Hello and first post from me, I live in Warsaw, IN if anyone from around there.

Anyway, I am recently debating on whether or not to get a Honda. I currently own a RWD 5 speed sedan that is under powered, yet is still fun to drive. It is just expensive to own because it requires many repairs and I want to mod the car but those come at an expensive price. It seems like Honda would be the way to go since they are from what I hear, very inexpensive to own and to mod. FWD, but I hear that some Hondas have beaten Porsche and other extremely sporty cars in SCCA events (of course its about the skill of the driver).

Cliff notes: Not sure about going to FWD from RWD. Not sure when I boost it, will the engine hold up well (given a low mileage or rebuilt motor). Explain to me about why you wish you had something else (if you do, maybe not and everyone just wants Honda for life!)

 

honda is sick. theres a wide variety of parts and motors. yes they can go really fast but you have to have the $$ fwd probally not handle as well as the rwd but you wont get as much understeer. when you boost the motor you might need to do head work first so you dont mess up the motor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cream &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">honda is sick. theres a wide variety of parts and motors. yes they can go really fast but you have to have the $$ fwd probally not handle as well as the rwd but you wont get as much understeer. when you boost the motor you might need to do head work first so you dont mess up the motor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

it all depends on your goals for the car. start from the top. do you want a track/weekend car? or just a daily driver? do you want a stock motor? b series? 200 whp? do you have a budget? think about what you want/need and be more specific. there is plenty of info on this site to help get you started.

 

I am probably honda's #1 fan and endorser. I've always had (quick, modded) Hondas as daily drivers only. This is, ofcourse not counting the S2000 that i have now. I could only see myself in a FWD car as a daily driver. I wouldnt get rid of a RWD car for a FWD. I used to have an S13, and an EF....and an S13 and an S13+ EG...then an S13+ EK+300zx+Galant, then a S13+S2000+Galant. Now i have an S2000 + GSR. The EG and EK had B16s and 5 lug and tons of other crazy ****, but i still couldnt live without my RWD. However, if you're coming from an underpowered RWD sedan...iduno. Hondas are a TON of fun to drive. As long as you get the DOHC VTEC versions. Dont bother with anything else. Boost is kinda....meh. The blocks aren't real strong or anything..so even with proper management, there's structural issues. DONT GET ALL CRAZY, BOOST GUYS, its the truth. Im not saying that there havent been boost success stories....but I guess its just not for me. all that stuff is mostly just my opinon, though.

You'll either love or hate your honda (if you're planning on modding). There's no middle. You buy one, and you find out if you were meant to be a "honda guy". If God made you as a "non honda guy", you'll be miserable and unappreciative. Some people just dont get it..and just dont know how to get it. Other people front like they get it...but they dont get it.

They're not like a lot of other cars. I always say that they have the most HP per gas mileage...they usually handle well, and they're reliable. Plus they look and sound great, and there's endless possibilities, and they're really fun to drive. I'm talking about the DOHC vtec versions. I've driven sohc vtecs/nonvtecs, and dohc non vtecs...BOOOOOORRRINNNG.

thats my take on it anyway.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cream &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">honda is sick. theres a wide variety of parts and motors. yes they can go really fast but you have to have the $$ fwd probally not handle as well as the rwd but you wont get as much understeer. when you boost the motor you might need to do head work first so you dont mess up the motor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

wont get as much understeer? RWD cars usually OVER steer, though. So with a FWD honda you'd get MORE understeer.

 

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

wont get as much understeer? RWD cars usually OVER steer, though. So with a FWD honda you'd get MORE understeer. </TD></TR></TABLE>

true, but this all depends on how you drive it. i can get my hatch w/ stock suspension to oversteer pretty easily if i turn in hard and late and give it a good amount of gas. It will understeer though if you come into a corner too fast w/o any throttle.

 

The main reason I am looking into going to Honda is my budget. I make about $900 per month, and go to college. Luckily I live with my parents and have no bills to pay. My goal is to turbo the car in a 300-350 hp reliable range. Right now, I have like 12k dollars worth of cars that I own and am saving up again to possibly get a Civic. I figure that I can make a good reliable turbo build for around 6-7k (meaning purchase the car and then the turbo and all other little things).

 

I am looking at some EK Civics in my area (actually 100 mi radius) and I see some decent ones with like 80k miles for 6k. I was suspecting to pay around 3-4 for a Civic, EG the oldest. What price should I suspect an EK to be had at under 100k miles.

