Have a C8 Corvette Z51 package and bought my kid the Type R

[Ktucke1]

I bought a C8 Corvette Z51 package in October of 24 as I wanted to start doing track days again. Looked at the Integra Type R but the price premium for the Acura verse Honda just seemed stupid. Figured I couldn't get the Civic because the wing made it look like a kids car and I'm 54. So moved to Supra, then figured if I was going to spend $65k I might as well get the RS3 and then figured if I was going to spend $70k I might as well go look at the Porches but in order to get a track setup it was more than I was willing to pay then so settled on the C8. Went to the Ron Fellows track where you use their cars and it was a blast but I came home and did a track day at Thompson where you can drive whatever exotic you want around the track. Made the mistake of driving the GT3. The road feel is just so much better in the Porsche. Went back to Porsche dealer they had a 2025 718 Cayman GT4 RS which is considered one of the best raw track cars stock. It was $230k and then by the time you wrap it and all the other BS I was close to $250k. I'd lose $20k on the Vette as well. This is a year after I bought the Vette with 3500 miles on it which just drove me crazy. Could I afford $250k? Yes and no. I'd definitely be giving up a bunch of vacations and other stupid stuff I buy but it was doable. I did a lot of track days in the early 2000's. Bought the S2000 when it first came out. Best bang for the buck sports car I've ever owned but my first wife whined so I ended up selling it after two or so years but did a ton of track days and that thing was magical. Got the 2002 M3 and did track days with that as well. Great car but not as fun as the S2000. Anyway I have no allegiance to any brand, just want the best performance for the least amount of money and the Porsche ain't that. My kid finished college in December so I figured I could buy the Civic Type R and say it was for him. Sorry for babbling but thought it was important that I explain my background.

I gotta say I am more than impressed with the Type R. For the money you can't get more giggles. It's been a lousy winter and I haven't taken the Vette out, have been driving the Type R a lot. I ski every weekend and I'd take that when the weather permitted. Changed out the tires for all seasons but that thing sucks in the snow. I drive my cars hard. Every time I come back from a ride I tell my second wife it was a good day, I didn't get arrested. Weather just got good enough and took the Vette out and I gotta say it's possible the Type R is more fun. The civic just handles so well. I push that thing around corners and it just feels so freakin planted. The traction control on the Vette kicks in when I drive the mile to the liquor store. The Vette with the Z51 package, which is the package you need to get to keep the warranty on the track, gives you better suspension, brakes and few more HP. It's 495 horsepower. The Vette gets to 150 MPH like that and it doesn't feel fast because it gets there so quickly and has a lot more to go. I haven't gotten the Civic to 150 yet but at 130ish you feel it. The Vette sounds like a beast and when you gun it everyone grabs for the oh Shit bar, the Civic nope but it just handles so well it's a toss up. I'm going to take both to the track this spring but I'm halfway thinking of setting the Civic up for the track and selling the Vette. I'm a little concerned about the Civic overheating. Typically on the track Turbo's have overheating issues but I'll keep you updated.

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[22Si]

I bought a C8 Corvette Z51 package in October of 24 as I wanted to start doing track days again. Looked at the Integra Type R but the price premium for the Acura verse Honda just seemed stupid. Figured I couldn't get the Civic because the wing made it look like a kids car and I'm 54. So moved to Supra, then figured if I was going to spend $65k I might as well get the RS3 and then figured if I was going to spend $70k I might as well go look at the Porches but in order to get a track setup it was more than I was willing to pay then so settled on the C8. Went to the Ron Fellows track where you use their cars and it was a blast but I came home and did a track day at Thompson where you can drive whatever exotic you want around the track. Made the mistake of driving the GT3. The road feel is just so much better in the Porsche. Went back to Porsche dealer they had a 2025 718 Cayman GT4 RS which is considered one of the best raw track cars stock. It was $230k and then by the time you wrap it and all the other BS I was close to $250k. I'd lose $20k on the Vette as well. This is a year after I bought the Vette with 3500 miles on it which just drove me crazy. Could I afford $250k? Yes and no. I'd definitely be giving up a bunch of vacations and other stupid stuff I buy but it was doable. I did a lot of track days in the early 2000's. Bought the S2000 when it first came out. Best bang for the buck sports car I've ever owned but my first wife whined so I ended up selling it after two or so years but did a ton of track days and that thing was magical. Got the 2002 M3 and did track days with that as well. Great car but not as fun as the S2000. Anyway I have no allegiance to any brand, just want the best performance for the least amount of money and the Porsche ain't that. My kid finished college in December so I figured I could buy the Civic Type R and say it was for him. Sorry for babbling but thought it was important that I explain my background.

