I am thinking about trading in the svt focus for a new ep3 because it has all kinds of funky problems. I like the car and i like its performance, but those little problems are really nagging.

I test drove an 04 ep3 but the bitch wouldnt let me drive aggressively at all so i cant really compare its performance to my car. Im a hatch nut so im thinking this is the car for me.

Basically i want some info on performance and relaibility. Does it handle well? Any major problems? Something to help me make up my mind.

 

the ep3 isn't as polished a piece of work from the factory, but with a little work, you can make it every bit as good if not better than your SVT. it all just depends on how much time & $$ you want to put into it.

Workmanship on the honda is nicer IMO, the car just feels more solid. the engine is solid, but you'll miss the 6spd from the SVT, esp that 3rd gear of yours.

Overall though, the ep3 has more options for upgrades than the SVT, so if there are any performance shortcomings, it is not a problem to remedy them.

overall the ep3 is pretty reliable. I've got 91,8xx miles on mine, and no money spent on unexpected repairs - everything thus far has been fluid changes & replacement of consumable parts. I autocross her & she's seen close to 100 passes down the drag strip, so it's not like I baby her either.

 

hey chunky how would you rate the acceleration of your civic. my first gear is really long but after that its awesome. Also what year should i try to get. I dont like the new head and tail lights, but mechanically i dont know if there is any difference?

thanks

 

whoa chunky, you put 91000 miles on your ep already. whoa that is a ton of miles really really quickly, man did you drive to every state in america 4 times hehe jp. wow, i am just surprised.

 

there's and SVT that can boogy with my type S all day, but i dont kno what kind of work he has done...still all in all it looks kinda sweet 2...and most people just think its a "regular focus"

 

in my mind first gear is too short compared to my dx trans i had in my old EF compared to my si trans in the EF its about the same....compared to the 99 si its also to short....it wants to rev higher than 7k duno wish honda would have put the a2 in this bitch.... First thing im lookin for when i go over seas a freakin k20a or maybe is there an XSi there integra? with the k20a2? probably same as the new typeS if there is one

 

No major problems? That is the big problem with the svt. I cant mod the thing at all because im too worried the thing is going to break. Whats the differences in the 02 to the 05?

 

02-03 are the same 04-05 have different headlights taillights come with sideskirts and 5 lug and new wheels nothing else is different between the 02-05 besides all that....

 

well thats not entirely true, sorry to cut in, but the suspension is slightly better on the 04-05, not sure of spring rate though. the new wheels are 16s, not 15s, thast why they upgraded teh suspension. and there are minor interior accents that give the inside little more style(silver accents on vent, window buttons, locks). thats it though. in my opinion the ep3 is much nicer than the svt. you have to realize that performance stuff for the ep3 is cheaper, more available, and the nice stuff gives really impressive improvements. plus its a honda, so its gonna last forever if you take care of it. anyway those are my thoughts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thabends &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">plus its a honda, so its gonna last forever if you take care of it. anyway those are my thoughts.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats why i was wanting to get one. My damn 88 EF runs better than my svt and it has 300,000 miles on it.

 

yeah man, im not bashing ford or anything, but hondas build quality blows their's away. plus, like i said, performance stuff is much cheaper and easier to find. i love my ep3 and it responds really well to basic performance mods. you can have an ep3 up to par with the svt in very little time with not much money. just dont pay more than 17500 for one. good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thabends &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just dont pay more than 17500 for one. good luck. </TD></TR></TABLE>

is that what i should pay for a new one or used? im guessing thats new.
thanks

 

17500 is invoice on the ep3...and i used to have an 88 std great car wish i still had it....
i really didnt read up on the suspension on the stock 04 really cause i tossed it the first week i got it for the tein flex's...but overall i like the car alot not so many of em on the road about as many ep3s around here as there are svt focus's....and there may be 1 or 2 more of the focus's...good luck to ya man with the ep3 if u get it...its hard to say which was more fun to drive the 88 or the 04

 

yeah 17500 is invoice. the best time to buy a car is aug or sept toward the end of the month. for every month a car sits on a lot the dealer has to pay the bank. and towards the end of the year they are always trying to move the old ones out. so it makes since to buy a car at the end of the month just before the new ones come out. of course, you'll probably not find an 04 left, if you do, snag it, but you can still talk them down to 18000 or so. i bought mine in aug(of this year) and got it for 17500 even, no extra charges, plus they threw in mud flaps, wheel locks, and a car cover. always remember, they need you more than you need them. happy hunting.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thabends &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah 17500 is invoice. the best time to buy a car is aug or sept toward the end of the month. for every month a car sits on a lot the dealer has to pay the bank. and towards the end of the year they are always trying to move the old ones out. so it makes since to buy a car at the end of the month just before the new ones come out. of course, you'll probably not find an 04 left, if you do, snag it, but you can still talk them down to 18000 or so. i bought mine in aug(of this year) and got it for 17500 even, no extra charges, plus they threw in mud flaps, wheel locks, and a car cover. always remember, they need you more than you need them. happy hunting.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I got mine for 18 even back in May, with the splashguards, wheel locks, and floormats thrown in, I wish I got a car cover heh.

I'm in love with the car, my biggest gripe is the crap tires the car comes with.

 

yeah, the tires suck. if you're not gonna change the wheels, which suck also imo, i'd suggest getting some more "low pro" tires. they may throw off the speedometer a little, but they look nicer and of course you'll want some nicer ones.