountain roads even in its current stock form. I like how I can get its rear end to rotate under throttle around a bend. It will get even better once I installed the RSB amongst other mods. Its turn-in is not as sharp as CTR's (its current 245 winter tires that came with the car don't help). The brakes, while very good, are not as direct nor as affirmative. It has more low end power than the CTR but doesn't have that crescendo as it climbs to redline. It has a very refined, luxury car-like feel when putting around town. It makes a nice pairing to your ND2 Miata, imo, and so does the CTR.

 

[jcm]

to be honest golf r is the only other option imho

 

[AZCWTypeR]

I had a Scion FR-S and have driven the GR86 (which is much better). That being said, the Subie engine is thrashy and fragile.
The GR86 is very fun to drive, but would be outstanding with a smooth, reliable Honda engine.

 

[apl360]

Nd3 is brilliant but you gotta be ok with that trunk. Worth test driving imo

gr86 is over rated and needs at least -2 to -2.2 camber upfront with major bolt ons (header with hi flow gesi cat) and a tune to be competitive against other cars (if U wanna be competitive with it). If you’re cool with that, send it and test drive

gr Corolla is a no from me. The three cylinder has no top end. At around 80-85mph it accelerates very slowly. If U thought 4 cylinder top end was crap. Boy do I have news for U…. The manual does feel decent but not as good as the gr86 and certainly not as good as the fl5 and de5. Then there’s the interior, that car is too expensive to have that interior. Even the 86 interior is nicer.

the de5 is only worth it if the fl5 is at least 5k or more over msrp. Or, if U want the nicer interior, stereo and other amenities. Otherwise, the de5 will do every single thing a type r can do and is as fast on any track too. Sometimes with precise identical times. When the tires are the same, of course.

 

[joshinthecity]

I paid lots for my white 2025 CTR.
Never regretted it for a second.

 

[caraholic]

Depends what you are looking for. One of my favorite recommendations is a base 981 Boxster/Cayman manual for a pure fun car. If you need a do everything car hard to beat the type r.

 

[nashville]

anything anybody suggests is pure opinion. you have to do the leg work and go drive these cars. on paper there are similar vehicles, but how you react to them is a you thing. good luck!

 

[jchamp922]

I have a 2024 full bolt on for sale. Message me if interested.
https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/2024-fl5-sonic-grey-pearl-fbo.61586/

 

[iforgettopee]

Elantra N is a great car for the price - I recommend test driving one if you can.

 

[lilDumpsterRat]

anything anybody suggests is pure opinion. you have to do the leg work and go drive these cars. on paper there are similar vehicles, but how you react to them is a you thing. good luck!

that really is the truth there. it might not make sense on paper always, but how the car makes you feel and how you feel driving it are what matters most.

 

[spectre186]

G80 M3…Lol. Golf R. I love my FL5, but I think it’ll be the last FWD car I get.

 

[nashville]

G80’s lose their novelty after about 3 months.

 

[lilDumpsterRat]

Bro nows the time, LeBlanc Honda in Louisiana sold me a 25 type R at $1800 UNDER MSRP today and they will have a white one, same price any day now. screw these dealers asking over msrp.

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