EP3 vs. Cooper S vs. SER Spec V Review and 03 Pricing Comment
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EP3 vs. Cooper S vs. SER Spec V Review and 03 Pricing Comment
Of all the cars in the under $20k segment, I think the EP3 is a clear winner.
As far as performance goes, it's probably a loser in stock form. Compared to the SE-R Spec V and Mini Cooper S, the steering on the EP3 is vague and doesn't communicate well. In the corners, the EP3 was sloppy; doesn't inspire confidence (way less grip, more roll) like the Cooper S or SE-R Spec V. Keep in mind the SI comes with awful 195/60/15 tires, while the Cooper S and Spec V both came with "performance" 17s.
I was pleasantly surprised with the EP3's acceleration. It didn't match the SE-R Spec V and Cooper S's torque, but I'd say the topend was comparable with the Cooper S. The topend on the Spec V would blow the SI away. Still a good foundation IMO. It had pretty good torque from around 3500rpm. The K20A3 LOVES to rev. Blip the throttle and it revs up very fast and the stock exhaust note is very satisfying. I tried some heel-toe downshifts approaching turns and wasn't used to a motor that revs up so fast! Much much better than the DB8GSR I had in the past.
Although it didn't perform as well as the others, I felt that the car/chassis felt very solid in an un honda hatchback-like fashion. Although the car had its share of body roll, it felt very different from any other Honda I've driven in the past; it's overall feel was very solid.
The build quality on the EP3 is VERY GOOD.
The SER Spec V is probably one of the most hideous cars being sold today, and the interior looked like it wouldn't last more than a couple years and all the parts inside looked like poop.
The Mini Cooper looks more like a toy (which I wouldn't mind), and its longevity is questionable. The test model I drove already had rattles and creaks going.
The EP3 looks awesome! I actually like its chunky style. The seats and steering wheel are great too. The build quality seemed much much better than the other cars in its class.
Build quality would be my #1 concern. You can make a car turn fast, or go straight fast, you can't really help a car that's going to fall apart and looks like poop.
This leads to what I think about the price.
The guys that got this car for only $16 on the 02 models are LUCKY. That is a cRAZY deal. The invoice for the SI is now $17.8. Although the SI is still a good value at $17.8, it made me think a little more. Maybe I willl wait for a year-end clearance???
With a price tag of $16k, you would have about $3k left compared to the other cars. With that, I would probably get a set of coilovers (probably just the Tein Basic comming soon), sway bars/strut tower bars, 15 inch Rota Circuit 8s on some sticky 205/50/15s, better brake rotors/pads, cold air intake/Hondata program. I think then the SI would be ready to put up a fight, and may win some battles.
EP3
SE-R Spec V
Cooper S ???
As far as performance goes, it's probably a loser in stock form. Compared to the SE-R Spec V and Mini Cooper S, the steering on the EP3 is vague and doesn't communicate well. In the corners, the EP3 was sloppy; doesn't inspire confidence (way less grip, more roll) like the Cooper S or SE-R Spec V. Keep in mind the SI comes with awful 195/60/15 tires, while the Cooper S and Spec V both came with "performance" 17s.
I was pleasantly surprised with the EP3's acceleration. It didn't match the SE-R Spec V and Cooper S's torque, but I'd say the topend was comparable with the Cooper S. The topend on the Spec V would blow the SI away. Still a good foundation IMO. It had pretty good torque from around 3500rpm. The K20A3 LOVES to rev. Blip the throttle and it revs up very fast and the stock exhaust note is very satisfying. I tried some heel-toe downshifts approaching turns and wasn't used to a motor that revs up so fast! Much much better than the DB8GSR I had in the past.
Although it didn't perform as well as the others, I felt that the car/chassis felt very solid in an un honda hatchback-like fashion. Although the car had its share of body roll, it felt very different from any other Honda I've driven in the past; it's overall feel was very solid.
The build quality on the EP3 is VERY GOOD.
The SER Spec V is probably one of the most hideous cars being sold today, and the interior looked like it wouldn't last more than a couple years and all the parts inside looked like poop.
The Mini Cooper looks more like a toy (which I wouldn't mind), and its longevity is questionable. The test model I drove already had rattles and creaks going.
The EP3 looks awesome! I actually like its chunky style. The seats and steering wheel are great too. The build quality seemed much much better than the other cars in its class.
Build quality would be my #1 concern. You can make a car turn fast, or go straight fast, you can't really help a car that's going to fall apart and looks like poop.
This leads to what I think about the price.
The guys that got this car for only $16 on the 02 models are LUCKY. That is a cRAZY deal. The invoice for the SI is now $17.8. Although the SI is still a good value at $17.8, it made me think a little more. Maybe I willl wait for a year-end clearance???
With a price tag of $16k, you would have about $3k left compared to the other cars. With that, I would probably get a set of coilovers (probably just the Tein Basic comming soon), sway bars/strut tower bars, 15 inch Rota Circuit 8s on some sticky 205/50/15s, better brake rotors/pads, cold air intake/Hondata program. I think then the SI would be ready to put up a fight, and may win some battles.
EP3
SE-R Spec V
Cooper S ???
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