Rep Power: 0

Hey everyone. My name is Taras, i dont own a Civic but i am thinking about getting a 2005 civic si. Can anyone tell me about pros and cons of the car. Does it have the same engine as the Rsx-s? Thank you much.

 
Rep Power: 0

honestly if it was me go ahead and get a 06+ si....07 sedan si if it was me but if you cant afford one and or dont want one then come back for more info on the 02-05 si aka EP3...i had a 02 si so can fill you in...but the new Si(plus only around $20k base price) is by far the best Si to date and WILL NOT leave you disappointed but I THINK the 02-05 si will.

 
Rep Power: 0

what do you mean? you think 02-05 civic si will be disappointing? I dont think i can afford a 20g car any time soon. And if i had 20 i would probebly get a used wrx or rsx-s. I only will be able to spend like up to 15 maybe a little more. Fill me in on 02-05 civic. Thanks

 
Rep Power: 0

if you have a choice between a 02-05 rsx-s and civic si id get the rsx-s cuz there is more potential...reason being is the EP3(02-05si) has the k20a3 motor which is a good motor but held back ALOT by the head which is what really sets the rsx-s motor(k20a2) apart. The head on the k20a2(rsx-s) is WAY better...there are other difference like cams and some other stuff but thats the biggest diff. the regular rsx has the k20a3 as well. The biggest thing i liked about the EP3 was the rally style shifter on the dash...made shifting so natural and efficient. The 02-05 si isnt a BAD car its just not as good as the rsx-s and honeslty if you want boost go with a car thats boosted from the factory or already been boosted....WRX is a great car but to some die hard honda fans this is blasphemy to drive a WRX but they are great cars so i say WRX or Rsx-S. If
i may could i offer another choice? The SRT-4 is a great car just get a 04-06 cuz the 03 model didnt have a LSD...but srt-4 cars are pretty peppy from the factory and respond really well to bolt ons...its the best bang for your buck car IMO...at least in the price range your looking for.

 
Rep Power: 0

well, the neon kinda sucks, because the quality is really crappy. Interior is just awefull. I dont want an american car anymore. I know i want a japanise car for sure. I just test drove an 02Si with only 30000 miles. I really liked it. i love the way the engine screams. I liked the shifter too. I want a car that i will be able to get mods for, like little things. I want relativle good mpg, i dont want it to be too big and i want it to be very reliable. I was thinking about WRX but it is expansive and the interior is crappy as well. are k20a3 preatty reliable? what are the weak spots that si's have. Thanks

 
Rep Power: 0

well first off i dont think you know what your talking about the srt-4 and calling it a neon cuz it aint a NEON!! everything about a srt-4 that makes it perform like it does is NOT on a neon....its not like a trim level like on a si...you cant go into a place and be like i want a neon w/ srt-4 trim level....anyways let me get off my soapbox

i still say look into a rsx-s and drive one...lets do a side by side comparison:

02-05 civic si
Engine : 4 cylinder, DOHC, front engine FWD
Displacement : 1,998 cc
Valve : 16 valves, 4 valves per cylinder
Transmission : 5-spd manual
Fuel economy : city - 26 mpg
highway - 30 mpg

Horsepower : 160 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque : 132 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Redline : 6800 rpm

0-60 mph : 7.6 sec.
0-¼ mile : 15.9 sec @ 87.8 mph
60-0 braking distance : 128 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.82 g


02 -05 Acura RSX Type-S
Engine : 4 cylinder, DOHC, front engine FWD
Displacement : 1,998 cc
Valve : 16 valves, 4 valves per cylinder
Transmission: 6 spd manual
Horsepower:200 hp@7400rpm
Torque: 142 lb-ft@6000rpms
Redline:7900rpms

0-60 mph : 6.7 sec.
0-¼ mile : 15.2 sec @ 92.7 mph
60-0 braking distance : 125 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.89 g

Fuel economy : city - 24 mpg
highway - 31 mpg

as you can see there are SEVERAL advantages to the rsx-s....here a couple if your lazy and dont look over the info....40hp/10tq more than the civic si, 6spd tranny, faster 0-60 and 1/4 mile, higher redline, better handling(cornering, braking, etc)..to name a few...honeslty the only things i like about the EP3 more than the rsx-s is the rally style shifter.

The k20a2 and the k20a3 share the same 2.0-liters of displacement, bore/stroke, block, head, valves, and intake manifold. However, pretty much the entire internals and external bolt ons couldn't be more different.

