RSX and EP Civic Si

[NemesisPrime909]

Originally Posted by Re_Invention

Space... 3 doors... Space... 3 doors..

I have a '13 GTI 5 door, love it. Easy to grab stuff, put stuff in, move stuff around. Have never been in the Civic but put miles on an RSX type S. Fantastic car, and worth all the praise it ever got. The interior will likely feel dated now and I'm of the opinion they haven't held up over time though. Certainly not to the typical abuse they are put through with an overwhelming population of negligent owners.

If you can find a clean example with modest miles, jump on it.

Then there's the argument if the 06'+ SI was a better car for the money... No leather but LSD standard with optional nav.

If you're looking for space (why 3 doors??!) I'm gonna through out the 'sport sedan' suggestions: Acura TSX (see RSX problem), Infiniti G35/VQ Maxima, any BMW with the N52, Passat if you wanna get froggy with a 1.8T. Gotta love the depreciation on these 10 year old cars.

I have worded that poorly. I guess not so much "space" as much as "versatility."

When you're single and living on your own, but don't have a whole lot of money, coupes can run high in insurance (depending on who you are) and on the off chance you have to move a lot of items they can be limiting (Although the ZN6 is most impressive).

with a Hatchback like the EP3, you don't have to worry about those above mentioned issues.

[NemesisPrime909]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

As a practical, stylish street-driven hatch, I think it's a great choice. But coming from an FR-S, I wouldn't want to switch back, especially if you track or drive back canyon roads often.

Living in Oklahoma, I as safely say those do not exist here or if they do, then they're either incredibly short or have busy intersections at either ends.

[NemesisPrime909]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

I've driven an RSX-S. Great car! One of my favorite FF vehicle I've driven. Fun and loads of potential.


Just stay away from shit parts (*cough Megan coilovers *cough) and don't slam the hell out of it and make it useless.


Proper suspension, wheels/tires, and they're a blast. I'd totally buy one if I was looking for a fun FF car for track use... That or a DC2.

I would've suggested a DC2, but around here there's not a single one that hasn't been destroyed by someone who thought waaay back in 2001, that their car could be in the Fast and the Furious.


Basically someone saw The Fast and The Furious, got inspired, tried to modify their car, realized it costs money, sold the incomplete build to someone else who promptly thought the same thing, and so-on.

DC2's around here, are basically time capsules of all the bad car trends from the last 15 years

[that_guy]

Originally Posted by Scott@HKSUSA

I just sold my 02 EP3. Owned it since new. Sold it with ~246,xxx miles.

Pros: A3 is very understressed and reliable w/bolt-ons, tight body/chassis, ~30 mpg, comfortable, ambiguous, & utilitarian daily driver.

Cons: worst suspension Honda ever cast & bolted onto a frame, A3 has limited potential, limited support for the EP3 beyond basic bolt-ons

This.

I had a 2003 EP3 (SiR here in Canada) with the GFX package on it. Absolutely loved it. One of the best cars I've ever owned.

Pros: Extremely versatile, fun to drive, and very well put together. Imagine a reliable VW GTI. Fit and finish was far better than other Honda products at the time and it really showed it was not originally made for our market. The dash shifter is also brilliant.

Cons: It needs 6 gears but this can be remedied with a swap from the RSX-S. Suspension is a very stupid design (mac strut front with steering arm off strut body), so it doesn't lend itself to lowering at all. I had the HFP suspension on mine which upgraded dampers and lowered 1". This was the most it could take. Look at the Mugen option if you want the car to actually improve and not just look stanced.

I miss mine everyday. It was a very practical car that did everything right with very little fuss. Watch the Top Gear episode where they compare the Type-R with the GTI. Clarkson raves about the car for it's drive dynamics and it's good fun to watch the hooning.

[[YOYO]]

I have owned an RSX-S and still own an EP3. The EP3 is like the little sibling to the DC5, and it's super practical and an absolute blast to drive. I agree with the above poster, the car's fit and finish are definitely better than any of the other Honda offerings from that time. My brother and I were actually discussing this the other day. Even something as simple as an added plastic license plate basel on the rear hatch. Not something that you see on many cars coming out of the factory. Definitely a very underrated car.

The DC5 was an awesome car as well. Mine was fairly heavily modded and quite quick, just not that practical to drive (due to the mods). I ended up selling it last year, but I still miss it in some ways. Solid car all around. If you can find one in good condition, you really can't go wrong with either the EP3 or the DC5.

