I bought myself a JDM Coupe. I am impressed.

"Rory" (Roraldfarrellsmith)
01/21/2014 at 15:33 • Filed to: None

I bought a 97' Honda Civic EK today and I honestly couldn't be happier. I always managed to stay away from JDM cars because of the high insurance costs and most are thrashed by their owners, but after selling two German made vehicles which .. had questionable reliability, I am so happy to have something so simple yet solid.
The Civic itself was rebuilt, resprayed and tuned by a well known Honda Specialist near where I live. Its engine is stock which is good but it has been worked over. All that has been done is a bodykit, suspension, interior work and some after market ... tenzo's ?? I think.
One annoyance I have is the headlamps. The HID's installed are far too bright and I know how frustrating it is to be in front of a bastard with bright HID's Illuminating your whole rear view mirror.
They will be changed as soon as possible. Other then that I am in love. It handles beautifully. Its not quick but it revs wonderfully. The exhaust has a lovely burble to it but Its not obnoxiously loud.
I have a JDM car. I don't know how to feel. I may need to cut my hair, put on trendy caps and put shocker stickers all over it.
Then I will fit in.

DISCUSSION (39)

MonkeePuzzle > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:35

well I fully approve :D welcome to the family

what stock engine does it have?

dogisbadob > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:35

Congrats on the new car!

ghosty - electric space wizard > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:36

Looks clean. Planning on any autocross or the like? I bet that thing handles pretty well, particularly in the short tight courses autoX prefers.

Rory > dogisbadob
01/21/2014 at 15:36

Thank you very very much !!

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:37

That whole generation of Civic still looks good today.

Buckus > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:38

Just curious, how does this differ from the '97 Civic sold stateside?

Big Bubba Ray > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:38

That white looks great! Keep it clean!

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:40

Needs bigger wing.

Congrats on the new car. :D

Rory > MonkeePuzzle
01/21/2014 at 15:40

The 1.6l vtec 4 cyl. Which is very good compared to the 1.6 ECOTEC in my last Opel.
Its a wonderful car to drive and I now get the huge following they have.

Rory > ghosty - electric space wizard
01/21/2014 at 15:43

There is a local track that will be hosting some autocross and track days when the season begins. I may give it a try. Since it has 40,000 miles I am going to be careful and not push it too much.
In my mind its still new.

ghosty - electric space wizard > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:44

Ok, well enjoy it nonetheless.

Rory > PanchoVilleneuve ST
01/21/2014 at 15:44

It really really does, but in my mind If the car is as stock as it can be. The mugen and type R parts aren't too garish which I like. I wanted something that was restrained!

Rory > Big Bubba Ray
01/21/2014 at 15:45

OH GOD! I forgot this will get so so dirty so quickly.

Rory > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
01/21/2014 at 15:46

It actually does, not for aesthetic purposes. But because I cant see shit behind me.

Klaus Schmoll > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:51

Welcome to the V-TEC club!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:51

Welcome to the family. Now act right. I'm still working my way through Northern VA trying to purge the good Honda name of all the idiots that have one and act like jackasses.

DatASSun > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:51

How much did you spend on it ?

I've had a few hondas growing up motor swapped hatch that was FASTASFUCK .. and a integra with a JDM type R front end .. that looks SICKASFUCK ..

Just curious what you paid ?

Squid > Rory
01/21/2014 at 15:52

Its just broken in! Keep the revs high and the oil clean and you will have fun. I have always lusted after the EK hatch. At one point in time I found an EK coupe with about 40-50,000 on it but the dealer didn't want to sell it to me for some reason. . . Maybe one day I can find an EK type R to import. Enjoy the car.

RazoE > Buckus
01/21/2014 at 16:04

RHD, sidemarkers, non-hippo mirrors...uh..............

offroadkarter > Rory
01/21/2014 at 16:04

At least you have a REAL JDM car, instead of a "JDM" car. Like my friend who says his mexican built jetta is "euro".

Congrats on the new ride

André - Volvo4Life > Rory
01/21/2014 at 16:07

This sounds very familiar. A month ago I did the same thing. First Honda, heck...first Japanese car! Clicky!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I still am very impressed with how fun it is and how reliable it seems to be! Congrats!

N/A POWAAAHH > Rory
01/21/2014 at 16:08

JDM? It they not sell them where you're from?

M54B30 > Rory
01/21/2014 at 16:08

Let's go ahead and not call those HIDs... They're high wattage bulbs painted blue - nothing else.

