CTR vs Type S

[Ultracubanite]

Does anyone got experience with both. I always wanted a CTR but I been seeing the Type S more lately and start to like more and more. It seems the Type S got similar aftermarket support as the CTR and to be realistic I'm most likely will never go to a track at and most will be highway/city. I like the looks of both

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[HKSpeed]

https://www.caranddriver.com/review...pe-s-2023-honda-civic-type-r-comparison-test/

I read the Type S is 5 inches longer than the Type R. If that is true, is the added length from longer bumpers?

 

[egxflash]

This topic has been beat to death a bit so some searching on here will give you a bit more info. Given this is the FL5 forums, you'll have a lot more of supporters for the CTR but here's a quick rundown:

• People consider the FL5 to have more pedigree being a Type R and offered overseas. Final assembly is also in Japan so there's a consensus that build quality is better. Both cars will suffer from the same issues with rattling that's endemic to Hondas
• FL5 has a much larger aftermarket since it's sold worldwide vs the DE5 that's North America only
• That being said, DE5 will be "rarer" in the sense that there's a lot less of them out on the road. The FL5 has a 2 year headstart on the DE5 in sales. It's anecdotal but I've seen a bunch of FL5s around SoCal but have only seen 2 other DE5s out on the road in the last year.
• FL5 seats are FAR SUPERIOR to the seats in the DE5
• DE5 is generally easier to obtain at either MSRP or below MSRP. I'm in SoCal so that's especially true.
• As far as looks - that's subjective. I was set on a CW FL5 but after seeing both the FL5 and DE5 *in person* back to back, I thought the DE5 was a better looking car. Not many on here will agree on that, but it's a personal choice.
• Track vs no track, I don't think it really matters -- both cars will perform very similarly.
• Daily vs non-daily - I don't think it really matters either. The "creature comforts" the DE5 offers over the FL5 are minor. I think the biggest one would be heated seats but that doesn't matter to me since I am in SoCal - maybe for those in colder climates. The overhead display is whatever and the extra sound deadening on the DE5 is pretty worthless IMO.

At the end of the day, it's really up to you. I recommend seeing both in person because that made a world of a difference in how I decided between the two.

 

[Ultracubanite]

This topic has been beat to death a bit so some searching on here will give you a bit more info. Given this is the FL5 forums, you'll have a lot more of supporters for the CTR but here's a quick rundown:

• People consider the FL5 to have more pedigree being a Type R and offered overseas. Final assembly is also in Japan so there's a consensus that build quality is better. Both cars will suffer from the same issues with rattling that's endemic to Hondas
• FL5 has a much larger aftermarket since it's sold worldwide vs the DE5 that's North America only
• That being said, DE5 will be "rarer" in the sense that there's a lot less of them out on the road. The FL5 has a 2 year headstart on the DE5 in sales. It's anecdotal but I've seen a bunch of FL5s around SoCal but have only seen 2 other DE5s out on the road in the last year.
• FL5 seats are FAR SUPERIOR to the seats in the DE5
• DE5 is generally easier to obtain at either MSRP or below MSRP. I'm in SoCal so that's especially true.
• As far as looks - that's subjective. I was set on a CW FL5 but after seeing both the FL5 and DE5 *in person* back to back, I thought the DE5 was a better looking car. Not many on here will agree on that, but it's a personal choice.
• Track vs no track, I don't think it really matters -- both cars will perform very similarly.
• Daily vs non-daily - I don't think it really matters either. The "creature comforts" the DE5 offers over the FL5 are minor. I think the biggest one would be heated seats but that doesn't matter to me since I am in SoCal - maybe for those in colder climates. The overhead display is whatever and the extra sound deadening on the DE5 is pretty worthless IMO.

At the end of the day, it's really up to you. I recommend seeing both in person because that made a world of a difference in how I decided between the two.

Thanks for the write up. I been reading on both forums here,civicx and the integra forums but I will have to go out and see. I seen both at the dealer, but having a tough time deciding. I feel like I wanted a FL5/FK8 for years and then now I'm debating if I should go DE5. I think the pedigree comes into play maybe

 

[TypeRD]

FL5 has awesome seats, but they aren’t as “forgiving” of all body types (bigger guys, including those who go to the gym and have large backs and thighs). I hesitate to say the seats are a pro across the board. I’ve even seen someone put Si seats in their FL5. Definitely sit in both cars and see for yourself.

Another advantage, and this one is actually objective, is the LogR integration in the FL5. They should’ve included this in the DE5 as it has basically the same track chops as the FL5. I know it was likely a marketing point of differentiation, but it still makes no sense that it isn’t even an option for the DE5.