I gotta say I am more than impressed with the Type R. For the money you can't get more giggles. It's been a lousy winter and I haven't taken the Vette out, have been driving the Type R a lot. I ski every weekend and I'd take that when the weather permitted. Changed out the tires for all seasons but that thing sucks in the snow. I drive my cars hard. Every time I come back from a ride I tell my second wife it was a good day, I didn't get arrested. Weather just got good enough and took the Vette out and I gotta say it's possible the Type R is more fun. The civic just handles so well. I push that thing around corners and it just feels so freakin planted. The traction control on the Vette kicks in when I drive the mile to the liquor store. The Vette with the Z51 package, which is the package you need to get to keep the warranty on the track, gives you better suspension, brakes and few more HP. It's 495 horsepower. The Vette gets to 150 MPH like that and it doesn't feel fast because it gets there so quickly and has a lot more to go. I haven't gotten the Civic to 150 yet but at 130ish you feel it. The Vette sounds like a beast and when you gun it everyone grabs for the oh Shit bar, the Civic nope but it just handles so well it's a toss up. I'm going to take both to the track this spring but I'm halfway thinking of setting the Civic up for the track and selling the Vette. I'm a little concerned about the Civic overheating. Typically on the track Turbo's have overheating issues but I'll keep you updated.

3 things, congrats on the car!
1) Please stop the "I'm X years old and can't be seen driving X car/spolier/exhaust loud/color". Drive what you like otherwise everyone would be driving a Camry or Lexus.

2) 54 and only on your second wife?

3) You'll search and see all the folks here running track beasts are adding oil coolers, radiators and intercooler to help offset the heat.


Lastly see this and google the FL5 wing and other bits for downforce added by Honda
https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/downforce-lift-aero-drag-figures.52417/


Enjoy the car and get off my lawn

 

[AZCWTypeR]

I'm older, but dealer tinted windows hide my identity.

My previous FR-S had youngsters looking my way until I tinted that car. And older folks had no idea what a Scion FR-S was... I got a lot of questions.

At least the CTR wing is more than just bling. Honda quoted down force numbers in press kit materials.

 

[Jack90210]

I'm older than you. Couldn't have bought an FK8 because of how it looked (no offense to those who own one), but FL5=TAKE MY MONEY!

I also shopped other performance cars and the FL5 was either more "serious*," more fun, or more of both than everything else on my list.

*I'm glad that Honda spent the money on suspension, gearbox, chassis and seats; I didn't need heated-this-n-that, leather, giant screens, interior light shows that change color, a great audio system, etc.

 

[thatonedaveguy]

I always chuckle at the people who are embarrassed by a functional wing. It's a track car that can do damn near 180mph. Get some therapy lol

Majority of Type R owners are in their 40s and above too

 

[Ktucke1]

Yeah I agree the wing is functional but to the dummies in the world I look like an old man with a kids car and even my wife busts my balls. To be fair the Corvette attracts a lot of unwanted attention as the dum dum's think it's a Ferrari. But I'm over that. I'm just going to flush the brake fluid and put in high temp fluid and see what happens. It's supposed to be a stock track car so I'll see what it does.

 

[22Si]

Yeah I agree the wing is functional but to the dummies in the world I look like an old man with a kids car and even my wife busts my balls. To be fair the Corvette attracts a lot of unwanted attention as the dum dum's think it's a Ferrari. But I'm over that. I'm just going to flush the brake fluid and put in high temp fluid and see what happens. It's supposed to be a stock track car so I'll see what it does.

You got both bases covered. Old man with a kids car and an old man with an old man car

 

[BryanCO]

I’m 59. Bought an FK8 back in 2019 and now an FL5. I like wings.

 

[TypeRD]

I always chuckle at the people who are embarrassed by a functional wing. It's a track car that can do damn near 180mph. Get some therapy lol

Majority of Type R owners are in their 40s and above too

Right? Meanwhile old dudes (older than me anyway…and I’m no longer “young” by any stretch) are driving GT3s with those giant wings on them. Those dudes don’t do anything with them except drive them to the golf course or maybe an occasional cars & coffee. GT4s don’t have a small wing either. Yeah yeah I know. They’re Porsches so it’s different, but still, they’re toys! The Type R is a toy too. It just doesn’t cost $250k+

 

[Cueyo]

This is a great read, feels like a stand up set, kept waiting for the punchline.

 

[m3bs]

I’ve actually been considering a C8, but I don’t want to be one of the stereotypical old white haired guys at C&C with a Corvette. So, instead I’m the old white haired guy at the track with a Boost Blue CTR….

 

[PointByPatrol]

I think the FL5 is ultimately the more reasonable track car from a consumables and fun standpoint. It's probably pretty darn expensive to put brakes and tires on a C8, and the oil changes are probably fairly costly too. Track insurance is likely higher too since the Corvette's aren't exactly cheap. I occasionally admire them when I pass them on track though!

 

[MooMoo]

Thats a lot of words for just 2 paragraphs You certainly don't write like an old guy so you can probably have a wing and be ok.

But really Point by Patrol is on point here.

If it was me, and remember you are in a Civic forum, get rid of the vette, that thing is hideous and looks like a fake ferrari and you don't even have the one with the fake ferrari engine, track the type R cuz you will get way more seat time for the money. Use the vette sale money for even more seat time and get another s2000 and who knows maybe even get a 3rd wife out of.

 

[champR]

54 here also. No tint. No regrets.

 

[TheFactor]

I think you bought your Type R for the inner kid in you like I did

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