LCR versus CTR (thinking of changing over)...

[cobraman2007]

Hi people - it's been a long time since I last posted but this forum was a fantastic source when I was looking for a LCR a few years ago.

I eventually plumped for the CTR in the end and have to say the last couple of years has been a blast. However, I am now a little tired of having to rev the nuts off the car and having to drive at silly speeds to enjoy the i-VTEC plus the wife is nagging for four doors (why? I don't know as she never sits or uses the back seats). Plus another big thing is the paintwork. I am a professional detailer and the Honda paintwork is about the worst for inflicting swirls and it kills me when I see a new swirlmark appear in the paint after a car wash. I know the LCR has rock hard paint so this is going to be a godsend for someone like me who is very anal about having perfect paint all the time.

Anyways, I am not going to ask basic questions about the LCR because I've done all that two years ago and know all about the horrors of failing coils and the delights of being able to boost power up with little ECU chips which cost next to nothing.

What I really am after are comparisons between a LCR and CTR from people who have owned both cars or had the experience of using both cars.

For example, the CTR is an uncomfortable car due to rock hard suspension but the handling around corners is fantastic. Is the LCR a good cornering car and how does it compare in comfort?

Please help if you can.

 

[warren_cox]

The LCR is a fundamentally sound car in standard spec, but many of the members have found that to bridge the likely gap you will experience between an LCR and a CTR you should look at fitting:

1) Decent spring / damper combo
2) Uprated Front and Rear ARBs
3) Front strut brace
4) Uprated poly mounts (dog bone as a minimum)
5) New top mounts (if a higher mileage car)
6) A full Beissbarth alignment

This will help to remove some of the slightly vague sensations as the back end can be a bit flighty with worn tyres, and the OE set up is not the sharpest in the business.

 

[lordgibbness]

I can only offer a limited comparison as I test drove two CTRs (EP3) before choosing the LCR 2yrs ago.

The CTR had much worse steering feel and control due to it's electric assisted system. It did feel light and nimble (more inclined to change direction) but, for me, didn't give me confidence due to the steering. It was noisier at a cruise and didn't have enough power low down to be as effective an overtaking tool that the LCR is. The CTR chassic felt stiffer and happier to be driven very hard round fast corners (but I've improved this on the LCR with the S3 strut brace). The throttle response is so much better on the CTR (the LCR feels very slow and laggy compared) but a remap and uprated DBM helped here.

For me the fact that I could up power to 275bhp for £300, plus a few other small mods to bring the rest of the car in line swayed it for me. The LCR is a much better cruiser and overtaker and even better when remapped. Now my car is remapped the CTR wouldn't have any appeal whatsoever so I think I made the right choice.

Edit: Hoped you didn't take the comments as saying the CTR is bad (quite the contrary). Stock, the CTR is the better handling more responsive car but with much less potential for improvement that you get in the LCR.

 

[xxNickyxx]

To be honest, there not a lot between the LCR and CTR in my opinion. My ex had a CTR (EP3), and while the CTR was a much better handling car, it felt more connected to the road, the LCR is a comfier ride, and pulls like a train in comparison, i.e. you don't need to rev it to get it to do anything! Theres a couple of LCR vs CTR threads around on the forum somewhere if I remember rightly.

The LCR is also more well equipped inside, climate control, comfier seats etc, but I would say that the CTR is more of a drivers car.

I've been thinking about changing my LCR for a CTR, but not made my mind up yet.

 

[waynejacobs]

lcr versus ctr

got rid of my leon cupra last year and brought a ctr as ive always wanted one big mistake dont get wrong the ctr is not a bad car at all but its chalk and cheese compared with the cupra.had it 6months and got rid of it and brought a cupra r which i think is so much much better than tha cupra and i love it to bits

 

[waynejacobs]

oh yeah totally agree with nicky the ctr is defo more of a drivers car

 

[lordgibbness]

I don't know, I wouldn't say that as I take my driving quite seriously in my LCR.

