- Messages
- 13
Morning guys / girls, first post here, but long time lurker. 
About 8 months ago, a mate of mine wanted rid of his FN2 CTR, and I had a BMW 328Ci at the time which I quite liked, but it was a bit dull, and I started to have some engine problems. He offered me the FN2 for a good price, and from an initial test drive, I found I really liked the car and it took me back my older days - I used to have a 98-spec Integra Type-R, and the FN2 clearly shares the same DNA, albeit, a bit less raw, a bit more subtle, and with a bit more comfort.
That said, as I have got used to it, I have become somewhat dissatisfied with the low speed handling, the brakes don't feel as sharp as I would like and the engine doesn't quite feel as smooth as I would like, particularly when cold (this might be normal for all I know). The handling for example feels understeery until you pick the speed up, then it's quite a weapon, but it does seem a little too firm also for some of our bumpier B-roads.
I have begun to start thinking about changing the car. I've thought about all sorts, but I've put myself off them all in some ways, the thought process has been thus:-
1. BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0 - Possible future classic, nice looks, lovely straight-6 engine. However, expensive, doubts about handling (steering in particular) and expensive £9K+ realistically for a decent one, even if it does holds its value, which isn't guaranteed, its a fair amount to shell out, and I even heard some people describe them as "dull".
2. BMW 130i - Slightly cheaper to buy than the above, more practical, better steering, however, not exactly great to look at unless you can get a 2-door model and even then, and this I suspect would be "duller" than the Z4.
3. Nissan 350Z - Quite cheap to buy, awesome engine noise, fast, torquey, reliable, characterful. However, I've had one, so I know that the handling on these things isn't particularly great on the limit, they feel and are very heavy and the handling is a bit of a mess when you really press on. It's more of a lazy GT than anything else, but I do like to "hoon" occasionally and the Civic is much better for this. Fuel economy is poor too, realistically 18 MPG around town which is where I spend a fair bit of time (vs 24 in the Civic). £500 VED for later models.
4. Toyota MR2 Mk3 - Another cheap one to buy. Fairly economical, excellent handling. However, I'm not sold on the looks one little bit, and as standard, they are slow and the engine is tame. An option is to put a 2ZZ engine in however, at 4K for the conversion, they don't make sense unless you buy one done otherwise you're into Elise territory without the resale, and with big question marks over reliability (many sell them because of the niggles and you don't always know the history of the engine or the quality of the conversion).
5. Lotus Elise / VX220 - In terms of purity of drive, these are as good as it gets. However, you're into silly money for anything with a decent engine, and although they are guaranteed to keep their value and be fairly economical, the price of entry is very high, much more really than I was wanting to pay. Also I see them more as a second car, I'm not sure this would be appealing around town and in the winter. A bit too raw and uncompromising as an only car for me.
So there you go, I've just about managed to put myself off most of those cars in some ways.
I've actually started to think that maybe the FN2 is a really good all-rounder especially as an only car; it looks good, it (has the potential to) handle well, it has a fantastic engine that's as enjoyable as any for a vaguely sensible price (I'd argue better and more enjoyable than all of the above candidates bar the 6-pots), and frankly its fast enough. It ticks a lot of boxes. However, its not quite what I would like from a car.
So now I'm thinking of modifying it, but of course, there is a car that would seem to come out of the box that would be as good as a modded FN2 and that's the DC5.
There's also the S2000.
Does it make sense to stick with the devil you know and mod the FN2 or just sell up and get an S2K or DC5 ? I'm looking for a bit inspiration! I've already started on the path as I have a Flashpro and panel filter for the FN2 which makes it even better than it was but it still needs work. I've read the guides and come to the conclusion I could easily spend another £2k on it, but then I wouldn't get that bad if I were to sell it..... but then I do like it.
What would you folks do in my situation?
I was potentially looking at FRS, Eibachs / Coils, upgraded brakes, spacers for wheels, wheels finished in anthracite, black splitter, custom remap and possibly exhaust and filter, this would turn it into a car I could be happy with for a while, but then maybe I'd be happier with a DC5 or S2K out of the box (I'd be perfectly happy with any of these really). What do you think?
