I don't know whether to keep my 2007 lx coupe and mod it like crazy and eventually turbo it. Or get an s2k probably an '02 '03 AP1 with the 2.0L revving to 9000 rpm, but maybe an '04 AP2 with the 2.2L that goes to 8000 rpm. Buts that another decision after I make this one.

My lx is just not what I want it to be, but I like it for what it is and the looks. I got it before I knew anything about cars and was not truly a car enthusiast. (That all changed after I was introduced to Honda-Tech and went to an Eibach meet.) But I can spend a lot and make it what I want it to be, or get the s2000 which in its stock form is already better than I could probably every make my civic even with a turbo, brake upgrades, and suspension upgrades. And the s2000 looks great too, top up or down. What would you guys do in a situation like this? Another reason this is kind of a hard choice is cause the civic has some sentimental value to me. It was my first true car. I bought it brand new with money I had saved for a while, while the first car I had was a 1995 Geo Prizm that my dad owned and then gave to me.
Well... heres my car as it sits now...







Current mods are just Weds Sport SA-90 rims and Eibach Sportline springs. Plus some minor cosmetic mods like light bulbs inside and out, shift boot and ****, and pedals from the SI. Oh yea, and a cheap muffler, but it still sounds good.
Future mods (if I keep it): HFP lip kit, Fogs, JDM side markers, Si front sway with progress rear sway bar, Push button engine start from s2k , Intake, header, exhaust, new shocks (maybe coil overs), upgrade front brake components and convert rear drums to disc, HID projector retrofit, and eventually turbo.

 

how about u sell me those rims instead =]

those are 17s ya?

 

hahaha well we'll see what happens. If i do sell this car it probably won't be for a few months. But ya they're 17s

 

Depends how old you are. If you're still a teen, an S2k sounds like too much of a car / too expensive to be looking into. Used s2k for the loss, probably beat to hell and back.

If your car is a manual, it has potential. If you can swing 3k for the turbo, it'd be a fairly quick car.

 

If you're under 25, an S2k might be a bit much to ensure, but if you have the means then by all means go for it, I know I would. I wouldn't turbo the coupe. My experience with Hondas modded for power beyond just pipes and simple A/F is nothing but head aches, handling/braking mods on the other hand are totally worth it though IMHO. If you want performance, get the best performing car you can afford out of the box - don't plan on allocating $xxx to make it a better car unless you have a 2nd POS to drive around while yours is out of commission - because it will be often. And by serious power mods mean FI or internal engine mods. My $.02.

 

Let me apologize in advance if I come off like an ******* on this post....but......

OP you are the second person in a week that is now contemplating trading in their base model for another vehicle.....realizing that the base model isn't "everything they hoped it would be". Being either speed or handling. You should have known right off the bat that the base models aren't designed for speed or handling.

You guys need to start thinking about these things BEFORE you purchase the vehicle instead of taking an even bigger hit on having to trade it in so soon merely to upgrade.

If you've got the money and are willing to take the hit then go ahead and trade it in for whichever S2K you plan on getting.

The first guy ended up trading his in for an Si model.

You're gonna end up spending more money trying to get your LX to the level of the Si in terms of a combination of power, handling, braking, etc....much less an S2K.

My advice if you're really not happy with the car and can afford to trade it for your S2K....go on ahead.

 

man, keep the lx. After you get your S2k or another performance car for awhile you'll lose interests in moding it because it's such a money drain and gives nothing back but few moments to show it off. Keep the lx save your money, and when condition permit afford a performance car for weekend only and have fun that way.

 

Performance is very important to me. Get the s2k and then turbo.

 

get the si and turbo it you'll stay in the k20 fab.

 

A variety of answers... that's good. It'll give me different things to consider. But insurance is definitely a big one. I've thought about it but I haven't looked into it yet to see how much more its gonna cost me.
And Rico, hahaha, this is the kind of reply I was expecting to get from most people, and I knew at least one would come from you, no offense. But ya, it was definitely not the most wise purchase looking back on it now, but like I said, at the time I didn't know anything about modding, tuning, or what makes a performance car. I just wanted the nicest brand new car I could afford that looked good, which was the civic coupe. And I loved the civic, it was everything I had expected and more. I knew it wasn't gonna be the fastest or the best handling, but I didn't care, at least I wasn't driving that Geo Prizm anymore. I was happy, and I felt proud of myself that my first car I ever bought was brand new and it was nice for a 17 year old paying for everything himself. Its just that now that I know more about cars and I care more about performance, my tastes in cars have changed.
But thanks for all the replies and suggestions everybody.

