Newbie-Help choosing a Civic!!
10-Mar-2005, 03:25 PM
#21
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 26
True....I am getting confused
Ok here is the story;
This will be a second car "my car". I would like to have a hatch beacause I am under the impression that I can carry more "stuff" if I have to.
Yes, I would like a DOHC motor (V-Tec ??) but am not sure what models/years they come in.
Yes, I would like power options and A/C but am not sure what models/years THAT comes in.
Some here say to get the "SI" model (Thats the one with the trunk/coupe, I think?) , beacause it will have most or all that I want.
Some here say to get the cleanest bare bones model and then mod it.
I say; I want a good deal, I have a limited budget. If I can purchase the car with at least some of the things I want (ie: A/C, keyless entry/power locks, DOHC etc) then I am already ahead. I found through experience that if all (mods) are left "till later", not all mods get done.
To get a "good" price, I may have to go back to the 96 year, I dont know.
I appreciate your continued input. Thanks again.
Ok here is the story;
This will be a second car "my car". I would like to have a hatch beacause I am under the impression that I can carry more "stuff" if I have to.
Yes, I would like a DOHC motor (V-Tec ??) but am not sure what models/years they come in.
Yes, I would like power options and A/C but am not sure what models/years THAT comes in.
Some here say to get the "SI" model (Thats the one with the trunk/coupe, I think?) , beacause it will have most or all that I want.
Some here say to get the cleanest bare bones model and then mod it.
I say; I want a good deal, I have a limited budget. If I can purchase the car with at least some of the things I want (ie: A/C, keyless entry/power locks, DOHC etc) then I am already ahead. I found through experience that if all (mods) are left "till later", not all mods get done.
To get a "good" price, I may have to go back to the 96 year, I dont know.
I appreciate your continued input. Thanks again.
10-Mar-2005, 03:39 PM
#24
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Southern California
Posts: 6,405
if you get a hatch, you will get a SOHC.... single cam motor.. not much power or torque.
if you get an SiR you get a DOHC dual cam..... (WAY!!! overpriced for what it is... 6-7 grand more than an Si and all thats different is rear discs and 40 hp)
the Si i was referring to is either a coupe or sedan.. power everything and also a sun/moon roof
the hatches are the more economy of the civic line.... less HP and less powr options
if you get an SiR you get a DOHC dual cam..... (WAY!!! overpriced for what it is... 6-7 grand more than an Si and all thats different is rear discs and 40 hp)
the Si i was referring to is either a coupe or sedan.. power everything and also a sun/moon roof
the hatches are the more economy of the civic line.... less HP and less powr options
10-Mar-2005, 03:57 PM
#25
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,745
U seem confused and i dont blame you. Your best bet would be to get a 96-98 civic hatch if u are on a budget. Later on down the road u can start thinking of installing the b16 if ure loking for added power. And im pretty sure that not many of the 96-98 hatch came with power doorlocks and windows. Some of the DX model came with AC too
10-Mar-2005, 04:09 PM
#27
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 26
Originally posted by kIeRaN
U seem confused and i dont blame you. Your best bet would be to get a 96-98 civic hatch if u are on a budget. Later on down the road u can start thinking of installing the b16 if ure loking for added power. And im pretty sure that not many of the 96-98 hatch came with power doorlocks and windows. Some of the DX model came with AC too
U seem confused and i dont blame you. Your best bet would be to get a 96-98 civic hatch if u are on a budget. Later on down the road u can start thinking of installing the b16 if ure loking for added power. And im pretty sure that not many of the 96-98 hatch came with power doorlocks and windows. Some of the DX model came with AC too
About adding power windows, locks and a B16 motor........you guys make it sound like it is as easy as changing oil!!
IF it ever comes down to that.....WHERE do you go to do the engine swap?, how long is the car out of commission? Is it not prohibitively expensive to do?? Where do you find the motor??
I can just picture myself at some Honda shop counter, the guy saying the following as he is crushing out his cigarette in some butt-filled ashtray:
"ya, we can do it. It'll cost $$$$$$ and you'll have to wait 6-8 weeks till it comes from Nanuvik....and the bad news is, we are too busy to do it this year......and we can't gar-N-tee it".
10-Mar-2005, 04:14 PM
#28
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,745
haha civics are fairly simple cars. If u are serious about an engine swap after u get the car, u can find a b16a2 in the classifieds section for about 2500 dollars, It really depends where u want to take your car to get the engine swap, there are many places out there that can do it for u but expect to pay around 700 or 800 dollars. Im sure u can get someone on the boards here to install it for you at a better price.
10-Mar-2005, 04:33 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario
Posts: 18,367
Then state your budget. If your budget is 5000 dollars, you will end up with one car. If your budget is 10000 dollars, you will end up with another.
