I have owned a pre-FL FD2R & also a FL FD2R brand new from Honda Malaysia. Both taken to SIC, one on stock sussy, and the other on Ohlins.

I have also sat on fully converted FD with FD2R interiors and the legendary K20A at SIC.

There is no denying the rigidity difference between them. They are not the same, and I would say if the same driver were to drive a stock FD2R and a FD with converted K20A engine (no additional engine performance mods), his timing at SIC would be faster on the FD2R, even with the same tires and brakes. The steering correction at many of the sharper turns is reduced because of the rigidity.

There you have it, my experience with both.

Servicing is just about the same as normal FD. It's damn bomb proof unless one doesn't look after it. The new owner who bought my Pre-FL dropped to wrong gear and kaboom 

SIC Track Day
Fluid change to better brand/quality, engine and gear oil before the track day.
Camber adjustments before and after. You don't want aggressive camber for street drive.
You can opt to have aggressive tires/wheels  for track days specific like A050, or get good tires for street like AD08R or Hankooks. Even the stock Bridgestone RE070 was excellent for track days. Just bear in mind, just faster tire change, that's all.
Fluids temp gauge to know when you need to get back to pit. But typically, no issue.

I had mine upgraded to JS Racing 6 and 4 pots and made helluva difference. Stock brakes are not good enough for many hot laps especially if one is chasing lap times. At the very least, get better pads and brake fluids to allow you to brake later. My subsequent 2015 WRX STI with stock Brembos basically melted after lap 3 and had no brakes at turn 9 and ate grass but lucky didn't hit barriers. I changed to rotors and pads and woot, no more brake fade during next track day.

Daily use, even Honda engine oils are good enough. Brake upgrades are for more aggressive drivers going to track. Otherwise, better pads like EBC would suffice. And yes, BBKs ain't cheap.

Don't worry about fuel lah. You ain't gonna YOLO all the time. It's pretty fuel efficient under normal driving conditions.

I wouldn't get Fleva for it, used it before on Honda Jazz but not for FD2R. Bear in mind, these cars excels in handling. You need tires that has stiffer sidewalls. No experience with RE004.

I am a firm believer that the type of tires, oils, brakes we use must match our driving habits/style and the car. The more aggressive we drive, better quality is needed. One does not put AD08R on a Kancil nor MYVI for street driving. It's overkill. One does not use Motul 300V or Millers on Toyota Vios and the likes.

I have seen owners of FD2Rs running on RON 95, and had it detune to run the fuel. That's        for me. Why buy an FD2R then? It came from Japan rated to run on RON 100, even higher than the 2015 WRX STI rated to run on RON98.

Re004 more to dry but they say a bit less grip in wet.
michelin ps4 both dry n wet grip good but expensive.
continental mc6 cheap and good both dry and wet, but lose out to ps4

I have owned a pre-FL FD2R & also a FL FD2R brand new from Honda Malaysia. Both taken to SIC, one on stock sussy, and the other on Ohlins.

I have also sat on fully converted FD with FD2R interiors and the legendary K20A at SIC.

There is no denying the rigidity difference between them. They are not the same, and I would say if the same driver were to drive a stock FD2R and a FD with converted K20A engine (no additional engine performance mods), his timing at SIC would be faster on the FD2R, even with the same tires and brakes. The steering correction at many of the sharper turns is reduced because of the rigidity.

There you have it, my experience with both.

I am replying under new user as the previous required a reset by LYN, and I no longer have access to that email which was an older company registered email. Hence, my new user name.

Anyway, I have not been a fan of smaller cars, especially hatches or versions of it. And FN2R, which if I recall is a EURO spec model, and slightly detuned against the JDM K20A to meet emissions control. Though that can be countered with a quick flash by Hondata Flashrpo.

I like fast but practical 4 door cars. Hence my current E90 M3 instead of the common E92 M3.

FYI there's an EP3 type R currently on sale in Johor around rm120+k, so you may want to consider that too if within your budget.

Ic, is it because of the look?

Yes. So the things that cannot upgrade is chassis. I suspect the front lower assembly also different and not pnp.