One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was sell Rodney. So, what do I have in the shed now?
It honestly feels like a lifetime since I sold the Altezza build. It was one of things situations where I got offered an epic amount of money for it, I couldn’t refuse. However, looking back, I am not sure I should have sold it, but that’s another blog entirely.
Since the sale of the Altezza, I have owned several different vehicles in the name of trying things out to see what fits. Directly after the Altezza, I bought a BMW 135i with an N55 engine and the famed dual-clutch transmission. It was a fun road car that I ended up modifying to around 300kW at the wheels. Still, not direct, nor was it raw to drive. Onto the next thing.
I bought a 555 STI which I restored and tidied up over lockdown. This kept me mostly out of trouble, as it was in the garage for most of its time with me. I then picked up an R56 Mini Cooper, with the absolutely shite N14 turbo engine. I upgraded the intercooler, installed Bilsteins, fitted new wheels and tyres, a downpipe, then had it tuned to around 160kW at the front wheels. It was incredibly fun, but it would never run properly. Painful.
Around the same time, I bought another V11 Subaru WRX STi hatch, with the EJ207 engine. Possum Bourne fitted their downpipe to it, a fuel pump and tuned it with ECUTek software and it churned out an impressive 232kW at the wheels. I loved this car, but for some reason, I moved it on. Possibly because it was my second one? I love the GRB hatch, but I think I have had my fun with them — see ya!
During my time at NZ Performance Car Magazine, I was exposed to countless new press vehicles. Hyundai flew me to Adelaide to drive their N range at The Bend Motorsport Park, Toyota gave me their GR Yaris, Corolla, and Supras to drive, and Honda invited me along to their Honda Civic Type R (FL5) press launch.
During the Type R press launch, I was given the opportunity to drive an FK2 Type R, followed by an FK8, then followed by an FL5 — all to see how the turbocharged Honda platform has progressed over the years since its inception.
Unfortunately for my wallet, I was at a very pivotable point in my vehicle buying journey. I was interested in purchasing a GR Yaris, but I couldn’t justify the price they were going for in the used market at the time. I simply refused to pay $72,000 for a Yaris, which was considerably higher than the new price a year earlier. So, I was looking into other options.
My lego head when I realised this was the car for me!
After driving all three Type Rs back to back, I was most impressed with the FK8. For one, it was a heap more compliant on track, it didn’t have as much fake engine noise, and when the FK8 and FL5 were parked next to each other in the pits the FK8 front end had me sold. Yeah, the back is kinda goofy, but the front is full-on, time attack-style aggression and I knew with a nice set of wheels it would look even cooler. I went home, scoured the internet and came across the vehicle I now can happily say I own.
The vehicle I purchased was a one-year-old, 2021 Honda Civic Type R with 4,400kms on the clock. I have never in my life owned a vehicle to this value, with kms this low. Driving it home felt like a dream — it was almost surreal. I know it’s just a Honda Civic, but having been a Honda enthusiast since I was a young teenager, this is peak Honda ownership. Say what you want about the styling, it demands your attention on the road and it’s an incredible cabin to drive in. It has features I always wanted in a vehicle; beautifully-made gear knob and shifter, Alcantara galore, red stitching, bucket seats, and ‘R’ badges everywhere. Epic.
It didn’t take long before I started modifying too. I told myself I would leave it stock for around a week before parts were ordered. Why are we like this?! Since I purchased it at the end of 2022, it has seen the track 4-5 times, makes around 270kW at the wheels, and has a total of 8,900kms. It’s safe to say, things escalated quickly with this ‘R’.
Stay tuned for the update blogs next, where I bring you up to speed on the fun I have been having with upgrades and on the track!