I'm in the market for a hatch. I can spend between $7-$9k. I found a handful of EP3's in the $8k range and am curious.

I've been looking at EG's and EK's for the last few months. I can easily get a clean swapped EG/K for that price range, but the resale value has got me concerned. Plus this is going to be a daiy driver. I have a fully built MR2 Turbo for the weekends.

Can anyone tell me how they like their EP3's? What would you change if you could? What kind of horsepower can I get out of the K20 in the EP with bolt-ons. What are the average q/m times?

I love the seats, I love the shifter position, I love the small steering wheel, and I absolutely have to have a hatch. The whole "Looks likes a shrunken minivan" thing gets to me a little, but if driving it makes it worth it, I think I'm in. I really like a tossable car, and I'm concerned the 2700lb curb weight might make it substantially less fun to drive than a 2100lb EG/EK.

But getting a <100k mile 02-03 car is a much wiser decision financially and reliably than getting a 10-15 year old hatch that's worthless to anyone but me and the HT crowd.

Please share your thoughts/regrets about your EP3, I'd love to hear them!

 

The EP is a much, much more modern car than an EG or EK, and it is also much, much <u>safer</u>.

It is a very modern car that was just a couple of years ahead of its time, and failed because of that. You'll notice that hatches are on the way back in with Mazda and VW. Honda was a model line ahead of itself.

I used to have an EP3 that I got rid of for my current '06 Accord 6-6 Coupe. I miss the EP3, if that helps you any.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honda was a model line ahead of itself.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I think Honda tends to do that anyway. For example, I think the Fit would've had a tougher time if it was brought to the US along with the introduction to the rest of the world.

 

I just picked up my EP3 a week ago and am loving it so far. Sure its slower then my last honda but i love how solid it feels. I think i am a little ahead of the game when it comes to opinions on it though because i actually really like the way it looks.

 

I have been a hatch junkie for some time so I bought mine new two years ago. I got an '05 before they were discontinued knowing I would drive it until the wheels fell off then swap it and do it again.

For a DD it is a hell of a car. Like mentioned above the seats and shifter are two great parts to this car. For someone like me who works out of their car a lot the hatch is great also. In fact I am picking up a new grill in the ep3 tomorrow.

In stock form the car is not slow, its just not blazing fast. If the car is bone stock its still not a bad driver, with some susupension tuning and better tires you can have something really fun to drive that is easy on the wallet. Of course you are only a swap or FI away from a true Hot Hatch. My ep3 is stock undet the hood, but the cars I have driven making over 200 whp are a blast!

Never mind the weight difference to the eg/ek if you swap in a k20a2, go with a good header, exhaust, intake, cams and Hondata you can be well over 200whp. If you go Jackson Super Duper Charger with all the trimmings I think they are up to ~240whp.

Although the car has become a little portly, its still a great drive and has very little flex in the chassis. I dont think you can go wrong if you can find a used one that hasnt been harassed too bad.

 

everyone bitches and complains that it isn't a type-r or doesnt have k20a2/z1/z3 whatever. i truly think that honda provided us with a blank canvas. the a3 is boost friendly, not so n/a friendly. most of us swap out the wheels and suspension anyway, so what does it matter if its crap when stock?

i have an 03 w/hfp suspension and i love it. i drive it 100 miles per day and its still fun!

the 04/05 HFP models are hot! i wish i would have picked up one of those instead. even a regular 04/05 with the skirts and the 5lug wheels. 02/03 have 4lug.

as stated before the steering wheel/shifter/seats are the highlights of the interior. as are the 4 cupholders and hidden cubby. the hatchback is a GREAT feature. you can cram a ridiculous amount of stuff back there.

first upgrades should be better tires if the oem michelins are still there and a 05 rsx type-s rear sway. suspension can come later.

 

Thanks for all the replies! You guys are great. So can anyone give me the specifics on what's different between the motors in an EP3 and an RSX? I keep hearing about how the K20 swap in an EG/K is the hot setup, but I've never seen a bolt-on EP3 in the 13's.