 

[xxNickyxx]

I don't know, I wouldn't say that as I take my driving quite seriously in my LCR.

When I said the CTR is more of a drivers car, I meant that you need to work to get it to do what you want more than the LCR. The vtec means you need to rev it, change down more, whereas the LCR has a lot more low end power, so you dont need to work as hard to make it do anything. More involved if you like.

 

[Faisal]

to be honest,its more of a turbo vs vtec scenario for me.

apart from the CTR having better handling, the cars are very diferent in both good and bad ways.
before going on,after mentioning the CTR having better handling,ARBs and a strut brace sort it out for the LCR so thats not a bother.
buying a hot hatch usually inclines you to mod it in most cases apart from the sensible people!

its how you want the driving experience,if you like to rev hard,and drive more or less like a tit most of the time,the CTR is way more fun with the vtec. the sound of it when the vtec kicks in and launches you further is great.but not practical when on the streets.or overtaking as mentioned before.

compared to a turbo car that the LCR is, its a different set up. if you like something nippy,with all the power there when you put the foot down (after spooling the turbo ofcourse), the LCR is the better option.

the noise is more subtle,it means business without the loudness and harshness of a CTR.this turns you into a boost junkie,having low down power when you want it is great,and having power all through the rev range is a bonus - over having most power only in the vtec.

turbo cars produce a hell of a lot more torque than naturally aspirated cars,200 lbs torque compared to 120 lbs torque (IIRC) makes a big difference i think.

performance aside, the deciding factor in my split descision in what to buy came in the looks. the LCR looks mean,looks intimidating while still looking very subtle (i love my subtlety.no loud exhausts with huge scoops for me thanks) compared to the CTR which doesnt look THAT exciting...couple that with the fact that the LCR has more of an exclusivity feel to it,as it isnt too common,and its a head turner when it drives past (bright yellow car flying past anyone?) compared to the CTR,which i see all the time...there are hundreds where i live...and they dont really stand out to me...every tom **** and harry wants a CTR,those who go for the likes of the LCR are people who are generally more clued up on what they want from a car.

people with LCRs are most likely those who have done some research into it vs those who would buy a civic or a gti coz jeremy clarskton says so.

and finally,5 doors are a great plus when cruising around with the burds and the lads...good times...good times...

Over and out.if you made it this far in reading my long post,congrats to you.

 

[lordgibbness]

...

tturbo cars produce a hell of a lot more torque than naturally aspirated cars,200 lbs torque compared to 120 lbs torque (IIRC) makes a big difference i think.

...

A few generalisations in there but regarding your point on the torque, scientifically speaking the 'big difference' is a matter of approx 40% more revs required for the same power.

 

[strugers1]

i have all the above mods in question and my car out handles a ctr no end. my mate has one and there a fairly nippy car but like 50cc peds you have to be at full tilt to go anywhere.
mines a derv though not a lcr but the leon is so nice lol

 

[Faisal]

A few generalisations in there but regarding your point on the torque, scientifically speaking the 'big difference' is a matter of approx 40% more revs required for the same power.

well being more specific would mean an even longer post lol..i think i had said most of what i wanted to say,but i had the steam to go on for longer lol

 

[lordgibbness]

well being more specific would mean an even longer post lol..i think i had said most of what i wanted to say,but i had the steam to go on for longer lol

LOL

...but strugers, I can't agree with you that a derv is as nice as the CTR - sorry!

 

[strugers1]

that personal preference lol
but i was getting at the point with the right mods on the lcr it can out hanle a ctr and out run a ctr too lol
i feel offended lol

 

[lordgibbness]

Sorry I shouldn't be so forthright - just not a fan of the black stuff...

Is that RR figure from your car - seems pretty good for an oil burning 1.9L

 

[strugers1]

yeah its mine i got a hybrid tdi mate stage 2 turbo

 

[lordgibbness]

Hybrid turbo will be a bigger compressor on the turbo?