I have owned both in the EG generation, but at different driving abilities and time-periods.

I searched for a similar topic but found nothing, if the topic has been beat to death, please link me.

But is there is a difference in chasis rigidity between, say your basic EX coupe and your Si hatch, or a DX coupe/DX hatch?

Even though the dx coupe was my first Civic ever, I recently dumped my 93 Si, but I just fell in love with the hatch, seemed to handle like it was on rails compared to the old DX coupe. Now of course spring rate/shock absorbers aside, does the hatch have more rigidity than it's coupe counterpart?

Obviously, the body has different construction.

Is the hatch a more rigid car, better for the tight curves/turns on backroads and autoX laps?

It seems the hatch was the choice performance machine in Japan, is it because of the handling?

Thanks, again please link me if the issue has been discussed before.


edit: i also realize there are a ton of other factors that affect handling, don't need that lecture, I just hear models like the type-r have stronger and more rigid frame than the other models, just want to know if the same holds true for non-Si or typeR models. Basicaly wondering why my Si hatch felt more stable than the econo DX (both had new/OEM shock/springs.)

 

shorter wheelbase

 

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

this is true, helps a lot in cornering

 

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

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

this is true, helps a lot in cornering</TD></TR></TABLE>

92-95 civic coupe/sedan 103" wheelbase
92-95 civic hatch 101" wheelbase
96-00 civic coupe/sedan/hatch 103" wheelbase

 

i know that ek has a more rigied chasey then a eg

 

Hey thanks for the replies guys, didn't realize the hatch was shorter wheelbase.

Again, I was a pretty ill-informed driver when it came to technique or theory of driving when I had the coupe, but the hatch was incredibly tight and just felt better to me.

Thanks again, and keep any info coming, it's more knowledge that I gain

 

actually i heard that coupe's bodys are more rigid due to the extra frame where the rear seats rest.

although im not sure if this is true or not. i do hear this often frok the corolla people.

another factor that can contribute, is the diffrence in weight.

 

Hmm, never considered that, but a good point.

 

I don't know about the EG's but I'm surprised how well my 96 CX hatch handles especially after finding out they don't have ANY sway bars on them. Just eibach springs, AGX shocks and a set of HX wheels with falcon's on them nothing special. I can easily leave my buddies stock Del Sol on the turns.

 

Any opinions from coupe owners who may run autoX regularly or have some track time?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brusk13 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't know about the EG's but I'm surprised how well my 96 CX hatch handles especially after finding out they don't have ANY sway bars on them. Just eibach springs, AGX shocks and a set of HX wheels with falcon's on them nothing special. I can easily leave my buddies stock Del Sol on the turns.</TD></TR></TABLE>

wait till you do get a sway bar. you aint seen nothing yet.