The EP3 was stiff and had better suspension which made it more agile, the FN2 wasn't that much heavier but it was less stiff, then combine that with the extra pounds and it felt like a lot more. It just didn't 'feel' right.
EK9 was the ultimate raw beastie, I've never had the pleasure though . My mate is currently looking to get a Jordan as a track car.
Sport Honda's up until now have all been desgined in Japan on the Tsukuba and Motegi circuits among others, tight technical circuits, then further tested on the Touge tracks, which makes them perfect little B road blasters.
The power thing I think is the one marketing move that Honda have made on the car. If all the other company's hot hatchs are pushing 300hp and Honda release a 250hp car then it's already on the back foot, so they've deciced on 300hp all through the front wheels. The suspension will have to be top draw to nail that down, do 60% of the breaking and steer the car, albeit that the rear wheel steer system will help with that.
That said, if the Green Hell is the target and with it's long fast sections the CTR will need that power to beat it's rivals.
GT86 would be cool but not as a family car, the Civic with it's 5 doors, FWD and boot seem appealing at the moment. Anyway, this is all still a long way away, like you say, the CTR may be poor.
The 370Z is here to stay for a while yet, even to the point I'd like to keep it and still get a more family focused car.