Maybe this doesn't belong here, but I think the 92 and above Civic guys (and girls) will understand better.

I'm thinking about selling my Civic and moving on.

I'm not sure how I can do this. My car has been part of me for over ten years. Sometimes, I don't know where the car ends and I begin. There are literally spots of blood, sweat, and tears on parts of the chassis. I have taken a basic econobox to a backroads screamer, and I still love the car.

Motives?

Well. Lots of things.

The biggest one is the market right now. Hooked up hatches are hot in the market. I could probably sell my car for more than I paid for it in 1992. Could I for sure? Maybe. Who knows? But, could I test the waters? Possibly.

Other motives: theft. I watch car after car being stolen on this site. Mine is just as hooked up (and maybe more) than many of the stolen vehicles. Could I take it to Northern Virginia for an overnight stay with friends with peace of mind? Doubtful.

And more: "little stuff" The weatherstripping isn't sealing well any more. The polyurethane bushings squeak a lot. It needs a paint job. To do it right, I need to strip it to the shell and have the shell painted properly. Ick. Also, I think the first gear synchro is slightly worn. I want (need) a limited slip differential, and no sense in doing that without rebuilding the transmission, and since I'd be in there, I'd want to put that LS fifth gear for better cruising RPM.

Other things: I'm pretty tired of being associated with "The Fast and Furious" crowd. I liked the movie, but damn. I went to the Nissan dealer to look at a new Z (just to see it), and the salesman asked me if I'd seen the Sentra SE-R Spec V. Ugh. Nissan should be ashamed of itself. I dyno to the wheels close to what that car does to the flywheel. Add to that it has a "dead" rear axle with no independant suspension. It's targeted at "Johnny Tran" clearly. One look at my car, and the salesman thought I couldn't afford the Z and needed to be looking at the SE-R Spec-V. Just because I drive a "fairly" clean Civic hatchback with a few appearance items doesn't mean I'm a immature streetracing punk.

What else? The enthusiast market. There are PLENTY of interesting cars out there right now. In 1998, very little was interesting that could compare to my Civic. Now, there's a ton of good "pocket rocket" material out there, and it only promises to get better. Do I like any of the new cars better than my Civic? No, not really. Very few of them put the power down that I do, and none of them weigh in the lower 2,000 pound arena (mine even weighs less than 2500 with my fat *** in it). So, none of them are going to overpower me, but some of them have some of the same "pizzazz" that the Civic hatch had in 1992. At first, it's not appealing, but the longer you look at them, the more attractive they got. A very clean car.

Honda has almost abandoned these thoughts. The new Si is sad. Last in the quarter mile among 8 new cars tested by "Sport Compact Car". The Hyundai Tiburron was faster. Can the RSX save us? Well, look at the "factory performance kit" for the RSX. Johnny Tran is signing up as we speak. Ugh.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Can I sell - maybe. Should I sell? I'd be leaving a part of my soul behind, but I have to say I'm thinking about it. The squeak of a ten year old chassis shakes me to my bones.

Shawn

 

i know what you mean, it's getting to that point where you just want to move on, to something that will give you less of a headache, less attention, and plain just less to worry about. I've thought of selling mine too but i'm just not finished but all the theft and negative attention i get is swaying me that way.

 

IMO it really depends on what you are going to buy.

I feel the same way you do, but I do not daily drive my Civic. It`s garaged and I drive it around town on the weekends and to events, which is enough for me.

Would I have a Civic Hybrid as my daily driver? No. I`d be in something a little nicer. I`m a little older now and don`t feel as "cool" in a Civic. I drive the family around town in a lifted f150 and love it. Never been happier. When I want to drive something a little more fun the Civic is waiting for me.

Ryan


[Modified by vtecvoodoo, 3:06 PM 12/2/2002]

 

Understood. I only have a two car garage. I almost cannot imagine owning a car without daily driving it. I've put 123,000 miles on this chassis, all but the first 13 and here and there by a mechanic or so were put on by me. It's been around the country. I still love it. But, it does occassionally leave a little to be desired in the daily driver category. (hmmm. Lessee, comfort, noise dampening, a well fitting carpet, well, you get the idea).

Shawn

 

don't do it you'll regret it,i made the mistake once and it won't happen again,i'm in the same boat as vtecvoodoo i don't drive the car everyday but it's hard to not worry about the car being stolen if you want something to have peace of mind just find a beater and you'll still have the hatch,good luck with you decision

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I really am not thinking about a decision. But, just the fact that I'm entertaining the idea is somewhat worrisome.

Shawn

 

So what are you looking to replace it with?

 

I'll have to admit, the Mercedes Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe is very impressive. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up front wheel drive for the occassional snowstorm though.

The Mini Cooper S, on the other hand, is an awfully neat car. It's actually SMALLER than the hatch I'm in, but it has a ton of interior room. Purchased with the 15 inch wheels, it promises to be an acceptable ride. BMW quality at less than $20,000. Not bad. Also, its probably the only car below $20,000 that one can get factory Xenon HID's on. A "nifty" car. I'm afraid the novelty might wear off too quick though.

