I have a 96 Civic coupe. My front end is in perfect condition paint is pretty flawless and theres no dings. My friend has a 00 Civic coupe that is also silver but it needs to be painted, the clearcoat is gone or something and the silver is very dull and flat looking. I really like the newer style, I was going to buy new lights, type r style grill, and a mugen style lip but those parts font fit if I get a new front end. He said we could straight up trade everything on the front end. Would it even be worth it having to re paint it all? I just dont know what to do because my front end is in extremely good condition but I like the newer style. Would I be smarter trying to buy a silver front end that doesnt need to be painted?

 

if you like it go ahead.
imo the 99-00 front end looks better

 

people usually spend a bunch of money converting to the 2000 front and your trading for it! and yeah if u like the 2000 better do it!
i still have my 98 -___-

 

I was in your situation before...i just sold off the 96 model and bought the newer car = done! Here's a shot of my 2000 coupe

 

do it. im rockin' the 99-00 front end. looks way clean IMO

 

i wonder how much it will be to get it professionally painted. my dad says there no way they are going to match the paint thats already on the car he said silver is hard to do. I dont want a 2 tone car lol. Deffinately not selling my car for a newer one. Its not that easy to find a clean un molested Civic without paying a good bit. I was fortunate to find my car the interior is absolutely perfect, no scratches, no stains... outside is in great condition i'm always getting compliments on the condition its in. Everyone that checks out my car is shocked that its a 96. Anyways that car looks clean but it could use a drop

 

everyone i know with a 96-98 ek either rocks a 00 front or wants one...
i personally prefer the look of the 00 front.
if you are planning on painting the entire car i'd say trade em.
if you only plan on re-painting the front end, i think that's a personal decision on whether or not to trade...

 

you can get a good deal if you find a side job painter.
i'll say between $400-$600.

 

IMO, it depends on personal taste (obviously). If you want the 99-00 front end badly enough, and wouldnt mind having it worn, until you get it painted then do it. But from reading your posts it seems you very highly value your current paint.

 

im all about the 96-98 fronts.

 

If you have money for paint go for it.
The whole 00 front clip itself cost $350+ and if it's a straight up trade, then thats good.

 

yeah thats the problem I dont want to paint my whole car just the new front end is whats bad if I trade. I just dont know if they can match the color because years of fading have taken place even though you can tell but i'm sure if you took a car with the same color with the factory color all fresh it probally wouldnt be the same.

 

up

 

i wanted to do it when i got my 98. i would hate myself now if i did it, i love my front the way it is now. i see way to many 99-00 fronts, the 96-98 front is more different imo

 

i like both front ends, but i wouldnt convert mine inless, it needed it.

 

i bought a 99-00 front for my 96 dx coupe silver as well. drove around for a while wit black oem primer parts cause i wanted to paint it but hen i had twins so it started to fade and now im back to factory till i got some $$$$. i dont regret it a bit buy it but dont put it on till you are ready for paint that way your car dont look like shat.

 

IDK i'm kind of in between. like said a couple posts up it seems there are more 99-00 front ends. my front end is in great shape. I love the bigger top grill and the way the lights are they seem less buldgy and the front end looks more sleek on the newer style though. I want to buy a Mugen style lip, type r style grill and lights but if i'm going to change the front end down the road then I wasted money that could have gone to something else.

 

I did it and love it

 

Im rocking 99-00 si front end as well.....



car for sale too.....b16a2 (once i get it back from impound)

 

damn i'm so stuck inbetween this right now. i need to make a quick decision so i dont lose the offer but I dont want to regret anything. I like the front end better I think it looks cleaner the way the lights are and with a lip but i'm afraid of the painting process and it not matching up.

 

:D

 

damn i just did like a 50 take at both of those and i cant decide. if the grill outside was painted on the whie it would look better haha

 

Only reason 99-00 is better is because of the fog lights, if there werent the holes for the fog lights it would look VERY similar to the 96-98.

 

im going to throw this out there.... stick to your front end. It kind of sounds odd that someone with a 2000 front end wants to go down to your year. Also, you need to do what it is that YOU want; not what WE want. I know your looking for suggestions, but you seem so torn. Your front end is spotless, his is withered. i dont think it'd be a bad idea if you get yourself the square fogs, get a lip, maybe a grille, maybe new headlights and enjoy what you have already! after all, your probably going to end up spending more money repainting then you would be to buy new stuff for your car now.

but like i said, do what makes YOU happy!

 

pics plz!