I swapped a CTR for an LCR.
I agree that the CTR is/seems a shade faster to 100 when absolutely at the limit, and most tests back this up - my observations were made in a 12k mile LCR too FWIW.
However, I've found that getting up to speed in general driving is much easier/faster than in the civic - and I'm still running the car in (not going over 4k). Especially noticable in the hot weather where the CTR felt gutless and reluctant to rev, the LCR simply doesn't need it.
I do remember however, that when thrashing round country lanes (with frequent overtaking a necessity) the LCR was making devastating progress, where the civic would be waiting for the "perfect opportunity". And the elastic band effect of the turbo power delivery is very amusing after the smooth delivery of the civic - whether you prefer this or not is down to personal taste.
I'd also avoid comparing modified cars, because I think that mods to these cars just exacerbate the differences in their approach. Modify the civic (keeping it NA - talking engine mods here) and you'll have an awesome track weapon that's even less flexible on the road. Chip the LCR and I think that you'd mostly notice a further increase in it's (already good) on-road flexiblity. Which you prefer depends on your driving style/preferences really.
Other observations...I'm saving these until it's run in and I can write it all up properly for you die hard Seat fans to mis-interpret as direct personal insults, or something