I could buy a 95 EG hatch with a Type-R swap for $8k and have a low 13 second car that still gets 25-30mpg. It wouldn't be as refined as an EP3, and I'm having a hard time deciding if I really need that for my daily.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by boostd92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for all the replies! You guys are great. So can anyone give me the specifics on what's different between the motors in an EP3 and an RSX? </TD></TR></TABLE>
The EP3 motors is basically the same motor as the base DC5 motor (non-Type S). 160 HP, both of them.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I could buy a 95 EG hatch with a Type-R swap for $8k and have a low 13 second car that still gets 25-30mpg.</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's up to you. IMHO, the EG's day as a safe road car is long gone. The EP is a few cuts above as far as refinement and safety.

 

I have a couple EP3's, so I'll chime in here.

If you care at all about other's perceptions, don't under estimate the "Looks like a shrunken minivan" business. Your Honda-owning days will be a lot less complicated if you are among the few that like "shrunken minivans." Everything else is cake.

As you'll read elsewhere, about 10% of those who frequent this board have experienced transmission synchomesh problems. Mostly 1st-to-2nd gear. (You'll see similar comments on the RSX and S2000 boards.) You'll have to decide for yourself whether these problem stem from mechanical insensitivity, owner abuse or a design flaw. For what it's worth, "non-enthusiast" pubs such as <U>Consumers Reports</U> give the EP3 top marks in <U>all</U> mechanical categories, including the transmission. In any case, you'll know as soon as you drive one whether the 1st-to-2nd shift is a problem in the car you're considering.

The other potential problem area is the suspension, specifically the front suspension. Again, you can read about this on the boards. Drop the car more than 1.5 inches, and you can expect the CV joints, steering linkage and OEM shocks will give up the ghost pretty quickly. Here again, you'll know as soon as you drive one whether it's a problem in the car you're considering. Of course, this "problem" can be prevented simply by avoiding extreme suspension drops. [Honda sells a set of OEM springs with a 1" drop for about $600 that's pain free, and Mugen (King MotorSports) has a complete suspension package (springs & struts) for about $1000. The latter is a great setup for the EP3. You can read about it here as well.]

You mentioned a handful of EP3s are available in your area for around $8k. That seems pretty low, frankly -- even for an '02 in Chicago. I'd be surprised if you can get one for that price that hadn't been rode hard and put up wet. Stated differently, if you can find one that hasn't been hit or thoroughly salted-soaked, and has a decent service-history for $8k, the gods are truly smiling on you. [As a point of comparison, here in northern VA (near DC), there aren't any EP3's advertised for sale, period. The dealers don't have them either. Before gas hit $3.00 a gallon, occasionally you'd see ads for '02s for $11k-12k for cars with 50k-60k miles showing. ] You mentioned you had a built-up MR-2, so presumably you know what to beware of in a used car such as the EP3 that people often abuse and then throw away.

 

Love mine also a huge fan of the small steering wheel. Slam it to the ground and throw on usual bolt-ons get a clutch and u wont be disapointed. And it you buy a short throw dont get the buddy club one cuz i got and i wasnt impressed. You

 

the 1st to 2nd shift problem usually happens to me during mid to full acceleration. doesn't happen just driving around town.

driver error? perhaps, however i have tried a couple of times and made sure the clutch pedal is to the floor and it still does it.

i'd only drop it 1.5" max. but thats just me personally. i wanted to avoid the steering rack problems and the bump steer issue that everyone talks about. i have the HFP suspension and there is no need for a camber kit. they can get the alignment specs without the kit. its only a 1" drop, and it rides so nicely that my girlfriend never noticed the change. the HFP really shines when you're up in the mountain twisites and around town it feels just a hair firmer than stock.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by powdbyrice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">everyone bitches and complains that it isn't a type-r or doesnt have k20a2/z1/z3 whatever. i truly think that honda provided us with a blank canvas.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've felt that way, too --

If it came with a kickass stereo, the car audio guys might feel bad about throwing it out. If it came with rockin' wheels & tires, we would feel guilty trying to justify a new set (or we'd be looking to buy a winter set separately). If it came with a K20A or A2, we would have to crack it open and build the motor itself to see appreciable gains, which can be more expensive than a swap or light boost. If the suspension was more race-oriented, buying an aftermarket kit wouldn't make as much difference, and we'd have to spend two or three times as much to get something noticeably better.

