Hey guys, I'm about to buy my first Honda by the end of the month. It is a white 97 Civic LX Sedan, and is bone stock. I wanted to come on here and learn all i can about Civics. I am most likely going to start off with a CAI and I'm not sure I can afford a full cat back so I might just do a flowmaster 60 since I like what I've heard on youtube, I also want to get some new heads and tails. Any advice to a newbie would be appreciated as i have only learned about these things within the past month from Internet research, thanks!

 

I would try to hold out for a 99-00 EX if anything. Anything except for an EX, or SI between the years of 96-00 will have the cat converter built into the header and you will need to spend an extra bit of money converting the exhaust to an EX exhaust with the cat. located under the car.

Personally, I like the 99-00 interior better (climate control, and radio bezel set-up differently). You can easily install a Double DIN headunit in the 99-00 set-up. If you opt for the 96-98 set-up, you'll end up spending something like $300 to convert that part. Here's what mine looks like.

Also, the 99-00 front end is better looking. I am not hating on the 96-98's (I used to own one), but I hope this helps you with your choice.

 

welcome to HCF..and welcome to the world of hondas! i personally like the 99-00 civic as well but so many ppl have them in town that i went with 97 lx sedan. my suggestion to u is find something u like and of course within ur means and then mod it to ur liking...make it ur own ;] i do so love the climate/radio console of the 99-00 over the 96-98 civics. i was thinkin about converting this til i read how much its gonna run..think ill just keep it the way it is thnx to cvcrcr99!

 

The reason im getting this particular car is that it only has 98,000 miles and is in excellent condition and im getting it for only 2 grand, or even 1800 if my skills pull through. Im not too concerned about the interior looking cooler at this point, maybe down the road Ill get a media center installed and pay the extra cash.

 

96-98 Front End>99-00 Front End

Welcome to the site

 

Or i could always slip this bad boy in there right?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...#ht_823wt_1073

 

thanks for the welcome and support on my soon to be 97!

 

So much work involved in that its not really worth it IMO

 

My main question i want to ask first off is, CAI or SRI, its a beat question that has been vigorously explained as CAI is overall power and SRI is quicker throttle response, but they way people make it sound is that its bad shoving hot air into your engine so i have been leaning toward CAI which also has a sick sound and will have benefits like making the A/C cooler and feeding the engine cooler air although throttle wont be as fast. I am noticing most of the users on here prefer SRI, is it just for the sound??? i want to buy one and i wanna buy the best so i wanna be 100% sure before i buy, thankkkss.

 

yeah your probably right dude