hi im new here and im about to buy an ep3 civic hatch si 2002. has 81,000 miles on it and has never been in a wreck. what should i look for when i drive the car/pop the hood? any specific noises, leaks ect i need to look for? i'm very mechanical and used to own a vr6 turbo that would put down 430whp on pump gas, but i need a daily driver now that im in college. i plan on keeping the car stock, i dont have enough time anymore to keep up with a modified car. just want a tiny bit of power and good gas milage/reliability. so please just tell me what to look for no suggestions on what other kinda honda i should get because it has more power, if i wanted power i'd still be driving the vr6. thanks

 

we have a member selling a nice 2004 ep3 si its in our forsale thread, but with 81k miles i suggest askin if the timing belt and water pump have been replaced, if not then if you do get it that would be the first thing to get done, or have them do it before you buy it.

 

where do i find this 2004? is that it just timing belt and water pump? theres gotta be something else to look for.

 

heres his link for the 2004 si
https://www.hondacivicforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=78363

 

I'd suggest an Acura RSX-S. A slightly more powerful K20a2 (versus the EP3's K20a3), a 6-speed gearbox, a traditional shifter location (the EP3's dash-mounted shifter would throw me off, personally), and they look way better than the mini-van-esque EP3.

The only downside is the 6-speed transmission is notorious for its 3rd gear grind.

 

What Honda trans isnt known for a 3rd grind?

 

Okay, I literally LOL'ed when I read that. I think the k20a2's transmission is a little worse than any other though... there was a thread on clubrsx a while back about members' most embarrassing moments in their cars and half of the replies involved the 3rd gear grind