i currently drive a vw gti 1.8t and i'm thinking about trading it in for something else... i'm interested in both the ep3 and dc5, i like the looks of the ep3 over the dc5, but i like the performance of the a2 over the a3... but if i ended up getting an ep3 i'd probably boost it eventually... but anyways, my question is... i'm going to be looking around locally for either car and also going to various honda dealerships searching for a car, so my question to you guys/girls is, what should i be looking for when searching for either car? what are certain years to stay away from? what are some common problems with either car if any? i heard the 02 ep3 has some tranny problems? any information will be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

Well are you looking for new or used? Personally I would look for an RSX-S just for the performance aspect of it. How much are you willing to spend? Are you planning to mod the car or keep it stock?

 

most likely used... and around the price range of 17-18k max and yes i plan on modding it.

 

Well, look for an 02-04 RSX-S. You can find some in the $15K-$18K range easily.

 

get the dc5

 

get the DC5. I test drove a couple new EP3's and they are just too slow.

 

They're right, unless you're in the UK and can get your hands on the Civic Type R then go ahead and get the RSX Type S.

 

Having owned a Jetta with the 180 horse 1.8T, I can tell you either car is a big switch. Going from the tourque heavy Dub to either Honda is a lot different across the board. You must already like hatches, given the GTi ownership, so you may really dig the ep3. I know I do! I think the 2002 ep3 is the one car to stay away from, seems like a lot of guys on here have had tranny issues. Either car mods very easily and parts are plentiful.

The k20a3 only really lends itself to fi, just not much you can do with that engine as far as cams or internals. I am at the point with my ep3 that I am trying to decide what to do with it engine wise. Jackson has a nice race super charger kit for $3100, with k pro, that will bolt right on and make some really nice power. I also crave the high revving a2 power though, tough call.

Well, good luck with your decision. Just know that either car will be very different from the Dub.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by giff74 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Having owned a Jetta with the 180 horse 1.8T, I can tell you either car is a big switch. Going from the tourque heavy Dub to either Honda is a lot different across the board. You must already like hatches, given the GTi ownership, so you may really dig the ep3. I know I do! I think the 2002 ep3 is the one car to stay away from, seems like a lot of guys on here have had tranny issues. Either car mods very easily and parts are plentiful.

The k20a3 only really lends itself to fi, just not much you can do with that engine as far as cams or internals. I am at the point with my ep3 that I am trying to decide what to do with it engine wise. Jackson has a nice race super charger kit for $3100, with k pro, that will bolt right on and make some really nice power. I also crave the high revving a2 power though, tough call.

Well, good luck with your decision. Just know that either car will be very different from the Dub.</TD></TR></TABLE>


yeah, thats what i figured... i'm coming from a chipped 1.8t thats got some tq and moving onto a motor that lacks tq... im sure it will be a completely different feel and the power of the k20 oppose to the 1.8t will come in at different times. i guess it just going to take some getting used to.

and is the difference between the a2 and a3 that noticeable? because i'm a hatch guy... i absolutely would choose the ep over the dc anyday if they both had the a2 motor, but thats not the case. i guess i'll have the drive both cars to fully understand the difference between the two.

and also, i live in south florida and im sure you've all heard of cybernation... well there shop is located in south florida and they provide a very nice turbo kit for either the a2 or a3... one kid down here has a turbo'd ep3 and its running good for him... no problems whatsoever except for needing a new clutch. so besides suspension mods and a set of wheels, i really think i would turbo the ep3 eventually.

but then again, i could always just get the dc5 and easily go all motor, i dont think it would be as quick as a turbo'd ep3 but it would definately be more fun to drive with the higher revving motor.

 

You could get an EP and swap in an A2 motor for as much as an RSX-S costs.

(just trying to make your decision more difficult.. lol)

I just look at it this way -- it's a lot easier to make the EP faster than it would be to turn the DC5 into a hatch with a dash shifter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BarracksSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You could get an EP and swap in an A2 motor for as much as an RSX-S costs.

(just trying to make your decision more difficult.. lol)

I just look at it this way -- it's a lot easier to make the EP faster than it would be to turn the DC5 into a hatch with a dash shifter.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And there you have it! You want a hatch? Get an EP and then make it go faster!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BarracksSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You could get an EP and swap in an A2 motor for as much as an RSX-S costs.

