Originally Posted by Xam
well its 94-97 till the type-r came out right, then 98-01 was the integra, that means 02 is the rsx. so 02-05 that means the type-r coming out for the 06-09 model. so i am keeping my civic till i trade it in for a type-r dc5. thanks for reading
There was a definite reason for the DC2 ITR to be produced: homologation.
The DC2 ITR had to be put on the roads because the racing series homologation rules required that the car that was being put on the track was also being put on the public roads. The DC2 ITR that they wanted to race had a different body (though you couldn't see it) and very different motor from the DC2 that was on the public roads at the time they wanted to start racing with it.
The DC2 ITR was a real homologation special, and Honda actually lost money on every one it sold because of all the special effort and hand work that had to go into producing them.
It's a different story with the DC5 and EP3.
The DC5 and EP3 are a brand new McPherson chassis that is already so stiff that it can compete on the road without fear of ripping itself apart like the original DC2 race cars. Moreover, Honda builds several mass produced versions of the K20 motor that are as heavy duty, stable and long lived at high RPM as the limited production B18C5 was in its day.
There's no need for a homologation special for the DC5 and EP3. Moreover, in the markets where they are sold, the DC5 Integra Type R and the EP3 Civic Type R aren't even limited production...they build however many of them are ordered because it's no big deal making them.
I honestly believe that there are only two reasons you don't see the EP3 CTR and DC5 ITR in USDM right now:
1.The pricing structure in the USDM would make pricing the DC5 ITR and EP3 CTR problematic. For example, with a $20,000 sticker EP3 Si already, what niche do you put the EP3 CTR in that it won't be blown away by the four wheel drive turbo cars or a legion of other cheap cars already here?
2.The magic of the "Type R" nomenclature is attached to a very successful reign of the DC2 ITR where it was virtually unbeatable in its endurance and World Challenge races for years. The performance of the EP3 and DC5 in those same series has shown us that the DC5 and EP3 are simply not worthy successors to the DC2 ITR legend in North America. In markets where they do feel the "Type R" name will sell cars, they don't hesitate to use it: In Australia, the DC5 "Type R" is for the most part what we'd call an "RSX Type S" in the USA.
If they can defeat either of those problems, I think we'll see a Type R...but they'll have to defeat one or the other of those problems.
I can't see the DC5 or EP3 starting to win World Challenge championships right now, so I guess they need to find a way to bring an EP3 CTR over at what is currently the sticker price for the EP3 Si!