Shawn

 

Hey, you got to do what makes you happy. It's just sad how things have changed with the scene before it was all fun you really didn't have to worry about thefts and whatnot. It's just a shame because now I am actually able to get in the game and the sport has gone to ****! (I have been saving for about 2 years). It's just a shame to see people that know all the stuff they know leave! but if you do go I hope you keep up the car enthusiast tradition and not leave your car TOO stock!!!
To all the lost homies

 

I hear ya... at 29 yrs old and being a draftsman/engineer, sometimes it feels childish to roll up in my 92 hatch.

But I think of it as new school hotrods, people who know, understand what I have made and why I drive it. In fact I have educated a lot of guys at work and around town as to how practical yer what a strong performer the Hybrid Civic really is. Now they are impressed with me and the car and have some respect. Dont think twice about that salesman, they usually dont know ****. My laugh was when a guy laughed since I wanted to take an S2000 for a testdrive since I had a civic hatch.. so I took him for a drive in my Hatch when I was on AO32R.... um, he was much friendlier to me after that. Anyhow, I think it depends on what you are thinking about buying....

A cheaper new car will leave room for you to buy an old CRX as a stock class racecar.
Possible to move to another hybrid theory? 280sx/Sylvia hybrid, datsun 510 project, etc.
A nicer new car.. S2000, new Z, etc will leave you happy in performance but may not have any connection to you (blood/sweat/tears) like your hatch does.... tough choice kinda, but I am not goin' anywhere because the Hibrid theory is so damn inexpensive!

 

I agree. I don`t think the other Owners for be very much fun either.

 

Boy, isn't that the truth. I've got >170 hp to the wheels with less than $20,000 spent OVER THE LAST DECADE. That WILL be hard to leave. Thanks for the encouragement.

Shawn

 

I don't know.

SOME of the people in the Civic community aren't much fun.

Shawn

 

The grass always looks greener on the other side. Personally, I think you should sell your danker, buy another CiViC and start over. There's plenty of nice Gen 5's running around and used cars are going for a song right now, with all the zero percent financing and so forth. You don't have to prostitute yourself and get a 'new' Si, et cetera. That's the chicken **** way out...

 

I know, but the last used cars I bought were crap. This Civic was my first new car, and it's actually MY PERSONAL only new car. (all the others were for my wife).

Starting over just sounds too depressing.

Shawn

 

why dont you keep it and buy another car? i can see how insurance and parking can be a drag, but if not, why not?

 

Garage space. I have a two car garage. Even though my car isn't worth all that much, I keep it garaged. Keeps 'em young and fresh, just the way I like 'em.

(not a bad idea, though. I've thought that over myself)

Shawn



[Modified by shawnhayes, 6:54 PM 12/2/2002]

 

Get a beater and keep the Civic

 

I agree with you when you mentioned being associated with the fast and the furious. It gets annoying being associated with so many fuggin ricers. Also, the civic hatch doesnt have the "wow, cool car" factor that most new cars have.

But you know what? I dont car. Im not in this to be cool in other peoples eyes. And, neither should anyone else IMHO.

However, that doesnt mean im naive to what else is out there. The new mazdaspeed protege would probably be high on my to-drive list if i were in the market.

I also like the sr20det/240 sx idea. This would be a good/fun project.

Anyway, good luck.


Mike

 

No thoughts on the Mini Cooper S, or the Mercedes?

Can't drive a beater every day. Work is depressing enough.

I would have thought that would have spurred some interesting response. I would just like to hear your take.

Shawn

 

I don't really care if other people think I'm cool. I do have to admit it bothers me if they think I'm an ignorant streetracing punk. It makes me wonder what cues brought it on. Not that it matters, but it makes me wonder about my behavior sometimes. Anyway... Thanks for the support.

Shawn

 

I've been thinking the same thing and the EvoIII will be here soon. I can't wait to test drive to see if it's worth it.

 

ever thought about storageing the civic? i did that with my last car, 91 hatch for about 6 months only costed me about 350 bucks. cool thing is that when ever you feel the itch to drive your car you can go and get it. also you dont have to worry about it getting keyed stolen towed ect.. and you dont have to wory about garage space.

 

I was considering about selling my old 4door and getting a newer car, but then I wrecked it and it was more cost effective to buy another Civic and swap my parts over to that instead of buying the new car. But I was VERY close to getting rid of the Civic. Civics are nice, but they are getting out-dated, played out, stolen, etc...Something newer and nicer would make me happy, but for now, I guess I am still somewhat content with my Civic. However, with selling a car, I would probably cry to see it drive away from me. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you 110% agree with your decision, cause selling your pride and joy is a one time thing, once its gone its gone...


As far as the Mini Cooper S and the Mercedes C230 Kompressor...I wouldn't buy either. I am not a big fan of either car, too slow and too pricey for me. I hate to say it, but that new Dodge Neon SRT-4 looks like a winner for under $20,000. Yes, its a Dodge Neon...but what other car puts 223whp and 250wtq for under $20,000?

 

OMG thats exactly how I feel.