My Civic lets me drive my GSX like I stole it because the Civic WILL RUN after I break my DSM. It also lets me pull the GSX off the road and mod the hell out of it without worrying the ever famous, "oh golly, I only have one car left to drive, what if IT breaks?". It's cheap, free and reliable, just like me.

I hated this hatch until I replaced most everything in it. But that's the nice about it. They're an empty canvas, and you never feel guilty about making changes. Every part costs $30, and you only need 4 sizes of wrenches to work on it. You've obviously done a lot of work to it, and it looks great. I'd feel great driving that every day, too... (trade ya!)

BUT! I'm 10x more likely to sell my Civic than my DSM. Even though I've pulled the engine out of both cars and put a lot of work into both of them, there's just no way I'd part with the AWD car solely because of how WELL it handles. I'd agree with you on the handling part if yours is WWD. AWD cars don't experience any of that unless you're breaking traction with all 4 wheels (which can be both frightening and fun at the same time).

I'm almost 32 and I'm not ashamed to be seen in a Civic. I get more attention in it than I would in any SUV or sedan, anyway... Everyone's always checking out a civic in traffic. If they're a hater, it's still gettin' looked at and racking up hits like eBay. If it's the dope shit or a POS, it doesn't mater. Mine's a loaf! It looks like hell on the outside. My girlfriend busts people checking it out all the time (I never noticed because I'm always driving). Girls ignore the GSX. When was the last time you said "Nice Saturn", or "Nice SUV" in traffic because one caught your attention?

 

actually the 2005 model will still be a 7g and the 160 hp model will be the standard ex model rebadged the civic hfp (honda factory performance) but will cost about 3-4k for the upgrade which includes: lowered suspension, aluminum trim and shift knob, 160hp, and a factory lip kit.

 

When i heard 30 year old and civic only two words come to mind...

OFFICE SPACE

 

Too bad the car you "customize" still looks the same as about 300 other ones in the world. Dude if you're 30 seriously look into something else unless the civic is just a fun track car and you like to auto-x or something. They're fun for modding and screwing around with but if you're a business person or something driving a civic to a meeting or taking clients out doesnt look too good.

Honestly if you're 30 and making a decent living you can afford a payment on something that suits your age like maybe a 6spd SE maxima or something at the very least. Oh yeah if you pay 7 grand for the CRAPPY honda performance package you should be SHOT and never allowed to mod another car in your life.

I'm 20 and i drive a 97 M3 sedan which honestly didn't cost an arm and a leg and is worlds better than my 00 turbo EX with leather/stereo/hid's etc etc was. It sucks, i'm sad to admit it and i didn't wanna accept it forever but at the end of the day a civic is still....just a civic which is why i didn't just get another EX and move all my turbo stuff onto it and continue my project.

 

i don't know how old everyone's civic is, and i'm not going to look that up, however my civic (93) is old enough that if i really wanted to sell it, i probably wouldn't get much for it so it'd turn into a toy if i ever got a newer car. i just keep it around. and yes drive it like i stole it on those certain days.

 

Ewwww! Oh ok, sure it's big. It's expensive. Its fast. The neighbors will be impressed with how well I must be doing. But every time a civic goes by, I'll end up feeling old and superficial. Cars aren't jewelry to me, I don't wear them to make an impression. I LOVE driving. Not going fast necessarily, just connecting with a car, making it dance.

Ever look at people in civics when they go by? They're always laughing, smiling, sunroof open, tunes pounding out...

Ever look at people in beamers, mercs, etc.? Windows closed tight. A/C on, with air filtration engaged. Stern, mean, concerned look on their face (such important people apparently have many important worries).

I don't want become like that. I'd rather be civic people

P.S. Thanks for all the wonderful responses!

