Reasons why I should get a 6th gen than 5th gen

I'm debating on either a 96 ex coupe or a 95 ex coupe. They both are in my price range (Since I need a good college car), but I'm leaning more on the 96 since it's newer. Can anyone give me reasons why I should get a 6th gen coupe than a 5th gen coupe besides the fact that it's newer? Are they more well built? Are they more comfortable to drive in? Give me so advice here.

6G EX VS 5G EX...

5G
+ Less weight
+ Better engine head (6G cam is better, tho)
+ Lower seating than 6G
+ Can take more parts from 94-01 Tegs
- Older than 6G (duh)

6G
+ Newer
+ Can make CTR lookalike (lights,mirrors)
+ Better stock cam (head flow more limited than 5G, tho)
- Heavier
- OEM performance (like rear discs) can only come from EM1 99-00 Civic Si, or 97-00, or EK9 Civic Type R.

So really it's about equal. 96+ will have to use OBD2 Engines. The kicker is when you look for stuff, you can pick apart a 94-01 Teg, and most of it fits the 5G exactly.

The builds are about equal...

6th gens can be more flexible engine-choice wise, there are a lot of acuras/hondas made during that generation set that basically bolt right in. also, i've found that the 6th gen is a more comfy ride (personal pref, really) and is easier to put cargo/people in. if you are looking for a college ride, that might be something to keep in mind.

In my strongly biased opinion, 6th gens look better. Rather than the hood meeting the bumper, there's a nice grill there (which is also good for cooling, I guess, but I wouldn't say it makes a noticeable difference in terms of performance.) Also, the interior is more comfortable (more comfortable than the 7th gen too IMO). Plus, like you said, the obvious advantage is that it's newer. Pretty much anything else can be overcome as far as performance goes, so it just comes down to taste. Although, for the record, Auto Consumer Guide called the 5th gen "the most soulless of all Civics" (though it was still rated highly)

But on the other hand, there are people like me out there who prefer the looks of the 5th gen Civic. I have always liked the 5th gen the best, stock 6th gen Civics look kind of cheesy if you ask me.



the difference of one year from 95-96 should hardly be considered. That is not much newer, and we are talking about a Honda here. Either way I am sure both cars have a ton more life left in them.









Pick based on what YOU think. Not what other people think.

But on the other hand, there are people like me out there who prefer the looks of the 5th gen Civic. I have always liked the 5th gen the best, stock 6th gen Civics look kind of cheesy if you ask me.



the difference of one year from 95-96 should hardly be considered. That is not much newer, and we are talking about a Honda here. Either way I am sure both cars have a ton more life left in them.









Pick based on what YOU think. Not what other people think.


You do bring up a good point over the one year difference. I've had always liked the 5th gen cause of the looks (smooth and low profile) but the 6th gen just has more of a comfy feel to it. But the looks of the 6th just look a little to cheap (this is just me talking). And even though there is a year of difference, the generation is completely different thus making different possibilitys of mods to both. I thank for what you guys have said thus far and it has made up my mind to the 6th gen but I just wanted to know what your takes are on it.

The most obvious question I have now is, is the 6th a better build over the 5th or is the other way around?

Pick based on what YOU think. Not what other people think.

Well, see I think the problem is that he doesn't know a lot about the differences in the generations. That's why he's asking for advice. More like asking for information. I agree though, that ultimately it's up to you. My opinion is get the 96. I've ridden/worked on both models and I like the 96-00 style a lot better.

The most obvious question I have now is, is the 6th a better build over the 5th or is the other way around?

they're both equally good. personally, i like the ODB II, because i'm a geek and i have an onboard computer that will be interfacing with it- i'll have a digital dash layout, and an onboard black box. fun fun.

the big differences engine-wise between 5th and 6th is that the 6th gen has ODB II. the big difference between ODB I and ODB II has to do with emissions controls, etc... i'm not sure on the ODB I, but i know that you can buy a cable that allows you to interface the computer with the car, and reset dummy lights/run diagnostics on the computer from the inside- like the shops charge a couple hundred bucks to do for you.

but yeah, the best thing to do is go with what YOU like.

but when it comes right down to it the stock computer isnt worth a whole lot if you go really mod crazy and add a turbo or super. then you will end up with some kind of other computer anyway. i have never ridden in a 6th gen but i do like the way the inside looks better than the 5th gen. if it is that much nicer of a feel etc. in the 6th gen then i would say go with that. after all, you will end up driving in this car quite a bit right? almost all civics have a huge aftermarket following, but if one starts out a lot more comfortable inside that is what i would go with

i have a 98 civic ex so it should be identical to the 96.

