I currently own a 98 Civic EX (automatic) that I've had since I was 17 it's time to get something new...I wanted to get a RSX but they are a bit out of my price range. I put a lot of miles on my car since I commute 70miles round trip per day to school. I have a family member willing to give me $5k for my car.
SO HERE COMES THE QUESTIONS
I have noticed you can get a 02-05 Civic SI pretty inexpensive. In a lot of cases I have seen them go for around $10k used with under 30k miles on them. Is there anything wrong with these cars besides the fact that a lot of people think they are ugly? I know it has the same motor as the base RSX, and I know its a Honda so its reliable but why are they so cheap? I see 99-00 SI's with twice the miles going for $10k. Reading through Honda-Tech I have seen that many people said "Honda considers the car a failure" (in reference to the 02-05's). I don't want to make a mistake and buy a 02-05 SI if they are bad cars, but I can get past the looks if thats all its about!!!

 

The EP3 is very reliable.

My car is a daily driver commuter that already has 72,000 miles on it and it has never given a moment's trouble.

It is, however, one of the most unpopular Honda ever to get into the USDM, so it's still on its steep depreciation curve and it's just not worth much right now, and it'll get worse. That's the only bad thing I can think of.

The car was a marketing failure because at its price point of $19,500 there were just too many other cars available.

 

The only things "wrong" with them are the low redline, un-sporty stock tires, and the hatchback body style.

The lower redline did nothing to help 0-60 times and looks lame compared to the previous Si's motor. But, those are what marketing has to go on, even though it'll outrun a 99-00 Si and was, truthfully, the most powerful Civic offered in the US.

Honda should've given it the faster motor & 6-speed tranny for the US. The Type-R received almost universal praise in the motoring press overseas, and it would have been a contender for market leader if it were brought to the US.

Bottom line -- it's a sold, well-built car that's great to own but was mismarketed by Honda Of America. It responds nicely to mods, there are quality parts available, and it's still unique enough that people will ask about it.

 

Mine has been solid as a rock. The only complaints are what Barrack and George already listed, Honda of America really held this car back. I enjoy my car for a DD, couldnt find much more fun in its price range. If you do nothing more than upgrade the supsension to the HFP package and get better tires you will have a fun to drive car that will last for year to come.

 

Another good way to look at the EP is that it can be quite a sleeper. People who don't know what it is won't think anything of it; people who have a pretty good idea will assume that it's "slow" (again, thanks to the low redline).

Boost it or swap it, though, and it'll haul *** pretty good. One of the local guys has a 2.4-liter K24 block with a supercharger -- fun stuff.

 

i love my ep3...never had a problem with it. Easy to maintain and a lot of fun to drive. I've always like the way it looked too and it started to grow on me more and more. And with the prices it's going for now it's a steal. The interior is deffinately the best part of the car though.

edit: you also won't have the same problems with theft as with the 99-00 si's

 

i love my ep3...never had a problem with it. Easy to maintain and a lot of fun to drive. I've always like the way it looked too and it started to grow on me more and more. And with the prices it's going for now it's a steal. The interior is deffinately the best part of the car though.

 

I'd love to get ahold of one and swap it. I already have a swap in mind In my mind, I love the way it looks. Alot of people don't like it, but I like hatches. Would some CTR add-ons it can look pretty aggressive IMO.