 

clean EK shell=1500
junkyard b18b=1500
piece together a turbo kit=1000
+500 for a tune=4500$
or skip the turbo and get a mechanic to put a vtec head on your b18b block spend the 1500$ you were gonna waste on a turbo and make that **** fast and reliable!
or if you wanna just start simple do a b18b block with b16 tranny..
this is why i keep my honda. endless possibilities.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OP &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why do some people leave their honda? </TD></TR></TABLE>

The same reasons anyone leaves their other cars.

1) Got bored of it.
2) Decided they had too many miles
3) want another project
4) money problems.
5) etc etc.

 

Just get one and find out for yourself.

 

you shouldnt give up one car to start another. if you have so many cars you may want to swap between a track car and a daily. right now i have a eg6 and a karman ghia, im putting a frankenstien in the honda so im having fun in the vw. even with the swap my vw is still faster its rwd and the body looks like junk so its my little suprise. you have enough cash so you dont have to sell your ride to get on the honda train, just get a better job so you can keep stepping it up.

 

Some people nailed it on the head. Others are on another planet.
Don't be afraid to boost a Honda motor. If you do it, do it right. If I were in your shoes, I would look for an EG, purely based on the tuning aspects of obd1. So simple, so easy, and you don't have to do a lot of moneky business with jumper harnesses and crap.
I'd look for an EX coupe. With ABS, you have the same size brakes as an integra, discs all around, wired for vtec (incase you swap later), power windows, sun roof, etc. A great platform to start with. Then, throw some aftermarktet rods and pistons in, head studs, and boost it.
You should do some reading up on http://www.homemadeturbo.com and http://www.turbod16.com to see some of the most simple setups making exactly what your goal is for HP. Some on stock internals.
After that, get some decent suspension and some wheels with good rubber so you can put the power down, and you'll love it.
Understeer, oversteer.... blah blah blah. The civic forum is mostly kids. Step into the road race forum and there are a lot of guys with suspension experience that can teach you a lot about suspension tuning. You can make a FWD car handle as neutrally, or as loose as you want. It's all in the spring rates, sway bars, and alignment.
As for fwd vs rwd in general, it's just learning when to throttle off and on. Every car has quirks about when it will rotate. Adjusting is not tough. But it might take a little time to learn just how far you can push a fwd before it will plow. And again, proper spring rates and sway bar in the back can eliminate that.
Don't let Hondas scare you. Most of the people that have owned and walked away from them are the people that bought high mileage cars, didn't want to deal with replacing 15 year old suspension bushings that were wearing out, didn't have the resources to do an engine swap or turbo and got sick of being slow, or they lived in an area where they a frequently stolen. I have a friend that stepped into a 97 325i because he was sick of having his 94 hatch getting eye balled, everywhere he parked. No one steals a 10 year old 325i.... M3, maybe... lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ek forever guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The same reasons anyone leaves their other cars.

1) Got bored of it.
2) Decided they had too many miles
3) want another project
4) money problems.
5) etc etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Don't forget that some get tired of the constant fear of theft or some get out and don't come back after their car is stolen.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOFX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Don't forget that some get tired of the constant fear of theft or some get out and don't come back after their car is stolen.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Another good point.

Not too used to cars getting stolen in the south outside of Atlanta.

 

my previous cares were a 67 mustang and a 66 pontiac tempest(think gto).after owning them(or was it the other way around?) for 25 years,modding,working on one thing or another on weekends,the usual street racing,etc.,i bought my daughters used 93 del sol.not the fastset car in the world but the air works,the handling and 4 wheel disc brakes are super,and i get 35 miles to the gallon.just got it painted,now im thinking new rims and lowering...looks like its back down the slippery slope for me.but no loud exhaust,my pontiac called cops for miles whenever i got on it...

 

i left hondas for about four years cause i get sick of kids "revving" at me at stoplights....it gets old ladies.

 

I dont agree with some of the people on here. Hondas are nice, however Bakeoff might know, 90% of the hondas in MN have altezza's, and APC stuff. And they're loud/nasty sounding.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by instrument &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i left hondas for about four years cause i get sick of kids "revving" at me at stoplights....it gets old ladies.

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This guy needs a gold medal, he hit the reason most people with very hot girlfriends get out of the honda game, they RUN from the honda game.

