EP3: yea or nay?

"anothermiatafanboy" (kvnkiley) 09/02/2014 at 23:08 • Filed to: None

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I was curious what oppos think of the forgotten Civic SI. Be gentle because I am going to look at one on Saturday. I've enjoyed my Miata but I'm a Honda fanboy at heart. The one I am looking at is a 2002 with 100k miles for $5500 asking price. My insurance would go up about 55% over the Miata! Yikes. I know they are a little softer and slower than the top Si models but I think it'll still be a hoot to drive. Any input, warnings, or experiences?

GhostZ > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:13

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Yea.

Also, really? The miata is cheaper to insure than the civic? It's a convertible for christ's sake.

Dsscats > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:13

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Nah to the max. They were crap compared to the non-US models and most hot hatches of the day. The 5 speed means it's spinning at upwards of 4k on the highway and the engine is way underpowered. The only reason they held value so well is that they look like basic Hondas and never will die.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:19

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At the price I'd say yes, it you like driving it. I wanted a blue EP3, but I didn't wait and bought my 01 civic coupe instead. I regret it everyday. Also make sure the T belt has been done, or get it don't soon.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:24

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Nay x 1000. Friends don't let friends drive Hondas. Also SI's are surprisingly boring to drive. Pretty sure you could have more fun in a metro.

MountainCommand > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:26

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I looked into these before i bought my prelude. I just couldnt handle living with the interior. The gear knob in the dash was heracy to me. And i much preferred the styling of a prelude.

I have heard very good things about these though. Great aftermarket support. Reliable. And like most decent hondas, are indubitably a hoot to drive.

But id take a miata over it any day. And i too am a honda lover.

MountainCommand > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/02/2014 at 23:27

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k series timing chain ftw.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MountainCommand 09/02/2014 at 23:28

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ooooooooooooo sexy.

KirkyV > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:28

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Yea, but only if appended with the magic letter.

Jacques L' Autre > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:29

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I had an '04, and I really liked it. It may not have been the fastest, but it handled well and wasn't too uncomfortable for 500 mile and beyond drives. It got pretty decent gas mileage around town, and even handled snow pretty well.

MountainCommand > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/02/2014 at 23:30

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id do anything to have a timing chain instead of a belt.

anothermiatafanboy > Dsscats 09/02/2014 at 23:41

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I know it's a hard nay if you want a type R. But I kind of appreciate it for what it is. Comfy enough, handles decently, snick snick shifter, reliable, and fun.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MountainCommand 09/02/2014 at 23:42

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I do anything to hace dual overhead cams, and a hatchback.

anothermiatafanboy > GhostZ 09/02/2014 at 23:42

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Miata is 418 every 6 months. Civic is 260 on top of that. Maybe it has something to do with the civic being the most stolen car in America.

anothermiatafanboy > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 09/02/2014 at 23:43

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so clearly you are biased. I've owned 3 Hondas and loved them all so I think it's safe to say we just have different opinions on the matter.

anothermiatafanboy > MountainCommand 09/02/2014 at 23:46

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I like Preludes better too. But all the ones around here are rusty and I don't trust the H22 at the mileage most have. The preludes steering wheel looks straight out of an accord but the SI steering wheel looks straight out of an s2000. And I think the shifter is gnarly.

GhostZ > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:49

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That makes sense. It's probably also based on crash stats, and I feel that people crash Miatas less, even if they're more 'dangerous'.

anothermiatafanboy > anothermiatafanboy 09/02/2014 at 23:51

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Keep in mind I'm looking for a daily driver, not getting this as a sports car. Some other cars I'm considering are accords, civics, preludes, etc.

The Real Dacia Sandero > GhostZ 09/02/2014 at 23:56

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1. It's just considered a compact car by the insurance companies

2. Parts are extremely cheap

3. A good portion of owners use them as weekend cars, so the accident rate is most likely lower than normal.

MountainCommand > anothermiatafanboy 09/03/2014 at 00:00

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H22 are surprisingly very reliable. I dont know what youve been exposed to, but they are solid engines as long as you feed them oil. Starve them and then yeah its gonna die an expensive death. These motors end up in many other cars long after the shell has been crushed. All hondas will suffer from rust... You just dont see it on the newer ep3. But ludes can be found without it.

you can fix the prelude interior! Its very easy to swap in many parts, even s2000 steering wheels (mine isnt that though, but i did put in their seats hehe)

But im not here to convince you to buy one haha. Get what you want and think youll enjoy the most. I love the ep3 seats however. I looked into swapping those into my car, but they had airbags.

anothermiatafanboy > MountainCommand 09/03/2014 at 00:47

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I'm probably insane. Because I'd prefer a prelude. And for example there is one near me pristine but with 130,000 miles. Somehow in my mind 100k is fine 130k is too high.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > anothermiatafanboy 09/03/2014 at 03:25

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Yeah,very biased. But to be honest I've never liked Hondas. And I have tried to like them, I just can't do it.

MonkeePuzzle > anothermiatafanboy 09/03/2014 at 09:59

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I say they are excellent, having owned one. It was very acceptable in the snow with snow tyres on, fun in the dry. Surprisingly roomy in the back. Front seats are very comfortable, but still very supportive. I personally love the look. Low maintenance costs as its a Honda with many shared parts with other Hondas. The K series engine is very rev happy and easily faster than my B-series civic which both make ~160hp. And I love the dash mounted gearknob. And visibility is good all around.

Literally my only complaint with the car is the design of the center console storage. It had one compartment below another and things would sometimes go missing. That's my only complain.

MountainCommand > anothermiatafanboy 09/04/2014 at 12:18

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i kinda get you. I spent over a year looking for the car i bought. I had to lay down some ground rules (less than 100K, minimal owners, not from a state more north than me, mechanically set).

If you can swing it, i strongly suggest buying a car from another state, preferably a southern state. They are cheaper down there, and have less to no rust issues, and usually in overall better shape.

preludes with high mileage arent a big deal if maintenance has been done. But only go with a high mileage one if the price is VERY good. 5 grand for a mint mint rustless 130K mile prelude is an okay price, if its been maintained and timing belt done.