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So, I have a 2000 Honda Civic EX Coupe, Automatic 1.6L. I've had this car since day one, it's got 166000 miles and counting. I love this car and after almost trading it in this weekend, I've decided not to. I'd rather spend the money on fixing this car up and making pretty again.

So far, I haven't really been able to get much help around where I live. Everyone tells me to trade it in and get a new car. But i don't want to. Anyhow, I'll tell you the things I'd like to do to it, and you guys / gals can let me know if I'm nuts or what.

To start it needs a paint job. I can get one for about $1800. They'll fix all the dings in it as well. I was thinking of going with the original silver color.

Next I'd really like to get some leather seats, but I don't even know where to start looking. Is this something like reupholstering or do i buy whole new leather seats? Any direction here?

I need to redo the ceiling, it's dirty from years of cigarette smoke. I quit 3 years ago now. Anyhow I want to replace it, but don't even know where to start.

Next I'd like to replace the carpets. Again, don't even know where to start.

Now, mechanically, there are some things that I am not sure about. One, I've never replaced the shocks or the struts, so I think I have to do that.

Next, the brakes aren't as sharp as my wife's new car. Is there anything I can do to make them nice and tight?

I'd like to do some things to increase it's performance. I don't need a race car, but if I can get a few more HP into it, that'd be great.

At the same time, I'd like to really try and increase the MPG on the vehicle, I've read about some unique ways of doing that, but haven't delved in. Things like homemade hydrogen, and tweaking the computer, etc... Any direction here?

Anyhow, that's all I got for now. The help of this community would be awesome. I can use some general direction and even some cool ideas. So please, if anyone can help me make a plan of attack, feel free to hit me up.

 
Rep Power: 205

your nuts...

If you drop $10000 into a $4000 car it's still a $4000 car. If that's not an issue for you then since it's already an EX it probably has the y8 engine in it so more power would either be an engine swap or turbo both are going to give you less MPG.

You might be surprised at what just a good tune up and some brake work could do for it with a new/different suspension. The brakes were done by Honda on my car just before I bought it and I've always found them to be above average compared to most other cars I've driven and that's just factory stock.

Get a FSM and it'll show you how to do most of the work you've just described.

 
Rep Power: 0

Oddly enough, I get the "Your Nuts!" response a lot.

I guess you can't put value on a fun hobby. I enjoy maintaining the car, and it's going to be fun to get it all looking nice and new again.

I just dropped it off this morning to have all the dings and dents removed then get painted. $1600.

My next step is to get the ceiling replaced and floor carpets replaced, that's going to be $500. Is that good?

After that I'd like to get some new seats (prefer leather). Any recommendations?

Then some rims and tires (have only ever had stock hubcaps). Any recommendations?

Then new radio. I was thinking of the appradio2. Any recommendations?

Again, thanks for the help.