Honda Civic Type R EK9
Import a Honda Civic Type R (EK9) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1997–2000
- Engine
- B16B 1.6 L naturally aspirated four, front-wheel drive
About the EK9
The EK9 was the first Civic Type R, designed and built only in Japan and never sold in North America. It uses the B16B 1.6 L VTEC four with front-wheel drive in a light hatchback body.
It is now a collector car in its own right. An all-original black example with 2,549 km sold at USS Yokohama for ¥7.64 million in 2020, while ordinary North American cars trade for far less.
Honda added the EK9 to the sixth-generation Civic on 22 August 1997 and built it around weight saving. Japanese Wikipedia says racing driver Keiichi Tsuchiya handled feel checks during development. Honda also sold a cheaper race-base car without comfort equipment, and on 16 December 1999 added the better-equipped Type R X. The EK9 was the car for Honda’s one-make race until 2002, when the series moved to the DC5 Integra Type R.
- Power
- 185 PS at 8,200 rpm
- Torque
- 160 Nm at 7,500 rpm
- Weight
- 1,040–1,090 kg
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Drive
- Front-wheel drive
- Engine
- B16B 1.6 L VTEC
Can an EK9 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on an EK9
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Rust
Worth checking the rear arches, sills and spare-wheel well.
Engine
Worth checking for oil consumption and asking for the timing-belt history.
Gearbox
Worth feeling for third and fourth gear synchro grind.
Clones
Confirm a genuine EK9 chassis plate. Lesser Civics are dressed up as Type Rs.
Track use
Worth checking for seam welding, roll cages and accident damage from track days.
What we check on every EK9
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What an EK9 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| EK9 Civic Type R, CLASSIC.com market value West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Sep 2026 | about US$25,000 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Sep 2026 |
| 1998 EK9, US auction sale West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data), Jul 2026 | US$25,000 | West Coast Shipping (CLASSIC.com data) , Jul 2026 |
| All-original EK9, 2,549 km, USS Yokohama auction sale (outlier) Driven NZ, Jul 2020 | ¥7.64 million | Driven NZ , Jul 2020 |
| Japan used-car average asking price, Aug 1997–Nov 2001 generation Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥3.99 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
| Japan used-car average asking price, Sep 1998–Nov 2001 builds Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥3.71 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
EK9 buyer questions
Is every EK9 eligible?
Canada accepts every EK9. Carsensor lists production from August 1997 to November 2001, so for the US 25-year rule, cars built up to October 2001 qualify now and the last November 2001 builds qualify in November 2026. Check the build month.
Which version should I buy?
The standard Type R is the usual choice. The race-base car lacks comfort equipment, and the Type R X from December 1999 adds equipment. All share the 185 PS B16B. Confirm a genuine EK9 chassis plate, because lesser Civics are often dressed up as Type Rs.
What do EK9s cost in Japan now?
Carsensor puts the average asking price at about ¥3.99 million in October 2026. Exceptional cars go far higher: an all-original example with 2,549 km sold at USS Yokohama for ¥7.64 million in 2020.
Want an EK9?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.