VANDIT
February 6, 2010, 7:10am
61
fbrendan:
I log in tonight and find this thread on top. Good timing.
I’m an ‘03 NHB EP3er chiming in here. I purchased the car at 18 thinking, “Oh hey! I love SIs and I fucking love hatchbacks!” This turned into an initial $20,000-what-was-I-thinking!? From day one until now I never thought the car was a GREAT looker, but what’s cool (based on looks) wasn’t and isn’t important to me. Still, I think it’s a neat little hatch looks wise. The car is a blast to drive around town in. It’s a wonderful point A to B car, but it’s slow as balls. I did purchase it knowing it would be the perfect daily driver for my needs, however (back then) I also thought I could make it fast. Ha!
I bought the car with eight miles on it and anyone who knows me will confirm that I baby this car like you wouldn’t believe. Knowing that, I’m currently pushing 70,000mi and I’ve had more than my share of issues with this car. Keep in mind that I keep up with maintenance way more than Honda requires… I have replaced CV joints, brakes (three times), wheel bearings (twice), struts, VTC actuator, SRS sensors, clutch, slave cylinder, relays, shift linkage, numerous fuses, headlamps (three times), a power window motor, and the motor. Yep, I replaced the motor. It was right around 45,000mi that the motor grenaded at 2,000RPM while backing out of a parking space. They tell me it was a fluke, but whatever. If it wasn’t my DD I would have dropped an A2 or A1 (with a six speed) into it at the time of the incident. But I needed it right away and just threw another A3 out of an RSX with 30k on the clock. By the way, this all happened just after the warranty expired. Honda reliability what!?
All said and done, I fucking love this ugly piece of shit. The problems I’ve had with this fat pig are not likely. That’s just how my luck goes. It’s a great DD when it’s not being a selfish attention whore. But when she is behaving, she’s a wonderful car.
That is all. I hope this helps.
minus the “fluke” of your engine popping all the other stuff sounds like maintience that if you did yourself wouldnt cost you a fraction of what your spending at the stealership =)
seth13
February 6, 2010, 10:23am
62
thoughts on subaru 2.5 rs? looking at a 1999.
I’ve heard of head gasket issues, make sure the timing belt has been changed, my friend blew his center diff in his 01.
AndyB
February 6, 2010, 4:11pm
64
buy the ep3, put an exhaust, intake manifold, and intake on it, and call it a day, should be a blast to drive around and still reliable.
i think they are tight, when done up right. that k series has potential, you must unlock it. and there is no way a turbo ep3 went 14.7, needs a driver mod
seth13
February 6, 2010, 10:09pm
66
yeah. the subaru was sold and delivered before i even got to look at it. so the ep3 is next on the list. thanks for the input guys.
seth13
February 7, 2010, 12:08pm
67
probably taking a look at a clean delsol before the ep3 now so well see how that goes. i dont see how you all think its a super slow car. it is a k series. and has alot of potential as slowa$$ek said. with a little work it would be a quick little car. not really fast by any means, but it would be able to get out of its own way that for sure. and maybe down the road i throw a few grand into it and make it a fast car.
seth13:
probably taking a look at a clean delsol before the ep3 now so well see how that goes. i dont see how you all think its a super slow car. it is a k series. and has alot of potential as slowa$$ek said. with a little work it would be a quick little car. not really fast by any means, but it would be able to get out of its own way that for sure. and maybe down the road i throw a few grand into it and make it a fast car.
sure you could do that, but it’ll still be ugly :mamoru:
N_CTRL
February 7, 2010, 12:55pm
69
I’ve driven EP3’s when I used to valet and really loved the way they felt. The shifter was just right, the seats were comfy and the steering was nice. I didn’t open the car up at all so I can’t speak for it’s power, but it didn’t seem overly dead.
Saxon
February 7, 2010, 1:29pm
70
seth13:
i dont see how you all think its a super slow car. it is a k series. and has alot of potential as slowa$$ek said. with a little work it would be a quick little car. not really fast by any means, but it would be able to get out of its own way that for sure. and maybe down the road i throw a few grand into it and make it a fast car.
its a k series, but the weakest version you can get , fyi the prior generation si had the same hp and less weight (with a much better trans also)
the first mod i would do is get a k24 longblock (500-1000) and kpro-1000
this would give it a cheap boost in power and potential for alot more
after that i would either get a 6 speed w/lsd or i/h/e as they are big power makers since the k series are seriously de-tuned stock
Stock EP3’s are anemic. Buy yourself a K20A Type R motor and have some fun! I miss my EP3 sometimes…
seth13
February 11, 2010, 10:37am
72
haha sure. easier said then done.
i think these civic’s look awesome and certainly seem to be a great choice for a DD…
so there needs to be more pics asap!
over time its easily done
seth13
February 11, 2010, 2:20pm
75
that matte black one is sexyy
AndyB
February 11, 2010, 2:28pm
76
everyone says, just swap the motor, your not looking for a power beast, leave it stock besides some bolt ons and call it a day.
