Commuter Car Around $3k: Achieved

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
12/20/2014 at 09:27 • Filed to: None

I think it was two days ago where I asked Oppo for advice on my search for a cheap commuter car. I got a lot of good feedback, much of it as to why some of my choices were poor choices...one of the great things about Oppo is that if you have questions about a car, somebody on here either had one or currently has one, so there are very few cars you'll go ignorant about as an Opponaut.

I went and did a little car shopping yesterday, several dealers, and one private seller. The first car I looked at is actually the one I purchased, a 2003 Honda Civic, but I'll get to that in a second.

After that I looked at a 2002 Honda Accord at a local dealership with whom I have...history. I purchased a 1998 Honda Prelude from them a number of years ago, and made it three whole miles down the road before the check engine light came on. I brought it back, and he said they cleaned the O2 sensor, so now it's good...but strangely, when I turned the car to 'on' before starting, wouldn't you know that the CEL never illuminated? I told him, he said Hondas don't do that. I told him I'm going to go home and take the gauge cluster apart, and is there anything he would like to tell me before I do that...he said of course not, so away I went.

Naturally, the CEL bulb had been pulled. I brought the car back and eventually he replaced the catalytic converter, which fixed the issue.

So I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone, I'd see if I'm more comfortable in an Accord, and I'd waste that dealer's time and gas. I could never get comfortable in the Accord, so that was out.

I stopped to look at a 2003 Mazda Protege5, which was an auto but I figured I'd give it a chance. However, as it sat on the lot, the car was filled with garbage, so I passed that up. I looked at a few more Accords to see if they were more comfortable, but nah. Having decided the Civic was my best bet, I called, negotiated, and picked the car up a few hours later.

It's a 2003 EX with 130k miles, 5 speed, super clean overall. Timing belt was done at 105k, so I'm happy about that. The slightly garish body kit is actually a Honda kit...the car has what Honda called a "Honda Factory Performance" package, which seems to be specific to the EX coupe in 2003. Includes the body kit, those wheels, a slightly tuned suspension, and badging on the rear and interior. It isn't my favorite look, but fortunately it's just a lip kit...no reason I shouldn't be able to remove it all quite easily. I like the spoiler though, it can stay. It also has a slightly silly pinstripe.

The car appears well looked after, and I love the reason the guy was selling it. His son went off to college, and their deal was that if he did well, his parents would buy him a car. He had convinced them he would do well, so they bought the car before he actually, you know, did well. Apparently, he did not, in fact, do well. So his dad, one of my favorite people I've ever purchased a car from, decided to sell the car to, in his own words "say fuck you to my son."

I went to pick up the car around 4, we exchanged money and papers, and he was super excited for when his son comes home for Christmas because of how upset the kid is gonna be. I asked when he was coming home, the seller said "about 4:30". Which said to me that I should go, and quickly.

The car drives really nicely, and I'm a big fan of the driving position. In the Accord, I felt like I was sitting up and had to reach down to the wheel...like I was sitting on it rather than in it, you know? In the Civic, you sit down nice and low and the wheel is right there in front of you. Honda really does know how to make you feel like you're not sitting in an economy car. Runs great, front end is tight as a drum, front brakes are all new, and the shift linkage is some kind of wizardry.

Judging by this former badge, which the seller removed mostly, I think I got to this car just before it was going to become rice. 18 inch wheels and a fart can were probably right around the corner. For me, I'll probably pull the short-ram intake and reinstall a factory airbox, remove the body kit, and just drive the thing. It's rated for 35mpg highway, so even if I'm driving to Avon 5 days a week, I'll be able to do it on just over one full tank (13 gallons) of gas.

I think I did pretty well for a DD. Cheap, economical, fun to drive, good looking, well equipped.

And I ruined some kid's Christmas...and isn't that really the important part?

DISCUSSION (29)

Opposite Locksmith > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 09:32

looks like a sweet deal!

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 09:34

Not a bad choice. Your criticism of the Accord is something I'm familiar with, my main criticism of my car is that you feel like you're sitting on it instead of in it.

Long Live the Longdoor > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 09:49

Good find and kinda hilarious that you ruined some kids Xmas to boot lol!

E. Julius > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 09:54

Excellent choice, very similar to my Civic. I actually have those exact same wheels on mine, and a similar intake (although mine is AEM and much cleaner). I also didn't know the EX came with VTEC, so that's cool. I agree with you on the front clip, but if you swap that out and use something to clear up the headlights it looks like you've got a pretty good ride. I love my Civic and it's never let me down : )

Takuro Spirit > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 10:00

Looks like the 87k '03 I was driving for work last week. Except I say KEEP the body kit. Its factory, and you don't see them everyday. Adds some uniqueness.

Junk the hot air intake, and fix that positive battery cable. Then you're good to go!

For some reason, probably a shitty owner, the car I drove was BEAT. Lots of ghetto mods and wonky handling. But the bones of the car seemed decent, so if you got a good one, you made a good choice.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 10:36

"the shift linkage is some kind of wizardry."

