This EP3 came in as fresh import stock and sold before we had chance to list it, which tells you a fair bit about where the EP3 market is at the moment. It's a pre facelift JDM car in Championship White with the red Recaros that UK buyers were never offered, and it's the version worth holding out for if you're in the market.
THIS SPECIFIC EP3
We bought this one straight out of Japan for showroom stock, on the basis that a standard car in this condition is hard to replace. It was in great condition overall and, most importantly, had a clean chassis. After two decades of importing EP3s we know exactly what to look for in these cars, so we go in with a clear idea of the prep work each one will need.
The chassis point matters more than people expect. EP3s have been on UK roads for over twenty years and plenty of them have been modified, tracked, repaired and modified again. Cars that come straight from Japan have avoided our salted roads completely, so the arches, sills and subframes tend to be in far better shape. Most people buying an original car will end up modifying it anyway, but that's half the appeal. There's a lot to be said for doing the work yourself and knowing it has all been done properly.
WHAT MAKES THE JDM CAR DIFFERENT
As we covered in our JDM vs Euro EP3 breakdown, the Japanese car isn't the same thing with a different badge on the boot. The K20A makes 212bhp against 197bhp for the UK car, and it gets there with higher compression pistons, more aggressive cams, a fully balanced crank assembly and its own intake and exhaust manifolds. The limiter sits at 8,300rpm rather than 7,900rpm.
The chassis got the same treatment. There's a factory helical limited slip diff, shorter gear ratios, stiffer springs and thicker anti roll bars, and together they turn a quick hatchback into something you can lean on properly. The Recaros hold you in place while you do it. Drive a UK car and a JDM car back to back and the difference is obvious within a couple of miles.
WHY IT WENT SO QUICKLY
The days of picking up a half decent UK EP3 for £6,000 are long gone. That was the going rate not so long ago and it now gets you a thin history file and a long list of jobs waiting. Even the tidy UK cars have moved well past it. There aren't many good ones left, and the people who wanted one at seventeen have the budget to buy a proper one now.
It's the same story at the source. Prices in Japan are rising, and anyone who's been bidding at auction over the past year has watched clean Type Rs get pushed up as availability diminishes.
The EP3 is one of the last old school Hondas you can still pick up for sensible money. The engine and drivetrain are legendary, it has kept that light and raw feel, and it runs independent rear suspension unlike the FN2 that replaced it.
AFTER ONE OF YOUR OWN?
The good news is we have another EP3 in prep at the moment, due to be available shortly. If you want to hear about that one before it goes live, drop us a message and we'll keep you in the loop. Contact us Here.
This is exactly the kind of car we specialise in sourcing. If there's a JDM EP3 you've been trying to track down, or anything else with a Japanese logbook behind it, talk to us about our Personal Import Service. We bid on your behalf at Japanese auction and handle the inspection, shipping and UK registration, so you end up with the spec you actually want rather than whatever happens to be in stock.
It's also worth joining our mailing list and following us on Instagram and Facebook, where fresh arrivals usually appear before they reach the website.
