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Hi guys. So recently I bought a 2004 civic ex coupe in very fine condition. It’s my first ever car so of course I wanna personalize it, but I have no idea where to go or what to start with
From what I’m gathering, I should work on the important things first like my brakes and suspension. But as for my suspension what do I even do?
(Reference photo)
I see so many options, coilovers lowering springs bags etc but I can’t find a solid answer on which is best for my car and as a first timer who’s gonna be paying someone to do it as I don’t have space to work on my car. (Not my parking lot in picture.less space at my apartment lot)
but am I wrong to go for suspension first and then cosmetics later? And how much should I expect to pay for something like a lowered suspension?
Basically the above comment. Start at stage 0. Make sure all your maintenance is up to date. If you don't have previous records of it having been done (service intervals), it's probably worth just doing. Do a full mechanical breakdown first. I'd check all the belts (including the timing belt), consumables such as spark plugs (condition will indicate how much oil it's burning, and include a compression test there), air filter, etc. Then you look at brakes and suspension. Assuming you drove it home, I doubt there's any pressing issue beyond it maybe needing pads, rotors, or new bushings. Worry about the condition of the engine and transmission first.
There are two issues that cripple this generation of civic; the head gaskets and the automatic transmissions. There are preventative measures you can take for the transmission but the car's old enough and the car's maintenance history may suggest any attempt at prolonging it is futile. That said, a drain and fill can't hurt.
Especially if you are on a limited budget, I would focus of general care/maintenance of the car first (On repairs that might be needed, or come due down the road consider upgrades that you may like and could afforded, like better pads/rotors/calipers). then I would look at things that will most affect your use of the car (which it not being driveable is the most noticeable, thus base care), which really is a personal question on how and what you are going to do with it, make a list and rank it by how much it will improve your enjoyment and the cost to do it to a level that you will be pleased (there are always bigger better options, that others may like and do, but aren't worth it for your goals, and will eat money that could be spent elsewhere).
Consider roads/surface quality of where you are driving if you are wanting to lower it, slammed can look cool and has some performance bonuses on well maintained surfaces, but if you are dragging often you may not be a net plus. I found that the stock ride height was none to high for my area and driving habits. I am not trying to dissuade you in anyway, just to take an honest look and where and how you drive, and what/how much will suit you.
One of the first things I did to my 2002 EX coupe was add a couple 12v always-on sockets. which isn't too hard, and pretty cheap.
headlights a/o bulbs can be a nice personalization and improved function/safety (if yours are dim or clouded, which I can't see from picture well, but likely are if no one else already did anything with them).