 

S2K is too much AND too little car for you, at the same time.

Too much:

It is very very very powerful, when compared to a Civic, or a Geo. It's rear wheel drive, and really only a warm weather vehicle.

Too little:

It's a freaking two seater. I know, if I was 18, I'd love to have an S2K, but I wouldn't only want one other seat in my car. Don't you ever have to carry odd, oversized objects, like all teenagers do? E.I.-guitar, amp, skis, other people, etc. I know I still do...lol.

In summary, unless you have the money to afford two cars (which you don't lol), then do not get the S2K.

 

I'm 28 have almost bought s2k's about 20 times
and everytime i talk myself out of it...

its a great car.... but not a practical car in ANY sense of the word.

Majority of the cars at Eibach are either

1. 10yrs old with huge ties in the "JDM" markets
2. 10yrs old with massive amounts of stolen parts (or $ from it)
3. cars that ONLY come out for Eibach

All that glitters is not gold, when gas is at 4 dollars a gallon, and your putting super in your s2k, the guy that buys your lx will laugh all the way to the bank.

 

I'm not into modifying new cars much. You probably did as much as I would do on a new car already. If you really want in on this hobby, I would stop modifying your new civic and build a dedicated weekend/track car from the ground up. Last thing you want is to have your only vehicle out of commission for months at a time. Believe us when we say this.

 

^^^this is the reason I have an EF hatchback

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by a1staecksauce &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't know whether to keep my 2007 lx coupe and mod it like crazy and eventually turbo it. Or get an s2k probably an '02 '03 AP1 with the 2.0L revving to 9000 rpm, but maybe an '04 AP2 with the 2.2L that goes to 8000 rpm. Buts that another decision after I make this one.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

why the heavy emphasis on redline #? as mentioned, the niche use appeal of the s2k, coupled with the sky high redline with high tq peak can make for a pretty frustrating car unless it's used in the right arena...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IT GUY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^^^this is the reason I have an EF hatchback</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am looking for an EF (I think). Would a 1990 be an EF? Well, regardless, I wanna sell my Accords, and make a track car out of a 1990 Civic Hatch. I always liked the look of them, more than the bubbles, and a shell will be cheap. The hard part will be finding a solid one in NJ.

 

alright well thanks guys for the opinions and suggestions. I will be keeping the civic. I guess I was just being a typical southern california teenager trying to live large, but out of my means, and not considering all the factors The civic is a good car for me; a good blend of practicality, fuel efficiency, and sportiness (it is the 5spd). Thanks again

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2008fijibluesi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I am looking for an EF (I think). Would a 1990 be an EF? Well, regardless, I wanna sell my Accords, and make a track car out of a 1990 Civic Hatch. I always liked the look of them, more than the bubbles, and a shell will be cheap. The hard part will be finding a solid one in NJ.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, 88-91 hatchbacks are what most people call "EF". i had a '90 Si as my second car 10 year ago and it was so fun. you are correct, finding one that is not totally decimated by rust is a toughie up here. they can be found though...typically by those who garage keep them and don't drive in bad weather, IE old people. So hard to find now though....

 

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

yeah, 88-91 hatchbacks are what most people call "EF". i had a '90 Si as my second car 10 year ago and it was so fun. you are correct, finding one that is not totally decimated by rust is a toughie up here. they can be found though...typically by those who garage keep them and don't drive in bad weather, IE old people. So hard to find now though....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe I'll convince ol' Edna Crapsherbottoms to sell me hers. Lol.

My '94 Accord is getting pretty damn rusted, especially after I stopped driving her. But I do see a lot of old farts puttin' around in old Hondas.

 

i didn't read ur post all the way but get a s2000!!!!!!!!!!!

u'll dance like this every time u get outa ur car

 

THATS A NICE LOOKIN EX.........