 

[optronix]

Here's a good, timely vid for a track oriented perspective.

BLUF- they're the same car. Get the one that "speaks to you", or the one that you can get a better deal on.

 

[thatonedaveguy]

In addition to all of the items egxflash mentioned, Acura put the Type S badge on an SUV so Type S as a whole is is now watered down marketing slop(not to take away from the DE5 specifically as it is an excellent car).

You go to a bar and mention you have a Type S and someone else will say "me too" and they will be talking about their SUV.

The Type R badge still has the meaning behind it.

 

[Westhaver]

I made the switch from a Type S to a Type R, lots of good points raised already above but I'll add the following minor differences.

- The factory exhaust sound of the Type S is decent. The combination of one less resonator and the valve that opens based on Comfort/Sport/Sport + with the subtle pops and bangs. Easy enough to solve on the Type R with the aftermarket but the Type R is definitely lacking out of the box.

- The ELS system while not amazing I found significantly better than the BOSE for my Rock/Hard Rock listening ears.

- Heated seats and heated steering wheel. Living in Canada these features were certainly appreciated in my Type S.

- The Type S seats get a lot of flack but I think it depends on your use case, they are great for daily driving but not track or even sporty driving really as far as support. I do really like the Type R seats though.

- The HUD is cool in theory, but I always reverted to the cluster anyways so that isn't missed.

- The gauge cluster settings in the Type R I much prefer, as well as Log R is really cool if you're into all the data.

-If you have adults in the back seats the Integra body style results in less headroom. My children are young but it actually made it a bit of a challenge for car seats with a backrest/headrest. Also slightly more usable trunk/hatch in the Civic.

Both great cars with the same bones, I'd be happy with either.

 

[Cueyo]

FL5 has awesome seats, but they aren’t as “forgiving” of all body types (bigger guys, including those who go to the gym and have large backs and thighs). I hesitate to say the seats are a pro across the board. I’ve even seen someone put Si seats in their FL5. Definitely sit in both cars and see for yourself.

Another advantage, and this one is actually objective, is the LogR integration in the FL5. They should’ve included this in the DE5 as it has basically the same track chops as the FL5. I know it was likely a marketing point of differentiation, but it still makes no sense that it isn’t even an option for the DE5.

Type R seats were definetly made with smaller guys in mind. To comfortably reach the clutch I have to sit pretty close. But my femurs are super long so I end up having to sit in a way that makes me have not so great clearance on the bottom of the steering wheel.

 

[ctechauto]

Might be minority here, but actually prefer the full on side profile of the DE5 over the FL5. The lines just look better and less bubbly (similar profile to the Audi A3/S3/RS3).

However, no wing was a deal breaker. And also have to match our two other CW CTRs

 

[optronix]

In addition to all of the items egxflash mentioned, Acura put the Type S badge on an SUV so Type S as a whole is is now watered down marketing slop(not to take away from the DE5 specifically as it is an excellent car).

You go to a bar and mention you have a Type S and someone else will say "me too" and they will be talking about their SUV.

The Type R badge still has the meaning behind it.

If talking about a badge in a bar is important to you, you made the right choice.

 

[Brittania]

It's all about the seats to me. If the Type-R seats fit you it's a no brainer in my book. The surprising thing is how great they are for long drives. If they're not right for you, you're in luck because the Type S is awesome too.

 

[TchnoZ33]

Someone on a similar discussion made the point that a lot of acuras look very similar. There was a lot of push back on that statement. But I have to agree. There is no other civic that looks similar to the type R; it’s an aggressive version of the standard civic. As for Acura, the looks are very similar to their sport line up of the TLX and even their SUV models.

So for me, the looks of the type R were more “special.” But I do love how the type S looks for sure.

 

[egxflash]

Someone on a similar discussion made the point that a lot of acuras look very similar. There was a lot of push back on that statement. But I have to agree. There is no other civic that looks similar to the type R; it’s an aggressive version of the standard civic. As for Acura, the looks are very similar to their sport line up of the TLX and even their SUV models.

So for me, the looks of the type R were more “special.” But I do love how the type S looks for sure.

I would've said that for the FK8, but to me head on, most average people wouldn't think much other than another civic.

 

[Cueyo]

Someone on a similar discussion made the point that a lot of acuras look very similar. There was a lot of push back on that statement. But I have to agree. There is no other civic that looks similar to the type R; it’s an aggressive version of the standard civic. As for Acura, the looks are very similar to their sport line up of the TLX and even their SUV models.

So for me, the looks of the type R were more “special.” But I do love how the type S looks for sure.

I've definetly mistaken some TLXs for the type S from a distance, but I think you could say the same about 11th civics looking like the previous gen accord from the front

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