The shifter is my favorite part of my EM2. That and the driving position which you mentioned. I'll vouch for the MPG as well, I do mostly in town driving and I average a little over 34mpg even driving... well like a typical young Honda Civic owner. In fact a few weeks ago I took the wife shopping in Duluth, about a 140 mile round trip, plus actually driving around once we got there, and only used about 1/3 of a tank. If you haven't figured out our cars have a 12 gallon tank, it might actually be 13 or something(Honda typically puts empty 2 gallons before your tanks is actually empty), but I know the most I've ever put in was 11.7 and I was way under Empty. So one third would be 4 gallons and 140/4=35. Since I actually drove more than 140 miles, and used less than 4 gallons it was probably more like 38mpg. Not bad.

Also That lip kit is sexy, you should keep it. If nothing else it makes your car special. And those wheels, OMG those wheels amazing.

The one odd thing about the 7th gen is that it is nothing like any other Civic, before or after it. Basically no 88-00 parts will fit you car, and obviously no 05-up parts will either. It's a real PITA if you're trying to mod your car, or if you're looking for used parts. Even the tire size is different. It's tires are about one inch larger in overall diameter than previous Civics's. It is however the same size tire as a second gen Prius and a MK4 Jetta/Golf.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 10:37

Kinja'd!!!

This vent not being sliver would drive me nuts.

E92M3 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 10:55

Seems like a good deal for $3k.

Sn210 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 11:51

I like it! I'd leave the body kit; its factory and doesn't look over the top. I say you clean up the headlights and engine bay then call it a day. It should last you a long time.

thebigbossyboss > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 11:52

Boy civics sure hold their value eh?

Nice car.

Really enjoyed this part "What time is you son coming home?"

"About 4:30"

LOL!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 11:54

A civic with a 5-speed manual is a whole different car than with the 4-speed automatic. Its nuts the difference that it makes! The 7th gen civic is rather refined and I like it. 8th gen+ are just rather odd with the mini-van wipers and digital speedo.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Takuro Spirit
12/20/2014 at 13:01

It's funny, the problem with the battery cable appears to be the battery itself. The battery in it is a 26, and it should be a 26R...reverse terminal. The reason it's wrapped in electrical tape is because the prop rod is just resting right across it when you put it down. So...new battery is probably the best bet.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 14:22

Correction to myself, its a 51R and should be a 51.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
12/20/2014 at 14:25

I've noticed that with the parts availability...everybody has aftermarket stuff for the 88-00, and for 05-up, not so much for the EM2. It's all good, I'm not particularly concerned with it, and my local Pick N Pull has a bunch of them for me if I need anything.

The consensus definitely seems to be to keep the lip kit, so I guess I'll give it a chance. It does make it unique and it's a pretty rare kit, and it isn't like it's a super gaudy aftermarket thing. Also, it's in really good shape, no cracks or anything.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 23:00

Yeah I think Honda did a great job with that kit. I mean it could be worse

Kinja'd!!!

uuugh

not this kit but another OEM, TRD kit even included a FAKE built in "exhaust" tip

found on with the fake tip

Kinja'd!!!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 23:07

Kinja'd!!!

Is this knob part of the HFP options? I like it. but I also like mine.

http://www.no19products.com/tealpearlround…

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
12/20/2014 at 23:09

The silver one looks like it melted. I always kinda liked those Celicas, but I would have had to have a GT-S to get the six-speed, and they're just so garish. The blue one is a much cleaner kit, but a fake built in exhaust tip is the riciest rice that's ever riced.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > E92M3
12/20/2014 at 23:21

hella good deal. I paid 5500 for mine 15 months ago. but it had 104,00 and I bought it from a stealership.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
12/20/2014 at 23:21

I believe it is, it has a little "FP" on the top of it. I actually just ordered its replacement:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item…

I almost always have a white ball shift knob in my cars...had to order a custom one for my allroad because nobody does one with a euro 6 speed pattern.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 23:26

my opinion of those Celicas was always the they were rice from the factory. they just screamed "trying to hard" and "we watched Fast and Furious we know what the kids want". compared to it's competitors it just looked silly. and now at least where I live it's become like a Japanese Grand Am GT. Only ass holes drive them, and they're always wearing a few mods from Oh Oh Oh O'Riley's (we don't have an Auto Zone).

JKER > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 23:27

decided to sell the car to, in his own words "say fuck you to my son."

Damnnnn

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/20/2014 at 23:35

I really am Enjoying my "pool ball" shift knob. It's never not comforable, and it looks clean.

Also I like that some one else has a "I do this to all my cars" thing. For me it's Coconut Little Tree Fresheners . I've always used them and I always will. That an my five panel "wink" mirror. It's been in every Honda I've owned. you can see both in this pic.

Kinja'd!!!

better pic of the mirror

Kinja'd!!!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
12/21/2014 at 08:40

Huh. I don't think I've ever seen a mirror like that...good for blind spot reduction and that kinda stuff?

Also, I like how tall the knob sits. I mean the shifter is so good I don't need a short throw, but the short throws are also really short levers. They look odd to me.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/21/2014 at 16:14

Yes the mirror is great. You can see almost everything just by moving your head alittle, and looking out the wrong mirror. The weirdest part is the you use the second mirror, not the center one as your normal rear view but that takes about 10 minutes to get used to. Also my wife hates it cuz shes short, and you have to remove you visors to install it since it bolts up where the visors bolt in. you can buy them for 25-35 bucks buy it now on Ebay any day.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wink-5-Pan…