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Honda Civic 2005 and earlier

4041 messages,  Last post on May 07, 2013 at 9:07 AM

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Messages Page 351 of 405

#3500 of 4041 Re: [blueiedgod] by mauto

Jul 30, 2004 (2:18 am)

Replying to: blueiedgod (Jul 29, 2004 5:10 am)
Well the Si wasn't out yet and I test drove the Civic in winter when the floppy suspension wasn't quite so floppy. But I admit, I did know about the timing belt cost. Someone earlier said that $600 wasn't bad for 90k miles of driving. True. But you know what's even better than that? $Zero for 90k miles of driving. That's what you get in almost all other small cars today. Why does Honda use a belt and not a chain? It's cheap. The Si is actually a pretty nice car, but Edmunds' own report says that it drives almost the same as any other Civic.
 
As far as putting in 160HP in the 05 - no way. Honda has never made those kinds of changes within the same generation. You'll have to wait for 06. But if history is anything to go on, the HP won't be much of an increase. Since 1992, the Civic EX V-TEC engine has gone from 125HP to 127HP in today's 2004 EX. Back in 1992, 125HP was a class leader and the Civic was always the performance benchmark in the economy class. Now the Civic has been Buick-ized for an older customer. Well engineered? Yes. But also underwhelming.

#3501 of 4041 Re: [mauto] by blueiedgod

Jul 30, 2004 (4:44 am)

Replying to: mauto (Jul 30, 2004 2:18 am)
Someone earlier said that $600 wasn't bad for 90k miles of driving I said that.
On the scale of things that are going to be need replacement by 90,000 miles, timing belt is miniscule. Add up the oil changes, gas fill ups, tire replacements, brake work, filter replacements and the $600 timing belt charge is nothing. The belt itself is only $20-50, most of the cost is the labor and "recommended" water pump replacement. If the $600 out of $20,000-$25,000 (initial purchase price+Interest+maintenance+replacements/repair+fuel) by the time you reach 90,000 miles is what breaks the bank, then you are in over your head. No one said that owning a new car was cheap.
 
If the belt is such a big concern, I am sure you can convert it to timing chain with aftermarket parts. You would just need to get sprokets, and properly sized double linked chain.
 
As far as Si's driving dynamics, take one for a test drive. I was sold on the spot. And, by the way, all of K-series engines have timing chain. But, none of the K-series engines can achieve the fuel economy that D-, and B-series (with timing belt) engines enjoy. I don't know if it is due to the chain alone, but it is a fact. So, yes, I will not have the $600 timing belt replacement charge by 90,000 miles, but I will spend $1500 more in gas over the same 90,000 miles.
Assumptions: D-series engine 40 MPG, K-series engine 30 MPG.(90,000 miles/MPG)x$2.00 gal=$ cost of gas over 90,000 miles.
 
Since 1992, the Civic EX V-TEC engine has gone from 125HP to 127HP in today's 2004 EX. Back in 1992, 125HP was a class leader and the Civic was always the performance benchmark in the economy class.
Yes, but you failed to realize that torque has been increasing with every revision. One does not live by the HP alone. The 1972 Lincoln only had 100 hp, but can do mad burnouts.

#3502 of 4041 by anonymousposts

Jul 30, 2004 (8:12 am)

The Civic is starting to get the 2.0L k-series in other parts of the wotld so it's not too unrealistic to think the next US Civic will have it in at least the EX.

#3503 of 4041 Re: [anonymousposts] by blueiedgod

Jul 30, 2004 (8:30 am)

Replying to: anonymousposts (Jul 30, 2004 8:12 am)
The Civic is starting to get the 2.0L k-series in other parts of the wotld so it's not too unrealistic to think the next US Civic will have it in at least the EX.
 
Only if they rebadge it as Si coupe.

#3504 of 4041 tc vs civic by dalaw

Jul 30, 2004 (9:20 am)

Also remember that scion has a no haggle pricing policy, so be prepared to pay the MSRP. On the other hand, talking to a $2000 discount should not be a problem.

#3505 of 4041 by imidazol97

Jul 30, 2004 (12:47 pm)

>If the $600 out of $20,000-$25,000 (initial >purchase >price+Interest+maintenance+replacements/repair+fu>el)
 
Wouldn't it be better to have just price plus intertest plus maintenance plus replacements WITHOUT a 600$ timing belt every 60, 80, 90K or whatever!!!

#3506 of 4041 First Posting - New Civic Owner by andysandiego

Jul 31, 2004 (1:21 pm)

I enjoyed reading dozens of messages, also looked at the Si messages. I put specs, price, etc., of our Civic in my Profile. It's really fun to drive, so far 2,000 miles just 27 mpg mixed driving. Service Manager says by 7,500 miles consumption will be better. I put Honda leather wheel cover on, and 20-piece ExoticWood dash (beautiful at $230); I could give tips on installation. Wouldn't mind a bit more exhaust sound; suggestions?
 
Which is the better buy, the Si or the factory modified coupe, (a dream for some day)?
 
More rear room in our sedan than in the '94 Mercedes C280 it replaces - was eating me up in big maintenance/repair expenses. Civic's only a couple of inches shorter. I like the size of the Civic and it's light weight better than the Accord, not to mention economy.
 
Am thinking of installing Falken Azenis Sport 205/50-15s on it, would make speedometer read about 5% fast.
 
Just some thoughts,
AndySanDiego

#3507 of 4041 tc vs civic by dalaw

Jul 31, 2004 (5:05 pm)

Oops I mean the civic shouldn't have a problem getting a discount.

#3508 of 4041 Re: First Posting - New Civic Owner [andysandiego] by andyman73

Jul 31, 2004 (5:36 pm)

Replying to: andysandiego (Jul 31, 2004 1:21 pm)
Congrats on the new Civic. I have a '94 with new exhuast on it. I broke the cat last week, and well gotta have that! I went with a new cat-back system. Replaced the factory resonator with a straight through performance type, and a Magnaflow with Dual DTM 3" tips. Pipe is 2" diameter, my mechanic(local Meinicke(SP?) manager, prostreet drag racer who runs nines on all motor at Maple Grove) is an exhuast specialist. Said anything bigger wouldn't make any difference with out heavy mods. The factory pipe on mine was 1.5". It sounds awesome, need to have resonator, or else it may catch the ear of Johnny Law. This is my third Honda with exhuast work. The first was w/o the resonator, through a Scavenger Series II Flowmaster. Quite loud, yet never got me in trouble. Of course if you don't run through town at WOT or in a low gear, should be alright. Maybe being an automatic, yours should be okay, until you hammer it. Anyways, congrats, again, and good luck with your exhuast choice.
 
Andy

#3509 of 4041 Re: First Posting - New Civic Owner [andyman73] by andysandiego

Jul 31, 2004 (7:58 pm)

Replying to: andyman73 (Jul 31, 2004 5:36 pm)
Thanks Andy for exhaust comments. I printed them to digest. I've searched like on Google for "Civic tuning exhaust" and similar but couldn't find anything. So you helped a lot. Guess I'll talk to a Meinecke shop for starters.

Messages Page 351 of 405

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