Hey guys im thinking about buying an EP3. Can you tell me the differences between the years, and if it would be fun to drive? Thanks

 

It's a lot of fun to drive. Don't listen to the people who complain that it's slow. If you're the type to mod a car, it can be pretty darned capable pretty easily.

Dash shifter is great, hatch utility is always good to have, and -- don't forget -- it was the sportiest and possibly best-equipped Civic at the time it was introduced. I'm having a blast with mine, and I intend to keep it for a long, long time.

Differences between 02-03 and 04-05? Lots of little things, but the important mechanical ones (apart from the different headlights & taillights) are the stock tire/wheel size and slightly larger rear swaybar in the 04-05s (17 vs. 15 mm).

An older thread -- I had to select the Archive button on the search page:
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1424537

Check out ephatch.com as well:
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/s...ences

As I'm reading, I'm reminded of a few more things...

04-05 (and maybe 03) has a two-step launch control built into the ECU, where you can't rev any higher than 5000 rpm while sitting still. My '02 doesn't have it.

'05 ECU has the VIN embedded within, which can cause a problem if you get your vehicle inspected, they plug into the ODBII, and you've modified or replaced the ECU as part of more motor work.