Country & Base – Japan – Minato
Key Models:
- Jazz [supermini]
- Insight [hybrid family hatch]
- Civic [family hatch]
- CRZ [hybrid coupe]
- Accord [medium range saloon and estate]
- CRV [medium 4x4]
- S2000 [roadster]
- NSX [supercar]
RAC Cars Need To Know:
Honda, once the darling of Japanese sports car fans, has changed. Its new car line up's sportiest model is the Honda CRZ, a hybrid coupe which can hawk up a mere 124bhp. All of the fabled Type-R models have gone, the Honda S2000 has been pensioned off and despite repeated rumours of a return, there's no firm NSX replacement.
Therefore, as a bit of a tribute to the old days, we'll look at exactly those cars and how they stack up as used buys. Emissions regulations may have done for the used Honda Civic Type-R, but it's still one of the most exciting hot hatches around, whether you choose the earlier EP3 'breadvan' shape or the later FN2 'space age' model. £7,000 is the cutover price between these two models, that sum netting you one of the last 2007 model year EP3s or one of the first FN2s. I'd wager that the EP3 Type-R will hold its value better, due to its more sophisticated rear suspension layout and higher regard amongst Honda enthusiasts.
The Honda Accord Type-R is a real dark horse if you're after a performance saloon, but trying to find one with sensible mileages these days is next to impossible. The S2000 might just be the biggest bargain of all Honda's sports models. £7,000 will land you a lovely 2004 model. Don't buy an earlier one, as Honda significantly improved the suspension design this model year, making it a much safer car. In 2006, the S2000 also got stability control.
You'll still need around £20,000 to get your hands on a decent manual used Honda NSX coupe, but it's money well spent. As well as one of the finest engine sounds of any car, you're also going to be rewarded with an appreciating asset. This one's a bolted-on future classic.
There's plenty of second hand used Honda cars for sale on RAC Cars.com so take a look around and do your research.
