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Hey guys I have never had a chance at owning one of these cars. I see them everywhere, buzzing around. I have always been a fan of larger displacement engines and never thought I would have one or even honestly want one. With that being said i have decided it will be the perfect platform for me to move into and I am looking at 2 different ones tomorrow. I don't know a thing about these cars and I need your advice.

If you were buying which would you get.

first is a 93 Civic its done up but its got like 169k on it but it is really fixed up nice and ready to drive.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/2222082780.html

However I think im going to have trouble reselling it even though I could get it for a lower price than what they are asking. I really wanted a 5 speed. However if this is as clean is it looks in person I could settle.

the second car however is a 98 civic si?? I looked but I didn't know there was a such thing as a si model in the 98's

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/2222438900.html

it only has 99k more reliable but a little closer to stock but still with some mods done already.

I have plans of maybe boosting in the future but not sure yet.

I really want something thats fun to drive, cheap to mod and change up parts on, and reliable. and maybe if i decide to sell can retain some of its value.

I am really leaning towards the 98 im thinking the way the 93 looks already is the only thing its got going for it

 
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Dont buy the 93 it looks pretty awful imo. the 98 appears to be an ex body but it could be an si if the owner swapped in a b16a2 engine since they only made 99-00 si during the 6th gen. so make sure you check that out and see if the guy did the swap right and that everything was put in correctly. your best bet would be to take it to a shop and have them check it out best of luck to you.

The price of the 98 seems too good to be true. it has fairly low mileage and when the asking price is that low and it "claims to be" an si there must be something seriously wrong with it or he did a terrible job with the swap

 
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Thats what I was thinking.Could you tell me where and what im looking for on the engine to say if its the b16a2?

Honestly I don't care as long as it runs good. I have been looking at prices of motor swaps and honestly I wish I would have gotten into hondas a long time ago the prices are great compared to the vr4 platform I was playing with before

 
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Where the engine and the tranny meet there should be an engraving thatll say it right on there b16a2 if it doesnt say that then its not technically an si

 
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ok thanks for the input on that. I will keep you guys posted he is supposed to bring it by the shop where I work tomorrow so I can check it out.

 
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The 93 looks awful. The 98 Si might be a typo on the poster's side. Like the others said, visual check. Easiest way to verify.....look at the VIN. Should say 1HGEM1. Emphasis on the EM1. The gauges are the Si gauges, but you can easily get those. Keep us updated and best of luck on your search.

 
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Yeah not a fan of the 93. I have found that when you buy a car that's allready "hooked-up" it ends up costing you more money in the long run.Who knows what lurkes underneath. The 98 looks good but basically what everyone else said, just get it checked out real good. Civics are pretty low maitenence man. Basically just keep the oil changed and take care of it and it will take care of you.

 
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No offense, but the 93 looks like a beaner-mobile

 
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Second Kennykid, the 93' is an overpriced rice-mobile...

Stick with the 98' civic and check ALL vins for a match...each quater panel, tranny, engine for example.

Good luck pardner, and welcome to the wide-n-wonderful world of civic tuning!

 
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Assuming that panels were not replaced, there should be a VIN on every single panel of the car

Also, check for abnormal gaps in fenders, bumpers, hoods
What I learned is: Gaps mean damaged

 
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Well it fell through so im back on the search for a car. The guy didn't get in touch with me till after 5 after I called him twice to tell me that he sold it this morning. I hate people who waste my time

 
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Well good news I picked up a 97 coupe ex 5 speed I will try to get some pics asap

 
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Here is my new baby I got plenty of plans for this I already replaced the 2 rear wheel bearings because they were shot but that was the only thing that was wrong with the car that ive found so far but here it is

 
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Looks good. Congrats on your purchase! How does that exhaust sound? Looks a little big. And lol @ the dog in the 2nd pic. Looks like it's up to something .

 
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The exhaust doesn't sound too bad, but yah it is throwing soot on the back end of the car. I am not sure if this is a bad sign or not. As far as sound it actually sounds great its not real ricey sounding.

I do have a question though I have been thinking and it may just be me but I thought usually the reason for an aftermarket exhaust was to open up restrictive flow but with that being said if you don't have a certain amount of back pressure you are actually loosing horsepower.

I am trying to save every bit I can with this car I have "big" plans for it in the future. Would I be better off finding a stock catback for now.

What can I do to pep this babby up a little bit? I will try to get some hood shots for you guys.

I was also curious what would be the best engine swap for this with intentions of boosting?

 
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stock header provides enough backpressure for the car, the catback just helps dump the restriction after the cat. Mine sounded nice until I put on the header and went catless, now its to loud for my liking. Probably the best boosted motor would be a b-series engine as they are common and handle boost well. The k-series handle boost well but would be more costly.

 
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they only made si in the year 99-00 a face lift from the 96-98
unless if that car came from canada then it be an si (usa ex)
but good find on that civic
i say the 6gen civic are one of the best looking ones and the mods are endless due to
almost the flea market carry its parts what i love about it is that
every auto store sell there parts at least mechanical wise