first off, there is a huge back seat.

all the 6th gen. ex's have d16y8 (correct me if im wrong) there not very fast and no torque at all

you could put about $3000 in it down the line and make it fast (forced air induction-or-swap)

they are very comfy to
I like the way they look, better than any other gen.
real sporty lookin' with a spoiler
thats just my 2 cent

im getting less that 26 miles per gallon, but i also drive like an ass-hole

i have had no mecanical problems

i say if you plan on swapping later on to get an hx so you can save your money on gas and have more money in the long run
my 3 cents compared to your crappy :2cents:, cause i saved oo yeah

Well, see I think the problem is that he doesn't know a lot about the differences in the generations. That's why he's asking for advice. More like asking for information. I agree though, that ultimately it's up to you. My opinion is get the 96. I've ridden/worked on both models and I like the 96-00 style a lot better.

I'm not stupid when it comes generations here. I'm a civic's nut around my friends so I do know the difference's in both. I'm just wondering what all you guys think would be a wiser choice in for both comfort of driving (college bound) and a nice array of mod choices, that's all.

I'm also nuts about how the car feels on the road. I know that both have the dual wishbone suspension (which is genius), but which one has the advantage here?

I know as far as mods. go there are going to be plenty of options for both years since both are still popular cars. As far as suspension goes I have a 95 ex and it could benefit from structural rigidity which is kind of a weak point. Don't know if 96 had the same prob. but would imagine so to some extent. I'm also in college and my car has never let me down or failed to fit needed books or people. My back seat isn't that big but I don't want it to be or I would have got a four door. Imo neither a 95 or 96 will offer balls out suspension feel in stock form, especially if you drive as bad as I do- it is just a Civic. But the aftermarket is huge for these cars so that won't be a prob. What are your final plans for the car, drag eventually, autocross. That would give people a better idea of how to be more helpful.

Both generations are in my price range,but just wanted to know which would better as far as mods,looks & comfort.

i have a 98 civic ex so it should be identical to the 96.
first off, there is a huge back seat.


:eek7: Huge back seat? What are you smoking?

You are right though, the '98 is identical to the '96. Honda didn't make any changes to the 6th gens until '99, when the exterior and interior were freshened up just a bit.

get the 5th gen. I think, personally, that they are much easier to work on. Also, they look much better. They are smaller, and look more sleek and sporty. The 6th gens are bigger and bulkier, and their mirrors dont fold!!!!! whatsup with that? what color are they both? it depends on how they have been treated, also.

Yeah, I've been somewhat annoyed that they don't have folding mirrors. I guess I could always go aftermarket or jdm. LOL

... i guess it's never come up as a problem that they don't fold... why would you want them to? ... just out of curiosity.

so you can.......ummmm. fold them....shit, i never thought of why one would fold them......ah, maybe to be aerodynamic when racing....

or if you hit somthing it wont rip the side off your car

ah. well, most of the time i avoid hitting things, but if i decide to go on a hitting things spree, i'll remember not to use the side-view mirrors, as they Do Not Fold.

:lol2:

also, it seems to me they would be good when parking on the side of crowded streets to fold them, because then there is less chance they will get hit, but it would be a hassle unless you had the JDM folding mirrors.....droooool

I would like to fold them if I'm going to park in a crowded garage at work so they don't get knocked off by some asshole.

so there is a million and one reasons to have folding mirrors.

jdm folding mirrors are sooooo nice. one of my friends from clubcivic.com has them and they are ridiculously nice.

ive never even seen them in person, in action....just on ebay and what not

I have a 96 and it rides very well. It doesn't look bad either. The only bad thing I've found is that if you are planning on putting in an aftermarket H/U and you have keyless entry... you'll have to buy a specific wiring harness for the keyless entry or the keyless entry won't work after the install.

http://www.cardomain.com/id/96civicex06 is a picture of my car (outdated), it's the car you're looking at.

I have a 96 and it rides very well. It doesn't look bad either. The only bad thing I've found is that if you are planning on putting in an aftermarket H/U and you have keyless entry... you'll have to buy a specific wiring harness for the keyless entry or the keyless entry won't work after the install.

http://www.cardomain.com/id/96civicex06 is a picture of my car (outdated), it's the car you're looking at.

Nice car. That's exactly what I'm looking for. Auto too hehehehe. Hey, how does the gas mileage do on that? It's weird but I think 6th gen engines get better gas mileage than the 5th engine. D16y8 vs. D16z6

And not to be stupid, does the 6th have the tilt feature cause it looks bitchin goin done the road like that?