UK road trip in my EK9. Looking for guidance

[magnus_drives]

Hello nice people of the board

In September of this year I'm booked to visit the UK and spend a week driving my new-to-me EK9 around a bit. I'll be retrieving the car south of Birmingham, visiting Cornwall in the car with my wife, and ending at the Goodwood Revival before flying back out of London. It will be a quick week-and-a-bit visit.

Context - I bought the car earlier this year sight-unseen and it's being stored with a friend. This will be my first time driving in the UK or visiting any area outside of London. I am comfortable with RHD (own an R32 GTR here in the states) and I've driven a bit in Japan and Italy, so I am not totally alien to different lane configurations and driving situations. The EK9 is stock and up-to-date on maintenance.

I was hoping to solicit some advice from in-region members as I plan the trip with my wife. First things that come in to mind:

• In the US, our golden-era Hondas are extremely theft-prone. How paranoid do I need to be about parking the EK9 at inns / hotels in Cornwall holiday areas overnight? Will I be okay with common sense or do I need to make sure I have secured parking?
• What driving roads do you recommend in those areas? I apologize that I've given a vague outline of a big chunk of the country, but we are in the planning phase
• Any special considerations for driving an EK9 on a road trip? Is high-grade fuel readily available, any special repair items I should pre-arrange? I've road-tripped my old DC2R so I expect a similar experience
• What is the situation with spirited driving on public roads? I drive within safe limits (don't cross center lines, assume there is a cyclist just past the blind apex, etc) but usually move briskly above the speed limit. We don't have traffic cameras in the US, what should I expect on the different types of roads in that area of the country?
• Anything else I should consider?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated, and mods please feel free to move this if there is a better place for it. I didn't see a regional sub-forum.

Cheers all

 

[spikeyhairdude]

Tesco momentum and shell v power sell 99 ron fuel. These fuel stations are common.

Theft isnt as bad as USA. I would suggest getting a steering lock anyways to be on the safe side. Thats what i do with my ek9.

We have speed cameras almost every where and also speed guns every now and then. I would suggest downloading WAZE as they usually come up on there. It can also be used as a sat nav aswell.

 

[Coughan]

Hi mate,

I live in Cornwall and daily drive my ek9, I haven't had any issues with car security, A steering lock would be a good idea just for extra peace of mind like Vishal suggested. I would be more worried about carpark dings ect as Cornwall is tiny and space for paring is minimal.

The roads in Cornwall are pretty bad plenty of potholes and raised bits of drain holes ect. Be on your toes looking out for these.
There is also plenty of great stretches of road perfect for an ek9

 

[DMEK9]

Hi Mate,
I'm in the Southwest.....you'll have to go through roughly my area....you should avoid the motorways once out of Birmingham (you need to out of there as quick as poss...hahaha) and stick to A roads and some B roads....you could aim to go through Cheddar Gorge on the way down, hit it early morning for spirited drive through.

The A30 is dual carriage way (main route to Cornwall) and quite open, not ideal for the 9....if you want a better drive but will take longer go the coast road A39 as much as possible, shame you only have a week!

 

[magnus_drives]

Thank you all for the tips and guidance, I appreciate it. When I say a week, it will be even less... unfortunately the US is not the world leader in holiday leave, so I don't have much to spare on this trip. My wife is a good sport and will enjoy the scenic route, but I have to make sure she enjoys the trip too.

Here is the general flow:

Friday, Saturday: London
Sunday: train to Stratford-upon-Avon, day with friends, retrieve car

[Road trip]
Monday: Stratford-upon-Avon > Bath (via Cotswolds?)
Tuesday: Bath > Fowey (Cheddar Gorge, Dartmoor?)
Wednesday: Fowey > Bodmin (Camel trail bike trail to Padstow and back)
Thursday: Fowey > General sightseeing driving loop of Cornwall (southwest)
Friday: Fowey > Stonehenge > Chichester

Saturday, Sunday: Goodwood Revival
Monday: Mate drops us off at Heathrow and drives the car back to Stratford-upon-Avon

We'll be covering a fair amount of ground quickly. I'll avoid motorways when possible. I'll keep planning and sketch in routes and share them as I go, if you have a favorite bit of road (or must-see stops in the area) please drop a suggestion.

