Performance car that doesn’t feel disposable

Many performance cars last a very long time – at least in terms of their legacy in the automotive world. However, while heirlooms can last for generations, this is not always the case when it comes to reliability. That’s why there are tales that you shouldn’t have an Italian thing, or if you do, how temperamental they can be, so they’re mostly kept as weekend-only cars.

The longevity of a performance car can become more complicated due to today’s complex emissions regulations. You’ll notice that a lot of today’s performance cars are becoming electrified, which often leads to more complications. Like anything in the automotive field, the simpler the car, the more reliable it will be.

Take, for example, the performance car in today’s article. In my opinion, the most obvious candidate for this article (and it’s also my initial choice) is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but some may argue that it’s not fast enough to be considered a “performance” car. If you also want a vehicle that offers plenty of fun, whether it’s speed on a straight line or a high-turning GS in the corners, while also being extremely reliable, here’s my recommendation.

Pinnacle of both performance and reliability

Many high-performance sports cars and even exotic cars have been remembered throughout history for both their performance and reliability. The thing is, though, that since these represent the pinnacle of automotive performance and precision, these aren’t the cheapest cars to buy, whether new or used.

Sports car for everyday use

porsche

Porsche fans can attest to the fact that their sports cars are extremely reliable. Porsche 911, 718, Boxster, andThe Caymans are all very reliable, especially when it comes to the mechanically simplest models. There’s even a website called StuttCars dedicated to providing guidance to prospective owners of a used Porsche sports car, and most of them rave about how long these cars last. Of course, each generation has its own quirks in the experience, and everything you need to know is listed on that Porsche Ownership Features website.

The reliability of the 911 and the Porsche sports car lineup is due to the development ethos that they should be as capable of handling daily drives as they are of handling fun and spirited drives on the weekend. From the available rear seats to the usable front trunk, the all-rounder nature is evident in its looks. Furthermore, the Porsche sports car lineup did not evolve radically. If anything, Porsche is a stubborn brand about how evolutionary the changes to its sports cars are. Because why would it require radical development? Along with excellent long-term reliability the handling recipe is already perfect.

A V-10 crossover for the long haul

bring a trailer

Now don’t get me wrong. Any supercar with a famous large-displacement engine is going to enjoy a legendary status for a long time, but actually going more than 40,000 miles without any problems is another thing. But wait, why only 40,000 miles? Well, it’s not that it’s less reliable than Porsche’s sports cars, but because of its exclusivity, most owners rarely drive it. The model I’m referring to is the Lexus LFA, a supercar with a legendary Yamaha-tuned howling V-10 and a limited production of only 500 units.

If you’re curious about what the highest-mileage Lexus LFA is, look no further than this example owned by a guy with an Instagram account. @pipi__.358. His LFA is already overpowered 111,000 milesWhich is an achievement for this exotic supercar. Other people would keep the LFA as an investment, but not this Japanese lady. Even with high mileage, the resale value of the LFA is still the same or even higher than when you bought it new. It’s not often that you see a reliable exotic item that maintains or increases in value over time.

Bulletproof reliability with tenacious performance

Honda

This leads us to today’s performance car that is sure to continue going strong for years to come. The Honda Civic Type R has brisk acceleration, strong handling and proven long-lasting durability that will definitely please the second or third owner as well.

proven reliability record

Honda

Why didn’t I choose the GR Corolla or the Subaru WRX? Well, the G16E-GTS 1.6-litre turbo three-cylinder is stronger, but the K20C 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder has been in production longer than the new G16E-GTS. Meanwhile, the FA24 in the Subaru WRX is also reliable, especially now that it’s fitted to a variety of models like the Outback and Ascent. The FA24 is more robust than the FA20 it replaces, as this engine has already solved some of the FA20’s previous problems.

base trim engine

2L Inline-4 Turbo

base trim transmission

6-speed manual

base trim drivetrain

Front-wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

315 hp @6500 rpm

base trim torque

310 lb-ft. @2600rpm

Base Trim Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined)

22/28/24 mpg

Make

Honda

Sample

Civic Type R

Section

compact hatchback

This now brings us to the Civic Type R’s K20C. With engines dating back to 2015 in the Japanese and European-spec FK2 Civic Type R, the K20C has a longer and more proven track record for reliability. The K series engines are already built very high in terms of durability, and the Civic Type R is no exception. Of course, as a performance machine, proper maintenance is key to its longevity. Do that, and iSeeCars says the Civic Type R has a 29.9 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles when bought new.

