Orbiting roundabout after roundabout in the CTR reveals the steering to be far more precise and measured than what the American Si can deliver. And the car feels better balanced on the 17-inch wheel and tire package-no hint of wheelspin during the entire week. The front tires grab and don't let go. And you can do things in the CTR that you wouldn't even have nightmares about in an Si. As with all front-wheel drivers, we're told that when pushed there's a bit of torque steer. But unless you're tracking a tight line around a road course, you'll never find it. Needless to say, we never did.
That New Car SmellThe Ride '03 Civic Type R 30th Anniversary EditionThe Sticker Around $27,000Under The Hood 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder 16-valve i-VTECThe Power 200hp @ 7,400rpm, 145lb-ft @ 5,900rpmScale Tipping 2,654lbsLayout Front engine, front-wheel driveGearbox Close-ratio six-speed manualStiff Stuff Front: Toe-control-link MacPherson struts, coil springs, gas shocks, antiroll bar. Rear: Reactive-link double wishbone, coil springs, gas shocks, antiroll barRollers 17x7 forged aluminum alloy wheels with 205/45R17 tiresStoppers 300mm ventilated discs up front and 260mm solid discs in back; four-sensor, three-channel ABS; Electronic Brake Force DistributionAt The Pump Doesn't matter, but on the 97-octane premium unleaded in the U.K. it's a dream drive, but if you really want to know: 23.0mpg (city), 31.7mpg (city/hwy)The Pack Across the pond it's the Ford Focus RS200; Stateside it's the WRX.Deep Thoughts You don't have to go very deep to fall in love with the Civic Type R. It's a shallow affair, one that begins for all the wrong reasons, that gets you into all sorts of trouble, one that you'll never let go and remember forever when you do.