The k20a2 has higher compression pistons, more agressive cams, dual valve springs, and a tri-Y header with larger primaries than the k20a3. If that wasn't enough, the K20a2 has a completely different - and more advanced - method of iVTEC than the a3.

On both motors, i-VTEC really consists of two features: VTC (Variable valve Timing Control) and VTEC (Valve Timing and lift Electronically Controlled).

VTC, in both cases, is simply a hydraulically controlled adjustable cam sprocket that varies intake cam timing on the fly depending on engine speed and load. VTC does not affect the exhaust cam.

However, It's the VTEC portion of these systems that differs.

On the K20A2, VTEC is old school. Like a B-series, the cam has 2 profiles on 1 shaft. At about 6000 rpm, the middle rocker stops resting on the lost motion assembly, and picks up to follow the large lobe. Nothing new.

On the other hand, the K20A3 uses a completely different method, but is still called VTEC. At low rpm, the two intake valves operate with different cam lobes. One valve gets the primary lobe (the taller lobe) and the other gets the secondary lobe (shorter). The exhaust valves always get shoved open by a single lobe with no tricks at all. When VTEC kicks in at 2300 rpm, both valves start following the primary lobe. That's it. There's no 5500 rpm kick in the seat. Althought since the ep3 has lower compression that means its more boost friendly in terms of less chance of detonation.

Well hope this help cuz althought i know the differences to PROPERLY show the difference i always have to research to get EXACT numbers and details.

 
Rep Power: 0

thanks this definetly helps. I know that SRT-4 is not a trim level. I know that it is a totaly different car. I just call it neon becuse i just dont like it so much. I think its an ok car, but i just hate the quality of it. they have tons of problems with transmission and turbos. I would only get it if its brand new, but they are too expansive new. And if i had 20k i would rather get a used RSX-s. I test drove a lot of car, and one of them was a brand new srt-4, it feels cool and has a ton of power but the interior was just awefull. The stearing wheel looks like crap. and the seats are ugly too. Do you think SI are reliable cars?

 
Rep Power: 0

you cant go wrong with most imports as far as reliability and hondas are great in fact i love all imports but all the mechanics i talk to said as far as reliability especially once you start modding it that honda's are great(ive looked at ALOT of diff. imports nissan 240's, 300zx..mitshubishi ecplipse, 3000gt, evo's...mazda rx-7...toyota supras(FC)...subaru wrx, 2.5rs, STi and others)...still reliable as long as you get good aftermarket parts and install properly and still get good gas mileage and years of use....im not saying the 02-05 si is a BAD car cuz its a GREAT car but from the perf. aspect the rsx-s is superior....now i will say that the ep3 in the lower rpms is really fun cuz of the ivtec and have seen dynos that at lower rpms that it makes more power than the rsx-s and even s2000! but after about 5800-6000 rpms it just dont have much left and trails behind the rsx-s and s2000 in the upper rpms due to the fact mostly cuz the vtec system doesnt affect the exhaust side...im speaking from experience of owning the ep3 and loved it but i REALLY wanted a rsx-s

...also have you looked into acura integra gsr's? ive had one of those too and its a GREAT car as well...in fact the b18c1 is one of the best motors n/a and responds REALLY well to boost..although most honda motors respond well to boost but the b18c1 is the choice for ALOT of people for swaps and the integra is a good performing car....1994-2001 acura integra gsr is the one you want the 1st gen gsr's wasnt as great

PS. sorry if i sounded like i was going of on you about the srt-4 cuz now that i read it i can see how it can come off like that...if you thought that...my bad but alot of haters bash the srt-4 and i have been a fan/believer in the srt-4 when it was still a concept...i ddnt think dodge would make it good thing mercedes bought them out

 
Rep Power: 0

No thats fine, i know what you mean about srt-4. And to be honest i like it too . its just that the material they use in the interior for most of the american cars is just crap. Take 300C its a cool car but the interior quality is just so crappy. I drive a 01 cougar and i think that its probebly the best it gets with interior quality and design. I realy like my car, but its just starting to give me crap. And i just really like hondas, i dont know why but i just do. It just amazing how they can squize 200hp out of a 2.0 engine and still be one of the most reliable cars. Another reason why i am leaning towards si is because it is much cheaper than rsx-s or anyother car on my list. yesturday i test drove an si that was only 12k and had nice 18" and a short ram intake.
Now i think that i really kinda mad a mistake when i got my cougar. i think now if i would be buying my first car would buy an integra. I heard a lot of good things about them. But know i dont realy want to buy an older car. So you are saying that si has more power at a lower rpms that the rsx-s?

