Hi Guys I'm abiut to buy a 2003 EX and was wondering if I was making teh right purchase and basically am asking if tehre are a lot of parts/ways that I can upgrade the performance/engine without actually replacing it?

None.
Choose a different car, seriously.

My crystal ball tells me there will be countless threads after this with little kids saying an intake, header, and exhaust will free up mad powa yo, but no matter how much you spend on one it will still be an economical fwd CIVIC. Mine is pretty quick and I still want a different car.

If you want a fast car, buy a fast car. If you want something to take the dog in for grooming, get a Civic.

Well I'm not gonna be drag racing with it. I just want a reliable ride but that can also go. What other car do you suggest I look into? I don't want to break the bank.

Reliable and quick.. A Toyota Camry would probably fit you well, or a used V6 Accord. You can find either of those cars (1998-2000 or so) used for about $10k-$11k in great condition.

I mean you're just looking for a run-around-town car with some guts right? I would go for one of those two. But me, I'm all about performance over luxury so my car is loud, relatively fast, and doesn't even have a/c or a back seat. Check www.kbb.com for some base used car prices. If I could go back in time I wouldn't have bought my car. I probably would have spent the money on a v8. But that's because I know now what I didn't then, and that's that Civic's weren't meant to be fast. Break that rule and you sacrifice some reliability and end up paying so much extra, you could have afforded the stock fast car in the first place.

Hmm in all of this thanks for your arvice ricochet, i appreciate it. The camry I do not like since it's too much of a familyc ar. The accord I can see doing something with? ANy more recommendations? price range around 12-14K

Find something fast. A civic can be fast once you do away with the engine and spend your life savings. I agree with Ricochet, family economy cars were not ment to be fast but they will be with alot of money, time and dedication. So if tuning your car and squeezing every ounce out of it as possible is your thing than buy a civic. (at least an si or ex nothing less) Or even a Acura GS-r those are nice and quick

Ricochet, What do you run in the 1/4? Do you have any times?

Hmm in all of this thanks for your arvice ricochet, i appreciate it. The camry I do not like since it's too much of a familyc ar. The accord I can see doing something with? ANy more recommendations? price range around 12-14K
you can pick up a base 02-03 Sentra SE-R for about 12-14K with decent mileage. If you decide to go with it, get a later 02 model, the early 02's had some major problems that got fixed with the cars that got produced later in the year.

Yeah my friend had an 02 se-r and had to get the trans rebuilt cause it was a peice of crap/

yah, must have been an early production one. A few people on another board have said they had to either get the tranny rebuilt or replaced by the dealer after only like 15-20k miles.

So I'm looking for somthing that has a lot of low end torgue (low 0-30 time I guess) but that also looks good.

dude, check out the SE-Rs. 170 lb/ft of torque at 4000 rpm

EDIT: Here is a dyno of a Spec V. The base SE-R is very similar to this.

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/march04/specv/images/specv_dyno_sheet.jpg

If you still want a civic, get a 99-00 si. Any newer civics suck. The other day i was looking through an old issue of Honda Tuning and DC Sports put their i/h/e package on a 01 civic and it got a 5 hp increase. That equals no potential.

I say go with GScivic 7, you cant get the sport sentra SE-R Spec V for around that price in good condition 12K it has a 2.5 liter engine and hauls ass when you race em from the line. Its pretty quick, low 7s in the 0-60 mph test.

If you want a peppy civic, go with what I have, a civic 99-00 si. It does not have torque on the low end but if you rev the shit out of it, 8000 rpms you will be as fast as the sentra once you are rolling. Civic Si tested 7.4 and 15.6 at car and driver. And it will give you good gas milage.

Another option is a VW GTI the 1.8 liter turbo engine producing 180 h.p, they are probably going to be a little more expensive, say 13,000, but the interior is very nice and I like the looks.

V6 Maxima
Honda Prelude SH
Pontiac Grand Prix
V6 Tiburon
Audi A4

These are a few cars in that price range and will definitly make you happier than an '03 Civic.

Common Ricochet a pontiac grand prix?
Hate those.

The other options are good though.

The supercharged GTP's are badass man, especially for a nice daily driver. Ever driven one? Their suspensions are a bit floaty (like most sedans in its class) but in a straight line they haul..