Em1 as first Honda?
 

Hey guys I am a new member to the Honda-Tech community. I've been looking to get an Em1 for sometime now, but I also like the Ep3. I just moved to Anaheim with my wife and little girl (2 1/2 yrs old). We only have 1 car at the moment, a 2012 Rav-4, which works fine for our family. I just got a job and need a commuter car that gets better mileage than our Rav-4.

I've been looking at ep3's, but they seem overpriced for the mileage. I've been looking for a month or so and kind of need a car within 2 weeks. Recently many clean em1's with low mileage (less than 115xxx) have been listed with clean titles. Most are bone stock with clean bodies, but there is a ebp with a B18c type-r swap that looks so nice.

**Anyways I was wondering if you guys could give me some feedback on which one would be more child friendly. I have to have a child seat in the rear. I realize that these aren't the most child friendly cars, but hey thats what the Rav-4 is for.
**Also I realize the Em1 gets stolen left and right and being a new resident to California that sucks since like 9/20 of the top cities for auto theft are in California. If I were to get the Em1 I would put a lojack system as well as a good 2-way alarm. What other precautions can I take to avoid theft?

Please, all of your feedback would really help me out!
Feel free to add anything else

Thanks!

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

get the ebp em1 with the type r if its clean and hes asking under 8k its a good buy for you

youll have fun when you step on it but low torque in the lower rpms it offers good mpgs and good dd

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

i personally miss the hell out of my ep3 they are high priced mostly cause only made from 02-05, i would get the 04-05 ones only though unless you plan on doing work to it. 02-03 have a cam issue called cam galling (sp) where it messes up the lobes of your cams, and body parts can be pricey, i had to spend 500$ on a front bumper lol. but lots of storage room/cup holders, and very roomy i thought for being a hatch (good for the whole baby thing) oh and no arm rest sadly.. shifter location is very nice once you get used to it. watch out on 3-4 gear change when getting into it. some people accidentally go from 3rd to 2nd and thats never good lol

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

Sounds like if you get an em1 you should find a completely stock one. Not one with a jdm motor that's not going to pass smog in CA. Especially if you just want it for a commuter car

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

Thanks for the feedback!

I would like to mod which ever car sparingly. Probably add full suspension then wheels.
Just don't want to get jacked. I like the 04-05 ep3's as well since they're 5 lugged

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

5 lug and come with side skirts and no cam lobe problems. and i think the tail lights are different? 02-03 have the better looking ones i believe

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

94-01 4dr GSR. 92-00 4dr Civic EX.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

Yeah you're right. The tail lights are mostly red and look way better than the 04-05's

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

Why are EP3's so expensive? They are the worst Si ever created.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

X2...lol

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

x6584628548

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

ep3 is an amazing track car. calling it worst si is a bit on the wrong side. yeah im not a huge fan of the k20a3 motor but its still a good motor. beats the rsx,and newer si's on the track.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

Also the switch over to mcphearson style strut/suspension sux,
Independent control arm suspension is why em-1 is a better drive all around,
More driver feedback from the non abs, suspension, motor, ect.

Although they have always been top of the menu for thiefs

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

Not to mention, the ep3 is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. Saying that, I would go with an em1. But the one you are looking at with the b18c5 would give you nothing but problems in CA. If I were you, I would consider the 4dr GSR option stated above. Good gas mileage, family friendly, and still modable and fun to drive. Just my opinion though.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

USDM B18C5 w/ USDM ECU should have no prob in cali, if you know what the $%#@ your doing.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

Em1 is not a family car you should get a sedan body style if u really have to have a civic.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

^^ agreed.

or if you like the em1 style, an ej8 is fairly close to that and I think less of them are stolen opposed to em1's.

But, if you want child friendly, go with a 4dr.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

X2 californa has high emmision standards

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

I wouldn get an em1 or an integra in California, either of them is asking for trouble.

Get a an 04+ tl or a tsx

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

If you get a good alarm

And garage you will be fine

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

they go for $5-10k around here. doesn't seem to expensive for an > '03 K series, hatch.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

If your child is going to be riding in it find one with at least stock suspension, aftermarket suspension will likely ride harsh for kids (depending on set up)

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

checked out an ep3 today, but the car was a little sketch.

I liked that it already came equipped with a lojack system and a good viper 2-way pager alarm.

After viewing it, I just didn't get that good vibe so I decided to purchase an ebp em1 w/148xxx. Now I just need to put a good alarm on it.

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

ep3

Re: Em1 as first Honda?
 

turn wheel all the way to right, buy a master lock,thick enough that it will be hard to cut with grinder or bolt cutters, place on bottom knuckle,closest to the floor , weld the 2 10 mm screws so they cant take them out and replace knuckle.