2k Civic SIr

As the previous owner of a 93 Si and multiple integras from the same period, I have never been so underwhelmed by a sporty fwd Honda as I was when I test drove an EP3. The stock suspension is too soft to be an Si and I was honestly expecting more from that K-series.

That said, I'm pretty sure there's a decent car under all those inadequate stock parts. Others here who have modded them report great experiences, some of them even know what they're talking about.

As others have alluded, I think it's biggest problem was being branded an Si. Other generations were fun out-of-the-box, but this one REQUIRED some significant work to get the same giggles.

On the suspension being total crap - I believe it shares the same geometry/arms as the RSX, right? Other than the bench-racer double-wishbone diehards, I don't hear anybody wail on how horrible that suspension was. Again, I believe the stock springs and shocks are the culprit. Hell, maybe even stiffer anti-roll bars would've helped.

SilverFleet wrote: 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.

Drive one. The shifter looks silly, but it's perfectly located.

Woody wrote:

SilverFleet wrote: 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.

Drive one. The shifter looks silly, but it's perfectly located.

I bet it is. I just remembered that the newer 07-up Civic Si has a similar shifter location, and I loved that. In fact, I almost bought one.

Still looks funny though.

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3496770170.html

As David said we had one as a project car a few years ago and it was good, but not great.

My take is they are a very good daily driver, but there are much better choices for track / autocross use. The shifter is in a great position IMHO, but it has a less connected feel than previous Hondas. The handling is ok, but will get trounced by the earlier Si cars. They do produce more torque than previous cars, but the redline is also lower.

I've never found Civics to be good looking, so the exterior doesn't excite, or repel me.

We just got the wrong one, as always.

http://www.buyyourcar.co.uk/gallery/videos/id/1312-honda-nsx-type-r-and-honda-civic-type-r-top-gear-review

I saw one yesterday on my way into work and was wondering how it would be as a daily. It got a lot of criticism when it came out for being too soft, but I have to think it would be a decent daily driver.

May I suggest the same shape in a different wrapper? The Focus SVT makes for a great little hot hatch with nearly the same proportions as the unloved EP3. The suspension is well loved, and the engine is a lively one as well, even emulates a honda sound with a dual stage intake and cam switch over in the upper rpms. I owned one and the only fault I had with the car was the shifter and ratio for first gear. They're worth a look and certainly a good value.

The orange one was my old car, but they come in less eye searing colors as well.

you beat me to the SVT - better stock handling and power, more useful interior space, stiffer chassis, all around better car and not as highly regarded so generally cheaper initial investment.

mine's an EAP in silver

I think you can get an SVT in a five-door, too -- which is even more useful.

Matt B wrote: On the suspension being total crap - I believe it shares the same geometry/arms as the RSX, right? Other than the bench-racer double-wishbone diehards, I don't hear anybody wail on how horrible that suspension was. Again, I believe the stock springs and shocks are the culprit. Hell, maybe even stiffer anti-roll bars would've helped.

Yes, they share suspension. The RSX's suspension isn't great either. You get a little wonkiness in the front when lowered (totally fixable) and the rear suspension geometry means you have to run massive spring rates to get it to come alive.

I put 178k miles on my RSX before an old man t-boned me. All it ever took was oil changes and a single o2 sensor.

In reply to DaveEstey: Admittedly, the RSX suspension isn't ideal either, but it can certainly be made to work. I guess I was reacting to the whole "the suspension is 110% crap" comments, as if it shared geometry with a fox body.

On the rear spring rates - wasn't that due to how far inboard the springs were located on the control arms, causing a big difference between spring rate and wheel rate? I wouldn't think that would affect ride quality that much, even if you were using relatively high rates.