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Ok guys, I've done all the research, now I'm ready to buy my son a car. I am mostly settled on the Civic, however, if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to say.

I was wondering how much I should pay for a 03 Civic EX (with no options)? Would it be better to get a 02? Does the 03 version have significant inprovments? Also, if I choose to get the spoiler, how much do you think I should pay?

Thanks for the help.

 
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oh oh

buy him a 6th gen hatch or coupe...low miles. let him work for money to buy parts and crap to fix it up, or help him out with the money you saved.

he will be 10x happier with a pimped out later model then a stockey [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

just my thoughts..but when i bought my 2k1 civic i actually traded it in on this 97 i have now because i felt bad tearing the new one apart.

 
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Yea, I'd get him a 6thgen. It would be hella cheap and also, first cars always get beat up. Because you are just learning how they work, best way to drive em......etc.

 
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i have an 02 ex coupe. i have had absolutly no problems with it, stock or any of my mods. but, if i were you, i would buy him an 02 or 03. which ever you like more. the 03 have a few changes. whether or not he plans to mod his civic, he will enjoy it either way. and encourage him to continue coming to this site, we not only talk about modding but also the civic in general. good luck.

 
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there are lots of cars to be have in that particular market.. especially with the price of the 03 civic. MSRP of 17,000? sheesh. well thats the coupe with the standard alloy wheel. nice wheels but pricy.

are u looking at a coupe or sedan? manual or automatic? the price different varies...

the difference between 03 and 02 are:

gauges.. 03 has blue lighted ones while 02s have red ones.. I think the 03 ones look better.. 03 has different steering wheel, overall looks better too... 03 also has different center console with better armrest...

overall the interior is better. they also did away with the weird shapes and design you find on the chair, its just black or other colors, no weird designs of circles and squares....

I believe the rear headrest is bigger too and more practical.

ummm... mechanically they are the same, the 02 and 03 runs better than the 01s overall.. they tweaked out some suspension issues and the car generally rides better and sharper.

the 99-00 Si alloy wheels on the 03 Ex Coupe is really nice, its everyone's fav although its kind of overkill on the market too. (in the sense that its everywhere)

as for the spoiler, I wouldn't get an OEM one unless they can have it included in the deal... the dealer will want like 200-300 for it.. but honestly, replica ones are only $100 unpainted and uninstall... but if you take it to a reputable shop to do it they shouldn't charge over $50 for a spoiler paint and install. save more money overall if you dont get that spoiler. dealer wants way too much for it most of the time.

I suggest looking in other vehicles too, dont get me wrong my 01 civic rides fine... so far I haven't have any major complaint about it... in fact the side air bag option was a plus since I got in a broadside collision and my arm wasn't broken because of the side airbag support. and the civic's safety rating is one of the highest (top 5) in the nation. (quite a surprise to many)

but I like many other cars they have out in the market these days.. the Protege 5... etc. etc.

its probably cheaper to go for a 02 though, they are the same in my opinion and the difference of nearly 2 grand, right?

hope this help somewhat.

 
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this is very true

 
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previous gen civic; 6th would be very nice.

 
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I'd say that a main part of it comes down to his plans for the car. Meaning; if he plans to modify the car (i.e. putting on rims and such,) then go with an 02 because its got the hubcaps. If he's not going to do anything to it, then get the 03 if the price isn't much different. There are a few subtle things that I like about the 03s, but nothing I can't change on my own. My parents actually bought this car for me about a year and three months ago, and I'm glad they went with the EX model. The anti-lock brakes for a new driver (I'm assuming your son is within the first two years of his liscense, sorry if I'm wrong) are quite a help, and it wouldn't be out of line for you to expect him to baby the car. I don't know how much the OEM (original equipment manufacturer if you don't know) spoiler costs, but it'd be worth your time to check out the Wings West website (check yahoo for it, I think its just wingswest.com) and look at their three piece spoiler for this model car, I think it looks 1000x nicer than the OEM one. On the subject of a 6th gen, I can't answer that for you. He's going to get higher resale on the 7th gen when that day finally comes, and I think the 7th gens look much more sophisticated. Sure, the aftermarket performance parts aren't the best, but my parents are happy about that. Get him what you think he will like the best and make the most out of.

 
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I dunno. When I looked around, the 7th gen Civics were the best deal. The price was within range with every feature I could want. For under 21's like me, CD, sunroof, AC, cruise, Keyless entry, alarm, etc was all I could ask for. In addition, it gets great gas mileage and has a 5 star safety. My 02 handles and runs great and I've had no problems. While I don't race it, I've autocrossed it a few times while stock and even my friends with more experience in autoX complimented the car's handling. Basically, I love my car. My parents got it for me and it's supposed to last until I graduate from grad school. I'm a senior in high school now and I don't doubt that it will. And, as an added bonus, you get to have help from this sweet site and the thousands of happy 7th gen owners out there. Stick with the 7th gen (unless he's gonna modify the car... But I don't think parents really like that one. Hehe), you can't go wrong! Good Luck!

 
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i bought my first car on my own when i was 17, saved up 3 years and paid off my dx on the spot...in cash. that was 7 months ago. bought it stock with nothing, i mean nothing, no a/c, am/fm radio..but ive been working at it. i added the a/c myself a week after i bought the car, and i work at circuit city so i got a bangin' system....so yay for me. personally, id get him something cheap, im 17, and im crazy. i drive hard, and i play around with my car the way normal people wouldnt. i dont do it on the street tho, i usually take it to the track (lets go skip barber racing school). anyways, my point is, get him a honda, toyota, whatever, anything thats cheap and easy to care for. let him pay his own insurance, gas, repairs and mods on his own though, you just provide him the vehicle. just my two cents.

PS--no, i wasnt bragging, just being honest, so please dont harrass me.

 
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I would buy him a 5th gen or a 6th gen civic coupe or a hatch. If he is going to mod it I would get him a stickshift. I have a 2k1 and I havent found it to be as "quality" as earlier civics. How about a 4th gen or a 5th gen Accord or a Prelude?

 
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Get him a 91 crx si in good condition

 
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come on guys, this is a parent buying a car for his child, he probably doesn't want to think about how easy it would be for him to modify it. A civic is a good choice because he can't go too fast right off the bat. If you get him the 7th gen, then it would be hard for him to get parts for it as compared to the 5th or 6th generation civics.