NACvicSi

Back on topic:

I think it depends on your goals and taste. Personally my taste have shifted into a nice OEM look. I would choose the Si simply because it has some more stylish options that are from the factory and flow perfectly with the car. Si wheels, lip, seats, gauge cluster, spoiler (personally I like them without), grill, sportier exhaust, strut tower bar etc etc. Sure you can just put all those on an EX, but by time you fork over the cost for all of it you will be in Si territory.

NOFX

The lip, spoiler and exhaust are all the same as the EX. The front lip and exhaust finisher are optional for all coupe trim levels besides the Si (standard). The rear lip and spoiler are optional on ALL coupe trim levels. Equipping them on an Si is just as expensive as on an EX.

Let's remember an Si is more expensive to insure and the cost of an Si has been, at least in the past, significantly more than an EX.

When I bought my EX it cost me about $4,000 less than an Si at the time. An Si in comparable condition would have been more. I bought my EX at a dealership because (1) it was in perfect condition and (2) finding those cars for sale where I was living is still pretty difficult. Honda is a good place to start.

NACvicSi

This is true, however most people who bought an EX didn't opt for the the items that were "standard" (yes optional, but plenty already installed by Honda) on the Si.

The price point use to be a huge difference. A few years ago Si's were still going for $8-10k. Now you can find them for very reasonable. I've seen several Si's here in the last couple of months, since I'm on the browse for a new car and check daily, for $3500-5500. These ranged from needing minor work to being very nice. This is right in the price range of the EX's since people seem to think they are worth $4k with 250k and in primer.

Victor.

Gotta go with a Si!

NOFX

LOL I track EM1s. I look through loads of photos. I've been doing this for a few years now. I know the standard items and the optional items aren't on loads of them.

The value of the Si is falling, but the theft rate is not.

Looking on Cars.com right now it looks like a '96-'00 Civic EX coupe is hovering around $4700 and the Si is around $7300. These prices are likely high because many of these cars are from dealerships and not private sellers, but it gives a decent comparison either way.

And once again, very few people with EX coupes are trying to build them into Si coupes. For some reason people seem to think this is the case. It's not a deal if it's something you don't want.

NACvicSi

I'm not saying all the Si's had full options. I'm just stating that several did come with the options from the dealership where as the EX (for the most part) did not. I remember when they came out going to look at them and the dealer kept a couple in stock with the optional equipment. However, personally I have never seen an EX that people opted for them.

I wasn't saying people are trying to change their EX's into Si clones, even though I have seen several that were. I was stating that if you like the items that came factory then just go that route. I can't speak for your area, but as I said in the past two months searching searchtempest.com within a 300 mile radius every day I have seen several Si's in the $3500-5500 range. I picked up my Si a few years ago for $4k. Then again I picked up my 99 GSR for $4500 and elsewhere they still were going for $6-7k. 94 Del Sol Vtec for $3500 when they were still $5k+.

I agree the theft rate isn't falling on the Si also. That was one thing that bugged me is that I was paranoid it would be stolen. We aren't in a high crime area here, but when you get on forums and see a new post daily about looking out for one that was stolen it's unsettling.

314househead

si hands down... i mean it comes with a better starting platform than the ex... easy question lol

NOFX

Oh, I searched the entire US, not just in my area. I wanted a larger sample size.

All these cars are at least 11 years old at this point, so I don't think original options are probably really even super applicable at this point. Not brushing off your thought, but there are probably more EXes with more options (I've personally seen lots with the spoiler, though I see the rear lip on few cars at all, especially stock ones). This time has also, as mentioned in the thread before, lowered the number os EM1s still on the road.

My list so far actually has few totaled cars on it. Most salvage title VINs I have came from yards.

I still believe if one is attracted to the B16A, the Si is your best bet. If one plans to swap, the Si might not be the best idea.

NOFX

Don't think I totally hate the EM1 either. One day I wouldn't mind having one, but it will likely be a collector piece.

Texas4door

My final opinion on this:

Choose the EX for better gas mileage (as it was made for)
Choose the SI for a sportier ride (as it was made for)

I rest my case
^^

NACvicSi

Yeah I was speaking strictly stock for stock. With that being said finding either that haven't been touched is somewhat hard. Unless you find a good deal on one with a bad motor/shell or just dead set on having an Si I agree that if you plan to do modify it a bit including a swap you might as well go with the EX (assuming you can find one not made of gold) unless you find a good deal on an Si. I wouldn't mind another Si (should have kept mine), but it would be one that was either completely stock or bought with the intention of going back to stock.

Here are just a few examples off the top of the searchtempest results:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/2276341414.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/2326058690.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/2329182183.html
http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/2327661883.html
http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/2296633498.html
http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2307744905.html

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

So much for "On Topic". EX or SI?

NOFX

NACvicSi, that's my exact problem with buying an Si right now (plus I'd rather be settled where I plan to live for several years as moving multiple cars sucks). It just seems a bit difficult to find a perfect example of what I would want, especially without paying too much.
This thread is still on topic. I'd say it's not doing too bad for being a year and eight months old.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

I guess. I just know by now you're probably the last person I would try and argue what was standard on these cars and what was optional.

NOFX

lol The list isn't particuarlly long or complicated. Plus I have books and write it down as I figure it out. Sucks when you go back to your own threads and see incorrect info though. And realize it' a huge pain in the *** to edit it since it's not just text. *sigh* Oh well.

NACvicSi

I think we were on the same page just saying it different ways. Finding a clean specimen is getting harder and harder. When you do find one you better be ready to pay for it unless you get lucky.

Hopefully I'll be picking up a 94 Del Sol Vtec tomorrow (already had one a few years ago the exact year, model, and color). It has a few things done to it, but plan to take it back close to OEM. These are getting harder to find also so I *plan* on holding onto it.

I know exactly how moving with multiple cars is. When I moved last time I had four cars to move that were just mine. If I had the space and a big garage I would love to have a 90-91 CRX Si, 96-97 Del Sol Vtec, 99-00 Si, 99-00 Civic hatch, 97+ Prelude, and eventually an AP2 S2K. I think I would be content forever with just those.

NOFX

Trust me when I say you should think about adding an '88-'91 Prelude 4WS to that list. Might want to swap out the B20A though... And definitely no 2.1Ls!

NACvicSi

That's funny because that was almost my first car. I had always heard nightmares about the B20A though so I never really gave it any other thought. However, the body design is very nice.

Deetz

ha ha, i'm part of the way there already....

- 89 CRX Si
- 93 Del Sol EG2
- 00 SiR em1
- 02 RSX

NACvicSi

Nice. I've been most of the way but always end up selling them. I've had a 94 Del Sol EG2, 91 CRX Si, 99 EM1, 99 Civic hatch, 97 Prelude, and a 99 GSR (forgot that on my list). Checking out another 94 EG2 tomorrow and just found a 94 EG2 shell semi local for $600. So tempting to get both.

NOFX

I've not heard of too many people having problems with the B20A (could always swap in an H22 though), but the B21s commonly have issues. Like oil consumption and big-hole-in-block issues.

Oh, and Deetz, get back on IM.

NACvicSi

You're right I was thinking of the B21. I can only imagine how fun a H22 swap would be in one.

j9civic7m

Si by far, b-series as opposed to single cam. plus there is electron blue pearl

Deetz

The em1 was not the only civic to come in that color

94EG8

Yep, although I'm assuming you're thinking of those '99 - '00 SE coupes we got, I don't think the US got them.