About 8 months ago, a mate of mine wanted rid of his FN2 CTR, and I had a BMW 328Ci at the time which I quite liked, but it was a bit dull, and I started to have some engine problems. He offered me the FN2 for a good price, and from an initial test drive, I found I really liked the car and it took me back my older days - I used to have a 98-spec Integra Type-R, and the FN2 clearly shares the same DNA, albeit, a bit less raw, a bit more subtle, and with a bit more comfort.
That said, as I have got used to it, I have become somewhat dissatisfied with the low speed handling, the brakes don't feel as sharp as I would like and the engine doesn't quite feel as smooth as I would like, particularly when cold (this might be normal for all I know). The handling for example feels understeery until you pick the speed up, then it's quite a weapon, but it does seem a little too firm also for some of our bumpier B-roads.
I have begun to start thinking about changing the car. I've thought about all sorts, but I've put myself off them all in some ways, the thought process has been thus:-
1. BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0 - Possible future classic, nice looks, lovely straight-6 engine. However, expensive, doubts about handling (steering in particular) and expensive £9K+ realistically for a decent one, even if it does holds its value, which isn't guaranteed, its a fair amount to shell out, and I even heard some people describe them as "dull".
2. BMW 130i - Slightly cheaper to buy than the above, more practical, better steering, however, not exactly great to look at unless you can get a 2-door model and even then, and this I suspect would be "duller" than the Z4.
3. Nissan 350Z - Quite cheap to buy, awesome engine noise, fast, torquey, reliable, characterful. However, I've had one, so I know that the handling on these things isn't particularly great on the limit, they feel and are very heavy and the handling is a bit of a mess when you really press on. It's more of a lazy GT than anything else, but I do like to "hoon" occasionally and the Civic is much better for this. Fuel economy is poor too, realistically 18 MPG around town which is where I spend a fair bit of time (vs 24 in the Civic). £500 VED for later models.
4. Toyota MR2 Mk3 - Another cheap one to buy. Fairly economical, excellent handling. However, I'm not sold on the looks one little bit, and as standard, they are slow and the engine is tame. An option is to put a 2ZZ engine in however, at 4K for the conversion, they don't make sense unless you buy one done otherwise you're into Elise territory without the resale, and with big question marks over reliability (many sell them because of the niggles and you don't always know the history of the engine or the quality of the conversion).
5. Lotus Elise / VX220 - In terms of purity of drive, these are as good as it gets. However, you're into silly money for anything with a decent engine, and although they are guaranteed to keep their value and be fairly economical, the price of entry is very high, much more really than I was wanting to pay. Also I see them more as a second car, I'm not sure this would be appealing around town and in the winter. A bit too raw and uncompromising as an only car for me.
So there you go, I've just about managed to put myself off most of those cars in some ways.
I've actually started to think that maybe the FN2 is a really good all-rounder especially as an only car; it looks good, it (has the potential to) handle well, it has a fantastic engine that's as enjoyable as any for a vaguely sensible price (I'd argue better and more enjoyable than all of the above candidates bar the 6-pots), and frankly its fast enough. It ticks a lot of boxes. However, its not quite what I would like from a car.
So now I'm thinking of modifying it, but of course, there is a car that would seem to come out of the box that would be as good as a modded FN2 and that's the DC5.
There's also the S2000.
Does it make sense to stick with the devil you know and mod the FN2 or just sell up and get an S2K or DC5 ? I'm looking for a bit inspiration! I've already started on the path as I have a Flashpro and panel filter for the FN2 which makes it even better than it was but it still needs work. I've read the guides and come to the conclusion I could easily spend another £2k on it, but then I wouldn't get that bad if I were to sell it..... but then I do like it.
What would you folks do in my situation?
I was potentially looking at FRS, Eibachs / Coils, upgraded brakes, spacers for wheels, wheels finished in anthracite, black splitter, custom remap and possibly exhaust and filter, this would turn it into a car I could be happy with for a while, but then maybe I'd be happier with a DC5 or S2K out of the box (I'd be perfectly happy with any of these really). What do you think?
