What do Civics feel like to drive? *Civic noob*

[DaveSev]

My 240SX's auto transmission died, and the car isn't even worth as much as it would cost to replace it, even though I loved her.

I was thinking about a 96-97 EX coupe...I'm digging the gas mileage, and I want something that is at least a LITTLE peppy. And they look nice. It's either a Civic, some other compact FF car, or my brother's old Cavalier.

However, I hate driving cars that don't feel sporty. In my 240 I sat low, was leaned back a bit, and my elbow rested nicely behind the shifter...my forearm was actually slanted up to the shifter, you know? Sounds stupid but I love the feeling of a sports car like that. I drove my mom's '05 V6 Malibu tonight and though it had more pep than the 240, I absolutely hated driving it because I sat up so high, felt like I was driving a truck. Wasn't held into place at all. My 240 felt like a formula car compared to it.

How does a Civic compare? I'm sure it wouldn't be as bad as a Malibu but eh.

And what are some cheap pick-me-ups for a Civic? I'd like to give it some go but let's face it it's a Civic, and unless you throw a B16 or 18 in there it really ain't worth it to mod. And I'd want it to appear stock. Pulleys make a decent difference? Intake?

Also, what's the low down on Vtec controllers and Vtec in general. I know that a lot of Honda cars have the non-performance variety of Vtec, like the EX (I believe)...what would be the effects of a Vtec controller?

Thanks a lot for the help...

[Schister66]

I've owned a Civic, and after that, i would only recommend Si's.....regular civics just aren't worth putting money into unless you boost.

BTW, what are the specs on that 240 and are you lookin to sell it?? Body condition and is it the fastback??

[DaveSev]

It's a 91 auto fastback, rusty and dented with a dead transmission, and tons of other minor things wrong with it.

....engine still pulls hard....that's about it. It'd cost ~3500 to get it looking/running nice again.

I would't want to drop money into a Civic Ex...just enough to give it a little more juice than it's got. Like pulleys and an intake, that'd be good for ~10-15 hp wouldn't it, plus much better response? For like 250 bucks.

[bluevp00]

2 door Civics actually do feel like a sports car in most respects. They're plenty low, have a lot of front leg room and handle and brake really well for an economy car. There's just 2 things to keep in mind if you want to get a "fun" civic: 1. make sure it has a manual trans. (honda automatic sucks) 2. make sure it's VTEC.

The EX will give you a good amount of pep, it's only 127 hp, but the coupe wieghs only 2200 lbs. about a 17lb/hp rating. VTEC kicks in at 4400 rpm (or close to it) to provide the optimal air/fuel ratio for the best performance, these cars crave high rpm. As for gas mileage, expect around 28-30 city and around 36 highway. "Spirited" driving will give you about 20-23 mpg, not that bad for going fast.

As far as mods go, an air intake is a good bet, theyre not expensive at all, just remember to put a high quality filter on, like K&N or similar. An exhaust helps too, but they're LOUD, so only install one if you really want to. Vtec controllers are sometimes expensive, they alter the timing to the best performance, but gas mileage will usually suffer a lot. Plus, with a controller, you need to fill up with high octane gas all the time. But they do add some hp nonetheless.

But all the negative aspects aside, a Civic EX is a really good investment, the're really reliable transportation, and they are actually a plesant experience to drive, they wont beat you up like other economy cars.

[GScivic7]

civics feel just like every other economy car. If you've ever drove a sentra, corolla etc. it's all the same basically. You want something sporty to drive you're going to have to go with an Si like Schister said.

[DaveSev]

I don't necessarily mean PERFORM sporty, I mean FEEL sporty. Like I said I hated the way the Malibu felt, big and high and disconnected, while with my 240 I saw low and it just felt like a sports car.

I know a Civic isn't all that fast...like I said the most I'd put into it would be like pulleys, K&N, and a strut bar. Just to give it a tad bit of pep.

[civic_stuntin]

civics are roomy and sportier than alot of cars really, as far as an economy car

[dxasaurus]

Oh look, it's the guy from gamefaqs who said there was no such thing as fwd drifting and speaks lowly of civics all of the time.:O

If you get a Civic EX 5spd, it will of course be a bit lighter on its feet than the hefty auto 240. They feel plenty sporty, I guess. I'd def. go with a SI, if you can fork up the cash.

turbod16.com has some information if you want to stick with the d series. They have them running in the mid 13's for relatively cheap, from what I can remember.

I must ask, how many races were decided by your 'quick shift' mod on your tranny before you finally killed it?

