newbie here...need advice

[rabbitman]

sorry if these have been answered before...i'm coming from owning VW's and my last 99 GTI VR6 had many issues also. i'm through with the new VW's unless they bring over another light/quick/affordable hatch back. i'm sticking with my 84 Rabbit GTI project, but i need a daily driver and the Si has just what i'm looking for!

i'm new to hondas and i'm thinking of picking up a 2003 leftover Si now that 04's are arriving. i can get a sweet deal on an 03 but i'm worried about complaints i've been reading (mostly from 02 owners) about rattling noises, suspension vibrations, radios dieing, oil consumption, and the gear grind of course. were most of these issues straightened out for the 03 models?

here's a pic of my rabbit:

[Spazhead]

rattling noises, suspension vibrations, radios dieing, oil consumption, and the gear grind of course

With any new car, there will be some that are not built perfect. as far as my 03 goes, i haven't had any of those problems list above. beside all the above will be covered under warranty.

BTW nice wabbit. i owned an 84 gti as well, sold it to buy my EP.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/wildpony/john/gti-800.jpg

[ATRIOT]

Mines Fine and its an 2002. With internet forums, you'll find that problems will be over represented. For every person that complains there might be 10 which are satisfied with their ride. BTW i used to have a 84 Gti too. I loved that car.

[JapanExpress]

My '03 hasn't had any of those problems either. Even the shifter is fine after having the Neuspeed short shifter in there for a while now.

edit: And oh yeah, I had an 88 GTI before. This is getting weird.

[andy]

Like ATRIOT said, you'll hear more about problems than "likes" on any
internet forum. Just the nature of the beast.

My Si is at 10K and I'm fairly rough with it. No complaints yet. I
do get a slight notchiness from first to second, but it just feels
like I'm putting it in gear, I really don't expert every shift to
be as smooth as butter (FWIW, I couldn't get into first in my WRX
without double or triple clutching 90% of the time).

[k20hatch]

Mines an 02 with 24,000 miles on it. Just a few popping noises from the suspension every now and then. Mostly just when i lower my coilovers all the way. But other than that its all good!

[Mugen_EP]

I have an 02 and have experienced no such problems. I know there are some members who have complained about some small issues but I think that the number of complaints is not large compared to how many EP's have been sold.

[EPHatchgirl]

I also have an 02' and none of the problems mentioned above. I wish my stock radio would've died though... lol.... it just wasn't enough for me.

[Peking]

Originally posted by rabbitman
(mostly from 02 owners) about rattling noises, suspension vibrations, radios dieing, oil consumption, and the gear grind of course. were most of these issues straightened out for the 03 models?


Yeah what the rest of them said :) All these problems you are pointing out where not wide spread. There will be problems with everything in life. I have not had any of those problems. You would be happy with the EP3, and by the looks of it. If you can keep and maintain a car for that long, then the EP3 is your car :D

[EricP3]

I like your rabbit man. I also have an 02' and i have had nothing but good things from it. Then again it only has 3000 miles on it :rolleyes: .

[yellerep3]

for the 2002 civic si you should be ready to buy es motor mount inserts, coilovers, shifter bushings, and you should be fine.

[speedking604]

i have 2002 sir and no problem at all except one thing.....vandalize once. i guess it's toooooooo cute! heres my ride http://www.geocities.com/speedking604

[DumbNewB]

I have an 03 and havent had any problems whatsoever and I drive my car like 2500 miles a month:confused:

[Zero Three Si]

The people that 'itch and moan about their EP are idiots. What else can you drive for 16,000 dollars and still feel like a pimp. Ummm, a neon, a caviler, a lancer, a base model sentra, a base model corrolla???

With a wing, mid pipe and some tint...the EP is a celebrity made over night!http://1000smilies.com/arab.gif

[Peking]

Originally posted by Zero Three Si
The people that 'itch and moan about their EP are idiots. What else can you drive for 16,000 dollars and still feel like a pimp. Ummm, a neon, a caviler, a lancer, a base model sentra, a base model corrolla???

With a wing, mid pipe and some tint...the EP is a celebrity made over night!http://1000smilies.com/arab.gif

That is very true. The EP has what I like to consider a good base, like pretty much all Honda/Acura models. Easy to mod, look at older Civic's for example. Nothing special, then lower it. Get some new shoes, and some more bling. Swap under the hood, or boost. Then you keep her clean, nothing but props.

[Civicvtec1ps]

I have no problem with my Si.
I just hit around 8000 miles. Zero problem.

[yellerep3]

im not bitching and moaning

[Peking]

Originally posted by yellerep3
im not bitching and moaning

I don't think he was pointing you out folk.

[Zero Three Si]

Originally posted by Peking
I don't think he was pointing you out folk.

Man seriously people....quit taking everything so personal....geezzz

[speedking604]

did you get a new lease??? try to call your dealer men. i'm sure he'll do everything to get you a new car. i did mine. i used to owned 2002 1.7 el. after 11 months i returned it and get this 2002 sir. nothing impossible if you try. get a good deal with your dealer.

[Spidey]

Originally posted by ATRIOT
Mines Fine and its an 2002. With internet forums, you'll find that problems will be over represented. For every person that complains there might be 10 which are satisfied with their ride.

ditto

[rabbitman]

thank you for all your responses... i'm a little closer to making my decision. i'm going to have to go in to the stealership and check out one of the leftover 03's...just have to wait for this snow storm to pass now...

thanks again, and from just browsing around so far i can say this forum is excellent!

[Peking]

Originally posted by rabbitman
thank you for all your responses... i'm a little closer to making my decision. i'm going to have to go in to the stealership and check out one of the leftover 03's...just have to wait for this snow storm to pass now...

thanks again, and from just browsing around so far i can say this forum is excellent!

Yes go to the stealership :) Be firm, and walk out if they try to screw you. They will call you back and give you a better deal. Also newspaper ads are the best, dealers will beat what you can find. Go in with nothing to show, and you will have a harder time. Glad you see this place as being excellent, it really is. You will like it here with us :D

[Ty's Si]

Make sure you take an EP for a test drive to get a feel for the ergonomics of the interior design and handling. It's not like anything you're used to. And with a drop it's even better. It will grow on you, I promise.

But make sure you don't run the piss out of the one you want to take home. Redline the tester and buy the shiny one in the corner of the lot. :D

[ATRIOT]

hey i bought the tester...:sadm:

[speedking604]

ouch.........lol

[yellerep3]

sorry for getting so defensive:confused:

[EvilSlvRCiViC]

Originally posted by speedking604
i have 2002 sir and no problem at all except one thing.....vandalize once. i guess it's toooooooo cute! heres my ride http://www.geocities.com/speedking604

Killer wheels!!:cool: nice ride man

[speedking604]

thanks man..... i just went for 2 hours long drive in the city and guess what ??? i just smoke i beamer on the road from a dead stop and we roll.... i beat him half car. i didn't even have a time to see his tag at the back. i know it's a beamer but i dont know what model. the driver is wearing a nice clothes "looks like business man" around 25-30 years old. his car year "maybe from 98-2000 2 doors beamer. some guys on the road even laugh at him coz he got beat up by a "honda"

[BlackBullet02Si]

rabbit, what kind of prices are you seeing for the leftover 03s?

[rabbitman]

i got an online "no haggle" quote for 16.5k. i'm going in on saturday though and try to walk out with one for 15.5k. they got about 7 03's on the lot and no 04's yet. they need to make room so hopefully i'll have success...we'll see :D