ok so i recently moved to spokane and wanting to buy a car perferrably a civic because i know they get good milage and last hella long and are decently fast, i moved from bonney lake and my neighbor got his first honda and i was basically instantly addicted and so i need advice on like what models i should try for, how i can identify a certain model just by looking at it like i know an ex has sunroof and painted trim and door handles and a/c, and an hx has no sunroof non painted handles and no a/c. so anyone wanna help out?

 

Tell us what is your priority when it comes to your new honda. This bar us from recommending you X when you're really looking for Y.

 

^^ That's a good start. The "decently fast" civics you'd be looking for are probably a 92-95 ex or si (d16z6 vtec engine) a 96-2000 ex (d16y8 vtec engine) or the king of stock civics, a 99-2000 civic si (b16a2 vtec engine). All the ex and si models will be "fully loaded" i.e. auto locks, windows, sunroof, cruise, etc. 92-2000 LX models will be sedans, have power everything, but no sunroof I think. If you're looking for the models with the most *****, Look for an ex, look harder for a 99-2000 si.

I believe there is also a chart on ht somewhere with detailed listings of all the differences between the trim levels for 92-2000 civics....

 

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landis-- i already told you all that what soloman said lol

but the b16a2 is my dream, looking to build one up(: once i get a job to have steady money already have a grand i could buy a engine i found on craigslist but it has no tranny, dizzy mounts and stuff like that so would need money for that stuff

 

You should just ask your neighbor.
Or maybe just Google.
http://www.clubcivic.com/index-vba.php?pageid=specs

 

I used to have an lx civic with all power + a sunroof....

 

i have 2 Si's, a 93 and 94 with no power windows or locks. Had everything else though.

If your looking for fuel economy and reliability, get a 92 VX, if you want something thats decent as is, get an Si, if you plan on modding it, i would personally recommend the vx or cx, they have smaller fuel tanks, manual steering, and basically no options. All 92-95 civic hatchs btw. I like my car to be simple and clean. My S2000 has the luxuries that my civic lacks in

 

I'd start with the big one first. Do you want a coupe, hatch or sedan?

Answer that and we'll go from there.

As far as telling trims apart, check the VIN to be sure. The fourth, fifth and sixth digits are your chassis code.

Here are the chassis codes along with some indicators to help figure out which trim it is from there (there are other differences though). Most stock Civics have their badges though.

EJ6
- '96-'00 Civic CX hatch (no rear wiper, stubby black plastic spoiler)
- '96-'00 Civic DX hatch (rear wiper, longer pointier spoiler that's metal on top and color matched to the car)
- '96-'00 Civic DX coupe (no moonroof, manual door locks and windows)
- '96-'00 Civic DX sedan (no moonroof, manual door locks and windows)
- '96-'00 Civic LX sedan (no moonroof, ...)

EJ7
- '96-'00 Civic HX coupe (no moonroof, alloy wheels, lean burn VTEC-E D16Y5 engine)

EJ8
- '96-'00 Civic EX coupe (moonroof, power door locks and windows, color matched trim)
- '96-'00 Civic EX sedan (moonroof, power door locks and windows, color matched trim)

EM1
- '99-'00 Civic Si coupe (moonroof, color matched trim, only comes in red, black or blue paint, alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, DOHC engine)

EN1
- '98-'00 Civic GX sedan (no moonroof, basically an LX, compressed natural gas car, you probably won't find one as they're ridiculously rare)

6G Civic Trim Differences

 

Shoot higher. The B16A2 in the '99-'00 Civic Si falls flat.

If the OP or anyone else wants a DOHC engine, there are plenty of options to swap into any '92-'00 Civic. Most of which are more powerful than the B16A.

 

i drive a civic LX 97 EJ6 and love it has everything but the sunroof and i don't really need that cause i would get annoyed with it anyway if i want the top open i have a S-line A4 Cabrio you should get an EX sedan and be unique *Kinda* cause mostly everyone gets coupes and hatches

 

also Ex is the only model that has matched door moldings and mirrors.. has bigger brakes in the front same size as the Si...

The si comes with color matched side skirts and a spoiler.. thats all cosmetic

 

The EX has all color matched trim except the sideskirts.

The larger front brakes aren't something someone would easily identify.

The spoiler is not standard on the Si. It's an option and is the same as any other '99-'00 coupe.

 

You haven't said what your needs are. Do you need AC? Cruise? Power locks and such? Do you need a sedan or prefer the looks of a hatch or coupe?

The sedans are nice because they aren't as highly sought after, so it seems like they are easier to find unmolested. Plus the body is a little stiffer.

Honestly, unless you want to look for a long time, don't get too dead set on any one body style and trim level. If you're dead set on getting an electron blue pearl 99 Si that isn't molested, I'm sure your future grand children will be willing to help you look. What I'm saying is you should be open to different options and just focus on getting something that will work for you and be a decent price.

 

The coupes and sedans both have the same rear deck support, which helps the rear be stiffer. But a hatch can add bars as well.

The Si isn't as rare as people try to say they are. The other day I saw 2 drive by, opposite directions, within five minutes of each other. I see them fairly often.

But the Si is just good if you're okay with it nearly stock. Otherwise, get an EX coupe and swap it.

 

Hmm you wanna get good mpg's , get an EG hatchy, you wont be dispointed =]

 

CRX HF. 41/49mpg. Plus a two seater so I don't have to worry about hauling people around.

 

i am his neighbor, well used to be but he moved lol
but thats pretty much what ive been saying, but i only want an ej8 nothing else ahah so thats what hes been around helping me with thing that 1 person cant doo an what not

 

...and the Si has rear disc brakes.

 

I would also go with 96-00 ex or si, the B16 gives you good power and still easy on gas. and there are a wide verity of aftermarket parts for them that are cheaper then the OEM parts

 

There are a lot of differences (I have a thread discussing them - big chart showing them too), but most differences aren't obvious with a quick glance, which is what my post was about.

The rear disc brakes don't really add any performance value, just looks. I understood this when I did my rear disc swap, and unfortunately it's caused me the most problems out of everything I've done to the car (seized brake caliper and a chassis nut broke and fell off within the chassis).

 

Why don't you narrow it down by trim first, then by year.

EX and LX are the two most 'fully loaded' trims. EX I would recommend, because it is the most fully loaded trim. (If I am not mistaken)

Then go by year... Are you interested in the look of a 92-95 civic hatch, sedan, or coupe? How about the 96-00 coupe, sedan, hatch?

Easily narrowed down. Performance you can worry about after lol.

 

I love the '96-'0 look in coupe or hatch and id prefer EX bu I'm still not sure basically I need a car badly ad so anything will work now haha