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I beat an R32 Golf at the drags, by less than 1 tenth of a second haha.

 
Rep Power: 305

There is no way a Sentra SER or a GTI has better build quality than a civic. You can tell by the finish of the car. If you look at the finish of 2001-up everything fits tight (Check yourself, if you don't believe me). Just because interior is not flashy does not mean its not on par with the other cars(its functional, easy to read gauges and good fit). Honda Civic's are made in Canada, how come GTI and SER Spec V's are made in Brazil? My car is new so I couldn't I couldn't tell you about the reliability. But it has a better reliability rating on many websites and among the three mechanics I’ve asked (Integra has a very good reputation). GTI has electrical issues, and sentra SER Spec V has engine issues.

I have a fully loaded EX 2003 coupe which was an arm and leg cheaper than a GTI and the price was comparable to a sentra SER spec V. GTI is a rare car where I'm located so it was costing me more for a 2001 GTI 1.8(which is 150hp not 180hp) after financing. A Nissan SER SPEC V ended up costing aproxx 1k more after a 4 years financing period than my Civic EX Coupe. Civic Ex Coupe where I'm located has better resale value than a sentra SER Spec V.

Honda Civic EX has a way better tranny than a SPEC V. Its much slicker and more precise, that is something that you can't deny (Honda has great transmissions. There is no way you get better fuel economy from a 2.5 L altima engine in a sentra SER SPEC V than a Civic Ex Coupe, that's complete RUBISH.

I agree with you on the turning radius. The turning radius is something that doesn't bother me.

For the price of a GTI 1.8T 20TH Aniversary edition with the recaro racing seats, you can buy a rsx type S with skirts and a high spoiler. I'd opt for the Type S.

Sentra SER SPEC V, good bang for your buck, I'm not sure I can trust its reliability.

 
Rep Power: 327

Hey I bought a Civi so I'm with you on the last one...

But the older 1.8Ts had 150HP. The new 1.8Ts DO have 180hp.

 
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you can get a GTI 1.8T 20th AE for a 20-21K, you can't get a RSX type-s for 20-21K with low mileage. (well maybe u can, but then again, for that price, I got me a benz)

 
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You apparently have never driven a Spec V. If you were in michigan id gladly let you drive my car. There is nothing precise about the civics shifter. its sloppy. I have been driving a 01 civic dx for a couple weeks now and it feels like its going to fall apart. My sister just bought a 2003 civic LX and granted its in much better shape, it shifts the same, it drives the same. I hate the feel of this honda transmission. I know its subjective alot of the sentra guys complain about the 6 speed MAXIMA transmission in the sentra because it was notchy. Thats what i wanted, Notchy. You guys may call your transmission smooth.. but to me its sloppy. Precise is a word I would use to describe the feel of the sentra's transmission not the honda. Take my car for a drive you are welcome.

You misunderstood my post. I said the civic is superior to my sentra in these two ways. Better fuel economy. (35-42mpg) versus my (22-28mpg) And the Spec V because of the HLSD has a TERRIBLE turning circle. Its not a huge deal but really annoying when trying to park and such. Civic has a smoother ride, but i dont feel it would compare to the Spec V in handling. It just seems a lot of you are into autocrossing or drag racing I was just curious why more of you didnt look at a spec V when the EX is the same price...

Some of the 2002 Spec V's were plagued with some problems. While the engine is running, it sucks some of the exhaust back into the engine for emissions. While thats fine and dandy, its not really cool when there is a cat in the exhaust manifold that breaks apart. Once parts of that gets sucked back into the engine there is oil consumption then your just SOL. There was a recall that reflashes the ECU and changes the fuel mixture so it doesnt happen. I say the best thing is to just buy a OBX 4-2-1 header. Then it solves that problem and gives 10-12whp. Also there was some tranny problems with the early 02's. I have an 03 with 0 problems so far. *knock on wood* 37,000 miles so far.

 
Rep Power: 305

Your right I've never driven a sentra Spec V, so I shouldn't judge. Spec V is certainly a powerful car, and like I said before you get a lot bang for your buck.
I'm able to shift really quick with my tranny(I'm sure the EX LX and DX have the same tranny). I don't what's wrong with that? Usually aren't quick shifts desired? I never saw notchy as an advantage when it came to a tranny.

 
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Sorry to toss in my own opinion but the quality of honda cars have declined over the years. I have seen countless of our gen civics w/ a tranny problem. And also volkswagen fixed the "electrical" or coil pack problems.

Well like everyone around me.. I hated volkswagen and swore by the Honda name. I always thought they were crap and looked ugly. But since my tranny broke on my 2k1 civic not once but twice, I was in the market for a new car. First I've driven the rsx.. ehhh not too powerful... seems torqueless. Then WRX.. woot nice car.. ugly interior. So I was discourage... till my girl FORCED me into a 2k3 V-DUB 1.8t gti. Wow.. after once run.. I couldnt get enough. The torque was nice and the the turbo was also a nice addition. The turning was pretty decent too. And to top it off.. the interior was like WHOA.

So coming from the Honda scene to the V-Dub scene was a good one for ME. I cant say for all. Since we all have different experiences w/ cars.

 
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I have to agree with you on that one about the 1.8T. I previously owned a Jetta 1.8T. Was able to swap to a KO4 and Performance chip. I was eating the little Civics for lunch and dinner. I kept it as sleeper as possible. Unfortunately, when your warranty runs out, you have to pay an obsurd amount of money for just a small little part.

