Oppo, talk to me about EJ6/EM1 Honda Civic Coupes...

"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
01/30/2019 at 19:59 • Filed to: None

So, confession time: I have always, for as long as I can remember, wanted a sixth generation Honda Civic Coupe. I absolutely love the way the look, with how simple but clean the design is, and they always catch my eye (sadly the super riced out ones seem more common than anything). I had a 7th generation Civic for a bit, but always wished I had a sixth generation coupe instead.

Anytime I brought it up with car friends, everyone was always quick to point out they were FWD, almost always slow, and stolen quite often. There have been many times were I’ve found myself on Craigslist though, just flipping through looking at what’s for sale and what might be worth saving.

However, I have never driven one. I’ve surprisingly never even sat or rode in one. I have no idea whether the chassis is good, whether it can be a fun, sporty daily driver or anything. I love the exterior though, and the interior looks very clean in a minimalist type of way that I feel has aged well.

Am I crazy for liking these? Are they actually any good? Would it be stolen every time I parked one? Not that I’m currently on the market for a car, but part of me wants one if they are decent, just to get it off my bucket list.

What say you though Oppo, any experience with them?

DISCUSSION (9)

interstate366, now In The Industry > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/30/2019 at 20:27

They can be pretty potent with the right engine and some mods, but out of the box the Si is the only one I would consider fun. My brother has a base 2000 sedan, and it’s rather boring, though it is an automatic...I imagine a manual one would be a bit more fun in a slow-car-fast kind of way. That said, it is definitely easier to work on than my Preludes and the two beak-era Acuras I’ve owned. In my experience, a more modified car would be more likely to be stolen. My dad once randomly stumbled upon a stripped one at the construction site he was working at at the time.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/30/2019 at 20:57

It’d be stolen every time you turn your back

promoted by the color red > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/30/2019 at 21:07

Why not get an Integra? M ore power & space and ABS.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/30/2019 at 21:12

My wife had a really nice white EX for about 4 years. Manual transmission was super slick with a great feel and the handling was really good as well. We really enjoyed it. Oddly, it’s the only car I’ve owned out of 45+ that has ever died and left me stranded. Completely dead in cold weather, battery was fine, fired right up later that day when it warmed up. CPO warranty, Dealer couldn’t find anything wrong.

Tekamul > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/30/2019 at 21:40

I bought a ‘98 EX coupe 5-sp brand new back in the day. It was pretty great at the time. They were fun to drive hard, but definitely not a fast machine. They sounded great with a really short (and probably HP sucking) intake.

smobgirl > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/30/2019 at 21:49

I had an EX coupe before my Abarth. It wasn’t Abarth fun, but I inexplicably loved that car. Every time I see it parked 6 feet out my window (in the neighbors driveway) I’m happy it’s still around. I’ll be honest though, I lo ved driving my brother’s ‘98 V6 Accord coupe more.

aquila121 > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/30/2019 at 22:21

It’s a riot of a chassis, right up there with the Integra for one of the best FWD cars Honda made during their golden age. If you can find an SI that hasn’t been totally ruined, jump on it, but do one thing immediately: de-badge it. That way the likelihood of it getting stolen drops from “certainty” to “higher than you’d prefer.”

Otherwise, the car responds well to mods (wheels, tires, suspension, etc.), everyone makes parts for the B16, and revving the crap out of it makes up for the obvious lack of torque. The shifter is divine, and if you leave it alone and stay on top of maintenance as it keeps getting older, it should last a good long while.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
01/31/2019 at 00:03

I have one just like in the picture except mine is a lowly DX. I love the car and it’s also my 3rd one. They are fun to work on and mod. The aftermarket support is up there with any platform. The chassis is predictable up to the limit. They are cheap and don’t have a lot of creature comforts like sound deadening. I abuse mine and still get 40mpg.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
02/06/2019 at 10:39

Hey man it's been a little while, how you doing? Everything good (relatively speaking) health wise?