i currently have a 96 gsr and was thinking about buying an ep3 si. i was wondering if anyone could tell me if i am in for a dissapointment in both power and handling with choosing an the Si. please dont tell me to get an rsx type-s because i dont have the money for it.

 

it is under powered. i believe it has 160 HP? (correct me if i'm wrong)

but getting a 2002-2004 RSX Type-S shouldn't be that expensive..and insurance should be expensive too if you just get liability.

i'm debating between EP3 and RSX Type-S..leaning more to getting a Type-S. but getting an ep3 is pretty good too.. its cheap to buy, cheap on insurance, and you don't need to buy Premium Gas. you can just buy regular gas for EP3's so you will be saving some money.

 

Steering rack is noisey
Electric power steering is expensive to fix
Aftermarket on K20a3 is rather limited in comparison to D/B/K20a2
Lots of creaks and squeaks from interior

Great on gas
Awesome low/mid-range torque, good for merging
I'm unopinionated as far as suspension. I like it, but I've never been one to notice anything bad nor good.


Just a small list of cons' and pros' I feel worth mentioning. I've only had the car about a week though.

 

i have an '02 Si and probably the best thing about the ep3 is the interior!

 

K20 is not as "fun" as the B18, but much more useful for daily driving due to the broader powerband. Love the hatch for hauling stuff (music equipment for me). Very solid chassis, handling is good stock...

The hatch, seats, and the shifter is why I love this car...

 

thanks for the input. ive looked into type-s' and they are too expensive for me right now, even the 2002's. im really more into the handling characteristics of cars and could care less about power, im also thinking about getting a protege5 or mp3.

 

if your considering those.. well dont'..stick with honda..

ep3 look awesome though. espically(sp?) sorry my spelling sucks) when its lowered.. and with the CTR WING AND HFP KIT...looks F ing SEXY

if your the person whos not into like racing or whatever...and your just looking for a vehicle which will save you some bucks then ep3 will..well cuz 1. You can buy regular gas, and i guess the insurance is cheaper too.


Modified by g0t vtec- at 8:44 PM 3/21/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chinaski &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im also thinking about getting a protege5 or mp3.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably the most underrated imports out there. IMO, the protege/MP3 and the ITR are the best handling FF cars out there...

I remember take a protege5 for a test drive a few years ago, and I was surprised to find a hint of oversteer during agressive cornering!

But poor resale value is one of the main reasons I didn't get one...

 

http://ephatch.com
I have an 03 SI with an RSX-S swap ... AWSOME!

 

I love my EP3.. I think its an awesome car all around. No doubt it is underpowered though.

EP3 + K20AR for the best of both worlds

 

DONT BUY AN EP3, its just a small minivan. I mean you can buy the motor for 2200, so why not keep the gsr or compile something with that motor in a better early model civic, get an eg I &lt;3 eg's EP3 was the worst honda creation evar!!!

 

^ How old are you?

Chinaski, take one for a test drive and you'll appreciate the newer and more solid chassis of the EP3.

 

I've driven an 03 si for about a year now and here's what i've concluded.

good low-mid torque, after that its gone.
It is noisy as 2002Ep3 put it, if you don't have any music playing you can hear it bad.
Shifter is cool.

But i'd rather had a 96 Gsr over the ep3 anyday!
... but a ep3 w/ a itr motor swap would be pretty nice.

 

I LOVE MY EP3 has good overall powerband fun to drive everyday have it lowered with good tires handles awesome i love it

lsvtec 91 si hatch coming very soon

 

I'll actually go along with what everyone's said so far, both the good and the bad.

Anyways, I love my EP. I get antsy when I'm away from it for even a couple days (like now -- haven't driven it since leaving town Friday!). It's plenty of fun stock, and has plenty of potential when you know what to do.

I'm just about done with mine. Maybe I'll mess with the motor & tranny, but I might just leave it alone, too.

I've often said that it's much easier to make an EP3 faster than it is to add a dash shifter & "true" hatchback to an RSX.

 

NOOOOOO....ur gsr is quicker hahahah

 

i love my EP to death and no a GSR is not faster than it (atleast in my expirence). My EP is great i think it is so fun to drive even with a k20a3 but now that i got a k20a2 WHOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW it is great!

 

I got an 03 supercharged RSX S for sale for 16g, it has 60k miles, I'm going to post the details in the "for sale" forum. Email me at TT061880@aol.com if you're interested.