Civic Si or Acura RSX?

[hassan100]

Hey!

so, im ready to purchase my FIRST CAR! :) and my two choices are:


01-03 Civic SI 5-speed

or 02-03 Acura RSX 5-speed

now my question is, a friend of mine told me that the civic has a lot of mechanical problems, is that true?

N which car i should go with? since it is my First Car, i was thinking of the cheaper one, the Civic.

But, what do you think?

[stealth1313]

The choice is obvious, the civic has a vtec the Acura doesn't

[911fever]

Civic
PM me OP

[beyond_ban]

Originally posted by stealth1313
The choice is obvious, the civic has a vtec the Acura doesn't

:facepalm:

[hassan100]

okay, so the civic it is! and i was looking at the Ads on Auto trader, and i came across this Ad, 2003 civic SI 5-speed with 138k on it for $5,995 + Tax. Good deal or not?

[beyond_ban]

Originally posted by hassan100
okay, so the civic it is! and i was looking at the Ads on Auto trader, and i came across this Ad, 2003 civic SI 5-speed with 138k on it for $5,995 + Tax. Good deal or not?

It is such a good deal it seems fake. Perhaps you should post a link to the ad?

[hassan100]

http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_Car_details/CAMBRIDGE_Ontario_2003_HONDA_CIVIC_1592926.html?srcID=5&frnID=7790383&cofid=ON20080421102306328&prv=Ontario&r=40

here is the ad

[beyond_ban]

^ Ohhh, Ontario. That does look like a fairly decent deal. Make sure that it has a clean title and that you get it mechanically inspected.

[hassan100]

Will do that, Thanks, so i mean, its a good starter car right? i wont have too many problems with it?

[-relk-]

Originally posted by hassan100
Will do that, Thanks, so i mean, its a good starter car right? i wont have too many problems with it?

You can never be sure if you will have problems with it. Saying that though you can do your best by getting it looked at and when all is done im sure you will enjoy your new ride! Civics are known to be one of the more reliable on the road so i think you made a good choice. Good luck!

[stealth1313]

Just remember to check your oil if your cracking vtec alot, when the vtec kicks in it burns a small ammouny of oil

[hassan100]

so, Stealth, the 2003 civic SI comes with the vtec? im sorry, im new to cars and their engines :(

[911fever]

that doesn't look like an SI to me

[stealth1313]

Vtec is just a fancy way of telling people your car doesn't
make power till 5k

[lesreynolds]

I bought a 92 Civic Hatchback SI back in 97 and to be honest that thing still runs like a top. It has the typical honda rust over the rear wheels but to be honest I've never had to dump a huge amount of cash into it and I think its up to about 198k on it now. I love that little honda its the little car that could, now granted each car to their own you could get a lemon I guess but everyone I know that's had a honda hasn't had any bad things to say about them.

Grats on your first car.

[Tomaz]

Originally posted by stealth1313
Vtec is just a fancy way of telling people your car doesn't
make power

Fixed


OP, Go for the civic. As long as everything checks out, it should be a great car for you. Enjoy!

[hassan100]

911fever, are you talkig about the ad? that isn't an SI? :S

[hassan100]

Oh and also, another Quick quetion, is there a big difference between the SI, EX, and LX ? :confused:

[stealth1313]

Yes the si has a vtak. Makes more hp but the same torque lol

[hassan100]

so, it really doesn't matter of which i get? SI or the EX or LX?

[403Gemini]

Pretty sure SI's have more features than the EX & LX , i could be wrong though, I haven't been a civic fan since the 90's models so I don't know/remember my trims that well.

[hassan100]

Hey GUYS!

so, is there a big difference between the normal SI and

2002 HONDA CIVIC Si Veloz ?

[black13]

For around that price I'd just get a 98-01 Accord. V6 if possible, way nicer and faster.

[hassan100]

black13, idk man...i sort of like the civic shape better :S

[403Gemini]

Accord is a way better car... its a bit bigger but it's a lot nicer on the interior and is faster.

[hassan100]

ehhhh, i will see lol, the Civic is sort of stuck in mind lol :| but is there any difference between the SI and the Veloz?

[InLoveWitRSX]

The SI is actually the EX in the states, its just badged as the SI to trick people into thinking they're getting a better deal. Both cars have "economic" vtec. No theres no diff between SI and veloz I don't think.. not engine wise anyway.

