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I am looking for a used manual 4dr 2001/2002 Civic around 40-50K miles under 11Gs US and most of them in that price range are LX and DX models, but I kind of want the EX model for that extra horsepower.

Is that big of difference between DX/LX and EX model. Does that 12hp make a big difference? My wife has a 2003 EX automatic but I can't feel the HP unless I shift myself.

I think that the DX model is the lightest and has 115hp.........would this be fun to drive. The only thing is that the DX model do not have the Tachometer. How much does it cost to install an aftermarket tachometer in the DX model?

I basically want a car that is high 8s in 0-60 and low 16s in 1/4mile not because I want to race, but just to be able to keep up with California traffic.
If I don't get the EX model, what do I need to do to DX/LX models to get it to low 16s.

Any advice?


Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 347

I have an EX. You won't really notice it, although I do drive an auto. You notice the VTEC kicking in, but that's mostly noise. Something I do like about the EX is the standard ABS brakes.

 
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My LX auto is more than enough to keep up with Cali traffic if i dont have a **** load of people in my car.

 
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Hey if you can get a good deal on a DX go for it.

 
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Ummm cant really hear Vtec on an SOHC. The best thing about the EX I have is the sunroof, thats about it.

 
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I like my EX its plenty fast for traffic and small enough to weave dangerously and risk other peoples lives

 
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I have an LX, and I keep up with base model RSX's manual. We can keep up with traffic just fine. There is not much of a difference between LX and EX IMO. Ima put an EX head on my car pretty soon, so I can see if there is much difference.

 
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EX has ABS which is really good and a sunroof. That is about it....
ABS isnt always your best friend on the track either if your going to make it a track car, however can save you from some serious crap in real life driving conditions.

I got a happy median the LX. dont need a sunroof...
DX=crank windows

 
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if you want a fun car as a daily driver to get you from point A to B... i dont think the civic will do. with 11g, u can find a base around 60k miles or lesser/higher. i have a civic ex auto and it lacks torque big time... meaning long time to merge on freeway. it does have the power to get up to 55mph to merge on, but thats on nearly full throttle which i feel embarassed about.

i seriously would go up a notch and check out the acura rsx 2002'+, base

 
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I know how you feel when your at full throttle tryin to get on the freeway. I get all embarrased as well, since my little car has to try so hard. Its a little easier now that I took my stupid CAI off.

 
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I have a completely stock 02 EX 5 spd in Satin Silver Metallic with 42k miles, I would
sell it for 11k, can you come to Florida?

My bad, it's a coupe

 
Rep Power: 305

If you had a manual you notice its pretty zippy. Very easy to merge on the freeway and pass people. If you stick to auto you would a need a much more powerful car, maybe a v6 camry or somthing, or jetta 1.8t or vr6.

 
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maybe thats because the SOHC doesnt have vtec!

yeah bro, if ur in it for speed, this generation civic is NOT the way to go. You can spend hundreds of dollars buying I/H/E and then cry about how you barely get any gains or actually LOST power..or you can spend thousands on turbo or swap and realize you could have just bought a faster car from the begining.

get a civic for its style, its efficiency, its affordableness.

 
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Does it have to be a 4d? I have a 2 door LX I'm going to put on the market.with only 44k miles on it 5spd all power and factor cd player asking 10,500 books for 11,600.00I see that your in CA thoe.

Jay

 
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Thanks guys.
The reason why I want a Civic is because it is a simple car and with manual tranny I think it should be fun. I don't like cars with a lot of electronics and I think Civic is good in that.

Oh I forgot, I want A/C so that takes the DX out of the picture.

I kind of want a simple, reliable and fun car that can take my beating/reving and I think Civic can handle that. I would probably put Koni shocks and Neuspeed sport springs on it, and just do a drop-in K&N filter. That should make it a fun daily commuter, and possiblly some Rotta Subzero light-weight rims.

 
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the only reason to get the EX is if you want the moonroof. that "extra" HP is really not that much of a power jump. you probably wont even notice it in daily driving. trust me, when it comes down to it, the moon roof and oem sound system is the only significant difference between the LX and EX. and if you can afford the LX, there really is no reason to even look at the DX. is there???

 
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The '04 LX has ABS too. I know, because mine does.

 
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Just get the LX. Back in 01 when I was looking at Civics I decided that the moonroof and ABS were worth it... but now I never use my moonroof, and ABS sucks while autocrossing. I should have gone LX instead of my EX, learn from my mistake and save the $$!

 
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That is not true. Why do you say your LX has ABS?

 
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There is one cool thing about the EX engine. It sounds nice after 4k rpm, it kinda snalrs. Its cool kinda of a deep sound. The EX come with front and rear anti-roll bars, I'm not sure if the early LX and DX came with those. I guess you could always buy those. And I think you mentioned your interested in manual, its a pretty fun car if you have the manual version. The EX might have a little less low end power than the EX. Don't take my word on that I haven't driven a lx or dx. I know one thing the ex has a split personality above 4 k rpm.

 
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I believe it was optional in Canadian Civics...

 
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yea man, get the Lx, not much of a difference, mine is 5 speed and quick! Of course I have a coupe, but the lx has alot of what the ex has (except mild vtec and the sunroof, you can save $$$ gettin the Lx, make sure you get manual 5 speed, and it is quick and light

 
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My 2001 DX has A/C, CD Player and an EX Gauge Cluster with matched odometer miles... not so bad...

 
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yeah go with the lx it has cruise control, a/c, power steering, keyless entry, my 04 lx coupe also has front and rear sway bars stock, good gas mileage, probably averages areound 36 MPG, I got my 04 Brand new with only 8 miles on it for $13,800. pretty good price considering 2 year old Ex's with over 50,000 miles were going for more than that.

 
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LX does not have ABS.

 
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oh yeah like what tybarrack said, the dx dont come with sway bars, so it wont handle as well. The LX also has 15 inch wheels instead of 14. The LX has a tach and led guages, and you can adjust brightness to the point that it can literally blind you at night.

 
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Cuz it says in the manual, fool! j/k

 
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I think he was looking at 01-02 civics. the LX back then (01-03) only had 14inchers, only 04 and up LX's have 15's. The lx gauges are also not the bright blue led ones in the 03+. so i guess youre deciding on a LX or EX. if you look at the prices the LXs and EXs price difference is not THAT great. its just the matter if you are willing to pay for the differences. Ive driven both the lx and ex in both manual and auto before, and id have to say, when pushed hard (like speeding up an on ramp or going up an incline), the EX fares better. Like the others said, theres the stablizer bar, i think 01 and 02, the EX had the bigger stablizer bars compared to the 03-05. Handling is probably better with the stablizer bars, but the ride becomes stiffer. If youre looking for better MPG, the EX is suppose to do a tad better cuz of the vtec system. thats about it, everything else on the EX is like econobox bling: moonroof, body colored parts, differnt seats, slightly different paneling in the car, better audio. get the LX if youre gonna use it for nothing but commute, but if you want some extra SMALL thrills get the ex.

 
Rep Power: 289

what is the best deal go for it

 
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i think the ex is worth it. Basically for the abs, the sunroof is nice if you live in california. I know the abs on my ex has saved my life at least 3 times. First time from a semi driver who didnt check his blind spot and almost ran me off the road with his rear wheels, second a indian in a really big SUV that doesn't like checkin his blind spots and one time when i hydroplaned on the freeway cause of the crappy stock tires.

I have a auto and i dont have any trouble merging into freeways. If i need to accerlate really fast i do sometimes i put it into d3. Its not that big of a difference but you do notice the timings are closer so it hits the torque and powerline faster.