Personally I dont know why anybody would like to steal a 94 hatch. You could make more $$$ jacking an s2000, or g35. Why a honda? they're definately no ferrari.

They're reliable, but slow. most of the honda owners that tune/modify their cars in my area shop at pepboys, They race everybody in sight, however get whooped by minivans and energypowered cars.

you will NOT get laid, depending on what city you live in, most women will be 100% turned off when they see a honda, unless its a 06+ civic, NSX, s2000 or a clean accord. But most chicks are reminded that sucsessfull men who are worth giving the time of day to, dont drive rice burners, they usually drive lexus's, bmw's other things. I have a now stock 96 civic ex 4dr, and has 0 markings of any JDM crap. All stock except integra leather seats. I still get **** because its a honda.

Vtec is gay, b16's suck, really if your looking for power nissan can help you. Ive priced both routes, and buying a 240sx, and engine swap then turbo, will still cost less $$$ than swapping my d16y8, and turbo. And the 240sx will harm the civic, very badly.

Remember, some nissan engines come built for boost from the factory, most hondas do not. You will have vtec, but I think vtec is widely made fun of, outside the honda community.

However I love my honda, I wish I could restart, and NEVER mod it, and do things right. Dont have to trust me when I say this, but you will build up a strong hatered for fart cans after a while, the loud buzzing will get to you in your sleep, it will curse you. If you can deal with your car beeing a target for ricers to race, follow you, harrass you, and ask you about your mAHhhD Vtakch Jiggay0y0checkcheck1-2 1-2testingmic1-2heywewantsomepussyvtackecyayayayaJDMDJMPEPBOYSKIC KED,VTEECHJUSTEFFINGKICKEDIN,ITSSOFASTFERRARI, if you can handle this, you need a honda

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by instrument &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i left hondas for about four years cause i get sick of kids "revving" at me at stoplights....it gets old ladies.

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It's not so much the revving in general that annoys me... it's that there are a lot of younger kids who buy Hondas or have Hondas handed down to them. No, it's not the car that does it... but think about the mentality of a lot of young kids, new drivers. Not all of them are bad, but a lot of them are pretty cocky or too distracted with showing off to friends still.

So put them in a car, any car, but especially something shiny or that kid thinks is fast and you're going to have a kid who's going to be an ***. Both in traffic and out of traffic as far as regarding said car. So you'll have a **** talker and a street racer.

Again, I'm not saying that all first-time drivers are like this or that all young people are like this. I wasn't like this and I'm still pretty young. But I'm just saying this is part of the problem. Most Corvette owners and Ferrari owners aren't so bad. But put those 17 and 18 year old kids in those Corvettes and Ferraris and they'd be just as cocky, if not more, as they were in their Honda Civic.

So how it gets to me is that those are the peope you're gogint o remember. The people who cut you off, try to race you, tailgate you, throw stuff at your car. Younger people are more prone to do this, especially younger males (teens and twenty-somethings). Again though, not all of them will. But since that group of people are more likely to be aggressive and cocky about it and that group is also likely to buy affordable cars, yet cars they find atttractive and often sporty. So you end up with a lot of young guys in particular in affordable Hondas. And a certain percentage will be ********. Because of their high testosterone levels at this age, they're likely to be ******** (sorry guys).

So that's what bugs me... that when you tell someone, "I drive a Honda," they automatically think of the little lime green coupe that tried to race them, almost hit them and then cut them off last week.

Just because I have a shiny car does not mean I want to race anyone. Maybe I just have pride in my car and treat it as well as I can because I know if I treat it like **** then it will be worth ****.

 

Perhaps what turns people off with Hondas the most is worrying about their cars getting jacked... I love Honda's after being a basher my whole life until actually owning one. From talking with many peeps, everyone is just afraid of their car getting jacked and most people I know who sell their Honda for something else, love hondas and just got sick of dealing with the worries

 

2 reasons I would not get another Honda (which is highly unlikely that I won't get another one anyway) but to the point:

1) Sick of people trying to "ricer pass" you and rev at you all the time and be ********...which A LOT of the people who drive a Honda will do that to you and don't think otherwise.

2)Because it's like a drug addiction. You can't do just one little mod...and you can't leave it stock. Once you start it just sucks you in which in turn makes my life hell because I want everything I cannot afford.