Hey Folks,
I’ve owned my 2005 Si for about 10 years now. I got a little inspiration from Curt (iR-VTEC2), who posted a similar update, so I thought I’d report on my ownership experience. I bought mine from a dealer with just 17K miles in February 2007, and I have just under 80K on it now. It’s always been garaged. I’m obviously a geek about it, so fair warning here!

Stock w/ some accessories
I’m not a modder, but I made a couple small changes right after I bought it. These included removing the i-VTEC stickers (and some cheap pinstripes), swapping the tail lights for 2002-03 ones (thanks to a post here I found before the site crash), and adding Honda side trim in the factory color, Honda mud guards, and a K&N drop-in air filter. I’ve gone through several sets of wipers--I just stick with Honda inserts. I finally replaced the head stereo unit a couple years ago--not sure why I waited so long because the difference is day and night, even with just the factory speakers!

Fluids
I ran Castrol synthetic blend oil until about 42K, then switched to Castrol full synthetic. I’ve always used either a Mobil1 or Purolator One oil filter. I had an oil analysis done from Blackstone Labs a couple years ago after a 7K mile oil change and they basically said try for 9K for the next change because engine wear and oil integrity were still so strong. I’ve changed the brake, clutch, and transmission fluid twice and the coolant once, always with Honda fluids.

Tires
I replaced the original Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires at 18K and have alternated between all-seasons in the summer with dedicated winter tires. Details:
Dunlop Winter Sport 3D: 27,000 (end total)
Yokohama Avid V4S: 29,000 (current)
Dunlop Winter Sport 4D: 2,000 (current)
The Yokohamas still have some tread, but are finally starting to crack a little with age. I’d highly recommend them, but they no longer make the V4S. The first set of Dunlops had some tread but had turned rock hard and started cracking over time, making them mostly worthless in snow.

“Failures”
The car has held up really well, to say the least. The only thing that has failed is the driver side door lock actuator, which cost me about $35 to fix. It’s still on the original brakes. The original battery lasted 8 years, so I replaced it with another one from Honda, and it actually cost less than all the other ones that I priced. I had the alignment done once back in 2009 and I haven’t felt the need for it to be done again because it doesn’t pull, drift, or wear out tires unevenly at all. I replaced the cruise control button “ON” light, and a few headlight bulbs. The windshield was nailed and cracked by a rock from a truck while going over Vail Pass, so I’m on my second one. I wax it once or twice a year, so beyond rock chips and a few minor scratches, the paint is very good. Of course, the headlights have needed “defogging” a few times, and the “coffin creak” in the steering column has always been there. I don’t really notice it.

The EP3 is definitely not a passenger’s car. As you all know, the stock ride is very firm compared to a typical car, but my 6 and 3 year-old don’t yet know the difference during the daily shuttle. I like taking it long distance, and it’s great for camping solo. It’s been to Great Basin NP in Nevada, Ojo Caliente in New Mexico, Eastern Ohio, and Northern Wisconsin. I’ve gotten as high as 38 and as low as 24 mpg on tanks of fuel, usually depending on speed and winds. It’s a blast to tear around canyon corners and any winding roads. It may not have gobs of power, but I can throw it in 5th gear with the cruise set on 70 and fly right up to the Eisenhower Tunnel with no downshifting.

I think the car got a bad rap for not having 200 hp when it came out, and then nobody really gave it a chance. I came close to selling it and buying a TSX a few years ago, but I’m glad I didn’t. This is my kind of car: simple, no frills, cheap, and fun for the money. It’s not pretty, but it makes up for it in practicality and reliability. If something ever happened to it I don’t know what I would look for. The Fit is the closest thing to it that Honda makes, but I’d like a driver’s car. Maybe I’ll hand this one down to my 6 year-old after the next 10 years.

Thanks to everyone who shares and gives advice on this site.

Cheers!

E