For 6 grand - what civic would you buy?
 

TCC,

Just looking for your opinions. Just looking for a practical and somewhat fun to drive Civic to get me from A to B. Budget is 6 grand. What civic would you buy/recommend?

Options:

1) An EP3 - most I'm seeing are around 200k on the odometer

2) A lower mileage 5th generation civic or 1.7EL

3) A 6th gen civic around 200k on the odometer as well.

Opinions? Comments on reliability and "fun factor" as well please.

Cheers,
K

Sorry, I meant lower mileage 7th gen civic vs. a higher mileage 8th gen civic.

Cheers.

i would go with an ep3 or a 6th gen civic im not a big fan of the 7th gen

i think the ep3 would be really fun to drive because it has a fast motor and its compact.
im not sure on the reliablity....but its a honda lol

EP3 or EM1.

6th gen ftw.
very fun car.. it's sporty, has amazing aftermarket support... andd its very simple to work on by yourself for maintenance like oil changes,fuel filter/distributor cap/rotor.. and is very easy on gas.

and if you are looking into the ex/si/sir models they are loaded with power options that make driving them that much better..

EM1> EP3.

They both have very similar performance numbers, but what wins it for me is; The EM1 is significantly lighter, has better suspension, is easier to work on, has more aftermarket support, ...the list goes on...

Honestly, now, I would never spend 6 grand on a civic. I'd save most of that money and buy an older 5th or 6th gen civic, put some of the rest into making it handle and go faster, then save the rest and enjoy the fantastic fuel mileage.

what he said^^thread/

hey bro, 99-00 ek civic with ITR motor or K20 :P. Extremely FUN :D:D

Yes, super fun car with a single cam ;)

hell no. Ef with itr swap. duhh weight to power ratio.

Honestly, if you plan on doing any modifications, get any civic that you like the look of, then swap suspension engine for the fun factor. In the end they are ALL slow in stock form. The EP3s and SIRs are ok...but still kind of slow [no offence Mike].

This.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0015_large.jpg

lol.. SOHC VTEC is fun enough for a car to get from point A to B... OP never mentioned wanting to swap anything... just wanted a reliable car that has a sporty feel, and hitting vtec is plenty sporty imo.;)

and insurance is cheaper than siR which in my books is a huge plus...

5th gen clean shell for about $800 to a grand
good coilovers, lcas, braces $1000-$1500 depending
full b series swap approx $2000-$2500
exhaust system approx $800
depending on the price you get a swap for, and depending on what brand of suspension components you get, you will have extra money for items such as wheels, hids, amber corners, lip, sound system upgrades, or whatever else you want to do with it.

Hey Robb... you're not selling the EF are you? :)

If you were me, would you sell it ??

No not for sale... :)

No offense taken. Though, I never said they were fast, just said they had similar performance numbers. ;)

Mugen, how can a stock car with ton of body roll feel sporty? Want a car to feel sporty, either swap components such as engine and suspension, or don't buy a civic. And granted, I had fun with my single cam but...love was lost when I got an ls. And love for ls was lost when I got a b20. I guess its what you are used to right?

i agree with martin's point (ef with itr)

Robb, that's a nice ef! I'd buy right away if you were selling lol

this.

EF civic or CRX then add power and suspension, a dash of sticky rubber, stir and enjoy

Well Mike, I do have to debate with you on this; but in the end it boils down to preferrence.
Fairly soon, the K engine's will become the old news, and the B-stuff will be ancient.

That being said, I'd rather have a vehicle that would be more K swap friendly such as the EP3, ie. K20a2, K24....
I am glad I didn't end up with the EM1 I wanted for this reason. And everything happens for
A reason, I believe.

For me, no brainer, with a ridiculously more rigid chassis, ease of K swaps, despite the weight
Increase.... EP3 hands down.

Out with the old, in with the newer old.... Lmao.

^Nice! :D


It is a matter of preference, you're right.

I prefer the double wish-bone front and multi-link independant rear suspension over the macphearson-strut front and joined trailing-arm rear suspension in the EP3. Though the type-R EP3 apparently handles like it's on rails...;)

I would move to the UK just to own an EP3-R.......

Thanks !
Everything's for sale, for the right price....http://www.torontocivics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

To further my argument, and although not on the top of the list of priorities,
Interior plays a role in the comparison. There is no way you can compare the fit,finish, appearance,
and feel of the EP3's interior over the EM1.

The shifter position may seem awkward and un-popular, but once you get acquainted with it,
Its a dream, your hand wants to go right back to the wheel, naturally, every time, being positioned
so close to it.

I've never looked at an EM1 the same since I bought my EP3. Then again, iv'e only driven the EM1, and never owned one.

Hey WhiteyEP3 well I have work on my buddies EP3 tons and I have to agree it can be a great car... the chasis is decent but it's really tough working on it, not much space in the engine bay...and we noticed that the parts are very pricey compared to an EM1. To the point of you saying about the shifter when I first saw it I hated it, but after driving it, it is placed in a dam good spot and like you said your hand just goes back to the wheel everytime. The only thing I can't stand about the EP3 there stock motors (here) are to underpowered...they def need a swap into it to make it a decent "faster car" The Type R UK version is a great car was able to check them out when I was in Europe in the spring time...Great and fast cars, Just they lack the power over here...but hell the 2.0 iVTEC motors they have here are reliable and great on gas and a perfect all year round car...but it's not a force to be reckoned with until a swap is done or serious boost is applied.

As for what car to recommend I would say a 99-00 SIR with a swap of an ITR, would be a cleaner body then an ef,eg..and so fourth. Newer civics are the "new thing" but old school is awesome just for the weight factor and just hell of a lot of fun to school new cars :yeah:

You bring up a great point Paul. EP3 parts, are way more expensive than an EM1, for several reasons. One being the car
was only manufactured at Honda of UK Mfg, in Swindon, England. ALL of the OEM parts are manufactured
in places other than the US (making it a TRUE import)

Also, its all newer model parts, of course they'll cost more. Compare an 05 civic to an 07, same story.
Last, I'm sure there were significantly less EP3's sold in North America, than EM1's. The USDM Civic SI of this generation
likely had the largest following of all Honda models ever.

[/ EP3-EM1 comparison]

Correction: The USDM Civic Si of that generation (EM1) likely had the largest following of enthusiasts ever.

Again, it comes down mainly to personal preference.

I think what was such a dissapointmrnt for the EP3 was the lack of a legit cam lobe switching iVTEC. That
ultimately led to it being not so well conceived in the enthusiast community.

ef the best!

I'd go K series power all the way. I was tuning a 2006 Civic Si the other night. 227hp with Intake/Header/Exhaust and Flashpro. Stock ECU was in the high 180's.
The K series engines take to mods and tuning so well. I probably grab the ep3 and drop in a K20 from an 05-06 RSX.

EM1s are also good.. There is one at the shop right now getting a K20a2 swap with Kpro and all the bolt on toys.

Yeah, the K's are definitely the new B's when it comes to honda engines...