My 2yr review of my Type R - Cool vs. Crap

[LookAtMyHorse]

I feel like the Honda engineers developed the CTR ADS module on a perfectly smooth track... or maybe their inner boy-racers just said: "fuck it, stiffer is always better no matter what."

Even in S+ on my ITS (which is less aggressive than R+) I can feel the wheels *skipping* over bumps in turns, which is a loss of traction that would get more and more costly as you get closer to ten tenths. My individual mode is S+ everything except comfort in suspension, and it's much more grounded and predictable on regular roads, while still handling better than my previous E36/E46 M3s, B5 S4, and FC RX-7 (not better than an FD, though, those things are insane).

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[CG13]

Yes, I own an R. He bought the most uncompromising, track-focused front-wheel-drive car on the market and he's mad his butt is cold and the track mode is stiff? Sell it and get the Acura. That’s literally why they made it.

I own and track an FL5. I switched to the ITS suspension module and not for comfort. I switched because it was so poorly damped for track driving in +R.

ITS module isn’t ideal either. I’ll likely go to Nitron R3 next.

Ford had the same problem with the Focus RS. It was horribly damped for track driving. You’d skip across bumps and lose traction and braking ability.

Heated seats are a hard NO for me, along with cooled in a car like this. I would likely Honda to go further toward a track car with the FL5. Keep the luxury, complicated, and heavy stuff for the Integra.

 

[optronix]

Good insight. I would only consider one if I could snag one for MSRP (being first at my dealership would be critical for that to happen...) Big centres like Toronto and Vancouver have been notorious for pulling "fast ones" and finding a way of circumventing Honda Canada's rules. Will be interesting to see if a) the come to canada b) how much they will cost c) if they are any good. Based on the camo show car, and the reports from HRC integra track experiences, I think it might be something quite above the yellow SE.. Why are you dissaponted about the changes for 27? the damper module change and heated seats certainly are something I would be interested in. Did you expect something else? (I dont think they had planned on such a long run and had to come up with "something" to keep the model in the limelight. )

I just see other marques really putting the effort in for mid-cycle facelifts, and I don't see it here. The damper change could change my mind; my read on it is a software tune akin to the DE5 ADS which others have mentioned is still far from perfect, but I've personally witnessed that "subtle" software changes can actually make a big difference even just in a facelift; the 95B.3 Macan GTS is a great example of this, both from a suspension and transmission tuning perspective it's a big step up from the previous year car and makes the driving experience substantially better. Same for the 8Y.5 RS3 torque splitter tweaks. These things don't sound like much but make a big difference. So there's hope yet...

But literally looking at the car, I don't see a difference. I think that's honestly my biggest gripe... which admittedly doesn't hold water because aesthetic facelift changes sometimes are so subtle only people who own the cars can tell the difference (ND.3 Miata, perfect example... they only changed the lights). Again... I was just hoping for more. Still curious what they're doing with the DE5, they've promised changes are coming but I haven't seen them yet.

But they added your heated seats!

Also on the HRC car, I have no doubt it will be good- although I still have yet to be convinced it's anything more than a "parts bin special" you could easily recreate through the aftermarket (kind of by design because they're selling the parts too). $125k good though? Lol. Maybe you can get lucky in Canada.

Owning a GT2, the fl5 inputs are superior to most other cars and akin to a GT car. If Porsche's GT group built a FWD car, this is what it would be like. It is not a GT3 but it is philosophically there.

Optronix: I respect your differing opinion. But I disagree. Few cars have the playfulness of the FL5. Most cars today push, are too heavy and have poor feel. Even if they sound amazing and have lots of electornic wizardry. Many are so complex than post warranty they are total disasters that end up abandoned due to costs. Have seen it across many brands. The FL5 appears independent of those issues.

I don't disagree with anything you say here, but to me personally the "philosophy" doesn't translate, and I would definitely stop short of reaching for the GT division. Regular ass Porsche, yep I can see it. But GT division? For me the line there is rose joints, double-wishbone, etc. and genuine track survivability that is engineered from the ground up. Ultimately this platform shares (many) parts that are shared with econobox commuter cars, and Porsche doesn't make any of those.

I never said it wasn't a great car and the inputs are S tier- it just isn't comparable to any Porsche GT car, and I'll die on that hill.

edit- maybe another way to articulate it that will probably land our opinions both pretty near each others- it's an absolutely perfect car for someone who doesn't want to commute in their GT car, but wants to match the experience as closely as possible. I see a lot of people doing just that with the FL5, and there is literally no better car for it.

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