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03 Civic Si, 04 SE-R Spec V, or some other car under 20K?

L

LivinLaVivaPollo

Senior member
Hey car gurus,

I'm thinking about purchasing a car this summer. I definitely want good handling, and for it to stay under 20K. I will be driving back and forth Sacramento and Santa Cruz, so I need somewhat of a good handling car to brave Highway 17, or at least keep it exciting. I want an Si because I've always wanted one, ever since they reintroduced it. And seeing now that no one is buying it, I can score one for just under 18K. The SE-R Spec V is another awesome car, but they really uglified it for 04 with the "front tooth." How are insurance rates for these cars for a 20 year old male? Any other cars I should consider? A friend of mine suggested the Mazda Protege.
 
SRT-4 is going to be the fastest by a wide margin and it doesn't handle to bad either
Focus SVT is suppost to be pretty nice too
Even a new Mustang GT can be found for just under $20k if you look around
 
SRT4's have tremendous markup around the Sacramento region. But the truth is, insurance will be killer for a 20 year old male driving a 200+ hp car.
 
Originally posted by: bolido2000
Mazda 6 might be a good choice. I don't think you can score a Neon SRT-4 for under 20K.
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Yeah you can. Only some of the dealers are marking them up. Most of the people on other boards I have seen that bought one didn't pay any markup.
 
Im pretty sure the Civic Si in the US is that BUTT UGLY Hatchback.. ugh so nasty looking. But that car has a very nice engine. The 2.0 Litre VTEC putting out 160HP. The shift knob is up on the dash..

I have the 02 Civic Si Coupe (in canada) which is the EX in the US and it rocks. My buddy has a 99 Civic SiR Coupe, which has my body style, but the Si' 160hp DOHC engine. That car OWNS.

I think the Civic EX 1.7liter VTEC 127hp would be a peppy enough car for freeway/highway travel down in Cali.. I just dont like that ugly ass hatchback 🙁

I'll just say, I love my Si (EX in your area). I get about 38mpg on the highway.. and I cant find anything I dislike about it.. other then the passenger seat back always returns to a very straight position when you move it to let people in and out 🙂

Best part about it, theres an air conditioner air filter.. so your interior air is always nice and clean 🙂
 
Like what Batman? A friend of mine recommended an Integ, but everyone has one. Any suggestions? I don't mind a used car at all, as long as it is sporty and can get me where I need to go.
 
Originally posted by: LivinLaVivaPollo
Like what Batman? A friend of mine recommended an Integ, but everyone has one. Any suggestions? I don't mind a used car at all, as long as it is sporty and can get me where I need to go.
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You can get a decked out Acura 2000-2001 CLType-S for ~$20k. I belive the Type-S has ~200hp.
 
Originally posted by: LivinLaVivaPollo
Like what Batman? A friend of mine recommended an Integ, but everyone has one. Any suggestions? I don't mind a used car at all, as long as it is sporty and can get me where I need to go.
Click to expand...

I am partial to the 91-95 Toyota MR-2 Turbo and 93.5-98 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo personally, but if you're open to used and you want something fun you can look at 300ZXTT's, 3000GT VR4's, Corvettes, Porche 924's, Cobra Mustangs, etc etc etc. If you want something fun there is no need to limit yourself to the compact segment. What you save by going used could be put toward insurance. 😀
 
If I was looking at a new car under $20k..

I'd save a bit more and get a WRX. 😉

Also, I remember seeing '03 SIs in SF for $16k. Apparently, people in SF don't like buying manuals.. thats what the sales person told me.
 
Originally posted by: DaZ
Im pretty sure the Civic Si in the US is that BUTT UGLY Hatchback.. ugh so nasty looking. But that car has a very nice engine. The 2.0 Litre VTEC putting out 160HP. The shift knob is up on the dash..

