Rep Power: 0

I've had my 97 dx hatch since about April 2010 and it was bone stock, I haven't done too much to it - only intake, muffler, hids, and wheels but I'm looking for suggestions on what I should do. If I keep it the first things I'm going to do are drop in spring and focus on exterior appearance. It needs some small body work and the clear coat is fading in some areas (roof and driver side door) so it needs a full painting.
I'd rather work on appearance than under the hood and I'm worried it'd take a long time to get the money together to do a swap.
It's a great project car and I'd love to keep up on it but I don't want to keep having to put tons of money into it to get where I want it to be.

I'm looking for some suggestions from people who know civics on whether I should keep this and spend thousands on everything or sell it and buy an 02-08 si which is my ideal civic.
Also, I'm looking for some opinions on the possible value I might be able to get out of it if I decide to sell. It has around 115k on the stock d16y7 non vtec, 6000k hids, short ram intake (ebay pipe with aem dryflow filter), no-name 4" muffler, set of gsr blades, everything else stock.
[the wheels in the pictures are not on the car anymore, those are old pictures and the tails are not tinted anymore (learned my lesson)]

 
Rep Power: 201

i thought my paint was starting to fade or clear coat
till i bought a buffer machine and buff the hell out of it
man i was surprised.
this u can try and can save u alot from getting a new paint job
car body looks good
if it gets u where you wanted to go
then i say its a plus
and also it saves you gas

 
Rep Power: 201

but if you sell it i'd say 3-4k due to that engine being that low of a milage
most dd owners will buy it for its gas savings

 
Rep Power: 285

Swaps in older civics are actually fairly inexpensive, you could definitely pull a decent one off for $1000.

 
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maybe i'll just try out buffing the areas - you can kind of see them in those pictures, right on the passenger side roof rear and right below the driver side window. you're right too on the gas part I love how much I save and that's the most compelling argument to keeping it. I was just thinking whether I want something a little more fun to drive.

really? how's that possible? most engines themselves are at least 1000-1300 plus labor and mounting kits and all that goodness.

 
Rep Power: 212

A swap in a 6th gen for $1000...?

Aside from that... I would personally keep it. I thought about selling my civic a billion times, then I'd go out in the snow and go power sliding in a parking lot or pass by stuck SUV's and super duties and I'd be like "Wtf would I ever sell this car...?" Seriously though, I would keep it. A well done, clean hatch like that people would probably die for. I sat in an 08 Si and I was wasn't impressed at all. Something about the simplicity of the 6th gen's just make me love em more then anything else I've ever driven.

 
Rep Power: 285

Geography is a factor, prices might be a bit lower here, but I could get a decent swappable motor for $500.

 
Rep Power: 285

Unfortunately it's a lot easier to find a swappable motor for a 97 6g Civic, than a 2000. That would make a difference in price.

 
Rep Power: 212

That would make sense...but still, are you talking about D series motor? or a B/K series motor? I know I can get a fully built B18C with injectors ecu and everything for about 5k shipped, but if I can build a D series motor and get decent (~210whp) results for ~1500...hell, sign me up.

sorry to take the thread off topic, but if you can do a swap for that cheap, all the more reason to keep the car.

 
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I'm strongly thinking about keeping it at least for a while. I wanted something newer and more power. My ideal car is a 02-03 si with a k series 6 speed but it's like a dream those are RARE finds especially where I'm from. You're right though 6th gens are so basic and simple but still so unique I love it. When I was looking for a civic I thought I hit gold when I found this car - civic hatches have a sweet spot in my heart.

damn, the best deal I was offered was 1300 for a ls-vtec full setup. I'm thinking about just buying d16y7 parts to do a mini-me swap so I can at least hit vtec and gain a few hp.

I'd love to find a cheap b series I'd be content with that but although some d series motors are quite reputable I'd rather just build my d series a little bit to save money and gain at least some power.

 
Rep Power: 212

Just realized we're both 19 lol. Anywho, I haven't really read up on D series motors because I honestly assumed they were junk, but I'll have to look into it and see if people have actually built these motors. I totally hear you when you just want that extra "umph", unfortunately its tough for our cars just because they're turtles outta the box. its hard to find that middle ground, since most people either keep the motor stock or go all out..

a k series 6 speed would be a dream, and i've seen them here and there for sale but I wouldn't be able to afford the insurance jump (i'd have to put collision insurance on it and plus its a sport car so i'd see a jump in at least $600 a year.... $1300 (0 tickets, 0 accidents, good grade discount clean family history etc etc) is enough as it is lol....plus you'd gotta constantly worry about someone stealing it.. overall, not worth it in my opinion haha.

 
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Lol nice.

D series aren't really junk, just slow. They're definitely buildable and full of potential, but are just usually swapped out for the convenience. If I decide to keep this motor I'll most likely end up turbo-ing it eventually as long as the motor stays strong and healthy.

 
Rep Power: 217

I'd say keep it, but that's me. My car has been a handful the past month, due to mileage, location, and age, but I can't justify car payments...especially now that I'm in college full time. On top of that, they're easy as hell to work on and fix. I'd agree on just getting a swap done. Depending on where you're at, I'd check these guys out:
http://www.synapseturbo.com/
I met one of the techs or maybe he was an owner. Anyway, he's pretty cool and they do good work from what I've seen and have a pretty good rep around here. I couldn't find any info on swaps, but they build motors and a bunch of tuning.

 
Rep Power: 201

id pay 1400 a year full coverage on my insurance
plus i live in a high theft area, even mid 90 gen aacord get stolen
im also covered on my brother insurance for his 06 si and insurance is 1600 a year i have no issue going with insurance if i get a newer cAr but im bonded to my car and have a hard time letting go, and to top it off i dont have finance, the cAr was paid in full. i cant imagine the car being own by somone else. so if i dont own it no one will,

 
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THANK YOU!! I will have my civic till the day I day lol or at least I hope I do haha i dont want anyone else to drive it but me it wouldnt seem right. like every other civic i see that is pretty much identical to mine just doesnt seem as cool lol im like i would never drive that one just mine i think i may be in love

 
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I would say go for the newer generation of civics but thats just me, I like the way they feel overall.

 
Rep Power: 201

it just depends on what kind of money u have and how you want to spend it
as they say
new is better
the old will never be forgotten