Hello,
From my other thread https://honda-tech.com/zero...age=1

I wanted to know if everyone who has an EP3 is happy with it, compared to what other options I was looking at. As I have said, this will be a DD and I don't really plan to mod it. I really do just need to take one for a test drive ( perhaps tomorrow), it just does not seem like there is nearly as much info about the EP3 compared to many other civics.

I guess I'm trying to find a reason why there isn't any love for this car compared to other honda/acuras.

Thanks again!

 

I love my EP3... It isn't the fastest out there, but if your looking for a DD, i think you are looking at the right kind of car. Mine is great on gas (compared to a truck a drove before this). Good luck on your decision!!!

 

I own(ed) one. I loved the car. The interior was the best I have had to date with a honda. I had a 99 civic ex before the si and I know the interior of the ex and the 00 si is basically the same and I can tell you that the entire feel of the 02+si is much better.

I might have been lucky, but mine did not break and did not have any of the common problems that some have. The b-series motors are old news. The best thing about the si was that you did NOT have to rev to 8k to actually go someplace. I had no problem cruising around 3k shifts with the AC on. The hatch is one of the things I miss the most. For a daily car that thing was extremely useful. I could put so much **** in that car to haul around compared to my rsx. Theft is not a problem with the 02+ si. Driving around town I would get 28mpg and that was with mixed throttle driving and the car had the bolt ons. I LOVED the shifter. That is another thing I miss. It was just something that was so different and felt good. The seats were really nice too. Held you in well, but sucked for long trips. Oh yeah the back seat was pretty useful. The headroom in the rear was great unlike the coupe/gsr.

The bad. Highway cruising was in the 4k rpm range all the time. If you are going to have the stock exhaust then I would not even worry about it. That is all I can think of

I loved the car and I would have kept it if I did not want something diff.

Here is what I would get in order 02 si>gsr>00si

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .Kevin. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The best thing about the si was that you did NOT have to rev to 8k to actually go someplace.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is the best part about the EP3 compared to the other choices u have. I had a b16 Del Sol and my brother had an EM1 and the best difference was not having to rev it up to get it going in daily driving situations.

 

I love my car its a fun DD and I use it also for track days, solo II and Canyon Runs. I have alot of fun. If you want info sign up at ephatch.com they have all the info you need that sits is all about the EP3

 

other than the plagued steering rack i love it. but not everyone has problems with it

 

I love this damn car to much to care what others have to say about it. Sure it's a little underpowered, "WHATEVER!" You'll love this car once you own one!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 20CiviC02Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I love this damn car to much to care what others have to say about it. Sure it's a little underpowered, "WHATEVER!" You'll love this car once you own one!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with out a second thought. I mean it is a little underpowered, but so I heard this motor is one of the most responsive motors to simple add-ons. I hope you fall in love with it too.

 

Thanks for all the great input so far. I can't wait until my test drive tomorrow. When you guys are saying underpowered, what is that compared to? I mean stock for stock is the EP3 "faster" then a 00 SI. I know it has the ivtec, so does that just mean I wouldn't feel the typical "boost" at 5k RPM or whatever it kicks in?

Thanks again.

 

It has more useable power in lower RPMs.. The I-vtec is a fuel conserving unit. Basically it operates on half the valves under 2200 rpm's (this is why you will get good mpg in the city and about the same on highway)

You will not feel a boost at all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by weil186 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I mean stock for stock is the EP3 "faster" then a 00 SI. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Driver's race. EP3 looks better, nicer interior, great seats, rally shifter, looks completely different from LX, DX, EX (unlike the 99-00 Si), it's a hatch, k-series, handles better, it's rare, etc. Get the EP

 

EP interor

 

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

X2

 

I used to own an EP3 Si as a daily driver.

I still miss it sometimes. It's a fine little car that never got its due from US consumers.

Do not bother with coilovers, though. Just a word of warning to do your research very thoroughly before you put a suspension on it.

 

I love my EP3 and I want to keep it forever!

 

Other than the seats, I *hated* the interior of the EP3. I disliked the shifter, I didn't like the long and large dashboard, didn't like radio placement, etc. Went to an RSX and IMO the ergonomics are better in the RSX.

Unless you're all about the 'Si' badge and the Type R style seats, I'd test drive a base RSX and an EP3 and see which one you like the best.

 

I've owned my EP for about 3 years now. I was working in sales at a Honda dealer and knew the car well...sure it looked like a little minivan, and the tires were too small, and the engine was too weak...and the thing cost way too much! But damn if it wasn't a GREAT platform for modding...

Great chassis, great potential out of the K series engine, great shifter...oh, and were they dealing on it! I remember my wife getting involved in the sales process, while I sold cars. The sales manager at the time was trying like heck to work me a great deal. This particular VIVID Blue Si was on the lot for over a year! It had about 80 miles on it and was the ONLY color my wife would consider, out of the crappy color list they came in.

We agreed on a trade number (02 Civic LX sedan 5 speed) and I drove her home that night. $169 a month for 60 months, with no cash down oh, and I got the 2.9% at the time!

I remember it well...driving home that night looking at the red glowing gauges...the street lights shining off the HFP "carbon Fiber" dash trim...the optional fog lights (the only access. I paid for, at cost) lighting my way home...ahhh...this was nice!

Well, after about a month, I slapped some light weight 5 spoke alloys on it, 17's to be exact, lowered it with some Eibach Springs (to be replaced later with HFP suspension) and fell in love with the car!!

Now I've got a blower, exhaust, super high end audio and some other little mods. I ALMOST thought about trading it for a FIT first, the a 4 door Si as it's a LITTLE impractical now that we sold the Odyssey and 06 Civic EX for a 07 CRV...but I decided against it. PHEW!

Now? On to more mods...nothing radical, just enough to make it mine! I am after all going on 42...or is that 12?

 

I &lt;3 my ep3. you rarely see them around and not just that, they aren't that under powered. Just because they do not have "vtec" don't shine away from it. I bough tmy car without even wanting to buy a car that day. Drove my e46 to the deaer to look at cars, saw the ep3, showed my fiancee, she liked it and it was in our drive way. TRUST me, test drive &gt; opinions.

The seat, I live them too, very comfy, not totally bucket seats but nice grip on your body. The stock exhaust has a nice low deep tone, and not loud, but you will notice it. Anyway GL and hope you get an EP3. Just make sure you get a good deal on it, and don't let the dealer haggle you! Youa re the buyer so you do the haggling.

 

I drove 600 miles yesterday and seen zero EP's yesterday. Probably 7-10 RSX's (only 2 Type S). Through Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Chicago. &lt;3