 
Rep Power: 0

it just has a diff. power band than the rsx-s....below 6000rpms the ep3 makes more power
here is the site with the dyno charts:
http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-messa...sage_id=174863

....but after that the rsx-s screams till the 7800rpm redline...the reason being the head and that its vtec affects the exhaust side unlike the ep3..now im not saying you would definately win off the line against a rsx-s cuz there are alot more variables than JUST hp/tq...and it could just become a drivers race...but given equally capable drivers the rsx-x should win...if both stock or equally modded

 
Rep Power: 0

sad, SI is not even making 150hp. Thats just to bad. do you think it will be more fun than my cougar? How much more horse power will SI make with an exhaust, CAI, headers and test pipe?

 
Rep Power: 0

why is that sad? its rated at 160hp...of course thats crank hp and the old hp ratings wasnt that accurate thats why last year SAE changed the ratings/standards...for example the 06+ Si is rated at 197hp by the NEW standards...by the old ratings it would have been aroun 210hp...the idea the new ratings are suppose to be more accurate....so back on subject...that si does have I/H/E(intake aka CAI, header, exhasut) and with that made almost 150whp that is good....on a fwd car you lose approx. 10-15% of the power in drivetrain transfer..so for example the Si in the dyno made aroun 150whp so at the crank was making approx. 177hp..that is pretty accurate and good for the mods...you dont pick up as much hp as companies claim and will never get all the hp you can from the bolt ons till its tuned accordingly...new cars dont respond NEARLY as well as old carburated cars because of the ECU is programed for so much fuel, air, spark, etc so even when you add things your gains are minimal unless those factors are taken into consideration via the ecu....and with any OBDII car(1994+) you will throw a code with a test pipe...either gut the cat which wont throw a code or do the best way and get a TRUE high flow cat

 
Rep Power: 0

I just bought a 07 civic si, and am telling you, its well worth it... the k20a2 motor is considered the best natuaraly aspirated 4 banger. Just wait a couple months, and buy a used 07 Si.. im sure you could easily find one for 15-16 without nav. The new Si's have lots of standard features youd find on luxury cars, window sensor, moon roof, 6 speed, digital spedometer read out, limited slip differential, electronic stability control, vehicle stability assist(which can be turned on and off). Its a perfect motor for moding, and can definitely take a beatin. anyway, try takin a test drive of each, and im sure youll be convinced.. I got mine in pearl blue, and i get comments everyday about it. Its dead sexy good luck man

Nick

 
Rep Power: 0

I am not planning on buying a new car until like the middle of the summer. I would LOVE to get a 07si. I test drove an ex and was very disapointed with the lack of power, i know there is no comparison with si thought. do you realy think i will be able to get an 07's si in the summer for 17?

 
Rep Power: 0

hmmm, yea now that i think about it, 17 might be hard to find, at the right dealership you could get close. A new one without navigation is 20,500, so if you couldnt get a 07, theres always the 06, which is pretty much the same thing.

 
Rep Power: 0

sorry man you dont have a k20a2 in your car the its a k20z3(06+ si)..the k20a2 was in the 02-05 rsx type s

 
Rep Power: 0

what is batter the 07 civic engine or the Type-s engine? does type-s have a LSD?

 
Rep Power: 0

oops, your right, well its what i meant. Still considered the best normally aspirated 4 banger The new RSX-s has the same engine as the new Si. Just the Si costs like 4-5 grand less, theres basically no reason to buy a new rsx over a Si, unless your really the rsx entusiast. I actually like the style and interrior better than the rsx.

 
Rep Power: 0

so i guess i will see if a will have 17grand and will be able to get an 06-07 si i will do that if not i will get a WRX with like 50.000miles. IF i will have like 13-14grand i will get 03-05 si.

 
Rep Power: 0

Get an ep3 SI. If you are coming from driving a cougar you will love it. I just picked up one for 13,500 from a dealer, certified preowned, with 25k on the clock, and you cant beat it. Admitted, its not as fast as the new SI, that is a whole different monster, but the rsx is just not worth it. Half of the price difference is in the fact that is an acura, and the other half of the price difference is in the tiny bit more horsepower you get, for all of an extra 500 rpm. Not worth it in my book.

And if you want to make up the extra 40 hp, get a type R badget and slap it on there. That adds infinity horsepower and +100 respect.

Kidding guys.... just kidding