 

I love your steotypes, perhaps you can pull out some more stinky horsecrap for your next post. Everytime i see someone driving a civic it's usually some 30-40 year old lady or some disgruntled looking guy that just got off a 10 hour shift sitting in some little cubicle driving home to a crappy little shack to have himself a can of beans and franks. People that say they'd rather drive a civic over a M series BMW or AMG mercedes SIMPLY CANT AFFORD ONE

I don't know what you're talking about by saying a civic has better handling/acceleration/road feel/braking than say a M3 or C32 AMG cause if you think so you're obviously smoking crack. I guess you love feeling the road and making a FWD car with less than 100 wtq dance with 185/65/14 firestones on them. FYI a few years back car and driver named the E36 M3 the BEST HANDLING CAR at any price beating out car such as a Ferrari 355, porsche 911, acura NSX so i guess that must mean a civic is superior to the world's exotic sports cars to beat the lowly disconnected driving experience you get in a M3 or AMG benz.



Have you ever seen anyone driving a M or AMG car? They are the guys with the windows down tearing ass in the mountain roads having fun because they actually have carefree and fun lives. People work hard to get nice homes, nice houses, support their family, put their kids through college. It's called responsibility and you should be so lucky to get a chance to live a good life, but some people prefer to sit on their ass making 15 bucks an hour driving a tin can around for the rest of their life.

My point was if you're 30 and only getting older you'll eventually want to have a family in which case you'd probably want a bigger/more mature car. But hey if you wanna act like a teenager the rest of your life and have fun in a civic by all means do so. There's nothing wrong with driving a civic when you're 17-25 because that's what it's aimed at but i'll be sure to wave at you when i roll by you with the windows down in my M3.

 

^^^^^^ I rest my case

Edit: I do want to apologize for stereotyping though. I was making an (overgeneralized) point, and not trying to PO the merc and beamer owners who appreciate their machinery for what it does, rather than what it represents.

 

You should, you can't think of anything short of an ignorant answer even at age 30. I guess wisdom doesn't entirely have to do with age as prefering a civic over a bmw or benz would imply. Oh wait, you don't prefer it, it's just what you're stuck with even at your ripe old age. h:

 

Dayum! This thread came back with a vengance! It irritated me from the start for obvious reasons. It still does every time it pops back up to the top because it's closed-minded propeganda. Not trying to take a stab at age or anything because I'm no spring chicken myself, but a closed mind towards other cars shows your age. It's the "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" thing. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each car, or better yet, the different driving techniques necessary to handle completely different kinds of cars.

I think it's important for anyone that considers themselves a connisseur of performance (at least enough to preach about it) to keep an open mind and drive everything they can. I think a car is important to your own experiences, and who cares what anyone else thinks. Driving different cars is like trying on a different suit or getting a new hair style. I don't care if it's a Daewoo or a Diablo. A Ferrari or a forklift. It gives you a new perspective. And you're the only person who will feel any kind of exhileration from driving it. If you're trying to impress your neighbors with a civic, then YES, you're too old for your car. Get a Hemi-powered Chrysler C300 and see who invites you over for a barbecue.

If I were stuck in a civic every single day of my life, I'd Kobain myself, but it's certainly not a bad car to have around, and I like variety. It certainly isn't exhilerating TO ME, it's a workhorse. I'm never like... "I can't wait to be out driving my 13 year old car that only cost someone else $11k when it was new!!!", but I see some people in brand new Corolla's and Kia's, and I don't feel so bad. I had more fun building it than I do driving it. I'm 6'4" and this is not a comfortable road-trip car for someone my size. Nor is it really safe in my opinion, at least not when almost every car on the road is an SUV. People buy Volkswagons, BMWs Mercedes, Saabs, Volvos and the like because they need a safe car that will protect their families in an accident. They have good reputations for that. That's why most older people aren't seen in a Civic, not because the car makes them any younger. I don't ever see a family crammed in a civic hatch, and if I was the kid, I'd resent it unless my parents were paying for my education with the money they saved. Call me a snob. I've got my reasons. I certainly wouldn't want anyone coming over in a nicer car than mine to pick up my daughter for a date.

You never answered me when I asked if your Turbo Eclipse was Wrong-Wheel Drive (WWD) or not so I can judge what you're basing your opinion on. There are several different kinds of turbo DSMs. If you've driven more than one kind, you'd know which one you have.