IgRep

The new civic sedan has a "sport" package spoiler, sunroof, leather wrapped steering wheel and stuff. To get a similar package on the EL it's $4,000 more. Vtec versus no vtec. Is it really worth it for that much more?

BOND007

Now that is the question you have to answer.........

Is it really necessary and can you afford it >>>>>


and then go from their ...

imported_SedanBoy

i think it's the exact same car......like you said, it's vtec vs no vtec and rear discs......

i would get the civic since i personally like the exterior more...... but then again i might be biased... heehee...... but doesn't the el come with leather seats and he civic sport doesn;'t?..... but like bond said, it depends on what you're looking for and what you can afford...

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

I'd gladly pay the $4000 nowadays.

imported_EG4door

If I have to I would take the EL over the civic.

imported_JookSingKid

EL

Buff 'n Stuff

keep the coupe or get the EL (although I personally dislike the exterior of the 1.7EL)

imported_MY SiR

On top of the VTEC and rear disc brakes, the EL is available with leather. I am not sure how you get the $4,000 more though unless you are comparing to the Premium Aero package.

Comparing MSRP on honda.ca (all 5-speed and incluing freight):
Civic Sport is: $22,250
1.7 EL Touring is: $22,900
Premuim package is: $24,200
Premium Aero package is $26,200

I would argue the EL is a good deal. It feels more upscale inside compared to a Civic (IMO). The Premium adds leather and front seat heaters, which is most of the added cost. The Premium EL also has automatic HVAC (Heating, Ventalation and Air Conditioning). The Aero package includes not only the spoiler but the skirts as well. These pieces are not cheaply made, they are made by Honda Accessories and meet Honda standards (that's why they are so expensive to buy separately). Premium Aero is worth the $4,000 but you don't have to get that model.

If you can live without a sunroof, I think the Touring EL is the way to go. The only other thing it is missing is the rear spoiler. How much more can that add? $600? Even so, it is $1,250 more for powerful car, better brakes and better suspension settings.

Just my $0.02

Mark

SilverCRXSi

The EL is bascially a Civic with features.
Its not too expensive and I think its a nice ride. Which is why I'm trying to get my dad to sell the Jetta and get a 1.7 EL.

StewPiddass

Cool, I didn't even know the EL had rear discs, my '98 didn't!

Man, I work at the plant where we build the damn things, I shoulda known that, I must be slipping.

I will be ordering a 2004 Eternal Blue Premium Aero (if such a model still exists for '04) this fall.

SpikeyLee

Yes, I think that the person was comparing the Civic Sport model and the 1.7 EL Aero Edition since they both have body kit pieces. IMO, I think that the 1.7EL is the better car. I personally would go for the Premium EL instead of the Aero Edition, but I guess that styling is based on your own opinion.

But the differences between a Civic and an EL, like leather interior, rear disc brakes, etc. outfar justify the few thousand dollar difference. However, it's also these differences that can make or break the choice for the EL... how much would you say that these differences are worth to you?

EL_Sport

I'm obviously biased here, since I just bought a 2003 1.7 EL Premium with the aero package, but I think the EL is really worth the extra cash over the Civic sport sedan. Much like the 1.6 EL vs. EK Civic, I find the ELs are built to a higher quality standard than the Civic (which are already well built to begin with). The materials used in the interior, the sound deadening material, etc. are all a step about the Civic. As well, as you mentioned, the VTEC motor is more powerful than the Non-VTEC motor. IMO, the EL with the aero package looks better than the Civic sport sedan. If you prefer a little bit of luxury, the EL is the way to go as well, since you can get the premium model which comes with heated leather seats, automatic climate control, sunroof, etc.

Just my biased 2 cents.

SilverCRXSi

Just wondering, what kind of gas does the 1.7EL run on?
Does it have to run on premium gas or will regular gas be fine?

Reason is cause my dad drives about 200km a day and need something thats economical. (currently he has a diesel Jetta)

NoSpleeny

Civic. The second you drive an "Acura".. that's higher insurance premiums.

imported_MY SiR

Kent,

I am not sure where you get your information from but I own both a 2000 Civic SiR and a 2001 ACURA 3.2 TL. Guess which one is cheaper on insurance? The ACURA. It is almost half the insurance premium of the Civic. The cost of the TL is more than 1.5 times the cost of the Civic. I doubt there is a large difference in premiums between the 1.7 EL and Civic. The EL could be higher but I don't think it would be significant if it was. There is a chance that it is even lower. My point is, you can't just say Acura is more expensive to insure than Civics. Also, I know for sure Accords are cheaper to insure than Civics.

The 1.7 EL runs on regular gasoline....

Just my $0.02

Mark

NoSpleeny

Both cars under your name for primary driver for insurance? Cuz if you live with family still.. they won't let you put more than 1 car under your name if "cars < family members"... as per my case... otherwise we'd put all the cars under my dad's name for cheap insurance. 3 cars.. 1 primary driver

Insurance for me for a Civic "was" $4000 a year. I was gonna get an EL instead but it was ~$4800. I wanted to get an Integra and it was $5400 a year. I also asked about an older model Lexus SC400/LS400 and they said $6000 a year.

IgRep

What insurance company was that? When I asked about insurance the EL was $500 more per year and that was to the coupe too. It will be less of a difference to the sedan for sure. The EL should only be 30-40 more per month. The insurance shouldn't be that much of a problem for insurance. My question is just is the EL really worth it for that much more. The civic sport compared to the EL premium with aero. Do rear disc brakes really make that much of a difference on a car that size?

NoSpleeny

The EL has acura name and has Vtec but how fast do you really want a Civic to go anyways? The body of the EL is the same as the Civic.

For a rear drum setup in the Civic, it certainly gives great bias to the front for GREAT stopping power already... rear disc brakes look sportier and make for slightly better stopping distances but the Honda engineers already made a major bias to the front discs in the Civic.

The Aero gives you things liek Body Kit.. blah blah blah.

I have the 2002 LX Sport. The new 2003 LX Sport adds a sunroof, spoiler, badging, and 2000 SiR rims.

My 2002 LX Sport added spoiler, a skirt around the car, and 15" 5 split spoke rims (which IMO are sexier than SiR rims).

StewPiddass

But it's not just rear discs...

Civic Sport Has;
- Moonroof
- 15" Alloys
- Spoiler
- Leather wrapped wheel
- Keyless entry
- Faux Carbon Fibre on Instrument Panel


EL Premium Aero as the above features and adds;
- Rear Discs
- Leather
- Heated Front Seats
- Climate Control
- VTEC Motor
- Full Body Kit
- 120W AM/FM/CD (I'll guarantee is waaay better than Civic)
- Security System with Keyless
- Side Air Bags with OPDS (Occupant Position Detection System)
- Repalces Carbon Fibre with Woodgrain (I'd rather the Carbon)
- 15.9mm and 12.0mm Swaybars (not sure of size on Civic)

All for about $4000 More! Sign me up!

StewPiddass

Civic LX Sport - $21400
EL Touring - $22000
EL Touring Aero - $23300
EL Premium - $24000
EL Premium Aero - $25300

Yup, Just under $4000

And if you don't want the Leather Touring's even closer!