Honda might have sold more, or at least made it more desirable, by giving us the Type-R instead. But as it is, it's a really good car, and you'll probably never find two that are modified exactly the same way.

 

personally i like the ep3 hatchs but u gotta slam it. if the ep3 had come in auto it proly would have been my 1st car.

 

Spent a bunch of time on ephatch.com. What a great site!

The car looks like it would be a great daily driver. And there are turbo kits out there that look reasonable if it's too wimpy.

But I think I just can't get over the looks. I wish I never heard someone say it looks like a shrunken minivan. Now that's all I can see... even with a drop and some rims, it looks like a Ford Winstar.

I'm gonna go test drive one. Hopefully the driving experience will overpower my gag reflex. If I could take the interior of an EP with all it's creature comforts and build quality, and mate that with an EG body, I'd be in heaven.

 

Well if you were smart, you would just go with the k20 eg. The a3 motor in the ep is weak

 

I can't imagine buying a car that provokes a "gag reflex." Almost certainly you'll spend most of your waking hours wondering if those who see <U>you</U> in the car are having the same reaction.

Based on what you've written, an EP3 is not the car for you.

 

i've had my ep3 for 3 years this month. i have almost 80k miles and it has been a great daily driver and a great value. highly modified daily drivers are a bad idea. i have had no problems with my car and between the wife and i we love it. it is one of the most comfortable long-haul cars i've owned (long trips).

how much power do you really need for a daily driver? 160hp is plenty, unless you have ***** envy.

i have never regretted purchasing this car. i have a nice turbo miata for weekend stuff.

 

Just throw the stock HFP rear wing on the car. It really changes the look of the car and gives it a very mean profile.

 

unless you have ***** envy = bigger HFP wing?

hahahahaha.

i want to replace my wing.

 

It's made from bits and pieces of real CTR so you know it's gotta be good.

 

i'd say just go out and drive one and see if u like it or not..with a drop some wheels and some bolt ons youll have a very nice and fun daily driver imo..with bolt ons and kpro i reached 170whp...imo when its stock its pretty damn ugly...but thta changes after the modding starts..just like most honda hatches

 

The EP is one of those cars that you either: 1) Love it; 2) Hate it; 3) Develop a love hate relationship for.

I personally fall into the 3rd category. The EP is a great car; but IMO is sorely lacking in many areas that may not matter to most people. Although not enough to push me to get rid of it for those reasons alone...

The K20A3 for starters isn't that great of a motor if you are just looking to stay with bolt-ons, while you can make a good amount of power in the end you'd probably find that it would have been better to swap or boost. This'll also depend on what you are looking for and what you're content with.

In terms of handling, the EP is fun to drive with the right suspension work. The largest problem I have is the sunroof which sort of makes the car feel top heavy in some cases. But if you go with a modest 1-1.5" drop and a 22mm JDM sway you'll have a lot of fun.

And of course the EP has the minor things that really bug me: 1) 4-lug 02-03 models; 2) orange/red bumper lenses and the USDM bumpers; 3) lately the tail light pattern has been bugging me, if you've seen the UKDM/JDM EP you'd know why; 4) the chrome on my ebrake handle has been chipping off; 5) I've had my clutch master cylinder replaced (per recall), but I still occasionally get a clicking noise when the pedal is depressed, this is usually remedied by some lithium grease.

Overall though, the car itself is great and I’ve had 0 mechanical problems since owning it. It has a great interior and with the right mods can look nice. It'll get you from point A to B and won't kill you at the pump. I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

The shifter position is REALLY nice. Even though the car might not have alot of hp the engine is smooth and refined. Runs on 87 octane and gets good mileage.

Drove both the DC5 Type-S and the EP3 on the same day and the Si was more fun on the test drive. If it was my money, I would purchase the EP3.