Due to the changes that I made, I only ran about 19-21 mpg. It sucked the worst monkey ***** considering the fact that VWs need Super Unleaded. Sure you can put regular, but, omg, it sucks so bad. Kills the performance like crazy. But, in any event, I loved the way these cars are manufactured. The motors are incredible. When I bought it, I was skeptical on which one to buy, either the VR6 or the 1.8T. By far the Turbo has WAY better pick up.IMO. I test drove both of them twice just to make sure. Fell inlove with a 2002 Blatic Green Jetta 1.8T sitting in the showroom with chrome rims. Cant believe I spanked 28K for it, but, I never regret it. I loved how some parts are Audi parts. But, I just couldnt let go. I did have BMW and I thought it was one of the worst cars I had ever drove. Thankfully it was paid off and I was able to sell it for a decent amount. On top of that, after the Jetta, I bought a 02 Civic EX. Not to bad of a car, but, the power was horrible. Sold that too. I just HAD to go back to the wonderful German engineering of VW/Audi/Porshe(sp?)/Bentley. So, I opeted for an Audi RS6. I love this thing. It growls and howls like a beast! Mind you it eats gas like fukin nuts, but, its well worth it. I love it. Well, thats my 2 cents on VW. Heres a pic of my old Jetta. Oh it was soooo cuuuuute.

 
Rep Power: 302

hMm..I wanna test Drive one of those...

 
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I still stand by the honda name, but i wonder if they have been declining... The civic im driving on a daily basis wasnt maintained to well. What I said about the shifter is subjective. I feel "notchy" "and precise" are words used to describe my spec v's tranny. the civic I would describe as "smooth" But if you put your hand on it and shake it back and forth it moves.. (sloopy) the spec v's is rock solid. Thats all im saying about that. Not here to start any wars. The sentra is a qwerky car but for the price I dont think you can beat it (if your looking for a performance compact)

I think the Interior's on the VW's are FANTASTIC. The one i sat in (fully loaded) Vr6 GTi made my mouth water... but a sticker price of 26k.. UHHH NO thank you.

 
Rep Power: 305

I know courrier drivers who have more than 115,000miles on the 2001 coupes and there cars are running fine. Thats city driving to. Maybe Canadian Civic's are different. Its proven to be reliable, I know someone else who is using his civic with an auto tranny with more than 310, 000miles on the old hatch back models(he still running it).

If your busting the tranny on your 2001 Civic coupe than your probably not driving correctly.

 
Rep Power: 381

my problem with VW goes like this.
(I've worked on them too)
#1 Parts tend to be over priced and ovely complex (Ever seen the window regluator on a VW? its cable driven rather then the standard Scissors type. I've had to replace quite a few due to the cable pullies braking).

#2 Primitive rear suspension. seriously, get rid of that Torsion beam rear suspension (the last Honda to use a tortion beam rear suspension was the 1984-1987 3rd Gen Civic)

#3 they tend to be plagued by excessive weight on the nose of the car. (particularlly the VR6 Models)

I understand that they are nice cars, and that they can be fast cars, but I'm in to corners, and they just dont have as much potential as something with a Double wishbone or even a Strut type suspension.

 
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Happened to my right-passenger window. I was going to the store, and when I opened my door, I heard a big SLAM!. I look to my right and my window is gone. WTF? I see no broken glass....little did I know, its sitting inside of the door and there was a recall for this. Took it in, but, since VW service kinda sucks, they would only replace the one that broke, not all of them. So, in essence, I had to wait for the other ones to break. 3 months later, same thing happened to the driver door. I bitched and complained and got them all replaced. Thats about the only problem I ever had. Aside from brakes and what not. Still a good car!

 
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Ahh i know about those problems.. but what happened in 2003.. vw fixed everything due to their decline in the stock markets and sales in the states.

And the mention of the older model civics lasting long... well the reliability/quality dropped on the newer civics. Read about the rattling in the trunk... its been there since 2k1. IMHO.. new cars shouldnt even have a problem like that and let alone for this long? BTW I had an automatic civic... and work at a shop.. im pretty sure I maintain it good enough. I had access to alot of parts for doing the maintenance fairly quick and easy. But like I say.. all cars are made different.. different experience w/ them.. I've had a 92 lude w/ major mods and tunes and never had a problem w/ it. It was also turboed. So I dont know. But right now i'm inlove w/ my 2003 gti 1.8t.

 
Rep Power: 305

Thats it the trunk rattles. Don't even get me started on the quirky problems you get in a VW.

The reliability of VW has drastically dropped in Canada since they started assembling the cars in Mexico and Brazil.

But I've also heard that they aleviated many of the issues in 2003.

I guess I shouldn't be so Honda biased, My boss has an odyseey, be blew his tranny twice. Every car has there lemons. The GTI has good resale value. I guess nothing should happen to it in the next few years and if something does happen its under warranty. I was looking at the GTI but it was beyond my budget. Then I looked for a used one, but my mechanic suggested against it. I was really pissed, I really wanted 180hp(its also a very good looking Hatch) but I did some research and my mechanic wasn't the only one with the view on the GTI. He said get an Integra, or a Honda.

 
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I was against it too. But I did research on the bad parts of vw and they happen to change all of it. From the windows falling down to the CEL coming on due to coil packs. I got my gti for 17k used :-p w/ only 5k miles.

 
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I think any car will last if it was properly maintained. Ive seen plenty of *gasp* cavaliers and escorts over 250,000 and some over 300k. My prelude kicked the bucket at 260,000... might of went further if i replaced the fuel pump.

Sentras are made in mexico and tennesse.