Decisions :)

[hondaguy92129]

Hi guys new here but I have always loved hondas. First car about 5 years back was a 1992 integra that finally died at 295k miles, bought a toyota (Celica GT) and have missed honda ever since! So I'v given the celica to my little sis and am now in search of an ep3 :)

Anyhow the question I have is there are two civics in my area,

civic #1: 2002, 78,000 miles, good condition, good records asking price $8000

Civic #2: 2004, 35,000 miles (yeah crazy low huh?), GREAT records, asking price $10,000 :(

Both are clean titles and are in good condition. I'm just wondering what you guys would pick here? Or are both of these too much? I checked KBB on both and #1 is about $600 over and #2 is $300 over. Neither one has ever been modified or had any body work done. Car #1 has some rash on one of the rims (not a big deal I can get rims cheap) but other than that they are both in excellent cosmetic condition. No leaks or anything on either one. All in all both are solid cars but I just wanted to get a better grasp on what these things are worth.

My main concern with the car is getting good gas mileage and reliability while being fun to drive at the same time. I have done research and it seems like there is very little to no mechanical difference between '02 and '04 and other than I have heard some things about cam galling in the '02 models. I did a search but didn't find too much on it here. I also don't want to shell out $800 right off the bat for new cams/valvetrain.

So what do you guys think? Thanks for the help in advance :D

[falah]

i would pick the 04 low milage, cuz i love there head and tail lights,, and its just 2000$ difference i would have saved for the 04

[LouisianaEP3]

Get the 04 man. See if you can talk the guy down on the price a little. You won't regret it over the 02.

[hondaguy92129]

Thanks guys, I too am leaning towards the '04. I figure I'm going to have this car for at least 6 years so in that time an extra $2k isn't a whole lot of money. Plus 40k miles is like 3 years of driving for me, more if I move to SF in the next year like I plan.

Anyone else want to chime in on this? Any comments are more than appreciated!! I'm going to look at the car tonight to have at it, don't hold back guys!

[ZaTHRaS]

'04 has 5 lug, better selection of wheels. Factory side skirts. I have an '03 so, thats all I can input. BTW, honda's don't die, they retire from their owners. Bought a '92 hatch in '92, sold last year, still running, all stock, no mods....miss 'er:mfrown: a little

[SHG_EasyE]

Definitely go for the 04 man. If nothing else you get oem projectors, side skirts, 5 lug, and more attractive wheels than the 02 right off the bat, nevermind the super low mileage!

[ep_hatcher_510]

get the 2004

[Chromium4500]

04.

No competition. There is no other choice, lol.

[dkid15]

If your going to modify one there are some very nice modified ep3's up for sale. If not, then 04 all day. I have an 02 and i cant explain how much i would like to be 5 lug and have side skirts.

[[ep3]tom]

x2 04 ftw all day :)

[Yo_KyleEP3]

yeah get the 04 my 02 sucks lol you get better headlights and sideskirts

[56chevydan]

Well, let's keep this unanimous- get the '04. I have an '03 and just converted it to 5 lug and am in the process of putting the stock '04/'05 side skirts on it. Those are the upgrades i like and they're both on the '04/'05s.

I also think there is a real advantage to starting with a low mileage car. If you can negotiate the price down some, all the better.

Just purely out of curiosity, what color are the cars?

[siege911]

100% agree with all of the above, '04 all the way. Oh, and post some pics when you inevitably go for it!

[hondaguy92129]

Well, let's keep this unanimous- get the '04. I have an '03 and just converteded it to 5 lug and am in the process of putting the stock '04/'05 side skirts on it. Those are the upgrades i like and they're both on the '04/'05s.

I also think there is a real advantage to starting with a low mileage car. If you can negotiate the price down some, all the better.

Just purely out of curiosity, what color are the cars?

Thanks a ton for the help guys I actually just got back from looking at the cars and I decided to go with the '04 like you all said! :mbiggrin::mbiggrin::mbiggrin: It was cleeeeaaaan, garaged all its life and there was only a tiny ding on the front lip. He wouldn't go any lower on the price but I didnt mind since the car was in great condition and 10k doesnt seem like too much since I was looking at 03/04 accord with 100k miles for the same amount.

56chevydan, the 02 was white and the 04 (which is now mine!) is silver :mwink:

Anyways thanks again for the help guys, I go to pick up the car tomorrow and fill out all the paperwork :) As a plus the '04 is going to come with lojack, bonus! since I get an insurance discount now :mbiggrin:

Annnd finally I will get some pictures up for sure! Thanks again guys!

[tunner2307]

Get the 2004 man, sick car....;)))

[SkareKrow]

Thanks a ton for the help guys I actually just got back from looking at the cars and I decided to go with the '04 like you all said! :mbiggrin::mbiggrin::mbiggrin: It was cleeeeaaaan, garaged all its life and there was only a tiny ding on the front lip. He wouldn't go any lower on the price but I didnt mind since the car was in great condition and 10k doesnt seem like too much since I was looking at 03/04 accord with 100k miles for the same amount.

56chevydan, the 02 was white and the 04 (which is now mine!) is silver :mwink:

Anyways thanks again for the help guys, I go to pick up the car tomorrow and fill out all the paperwork :) As a plus the '04 is going to come with lojack, bonus! since I get an insurance discount now :mbiggrin:

Annnd finally I will get some pictures up for sure! Thanks again guys!

Nice choice! I personally drive an 02NHBP! I got mine in 2006 w/ 38K on it for 14K$
You came up on a really good deal!

[cronicEP]

wow it's like we are all buying the EP all over again. Nice pick up. Sounds like you got a deal. In for pictures. Good thing you did your homework first, because if you didn't, we'd like you a little less...JK

[hondaguy92129]

Haha no worries, when it comes to spending $10,000 I always do my homework...

lol one thing you guys will figure out but I'm super cheap and picky when it comes to spending my money :mredface: Anyways I go to pick it up at 6:30 tonight, if theres still some light when I get home I'll get pics if not, tomorrow for sure!

[Project Yellow]

Good choice, you will enjoy it!! Waiting on pics and for you to start the "I want" list... becasue thats whats next!

[56chevydan]

Congratulations. Good choice!