Maz Christofi at Honda tuning specialist Hond-R.com loves the EP3. ‘Brilliant cars,’ he says. ‘Best way to get into a hot hatch. Cheap, reliable, easy to fix, plethora of parts available.

The EP3 generation Civic Type R is an unassuming little thing. Parked alongside the later FN2 generation Civic and the latest five-door, 306bhp Type R, its styling is positively restrained.