I love a good road trip, here are some of my adventures in recent years if you'd like to do some reading

E30 M3 to northeast California
Shelby GT350 from Texas to California
E46 M3 / 2002 southeast road trip
San Francisco to Palm Springs / and back

 

[madman]

Love the m3 road trip

 

[madman]

Upload pictures of your ek9

 

[Pete180]

That's super cool man! Enjoy the trip, hope the weather holds up well

@Dzero4 may know some cool spots

 

[magnus_drives]

Upload pictures of your ek9

You can see a few here in my intro thread:

New member from the United States

Hi all I'd like to introduce myself to the community. As the thread title implies I am a new "owner" located near San Francisco in the US. I say "owner" because I've purchased my EK9 sight-unseen from the UK and it will be living there with a friend until it's legal for import in 2025. A bit...

www.ek9.org

Of course I will be documenting our journey in September as well!

 

[magnus_drives]

Hi all, thank you for all of the suggestions. My wife and I fly out tomorrow from San Francisco to London. We'll see friends over the weekend, take the train out to Stratford-upon-Avon, and then start our trip to Cornwall on Monday!

The overall outline is basically what I posted back in June, I have plotted the route electing as you all have suggested to stay on A- and B-roads where possible. We plan to stop in Cheddar Gorge (thank you DMEK9) and go across Dartmoor on our way south and east. On Thursday we'll do a clockwise loop of Cornwall - have tickets to see St. Michael's Mount after lunch - and probably aim to end in St. Ives for dinner. On Friday we will see Stonehenge en route to Chichester / the Revival.

I've purchased a steering wheel lock - thank you all for the suggestions - and I also bought some very cheap "sacrificial" floor mats for what looks to be a wet week. I will never forget my DC2R's $1000 rear checkered floor mat, I know better than to soil Type-R floor coverings with dirty shoes!

I'm sure the week will go quickly but I am beyond excited. I love sports cars, I love road trips, and I love exploring scenic new areas... can't go wrong. I'll take photos and report back! Please say hello if you see me bombing through!

 

[iRELOADED]

Sounds a good trip, just to make you aware, traffic can get quite heavy on the road passing Stonehenge so worth building that time into your trip.

Cant wait to hear how it went!

 

[DMEK9]

Hi all, thank you for all of the suggestions. My wife and I fly out tomorrow from San Francisco to London. We'll see friends over the weekend, take the train out to Stratford-upon-Avon, and then start our trip to Cornwall on Monday!

The overall outline is basically what I posted back in June, I have plotted the route electing as you all have suggested to stay on A- and B-roads where possible. We plan to stop in Cheddar Gorge (thank you DMEK9) and go across Dartmoor on our way south and east. On Thursday we'll do a clockwise loop of Cornwall - have tickets to see St. Michael's Mount after lunch - and probably aim to end in St. Ives for dinner. On Friday we will see Stonehenge en route to Chichester / the Revival.

I've purchased a steering wheel lock - thank you all for the suggestions - and I also bought some very cheap "sacrificial" floor mats for what looks to be a wet week. I will never forget my DC2R's $1000 rear checkered floor mat, I know better than to soil Type-R floor coverings with dirty shoes!

I'm sure the week will go quickly but I am beyond excited. I love sports cars, I love road trips, and I love exploring scenic new areas... can't go wrong. I'll take photos and report back! Please say hello if you see me bombing through!

Hope you have a great trip and the car is everything you wished for....
Shame the weather is not the best but good plan with the sacrificial mats!

Looking forward to the photo's!

 

[ScottEk9]

Enjoy your road trip ! I've been to Cornwall a few times ,really nice. I recommend a drive down to lands end also the eden project is a good day out, great food inside. Car theft over here is not too bad ,steering lock is advisable . Your EK9 looks a cracker.

 

[Dzero4]

Hi all, thank you for all of the suggestions. My wife and I fly out tomorrow from San Francisco to London. We'll see friends over the weekend, take the train out to Stratford-upon-Avon, and then start our trip to Cornwall on Monday!

The overall outline is basically what I posted back in June, I have plotted the route electing as you all have suggested to stay on A- and B-roads where possible. We plan to stop in Cheddar Gorge (thank you DMEK9) and go across Dartmoor on our way south and east. On Thursday we'll do a clockwise loop of Cornwall - have tickets to see St. Michael's Mount after lunch - and probably aim to end in St. Ives for dinner. On Friday we will see Stonehenge en route to Chichester / the Revival.

I've purchased a steering wheel lock - thank you all for the suggestions - and I also bought some very cheap "sacrificial" floor mats for what looks to be a wet week. I will never forget my DC2R's $1000 rear checkered floor mat, I know better than to soil Type-R floor coverings with dirty shoes!

I'm sure the week will go quickly but I am beyond excited. I love sports cars, I love road trips, and I love exploring scenic new areas... can't go wrong. I'll take photos and report back! Please say hello if you see me bombing through!

