I searched and came up with nothing althought im sure this has been covered. If someone can link me to an old post please feel free.
Im interested in getting an EP3 and Im wondering what the differences between the 2003 model and 2004 model are. I have noticed different wheels and taillights so far for sure, what else? Im sure there is likely quite a bit. Which year do you consider better and why? Thanks.

 

03 4lugs
04 5lugs
04~05 got new headlight/taillight, stock sideskirts....thats about it. anyting else, same....

 

I have an 05 and the only changes I can come up with are: headlights, tail lights, wheels, the first two years didnt have the sideskirts and at some point the Euro Yellow color was dropped. I dont think there was much evolution to this car. It was born, hated by most of North America and died. Now the car is seeming to become all the rage.

I have had mine for almost a year and had zero issues to date. The only things that I can think of that may be problematic are the first couple years had some tranny grinding issues. Of course this doesnt matter if you are going to do a swap. On a personal note I really hated the wheels on the first two years. I thought those 15" wheels were FUGLY.

 

Besides the 5-lugs and heavier 16" rims, the tires are a larger size, and the speedometer was revised to accommodate the difference. The rear sway was also increased, to 17 mm instead of the 02-03's 15 mm.

I don't think there's enough difference between the two to really say which is better. Once you start modding, they're effectively the same platform.

Oh yeah -- the '05 EP's ECU has the VIN embedded within, which can be a hassle if you do Hondata and have your state inspection plug in the OBD for emissions testing. From a post where I asked such a question at K20A.org:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondata at k20a.org &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It all depends on what year EP3 you have. A 2002-2004 should be no problem. Either a reflash or KPro will ring the right bells with the emissions scanner. You should keep the cat and the second o2 sensor.

If you have a 2005 EP3 then the VIN is stored in the ECU, and must match that scanned on the door frame otherwise the emissions scanner will think that the smog shop has scanned one car and it then hooking up to a second car (so called 'clean-scanning'). Also the CVN of the ECU must match the ECU type, otherwise the smog station will advise you that the dealer needs to update the ECU flash.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by giff74 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> It was born, hated by most of North America and died. Now the car is seeming to become all the rage. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Isn't that hilarious? It's probably not the greatest track car in the world, but it's a great car for the much reduced price most of us paid for them.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have had mine for almost a year and had zero issues to date.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Same here. Completely reliable. Since it's the commuter/daily driver and was bought as a cost saving measure, I only do regular maintenance. For example, since it's doing a lot of miles but mostly on the highway, I only change the oil when the light comes on.

By the way, isn't the rear suspension of the 2004 and 2005 models slightly different in the USDM? I think I heard somewhere that a 2002 Mugen SS could not be transferred to a 2005 EP3.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Isn't that hilarious? It's probably not the greatest track car in the world, but it's a great car for the much reduced price most of us paid for them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

EXACTLY!!!

 

bump. thanks for the info guys. I have a chance at an immaculate 04 model. It must be late 04 because it has the larger wheels and the ugly tailights. However the car only has 15K miles on it and I can get it for 15 grand. Is this a good deal?

 

I wouldnt say it's a good enough deal. I didnt pay much more than that for my new '05 with no miles. If that price is including TTL and any negative equity it's not a horrible deal, but I would ask for more. I would try to pay 13500-14000 for the car itself if it's pristine. You could also check out http://www.edmunds.com and see what they have been going for in your part of the county.

The other choice is find a new one sitting around, they are still out there. You could get a GREAT deal on a new one sitting on a dealers lot. How bad do they want them to be gone now that the new Si's are coming out in 3 weeks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by giff74 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have an 05 and the only changes I can come up with are: headlights, tail lights, wheels, the first two years didnt have the sideskirts and at some point the Euro Yellow color was dropped. I dont think there was much evolution to this car. It was born, hated by most of North America and died. Now the car is seeming to become all the rage.

I have had mine for almost a year and had zero issues to date. The only things that I can think of that may be problematic are the first couple years had some tranny grinding issues. Of course this doesnt matter if you are going to do a swap. On a personal note I really hated the wheels on the first two years. I thought those 15" wheels were FUGLY.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea...when it came out, it was ugly, i thought it was ugly, but the more i look at it , the more i like it...i like the 04-05 models cuz of the tail lights and sideskirts..what really made me like the 04-05 ep3's is my friends Ep3..his ep3 is sick