[AznBRZer]

First car was an RSX and I loved it. You could actually fit people in the back and the hatch made it pretty practical for a couple. I still get excited everytime I see one in black and wonder if it was mine.

[NemesisPrime909]

Originally Posted by AznBRZer

First car was an RSX and I loved it. You could actually fit people in the back and the hatch made it pretty practical for a couple. I still get excited everytime I see one in black and wonder if it was mine.

They do look good in black.

[FRusS]

I had an 04 EP Si hatch

Pros:
nice Type R like interior and exterior
took regular because base RSX engine
could fit a big dresser in the back
goes up hill easily, feels fast compared to sohc 1.6 non vtec civics I had prior
Honda reliability
shifter is totally fun and easy to use - hand goes up a bit not anymore forward

Cons:
not a six speed
constantly envious of K20A2 and K20A owners
it's says i-Vtec!!!! on the side as if it revs like B18Cs and B16As
generation no longer had front double wishbone
no ASR or ESP

I loved that car. I spun out in the rain on the highway when it was very windy and it scared the crap out of me. It was probably 100% my fault for having crappy worn tires, but it did make me switch to VWs as Golfs had ASR and ESP, and Honda stopped making hatchback Civics for the US. I really should have kept it as it was paid off and would have lasted forever with no problems.

picture of it

[KevinK121]

Owned an rsx-s for a few years. Made some good power on bolt ons. More than my brz on e85 heh. I loved every minute of it until it started falling apart at 195k miles. I wasn't very nice to it but I did stick with the upkeep. Was trying to get it road course ready and ended up being one thing after the next to fix or replace. All that said I almost bought another one after mine was totaled.

My girlfriend as well as my roommate drive ep3's. Wouldn't buy one for power/fun/speed but they make excellent daily drivers as long as you don't neglect oil changes.

[WolfpackS2k]

I never owned one but my roommate of 3 years had a base RSX. He took decent car of the car, never abused it, but I wasn't very impressed with the build quality. My DA struck me as being built to a considerably higher standard.

I really hated the interior design, with the super high dashboard. The low end torque was impressive though, in comparison to my car's B17A, though that should be expected haha.


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[Teseo]

I considere the RSX before buying the frs, but i cant bear the FWD. Great engine, good looking chasis

[[YOYO]]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

I never owned one but my roommate of 3 years had a base RSX. He took decent car of the car, never abused it, but I wasn't very impressed with the build quality. My DA struck me as being built to a considerably higher standard.

I really hated the interior design, with the super high dashboard. The low end torque was impressive though, in comparison to my car's B17A, though that should be expected haha.


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The Type-S is a totally different beast, and with a little bit of extra work can be proper quick. I miss da POWA of ma Vtec

[WolfpackS2k]

?

I voiced no complaint about the drivetrain. Build quality of the S is the same as the base.


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[HFP-CivicSI]

I owned a EP3 hatch (and currently a 390whp 8thgen SI). The EP3 was ONLY gotten rid of due to being hit by a drunk driver. It was supremely reliable, and very deceptive on how much space there really is. I fit 8ft lumber boards in it, with room to spare. Thank god I had the car for my move into my 2nd house.

The shifter is amazing. At first, it looked stupid and quirky. Then you are like "ah.. I get it". Never had a single issue over 45k miles, just fluids, tires, and mods. Like ScottHKS said, the aftermarket isn't "big", but it is certainly do-able. You'll be more prone to either really cheap crap parts, or expensive UKDM/Japan parts if your into modding. The Mugen stuff for the EP3 is costly, more-so than my 8thgen SI coupe (or 4 door counterpart) due to being out of production for almost 10 years, and only marketed for 4 years.

I WILL have another EP3 hatch. Do yourself a favor, and buy a 2004 or 2005 since they come with 5lug (vs 4), so better wheel options, AND standard with the HFP body kit.

ECU tuning was done with Hondata's Kpro, and was a better car after light mods and tuning.

If I were to be in the market right now, I'd stick to under 100k miles (there are plenty out there), 2004/2005, stock - and in the best color VBP. I wouldn't advise spending ANY money to mod the EP3 as the "return" isn't there for the money you'd spend.

I would recommend driving one before buying. The motor is nothing like the EM1 even though it makes the same HP, its a better "around town car" but it's NOT high rev like the 8thgen SI.

If you want the distinctive Honda Vtec howl and cross over that cars like the GSR, EM1, FG2/FA5, and S2k - the EP3 doesn't have that. It is still a great car, and I would purchase one again if I found the right one local.