If you want to purchase a 6th generation Civic hatchback that has A/C, PW, PL and a DOHC (B16 or B18) engine in it, you are just giving yourself more headache than you need. I am not saying it is not possible to find one, but it is already hard enough to find a 6th gen hatchback on the market, in a decent condition. Let alone all the extras you are looking for.
You need to start from the basic, the mother of all car buying - Honda Dealership. Go to one, and look for an used 6th gen hatch. Sit in one, test drive it, ask for what options it came with, learn about the car and the whole 9 yard. Internet folks will throw numbers and codes at you and what you want out of a hatchback is a wish list that just don't exist from factory.
If you want to purchase a 6th generation Civic hatchback that has A/C, PW, PL and a DOHC (B16 or B18) engine in it, you are just giving yourself more headache than you need. I am not saying it is not possible to find one, but it is already hard enough to find a 6th gen hatchback on the market, in a decent condition. Let alone all the extras you are looking for.
You need to start from the basic, the mother of all car buying - Honda Dealership. Go to one, and look for an used 6th gen hatch. Sit in one, test drive it, ask for what options it came with, learn about the car and the whole 9 yard. Internet folks will throw numbers and codes at you and what you want out of a hatchback is a wish list that just don't exist from factory.
10-Mar-2005, 04:38 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario
Posts: 18,367
You can get any car you want, and it all depends on how deep your pocket goes. Tell us how much you have (or how much loan you can get from the bank) and we will tell you whether it is possible or it is harder than getting a date with Brad Pitt.
10-Mar-2005, 04:55 PM
#32
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 26
If I were to look TODAY, there is a 96 DX hatch on sale here in the city for $6000.
It is bare. I could live with it and slowly modify it. But to answer your last question "how much do you want to spend?" My reply would be no more then $7000 CAD.
Thanks again to all of you for your continued input.
It is bare. I could live with it and slowly modify it. But to answer your last question "how much do you want to spend?" My reply would be no more then $7000 CAD.
Thanks again to all of you for your continued input.
10-Mar-2005, 05:26 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ontario
Posts: 18,367
Something I heard, not sure if true or not, is that Civics are tend to be more expensive in the Alberta and Manitoba?
6000 private sale or via dealer?
If your budget is capped at 7000 for now, than I am sorry, you won't get your wish list, even if you do all the labour yourself. Because just so you know, the moment you swap out the engine, you need to upgrade brake system to SiR. Stock DX brakes just won't cut it. It is a safety concern.
I say grab that Civic for 6000 dollars, and drive it for a couple more years. Save yourself another 6000 dollars for all the luxuries, brake, minor suspension work and a DOHC you want.
6000 private sale or via dealer?
If your budget is capped at 7000 for now, than I am sorry, you won't get your wish list, even if you do all the labour yourself. Because just so you know, the moment you swap out the engine, you need to upgrade brake system to SiR. Stock DX brakes just won't cut it. It is a safety concern.
I say grab that Civic for 6000 dollars, and drive it for a couple more years. Save yourself another 6000 dollars for all the luxuries, brake, minor suspension work and a DOHC you want.
10-Mar-2005, 05:51 PM
#35
all hatchbacks come with SOHC only and NO VTEC
Coupe Si comes with VTEC engines
not sure about EX sedans
DX/LX/CX/SE models all come without VTEC - SOHC engines
options are so mixed up it really depends on what car you come across... some DXs are hella loaded, others don't even have a cassette player. My LX I bought brand new, with NO options... NO A/C, no power anything... not even a cassette player. basically the car had power steering, power brakes, rear defrost, and AM/FM. that was it
Coupe Si comes with VTEC engines
not sure about EX sedans
DX/LX/CX/SE models all come without VTEC - SOHC engines
options are so mixed up it really depends on what car you come across... some DXs are hella loaded, others don't even have a cassette player. My LX I bought brand new, with NO options... NO A/C, no power anything... not even a cassette player. basically the car had power steering, power brakes, rear defrost, and AM/FM. that was it
10-Mar-2005, 06:21 PM
#37
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: probably at work, im always at work.
Posts: 575
The 99 SE sedan definitely has a/c, and keyless with power locks. I had one.
ELECTRA- Email me if you want, i am in sales and can help you with pricing/engine codes/payment info/loan info./interest info etc.
jessica@gvw.ca
ELECTRA- Email me if you want, i am in sales and can help you with pricing/engine codes/payment info/loan info./interest info etc.
jessica@gvw.ca
10-Mar-2005, 07:15 PM
#40
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MaRS...seriously
Posts: 2,731
Originally posted by Turbo4U
Dont want to get off topic here, but any problems with the 1999-2000 Sir's?
Dont want to get off topic here, but any problems with the 1999-2000 Sir's?