(just trying to make your decision more difficult.. lol)

I just look at it this way -- it's a lot easier to make the EP faster than it would be to turn the DC5 into a hatch with a dash shifter.</TD></TR></TABLE>

haha, that is so true... you basically just made my decision. oh man... that made me laugh. thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SiR Phil &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

And there you have it! You want a hatch? Get an EP and then make it go faster! </TD></TR></TABLE>

will do. but now the question is... what do i look for? what do i stay away from? any common problems? i prefer the 02-03 models over the 04-05 models because of the headlight/taillight change, but i heard the 02's have tranny problems, so the 03 would be an ideal year for me to look for?

 

I have a 2002 EP3 and have yet to have a tranny problem and i have 39,000 miles on it. But that problem is not just in EP3's its in dc5 and dc5-s as well. Good luck i Love my hatch but i m gettin rid of it for another SSSSSSssss..........2000. Get a used S2000 IMO.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ROCAFELLA2049 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 2002 EP3 and have yet to have a tranny problem and i have 39,000 miles on it. But that problem is not just in EP3's its in dc5 and dc5-s as well. Good luck i Love my hatch but i m gettin rid of it for another SSSSSSssss..........2000. Get a used S2000 IMO.</TD></TR></TABLE>


18 year old driving a used s2k? i dont think so. honestly... i thought about it, but i dont deserve one. and i dont like convertibles, and its money for that hardtop. also... i'd be scared someone would break into it just for the seats and wheel plus... i want to turbo the ep3, i dont think i'd have enough to turbo the s2k.

 

I think tranny grinding in 2nd gear is common among all year EP3s. I have '03 and I have these problems:

left headlight bulb going out faster than the right. If you spend extra money to buy expensive bulbs, it's totally worth it.

seat belt that seems too loose.

Other than that, I haven't had any problems so far.

Get EP3, it's cheaper on your insurance and you can carry 5 people comfortably. Also, you can swap K20A2 or K20A later down the road. 05 DC5 is bad ***, but the front looks too similar to 05 Civic sedan.

Enjoy shopping.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jaypee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think tranny grinding in 2nd gear is common among all year EP3s. I have '03 and I have these problems:

left headlight bulb going out faster than the right. If you spend extra money to buy expensive bulbs, it's totally worth it.

seat belt that seems too loose.

Other than that, I haven't had any problems so far.

Get EP3, it's cheaper on your insurance and you can carry 5 people comfortably. Also, you can swap K20A2 or K20A later down the road. 05 DC5 is bad ***, but the front looks too similar to 05 Civic sedan.

Enjoy shopping.</TD></TR></TABLE>

are the tranny problems covered under warranty? does honda know about it?

also, what size headlight bulb are in the ep3? can a drop in HID kit be installed?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdmin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

are the tranny problems covered under warranty? does honda know about it?

also, what size headlight bulb are in the ep3? can a drop in HID kit be installed?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The problem you are going to have is that there are no more, or very few, new ep3's left. My point is that warranty is running out on these cars or has ran out on the older ones already. Although I think it's safe to say Honda knows of the issues with tranny, you are only going to get so much love with a car not under warranty.

 

I also want a ep3 badly, and want to convert to the k20a2. does anyone know if this passes emmisons.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondaguyexsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I also want a ep3 badly, and want to convert to the k20a2. does anyone know if this passes emmisons.</TD></TR></TABLE>

oooohhh yes! the A2 is the RSX.

 

i actually thought the question i asked was stupid because i forgot all the wiring is the same and you use the rsx-s computerwhich means no cel.

 

If somebody steals your seats in an s its not a total loss insurance will cut you a check for more than 5g and you could buy brides but then again getting robbed feels like ****. I'm 19 and ive already owned one. I sold it and now im getting another. If you work hard you deserve it. If your parents are buying it you dont.

 

would a new shift kit fix the tranny problems on 02 ep3? we're talkin about grinding gears right. i love the hatches and im on my way to getting a ep3. but i also love n/a high revvin motors. so imma save up for a dc5-r. parents buyin their kids cars. i never had that luxury. ive been driving a peice of crap toyota around for 4 years and not i finally got enough for a car to tune.