Many cars have held cult followings throughout history. Often times, these may be inexplicable. Odd, even. But there are also many which just make perfect sense. Sometimes it can be down to a car's looks, for example, or perhaps it might be how exhilarating it performs.
Whatever the reason, though, these cars can often be too expensive or impractical, leaving ownership to the average person nothing but a daydream. However, there are some cars that are affordable — both in terms of buying and maintenance — and exciting, too, just like the Honda Civic Type R EP3, for example.
For as little as $4000, you can be behind the driver's seat of a well-used one, while around $7,000 will get you a better, lower-mileage example. And for that, you get a car that not only performs brilliantly but comes with Honda's famed reliability, too. As a result, the car is just as popular today as it was when it was first released in 2001.
To understand why let's take a detailed look at what makes the Honda Civic Type R EP3 a fan favorite.
An Overview of the Type R EP3's History
Racing and performance engineering is integral to Honda. In fact, Honda's founder, Soichiro Honda, was competing in racing as early as the 1930s, 28 years prior to founding the company. This passion and drive continued long after Honda was founded, too, with the company seeing success in Formula 1 — both as a manufacturer and engine provider — from the '60s right the way up until the 2000s. It's this approach that sits at the core of the Type R line, also — after all, the 'R' does stand for 'racing'.
The history of the Type R line dates back to 1992 with a track-focused version of the NSX. The NSX was already a quick car, to begin with, but Honda decided to take it that step further with the Type R, reducing its weight by 120kg, blueprinting and enhancing its engine, and stiffening its suspension. Fast forward to 2001, following a trio of brilliant performance cars — the Integra Type R DC2, the Civic Type R EK9, and the Accord Type R — and the Honda Civic Type R EP3 was born. Honda had already developed a pretty big following with its Type R line, then — particularly in the domestic market — but things really blew up on a global scale with the EP3.
The Features that Make the Honda Civic Type R EP3 Special
And it's not difficult to understand why. The first thing mentioned when it comes to the EP3 is usually its engine, and there's a good reason for that. Honda followed its tried and tested formula with a screaming, high-revving engine — around 8,250 rpm, to be precise — codenamed the K20. The K2o is a 2.0 liter, four-cylinder unit and features Honda's famous VTEC technology. VTEC — which stands for "Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control" — is a clever way of allowing better fuel efficiency at lower RPM and increased speed at higher RPM. This is because the engine comes with two cam profiles, one of which is unused at lower speeds. Get it up to around 6,000 rpm, though, and the second profile comes to life, allowing more air into the cylinder and thus generating more power — which is where that famous "VTEC just kicked in" phrase comes from. Power is at 197 bhp, and 0-60 can be reached in 6.4 seconds, which isn't half bad at all, really, but it's more how the power is delivered that makes the EP3 such a thrill to drive.
It isn't just the engine that's noteworthy, though. The EP3 shines in other areas, too, like the gearbox, which is dash-mounted for quicker changes to make chasing the VTEC easier. The ride is good, too, with Evo reporting that its independent, double-wishbone rear suspension means the EP3 is smooth and has good body control. Steering in earlier models wasn't quite as sharp as enthusiasts would like, however, but Honda aimed to rectify this with a facelifted version in 2003.
Looks-wise, the EP3 is fairly understated, especially when you compare it to the look-at-me styling of the FK8. There is just enough for those in the know, though, with those famous Type R badges, 17" alloys, and a twin-piped exhaust. But really, the EP3 doesn't need big spoilers or aggressive design lines to impress, and it lets the way it drives do all the talking instead.
The interior isn't a bad place to be, either, with comfortable bucket seats — which are Recaro in facelifted models — a leather-coated Momo steering wheel and, if selected as optional extras, sat-nav and air conditioning, making the EP3 nice to deal with as a daily. And really, this is where the EP3 shines. It's reliable and practical. In fact, it could even be considered sensible. Well, at least when you want it to be, but push it to its limits, and it'll turn into an animal. With such a good balance between everyday usability and performance, then, it's easy to see why the Honda Civic Type R EP3 is a fan favorite.