How much does a used Type R cost?

Guillaume Fournier topspeed

The value of a used Civic Type R will depend largely on which model you choose. Of course, the current FL5 generation will be more expensive, while the previous FK8 generation will be priced lower. Regardless, the Civic Type R is generally known to have flexible depreciation. According to Kelley Blue Book, a two-year-old Civic Type RWhich means a 2024 model year vehicle will have a resale value of $40,800, while in about three years, its value will only depreciate by 11 percent. This makes it among the top 10 percent of all hatchbacks on sale in the United States.

On the other hand, the average resale price of a facelifted 2021 FK8 or a five-year-old model is $33,100. Over three years, a facelifted FK8 has depreciated 17 percent in value, slightly more than the FL5, but still one of the lowest depreciating cars overall. Yes, even a used Civic Type Rs often costs more than the top-trim Civic Hybrid, which shows how desirable this hot hatch is in the used market.

What to expect in the Civic Type R?

Isaac Atienza

With two generations already on sale in the United States, the Honda Civic Type R has already established itself as one of the great performance cars of all time. Whichever generation you choose, both are highly reliable, but newer generations tend to have fewer problems due to the maturity of the overall vehicle drivetrain.

teen fk8

Isaac Atienza

Luckily for you, I had the chance to sit in both the FK8 Civic Type R and the FL5 for quite some time. First of all, with the FK8, this vehicle made a name for itself in terms of its original styling. This car was released at a time when Honda came from an era of conservatively designed cars – namely, the much criticized ninth generation FB Civic. The tenth-generation FC model and its FK8 Type R model addressed the conservative design aspect, but perhaps this is a bit too much of a shift towards radical design for some people. The plethora of fake vents and the obnoxious rear wing didn’t help, but at least you wouldn’t call the Type R boring.

In terms of driving dynamics, the FK8 showed the world that a hot hatch could be full of convincing performance while still being completely compliant. That 2.0-litre VTEC turbo engine was full of grunt, and it was matched to one of the best six-speed manuals out there. It also had drive modes that changed throttle response and engine mapping as well as adaptive suspension. In +R mode, the adaptive suspension becomes noticeably stiffer for flatter cornering, while the electric power steering becomes ultra-responsive and precise. Yet outside of +R mode, the Civic Type R was almost as civilized as the standard model – albeit with a minute drone from the exhaust while cruising.

Isaac Atienza topspeed

However, there is one thing worth noting when it comes to the FK8’s track capabilities. Typical of pre-facelift models, limited cooling made it susceptible to heat dissipation during hard, sustained track use. The tight engine bay, somewhat undersized cooling components, as well as a water-cooled exhaust manifold that heated the radiator fluid faster, leading to higher drivetrain temperatures. The facelifted FK8 after the 2021 model year somehow addressed this through its slightly enlarged cooling vents and new radiator core, but this only delayed the heat rather than eliminating it. Thankfully, there are many aftermarket solutions, such as Mishimoto’s 140 percent larger intercooler which also adds 10 horsepower and nine pound-feet of torque.

Hardcore FL5

And so, with the development of the FL5, the goal was to address these concerns while also improving its performance. As expected, Honda accomplished its mission very well here. From a driving dynamics perspective, the FL5 was sharper, sportier and more hardcore than the FK8 it replaced. The steering now has hydraulic feedback. It is so fast and so precise that the steering often has a case of tramlining (a phenomenon when the steering follows the contours of the road surface) in +R mode. Further changes have been made to the power delivery and chassis tuning for faster reflexes.

Additionally, while the Civic Type R’s famous dual-axis strut front suspension has virtually eliminated torque steer in the FK8, the more aggressive power delivery of the FL5’s revised K20C in +R mode offers slightly more torque steer this time. Speaking of suspension, the ride quality in the FL5 has become firmer in Comfort mode, but still not to the point of being uncomfortable. Overall, the FL5 leans more towards the sportiness aspect, while still being largely compliant and usable for daily driving.

Source: Honda, KBB, iCars