Other than that, it looks great. I've always wanted one of them but couldn't really find any worth what people were asking.

also, my wife and I used to do weekend trips to Ireland when we were stationed in Germany. Other than Germany, it's the only European country we miss (and we miss it a lot). Last time we were there (200...7? 8?) was the first time we ever saw such a large percentage of foreign workers in Dublin. Mostly eastern bloc, but it made the city lose a lot of charm.

Big Bubba Ray > Rory
01/21/2014 at 16:16

Washing, waxing and clay bar-ing will be your best friends!

promoted by the color red > Buckus
01/21/2014 at 16:17

It appears to be their version of the '99 EM2 Si.

promoted by the color red > Rory
01/21/2014 at 16:18

Want to fully enjoy it? Take the left needle past the number 6 when the engine's fully warm. Doesn't matter which gear you choose - it's going to be fun.

Fookin' Prawns > Rory
01/21/2014 at 16:22

Man, I love those wheels! That's an awesome car. Congratulations!

Rory > DatASSun
01/21/2014 at 20:22

2,300 Euro. A bit pricey for a used Civic, but the knowledge that its rebuilt , and worked on properly by Honda specialists make me very happy .
Its so tight for a 97 car. There are no noises or rattles. The windows even go up smoothly with no shakes.

Rory > André - Volvo4Life
01/21/2014 at 20:25

Oh your's is Beautiful. Electron Blue is incredible !
Going to a Japanese car is quite strange, but it feels so well put together and it is so much fun from what is essentially a every day compact car.

Rory > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
01/21/2014 at 20:27

Lets renew the publics faith in Honda Drivers. First step , no loud fart cans. Second step, Drive courteously

Rory > promoted by the color red
01/21/2014 at 20:28

I DID ON THE WAY HOME
IT WAS WOW
I DID A VTEC
I AM SO HAPPY

Rory > offroadkarter
01/21/2014 at 20:31

Thank you kindly. I have one issue with it though , there are many papers in glovebox with Japanese writing and I don't know if they are in relation to the car
or a menu
or love letter

Hey now, his jetta is euro , just like the Routan. That is hella Euro ;)

Rory > N/A POWAAAHH
01/21/2014 at 20:32

they did , but very few Civic coupes have been sold here . Most were imported !

Rory > Fookin' Prawns
01/21/2014 at 20:33

Thank you very much. I do love them, they look sweet but they are actually quite inexpensive since they are really popular here.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Rory
01/21/2014 at 20:34

I'm down. That's one of the reasons I'm scared to add parts to my Si. Right now it's sporty and purposeful, and I don't want to have a fart can Civic.

Rory > Klaus Schmoll
01/21/2014 at 20:34

I did a vtec on the drive home
It made good sounds and went in a forward trajectory at a high rate of speed
I was very happy and it will happen again.

Rory > M54B30
01/21/2014 at 21:03

Kinja'd!!!

Well from what I was told by the Shop it actually is a fully installed HID Kit. Its a Virtual day 8000k kit by Ultra. Now I am not the best with automotive lighting but it appears to be the full kit.
Thank you ! I only purchased the car because it was from a Honda specialist shop, not some guy who worked on it, off and on with limited knowledge. This car has to last me so I need the reassurance that it has been in good hands.
Oh thats awesome, My mothers family is German. So I have been driving over to Nurburg, Stuttgart and Pforzeim regularly since I was young.
Its funny actually. Since then, Most eastern europeans have integrated into the country and blended into Irish culture. Its very interesting to see the diversity in Dublin now, yet amazingly the charm has somewhat comeback. Since the country has spiralled into a financial mess, those who decided to stay have embraced the Irish culture and Its resulted in a diverse city with a new found love for being Irish.

That sounds like a commercial for the Irish tourism board, but it is cool to see so many people staying here not because they like living here but they love being Irish.

Rory > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
01/21/2014 at 21:11

Kinja'd!!!

I don't think you can go wrong with some subtle parts. As long as its not some awful aftermarket cheesy bumper or an exhaust so big that any form of bump or speed hump will cause sparks or loss of major parts .. then you may be okay !
I am glad the exhaust on mine is somewhat tasteful in appearance and its relatively quiet. When it needs to be.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > Rory
01/22/2014 at 19:06

Oi Rory, I'm glad to see you're happy with your latest car purchase. :) How have you been? It's been a long time since we talked. Cheers!