civics worth it??

[Vladimer]

hey all, i have a bunch of questions bout the honda civics, k... number
1.i see ALOT of aftermarket parts for the civics but here on the forums i dont here that nice things well anyways hum.... how should i write this, k, dont bug me if this is hard to understand, k, r the civics actual compation to other cars or r they pretty much all show and not much go?? like if a civic was to race a good car with a decent amount of mods on it would it have a chance?? cause some of the civics look pretty nice and my parents r planning to buy me a car after high school. but since im workin right now im gona pitch in some cash so i dont get sum half dead barley driving thing and i was thinking of the civics but i want something that can stand up the compatiton, hope u get what i mean...

[Polygon]

Well, here is my opinion on Civics. They are econo boxes, most cars out there are going to beat you stock for stock. The problem with Honda is they have a descent horsepower rating but they have very low torque numbers and torque is a VERY important thing in any type of racing. You want to try to find a car with close HP and torque numbers if you want true performance.

[94svt5.0]

Pick up a nice 94+ mustang v8. That way your already ahead of much of the competition. It takes an awful lot of work and money to make a civic even mach performance numbers with a stock mustang. But, im sure one of the other guys is going to jump on here and say its not true, throw out a bunch of numbers, used civic 1400$ turbo 3000$ ect ect.....
Anyway just my .02

[|Banchi1O5|]

civics are not race cars
theyre like polygon said they are economy cars

look some place other than honda

[CAptynCrunch]

Ok, first things first.

Like polygon said, they are econoboxs. Always have been, always will be. They have fairly decent(although not really all that sporty without an engine swap) Horse Power numbers, however they're torque numbers are PATHETIC. However polygon is incorrect in saying that torque is necesary for most types of racing.

If you want to drag race, then yes. it is the most important thing and without it you'll always lose. If you want to drag race, if your concerned with 1/4 mile times and the such, then don't buy a civic. Period, end of story, it's simply a waste of time and a very inefficient use of both your money and a potentially fast car.

I say a potentially fast car because although civics are absolutely useless(did i mention they're useless?) for drag racing(in other words, civics are absolutely horrible for drag racing). They due hold a fair bit of potential for auto crossing cars. They're lightweight(if you get a hatchback and dont waste money are crap like lights, body kits, stereos, dvd players, etc.) They handle well, and can be made into very fast cars if you learn how to drive properly.

Ya see, polygon was wrong in saying Torque is needed for most races, it's not. The old saying goes, "Horses for courses" in other words, you can make a track car that handles superbly from a civic with out to much work.

However, as for drag racing, then yes, polygon is totally right. Torque wins in the 1/4 mile. And, since torque is created by rotational mass, then plain and simple, the bigger the engine, the more torque you have.

So, if you want to drag race you've got two choices. You can do the smart thing and buy either a domestic(sorry guys, i love japanese cars, but they aren't designed for drag racing.) with a large displacement engine because that is by far the easiest, cheapest and most importantly fastest way to quicker times. Plus, if you do to say a mustang what you'd have to do to a civic to run 12's the mustang would be running 10's. Bigger engines just have more potential.

However, if you want to drag race but are still determined to own a japanese car, get seomthing that's at least 2.0 liters and it has to be turbocharged. Oh yeah, and it HAS, and i cannot stress this enough, HAS to be either AWD or RWD(preferrably RWD, it's just the best plain and simple.) FWD does not work for drag racing, at all. It will actually slow you down.

Now, if you want to be smart, and learn how to drive your car and learn how to really race, then sure a civic would be fine for auto cross and street courses. However, like i've been saying this entire time. If you want to drag race, don't buy a civic it's a complete waste of time and money.

[crunchymilk49]

well i got to drive my friend's brand new Civic EX stock

and my Rav4 has much better acceleration, no competition, and i have a almost stock rav4

so id say if youre gonna keep it stock stay the hell away from honda

[NSX-R-SSJ20K]

i say make the little econo box light as shit add a turbo and then you have something competitive


the Si is freaking quick anyway i mean if you be in a european country best go Vti its the Si but with Vti badges and a hatchback and it'll beat the modded hot hatches stock which shows how much hot hatches suck when they aren't really hot..........

[93speed]

If you wanna play The Fast and the Furious and street race then go buy something else like a mustang. If you want a good reliable car with lots of aftermarket support and great gas mileage, go for a Civic. You will spend a lot more money to get a civic into competition then you would an Eclipse GSX or Mustang, for instance. Those cars are already pretty quick. But on the other hand, if you are driving back and forth to school and you want to save on gas, a Civic would be great compared to a "race" car. You also have to take into consideration insurance. Its pretty cheap for a civic, but its gonna be really expensive for a Mustang or any other sports car.

Insurance money cuts into modding money.

Racing tickets REALLY cut into modding money

[|Banchi1O5|]

and remember that fwd absolutely goes physically anything that involves acceleration

[YogsVR4]

From the sounds of your situation, you should probably get the Civic. Its not going to be a performance car, but it'll keep you on the road saving money until you can buy one.

[Vladimer]

ya your probably right, think an eclipse is out of the question?? i can probably convince my parents in the purcahse of the car but the insurance and stuff like that will be out of the question, thats up to me, anybody know if the eclipse comes out with high insurance?? and they r good right??

[-The Stig-]

does it have to be a car?

Why not something like a lowered Chevy S-10?

And if you want performance.. look for the V6, its 4.3liters. Has some get up and go, and depending on your preference the 5spd manual or the 4spd auto. (they perform just about the same)

Something to consider:
95 S-10 V6 = 155hp 235ft-lbs of tq
Gas Milege = 18 city 24 hwy
Vehicle weight = 2800 lbs

95 Civic Si = 125hp 106ft-lbs of tq
Gas Milege = 29 city 35 hwy
Vehicle weight = 2300lbs

The truck isnt much heavier... makes more power, and has more potential to go faster. Plus its a truck... sorta a sleeper if you will. Who'd expect a S-10 to take out an unsuspecting Honda? Its something im seriously considering...

Then maybe upgrade to a Supercharged V6 in a 2800lb Platform, and start eating unsuspecting Hondas? You may not win all races, but you'll at least give them something to thing about.

Keep an open mind for a different View.

[TatII]

well the EG civics are slow but the EK civic Si's are pretty quick. even though they're low end is garbage but once that v-tec kicks in. its gone~ well it'll leave my car anyways. lolz but i think i can take on on the 1/8th mile before it have a chance to really gain steam.

[Vladimer]

nah, im not really into the trucks thing, i think ill be stickin with the honda civic as a starter car, and then hopefully move into sumthing better oh ya, i really want it in standerd, is it hard to find a standerd civic??

[Cbass]

Get a DSM Eclipse or Talon. They are fairly cheap, can go as fast as you want em to, and still get good gas mileage. They are easy to drive, pretty cheap to maintain... you get the picture. They will make as good of a daily driver as a Civic, but there won't be the shame of driving a Honda Civic.

Remember, it's like Redneck 383 was saying. Take a 2300 lb 115hlp honda against a 2600lb 225 hp DSM... It's a turbo car, so it's easily upgraded and still gets good mileage.