[inline6turbo]

That ad looks like an 01' Si not an 03'

[yipb]

Originally posted by black13
For around that price I'd just get a 98-01 Accord. V6 if possible, way nicer and faster.

but i dont think he wants to pay alot for first car repairs,

01-03 honda/acura v6 automatic tranny = crap

[Deetz]

I'm surprised reading through this thread. To the OP, if you choice is between similar years civic and rsx.....go with the Acura, it's a much better car!

My least favorite of the civic line was the 01-05 years, as well as the EL's. They are under powered, and have lousy struts from the factory.

The RSX has a larger more powerful k series 2.0L engine, tranny, better suspension, better seats and interior. They are built in Japan and very reliable!

[hassan100]

Originally posted by Deetz
I'm surprised reading through this thread. To the OP, if you choice is between similar years civic and rsx.....go with the Acura, it's a much better car!

My least favorite of the civic line was the 01-05 years, as well as the EL's. They are under powered, and have lousy struts from the factory.

The RSX has a larger more powerful k series 2.0L engine, tranny, better suspension, better seats and interior. They are built in Japan and very reliable!


Thank YOU lol, i personally wanted the RSX lol, but i guess since no one said anything about it, i figured that it has a lot of problems, and its not worth buying.

...but wat do other ppl think? and sorry if im stalling, this is my first CAR, and i want it to be worth the wait!

[tehwegz]

if I get a next car its gotta be the Acura rsx type s, if not, then an Integra.

but from what I hear the insurance on the type S is quite unreasonable for being a FWD. They only come in manual too, which is good.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by hassan100



Thank YOU lol, i personally wanted the RSX lol, but i guess since no one said anything about it, i figured that it has a lot of problems, and its not worth buying.

...but wat do other ppl think? and sorry if im stalling, this is my first CAR, and i want it to be worth the wait!

From your questions, you seem to know very little about cars.

Being your first car, I have to assume you're young. Buying used and looking in the under $10K range, I assume that you have limited budget.

Have you checked what insurance is going to be for you to drive around in a 2 door coupe? I don't know how insurance in ON works but before you commit, you may want to find out. Compare it to a 4 door Civic or Accord.

Unless you're going with only PLPD, RSX (and in some way Civic Si) cost a bit more to insure due to high theft and crash rates.

[BrknFngrs]

Insurance has to be considered for sure; for myself it was going to cost about the same to insure an RSX as it does a WRX.

[hassan100]

Xtrema, you have everything correct, im 19 :) and still learning about cars! and yes im on a budget aswell. But as for the insurance, i'm willing to pay for that, as long as i get my car. i have been asking around, and couple of people told me that my insurance will be around $300/month.

And obviously, since its my first car, the cheaper one is my option, and of the 2 ( RSX and civic)...the civic is cheaper.

[Xtrema]

Make sure you get that quote from insurance agents.

Case in point, my buddy pay more for his 1999 Impreza than my 2010 S4 and our driving record and insurance claim history is identical.

Insurance aside, I would pick RSX over Civic if you're staying with Honda products. Better engine, better prestige badge. And I can't think of anything better when it comes to entry level coupes during early 2000.

And consider you're ready to pay almost $4K/year of insurance for a $6000 car, what's another couple grand.

Oh, I'm sure what you're looking for is in the 100K+ km range. So make sure the timing belt has been changed. It's one of the more costly jobs on high mileage cars and it should be changed every 100-120k km. But sometimes I see people stretching up to 150k.

[old&slow]

RSX has a timing chain...Big +

[hassan100]

hmm, interesting... but both Civic and RSX are good choices right? neither of them have any BIG mechanical problems right? and it seems that the only big problem with the civic is...its under powered. and RSX is a little pricey.

[Neil4Speed]

I have to go with the RSX as well, there is more to life than Vtec, RSX is a really nice car the whole package considered.

[Kardon]

Why hasn't anyone mentioned the 02-04 sir? Same motor as rsx, I'm considering one for my next car so if anyone has some experience with ep3/rsx I'd like to hear what you have to say.

[Integra10]

+1 for the rsx my buddy just got one and it's sexy. who needs a v-tec?

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh163/sweetiewells/ObamaVTEC.jpg

[stujew]

My buddy has an 01 Si for sale, PM me if you want details and contact info.