Enjoy it! if you need anything feel free to message me

 

[Dzero4]

Hi all, thank you for all of the suggestions. My wife and I fly out tomorrow from San Francisco to London. We'll see friends over the weekend, take the train out to Stratford-upon-Avon, and then start our trip to Cornwall on Monday!

The overall outline is basically what I posted back in June, I have plotted the route electing as you all have suggested to stay on A- and B-roads where possible. We plan to stop in Cheddar Gorge (thank you DMEK9) and go across Dartmoor on our way south and east. On Thursday we'll do a clockwise loop of Cornwall - have tickets to see St. Michael's Mount after lunch - and probably aim to end in St. Ives for dinner. On Friday we will see Stonehenge en route to Chichester / the Revival.

I've purchased a steering wheel lock - thank you all for the suggestions - and I also bought some very cheap "sacrificial" floor mats for what looks to be a wet week. I will never forget my DC2R's $1000 rear checkered floor mat, I know better than to soil Type-R floor coverings with dirty shoes!

I'm sure the week will go quickly but I am beyond excited. I love sports cars, I love road trips, and I love exploring scenic new areas... can't go wrong. I'll take photos and report back! Please say hello if you see me bombing through!

And if you have some spare time sunday evening, consider dropping by caffeine and machine, just down the road from stratford, could meet you up there

 

[magnus_drives]

We’ve made it!

I usually do a comprehensive write-up after I finish these trips, but I have some time at the hotel tonight so I want to share at least a couple photos. Fuller photo and trip report will follow.

We landed in London on Friday and spent the weekend there visiting friends and seeing the sights. Our hotel was right near Buckinham Palace, what a surreal time to visit - my condolences on the death of the Queen.

Yesterday morning we took the train out to the Stratford area to meet my friend, see the car, and do more sightseeing. The Civic is fantastic, so good to see it in person. The previous owner Mo loved it dearly and it shows, the condition is excellent for the miles and it’s very close to stock - the only real modification is the Mugen header. Suspension, intake, exhaust are all factory. The car came fitted with a Spoon back section (not sure which one) and coilovers, I bought stock pieces and had my mate swap them to experience the car in ‘baseline’ form and see what I might want to change. I also wanted to make sure we were comfortable for this road trip.

Very initial (2 hours of driving) impressions: it drives almost exactly as I expect, that is very similarly to my old DC2R. I expected the B16B to be down on power compared the B18C5 - 0.2L and 13hp lower on paper - but it feels like more than that. It’s not a straight comparison, my DC2R had a Comptech airbox, Toda header, Mugen twin-loop exhaust, and (going from memory here) an Apex’i VTEC controller with the crossover point lowered to 5300 rpm. The EK9 is a bit quiet in its current tune so I will have to (in 3+ years…) install a similar setup and then it will be a more even comparison. In any case there is no substitute for the VTEC changeover and the sound of a B-series going all the way out past 8k! So good.

@Dzero4, thank you for the invitation, I apologize that I didn’t see it in time to take you up on it yesterday. With just one night in town it probably would not have worked out, but it’s certainly on my list for next time. I will encourage my friend to bring the car out, I think I’ve seen coverage of some pretty amazing Cars and Coffees / meets there?

This morning we completed preparations on the car - not much required. I swapped the floor mats for the cheap ones, which I have to say are fairly good for the price paid. Checked tire pressures, set up the phone mount, confirmed the route for the tenth time and hit the road!

Today’s leg was short, from Stratford down along A- and B-roads trough Stow-on-the-Wold and a stop in Lower Slaughter. We need to make brisk progress on this trip so this was our only Cotswold stop but certainly a nice one, very picturesque. From there we followed the Foss Way / A429 past Cirencester. I thought I was seeing things when I spotted what looked like a 747 tail fin poking out above the trees, but quickly we were upon the Cotswold Airport, which seems to be a graveyard for old commercial jets. Had to stop for a photo. It was smooth sailing from there to Bath, and we spent the day on foot exploring the city. Nice place, feels like Italy, but with more fish and chips.

Tomorrow we’re off on a longer leg - first stop Cheddar Gorge, then across Dartmoor to our lodging in Cornwall. If I’m not too exhausted in the evenings I’ll try my best to provide more updates.

 

[Pete180]

Very cool! Some nice photos there

 

[iRELOADED]

absolutely awesome, enjoy the trip

 

[soxturf]

Lovely car

 

[DMEK9]

Thanks for the update, car looks great!
Have a great rest of the trip and you've been lucky with the weather!

Look forward to more photos