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Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy UltraDork
1/10/13 6:03 p.m.

These things are getting old enough to make my long term interest in them may start to lean towards reality. Are they good/bad/indifferent? I remember being fascinated a decade ago...

Spinout007
Spinout007 GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/10/13 6:14 p.m.

I know most Honda guys think they were a mistake. But I have to agree, I wouldn't mind trying one out.

DaveEstey
DaveEstey SuperDork
1/10/13 6:25 p.m.

They're fun and pretty useful too thanks to the hatch area. The K20A3 isn't a monster with 160hp, but it's pretty flexible.

vwcorvette
vwcorvette GRM+ Memberand Dork
1/10/13 6:32 p.m.

Have a coworker friend with one. Barely puts 5k mikes on it a year as he rides a bike EVERYWHERE. All the fanboys at work (high school) go gaga over it when he actually drives it in. Been in it and it drives nice.

MA$$hole
MA$$hole HalfDork
1/10/13 6:36 p.m.

I don't embrace the styling. I've known people to put Odyssey badges on them. However, the part of me that loves hatches makes me want one.

Fletch1
Fletch1 HalfDork
1/10/13 6:42 p.m.

I've been in love with these for a long time for a DD. My brother owned a new one. Maybe the Si that's most easy to live with? Broader power range and not having to rev it to the moon. The engine is smooth and only requires regular gas. Probably the least loved Si. I loved the seats, as do most people. As far as handling, I've heard arguments from both sides. Many say it handles great, many say it takes work. There is less chance of it getting stolen than other Honda's. I love hatches and still browse Craigslist for one. They are getting harder to find.

93EXCivic
93EXCivic MegaDork
1/10/13 6:45 p.m.

IMHO I don't like them. I tried one before I bought my '93 Civic. It wasn't fun enough.

Swank Force One
Swank Force One MegaDork
1/10/13 8:12 p.m.

Good car, bad Civic Si.

Woody
Woody GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/10/13 8:13 p.m.

I really like those. A friend bought one new and still owns it. I'd jump all over one for two grand. Are they really that cheap now? Last time I searched them the cheapest ones I could find were $6500.

SlickDizzy
SlickDizzy GRM+ Memberand UberDork
1/10/13 8:14 p.m.
Woody wrote: I really like those. A friend bought one new and still owns it. I'd jump all over one for two grand. Are they really that cheap now? Last time I searched them the cheapest ones I could find were $6500.

A buddy of mine paid $3k for one last year, and we were all E36 M3ting our pants over it. I've never seen one less than $6k myself.

Spoolpigeon
Spoolpigeon HalfDork
1/10/13 8:35 p.m.

I think they're great cars. The HondaBois genreally hate them for whatever reason, but they are a hoot to drive.

Vigo
Vigo UltraDork
1/10/13 9:08 p.m.
Good car, bad Civic Si

Wow, thats actually the best overview of an EP civic i've ever heard! Nice! (totally agree btw)

Are they good/bad/indifferent

All of the above? Good overall car (usefulness, mpg, reliability, good to drive, etc), bad styling, indifferent because it's kind of over-generalized for something that was supposed to be at the pointy top of the huge civic pyramid. Without the Si badge most people would not have pictured it that way.

If i were to have one id have to have the better k20 and an Odyssey badge, and some rims. After that i would, in all likelihood, LOVE the hell out of it!

Woody
Woody GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/10/13 9:09 p.m.

I really don't care what cars look like anymore. If it's a good car, I'll enjoy it.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/10/13 9:26 p.m.

We had one as a project car back in the day. I enjoyed it. We had some front suspension weirdness once lowered, though.

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/10/13 9:36 p.m.

looks are subjective. I kinda like the exterior.. kinda dislike the interior.. I think the fanbois hate them due to the strut front suspension

Spinout007
Spinout007 GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/10/13 9:46 p.m.

Quick CL search gets these:

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/3454310125.html

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/3474204120.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/3535147750.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/3515472344.html may be the same as above

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/3534990940.html 3400$ spun bearing supposedly

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/3537222480.html

Short search, soooooo much crap to dig through. But they all seem to be holding right around 5k unless there is something wrong.

Swank Force One
Swank Force One MegaDork
1/10/13 9:59 p.m.

I'd be happy to pay 3k for one. Otherwise, the 99-00 Si was WAY better if I have to spend 6k on a Civic.

LopRacer
LopRacer HalfDork
1/10/13 10:09 p.m.

Have a friend who built the crap out of one first as a street car then became a track car now back to street car. It has as I recall a K24 swap with a JRSC, it is a beast and he is much happier driving his 93 Civic on track, but the times I have ridden in it I liked it plenty. It's just heavier and has the newer (crappier?) suspension compared to previous Si models.

motomoron
motomoron Dork
1/10/13 10:13 p.m.

Funny, I just found this pic of the one I had. Stock it was an OK car. UK built, not changed a lot for the US market other than we didn't get the good motor, which Honduh always does.

W/ Koni yellows, Progress springs and front bar, a Euro market SiR rear bar, a Jackson supercharger, DC header, intake and exhaust...it was a great car.

I sold it after getting a really nice e36 M3 - life being too short for front wheel drive cars and all.

The M3 lead to autocrossing/track days/instructing/time trials/buying a race car, and otherwise converting an ~enormous~ pile of money into heat, used up parts and life long memories.

But the little ep3 will forever be the first car I did right.

corytate
corytate SuperDork
1/10/13 10:15 p.m.

I'm in love with ep3's, I'd love to get one for decent money.

a2 (or whatever the best one is) head swap=big gains, correctamundo?

93EXCivic
93EXCivic MegaDork
1/10/13 10:59 p.m.
Swank Force One wrote: Good car, bad Civic Si.

I agree with this. It is quieter then an older Civic and more civilized but I think it is lacking the fun of earlier Civics and I wasn't going to pay the premium for that.

Swank Force One
Swank Force One MegaDork
1/11/13 8:38 a.m.
corytate wrote: I'm in love with ep3's, I'd love to get one for decent money. a2 (or whatever the best one is) head swap=big gains, correctamundo?

Yeah, there's a whole HOST of things you can do to these things to make anywhere from a little more power to OMGWTFBBQ power.

However i've got to say that my biggest beef with the cars isn't power. They aren't fast, or even quick. They're just barely borderlining on "peppy." However, after lots and lots of experience with the EG/EM1 Si cars, the suspension/handling of the EP3 drives me insane. It's great right up until you start to push it, then it just turns into 10lbs of E36 M3 in a 5lb bag.

*This may be a slight exaggeration, but seriously... Honda dropped the ball with that suspension.

PhilStubbs
PhilStubbs Reader
1/11/13 11:32 a.m.

Horrible car. I wouldn't wish one on an enemy. They suck to work on, suck to find parts for and the suspension is 110% garbage. The joke with my group of friends every time we see one is "where is the car hauler?" 2 of my friends had them. They are slow and feel very disconnected. We always said they must have been engineered by high school students.

AutoXR
AutoXR HalfDork
1/11/13 11:36 a.m.

I liked my 00 SiR (B16) a LOT better... Had an EP3 for about a month when I worked @ a dealership.

MeH

SilverFleet
SilverFleet Dork
1/11/13 11:48 a.m.

I like the looks of the outside, but I just can't get over that interior. WTF is going on with that shifter? I like my shifters on the floor, not waggling around on the dash, thank you very much.

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