It's obvious you're looking for every 10th a second you can shave off your et, so maybe you should just get a first gen dsm turbo and see how long that tranny lasts on you?

[Schister66]

I still wouldn't recommend getting anything besides an Si, unless you plan to boost or don't care about it being fast. I owned a Civic, and they handle fairly well and can be modified easily, but honestly the B series is the only way to go NA...

[dxasaurus]

Originally Posted by Schister66

I still wouldn't recommend getting anything besides an Si, unless you plan to boost or don't care about it being fast. I owned a Civic, and they handle fairly well and can be modified easily, but honestly the B series is the only way to go NA...

Oh, he wants to go fast, if you read my above post. And to be quite honest, if you want to go N/A, the only real way to go is V8.:/


Ever think of another 240, dave? Those S14s do look nice.>_>

[DaveSev]

I only speak bad of people ricing Civics. I have nothing against Civics. I just want an economy car that is somewhat fun to drive. I'm not trying to shave as many tenths of a second off my ET or whatever (because I don't drag race), I just liked how it shifted harder. You don't have to be an ass.

And I still don't believe FF cars can truely drift, but that's really a subjective debate, depending on what you consider drifting.

No more 240s because they are too rare to find around here, and I need a car soon. In the future I do plan to find a Kouki, throw on a R33 bodykit, side exhaust pipes, and an LS1. Man that's be badass. But 6.50 an hour won't pay for that.

[dxasaurus]

Originally Posted by DaveSev

I only speak bad of people ricing Civics. I have nothing against Civics. I just want an economy car that is somewhat fun to drive. I'm not trying to shave as many tenths of a second off my ET or whatever (because I don't drag race), I just liked how it shifted harder. You don't have to be an ass.

And I still don't believe FF cars can truely drift, but that's really a subjective debate, depending on what you consider drifting.

No more 240s because they are too rare to find around here, and I need a car soon. In the future I do plan to find a Kouki, throw on a R33 bodykit, side exhaust pipes, and an LS1. Man that's be badass. But 6.50 an hour won't pay for that.

$6.50? That sucks. =/
Hope you get tips where you work.>_<

I'm just saying, if you're like any fairly young kid, you'll find yourself mashing the pedal every once in a while. An ex probably won't feel as fast as your previous car, but then again they rev FAIRLY high(not much compared to most other honda sport compacts, or that it's an advantage) and the curb weight is somewhere between 2300-2400 lbs depending on model, you'll have a good time in the twisties reguardless of it's drivetrain. Just get it, upgrade the rubber, homemade intake just for kicks, and you'll be fine for a dail driver. Who knows, I've talked to people that have built, and enjoy building hybrid hondas instead of LS1 beasts simply because they had no choice when they first got them. You might be here a year or two from now with a K20 asking where to get the proper motor mounts and wire harnesses.

*shrug*

Good luck, either way and tell us what you get.(just don't get an auto)

[tipota]

man you are so lucky to have owned a 240!!! i was looking for one forever til i gave up and got my 95 civic dx coupe. the car is pretty fun to drive. i dont have vtec, but i still love it. its low to the ground, it has a fun suspension, and with an intake it sounds really nice. everyone i drive around always think im goign 50 when im going 30. it feels faster than it is and thats wat makes it fun. also, since the gas mileage is so good, you can accelerate, rev the engine real high all the time, and still get realyl good mileage.

[mid_night_blueS13]

well me personally u won't feel the same sporty feel as a 240 with the civic, seein that i own both of the cars.. wut u will love about the civic compared to the 240 is revving the shit out of it.. hondas are revv sluts... sitting in a 240 feels way sporty than the civic since the 240s come with some sporty buckets... also 240's pull way better thann the civic but like i said u will enjoy revvin it out

[dxasaurus]

Originally Posted by mid_night_blueS13

well me personally u won't feel the same sporty feel as a 240 with the civic, seein that i own both of the cars.. wut u will love about the civic compared to the 240 is revving the shit out of it.. hondas are revv sluts... sitting in a 240 feels way sporty than the civic since the 240s come with some sporty buckets... also 240's pull way better thann the civic but like i said u will enjoy revvin it out

It depends on what model he gets. No stock usdm 240 will keep up with a 6th gen si or newer, but they should trot over a d series which is what he's looking at. My gf had a 240 for a while(minor bumper damage). It didn't feel sportier(I'm quite certian I could have hung right with it in the twisties even with my bald geostars) but it sure as hell was more comefortable. Unfortunately it was no match for a certian Impreza RS, either.

Must suck having a decent 240 and then have to trade her in for a civic.:/

Then again, I'd trade my civic for almost anything with a stick, right now.