I have the 02 Civic Si Coupe (in canada) which is the EX in the US and it rocks. My buddy has a 99 Civic SiR Coupe, which has my body style, but the Si' 160hp DOHC engine. That car OWNS.

I think the Civic EX 1.7liter VTEC 127hp would be a peppy enough car for freeway/highway travel down in Cali.. I just dont like that ugly ass hatchback 🙁

I'll just say, I love my Si (EX in your area). I get about 38mpg on the highway.. and I cant find anything I dislike about it.. other then the passenger seat back always returns to a very straight position when you move it to let people in and out 🙂

Best part about it, theres an air conditioner air filter.. so your interior air is always nice and clean 🙂
Click to expand...

the looks of modded ep hatches grew on me (my friend has one), they look pretty good after they're lowered + rims, but stock that wheel gap is hideous

and that engine has such an absurd amount of potential it's not even funny

if you're looking to go fast in a straight line, srt-4, if you're looking for something that looks good and isn't quite so fast, anything else

volks gti's are nice :bigthumb:

 
I4 03 accord, it's actually as fast as the current civic SIs. The new civic SIs have no balls.
 
Originally posted by: OS
I4 03 accord, it's actually as fast as the current civic SIs. The new civic SIs have no balls.
Click to expand...

slower than the old si but more torque + more potential
 
Originally posted by: DaZ
Im pretty sure the Civic Si in the US is that BUTT UGLY Hatchback.. ugh so nasty looking. But that car has a very nice engine. The 2.0 Litre VTEC putting out 160HP. The shift knob is up on the dash..

I have the 02 Civic Si Coupe (in canada) which is the EX in the US and it rocks. My buddy has a 99 Civic SiR Coupe, which has my body style, but the Si' 160hp DOHC engine. That car OWNS.

I think the Civic EX 1.7liter VTEC 127hp would be a peppy enough car for freeway/highway travel down in Cali.. I just dont like that ugly ass hatchback 🙁

I'll just say, I love my Si (EX in your area). I get about 38mpg on the highway.. and I cant find anything I dislike about it.. other then the passenger seat back always returns to a very straight position when you move it to let people in and out 🙂

Best part about it, theres an air conditioner air filter.. so your interior air is always nice and clean 🙂
Click to expand...



That car has the most uncomfortable seats, IMHO...even more than that 240sx I was in the other day. 🙁 If I ever sell my car I'm keeping the seats. 😀
 
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Originally posted by: OS
I4 03 accord, it's actually as fast as the current civic SIs. The new civic SIs have no balls.
Click to expand...
slower than the old si but more torque + more potential
Click to expand...

Well, imo torque doesn't matter if the car is still slow. Potential I don't really know about, but for someone who says he has a budget to stick to, mods probably don't really matter. Plus I hear the new SIs are soft for handling, so it's not just about the power.

If he insists on a civic SI, a base RSX is also worth considering. The motor is the same and the platform is similar.

 
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Originally posted by: OS
I4 03 accord, it's actually as fast as the current civic SIs. The new civic SIs have no balls.
Click to expand...
slower than the old si but more torque + more potential
Click to expand...

Well, imo torque doesn't matter if the car is still slow. Potential I don't really know about, but for someone who says he has a budget to stick to, mods probably don't really matter. Plus I hear the new SIs are soft for handling, so it's not just about the power.

If he insists on a civic SI, a base RSX is also worth considering. The motor is the same and the platform is similar.
Click to expand...

well for city driving i'd rather have the tq over the hp. base rsx is wack, typeS or wait for the typeR =D
 
Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Originally posted by: OS
I4 03 accord, it's actually as fast as the current civic SIs. The new civic SIs have no balls.
Click to expand...

slower than the old si but more torque + more potential
Click to expand...

I agree it has more potential.. Though I'd rather have the RSX Type-S motor.. There's a plug and play turbo kit from ultimate-racing that pushes 270/201 running at 6psi.. :Q

Edit - Wanted to say.. I love the SI seats.. 😀
 
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