[Deetz]

I bought my rsx brand new in 02. I've had it 8 years, been problem free :) It's a much nicer car than the civic

the profile!
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac340/hondapro1/DSC00596.jpg

and the interior
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/deetzcrx/IMGP0972.jpg

http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac340/hondapro1/IMGP0971.jpg

[hassan100]

WOW, the RSX looks SEXY from the inside! My first choice is RSX now, and if not RSX than civic lol :)

OH and wat is the time belt btw?

[FiveFreshFish]

Drive them both, preferably on the same day for the best comparison.

[VaN_HaMMeRSTeiN]

White gauges are just nasty, otherwise the RSX is a good choice.

[Deetz]

Originally posted by VaN_HaMMeRSTeiN
White gauges are just nasty, otherwise the RSX is a good choice.

White gauges, what are you talking about??

They are silver!!!

[hassan100]

heyy guyssss, WAT is a Time belttt?

[Deetz]

Originally posted by hassan100
heyy guyssss, WAT is a Time belttt?

Every engine has either a timing belt or chain. The chain is better, lasting bout 3 times longer, about 300,000k on a Honda

It runs off the crankshaft, up to the camshafts which keeps the timing of the camshafts aligned as the engine rotates, so valves don't hit pistons

You can google it for more detailed info on it

[Barlow]

I'm missing the punchline????


The RSX has the V tec too yo!!!!

[hassan100]

understood, Now i just gota find a good DEAL on an RSX lol :)

SOOOO Excited!

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by old&slow
RSX has a timing chain...Big +

Didn't know that, even more reason not to buy a Civic.

[yeahyeah]

RSX simply for looks and power isn't all that bad minus vtAck.

d series vtec = joke show

[jonfoo]

as the owner of an 02 si coupe, GET THE FUCKING RSX

D17a2 is a fucking joke, damn near zero potential fucking GARBAGE

[hassan100]

alright thanks jonfoo, good to know!

[Disoblige]

The only thing I wonder why they didn't do is make the side mirrors completely the same color on the RSX. Civic Si has it completely the same without the black plastic.

Minor detail of course.

[hassan100]

my friend just got a RSX Type-s lol...its DAM NICE! leather seats, 6-speed, soo damm nice! the best thing about that car, is the Interior.

[Justin-88]

Originally posted by black13
For around that price I'd just get a 98-01 Accord. V6 if possible, way nicer and faster.

1999 Honda Accord V6 <--- my baby :poosie:

[hassan100]

Okay, so im going with the RSX, now my question is Auto-triptonic or 5-speed? i mean Manual is good, but i wont kill for it. and as for V-tec, it can be kicked-in with the triptronic gear shift right?

[nj2Type-S]

i bought an rsx type-s in 2004 and sold it in 2008. it was seriously one of the saddest moments in my life, lol. i've been in 2 accidents with it with one of the accidents costing around 11gs to fix. when i got it back, it still ran like it was brand new.

since this will be your first car, you probably don't really care about having a fast car. i personally got the type-s back in the day because of the 6-speed tranny, lol (i thought it was the coolest thing at the time, haha!). anyway, getting a base or premium rsx wouldn't disappoint you, for sure.

i have never, ever had any problems with my rsx as long as you get it serviced regularly. and yes, the interior of the rsx is wayyyy better than the civic's interior!

goodluck and make sure you drive both civic and rsx! :thumbsup:

[hassan100]

thanks n2jtype-s :D so it wouldn't really make a diffence if i get the auto-trip Vs the 5-speed?

[nj2Type-S]

it's based on your preference, man. do you know how to drive stick? i personally like driving stick except when i'm in heavy traffic. :banghead:

[hassan100]

Yeh i know how to drive a stick, but i mean, isn't tiptronic similar to Manual?

[max_boost]

RSX no doubt. Amazing car. I still miss mine :(

[Redlyne_mr2]

Originally posted by Kardon
Why hasn't anyone mentioned the 02-04 sir? Same motor as rsx, I'm considering one for my next car so if anyone has some experience with ep3/rsx I'd like to hear what you have to say.
I've got one, it's super reliable and I love the interior. I'm not sure if it's because it's assembled in the UK but it feels smoother than the coupes of similar years. It's not very fast but neither is the normal RSX. Lots of space with the rear hatch. Only thing I've done to it is regular maintenance, never let me down.

[G]

How many cars do you have???


Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2

I've got one, it's super reliable and I love the interior. I'm not sure if it's because it's assembled in the UK but it feels smoother than the coupes of similar years. It's not very fast but neither is the normal RSX. Lots of space with the rear hatch. Only thing I've done to it is regular maintenance, never let me down.