Used Cars
Hot Hondas
Hondas have long been seen as the car of choice for old people; their legendary reliability, build quality and sensible practicality has always made them appealing to thrifty pensioners. But Honda has long had a strong association with motorsport and, if you hunt through the model range, you can find some high performance gems. Here are four that should appeal to petrol heads everywhere.
Honda Integra Type R DC5 (2001-2006)
The Integra is a pert little coupé that is turned into a serious sports car by the Type R treatment. A body kit, 18 inch alloys and hardcore Recaro seats make it look the part while a 2.0 litre VTi engine kicking out 210bhp and seriously uprated suspension take care of the performance side of the equation. The high revving engine emits a lovely howl as it hurls this pocket rocket to sixty in 6.2 seconds and on to 148mph. Good examples are thin on the ground, but I tracked down a pristine 2001 model with 67k miles on it for a very reasonable £6,800.
For: Pert styling, excellent handling, strong performance
Against: Not the most refined driving experience
Honda Civic Type R 2nd Generation (2001-2005)
Honda’s family hatch had always been worthy but dull until the Type R came along and changed all that. The 2nd generation Civic was no great looker, even with Type R wheels and body kit, but it delivered sensational performance from the 2.0 litre 200bhp engine and the handling was on a par with the very best of the hot hatches. Better still, it was an absolute hoot to drive. The interior was also very spacious and almost as practical as a people carrier. This car has got to be the performance bargain of the century; I found one on an 05 plate with 71,000 miles on the clock for under 3 grand.
For: Great fun to drive, value, practicality, performance
Against: Dull styling
Honda NSX (1990-2005)
In the 1980s Honda decided they were going to build a supercar and in 1990 it appeared in the form of the mid engined, all aluminium NSX. The 3.0 litre V6 provided enough performance to match the best that Porsche could offer; the handling was good enough to go racing and it looked fantastic, yet it was as practical and easy to drive as a Ford Escort and had unbreakable reliability. The NSX stayed in production for 15 years with only one minor facelift and a modest engine upgrade, testament to what a good car it was from the outset. By supercar standards it is an excellent second hand buy; you can pick up a 1999 model with 48,000 miles under its belt for £22k.
For: Supercar pedigree, looks, performance, build quality, value
Against: Sudden oversteer can spell disaster
Honda Accord Euro R (2003-2007)
The Accord mid-size saloon has formed the backbone of Honda’s model range for 37 years. The 7th Generation is a sleek and stylish four door saloon that exudes understated quality. Then Honda go and ruin all that by fitting huge alloys, a lairy body kit, Recaro seats and a 220bhp engine. Paint the whole thing Diamond White and you have the ultimate boy racer machine. The engine revs till it screams, the big tyres grip and grip and generally it feels like something you would enter in the Touring Cars Championship. The excellent handling comes at the expense of the non-existent ride and motorway cruising is not recommended. The Euro R is a rare beast and that is reflected in the price; expect to pay £9,000 for a 2005 model with reasonable mileage.
For: Intoxicating performance, track car handling, addictive engine noise
Against: Hardly in the best possible taste.
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