what to do w/ a '95 civic EX?

[Darkwing]

I got a red one, stock, used, great condition. bought a tall wing, splashguards for the tires, a new stereo, and cleaned it up. If you had this car, what would you do to it for say, the first 3-5 things. and say on a $1000 budget. And please, don't give me any crap like "I'd sell it!" or "paint it a new color" or "take off that butt-ugly fin" no bs like that. I'm looking for the best things to do for my car. the cheaper the better, but quality does count. and cosmetics are slightly more important to me than power. But I want to hear from the community: what would you do?

Here's a pic to help:

[kris]

Originally posted by Darkwing
I got a red one, stock, used, great condition. bought a tall wing, splashguards for the tires, a new stereo, and cleaned it up. If you had this car, what would you do to it for say, the first 3-5 things. and say on a $1000 budget. And please, don't give me any crap like "I'd sell it!" or "paint it a new color" or "take off that butt-ugly fin" no bs like that. I'm looking for the best things to do for my car. the cheaper the better, but quality does count. and cosmetics are slightly more important to me than power. But I want to hear from the community: what would you do?

Here's a pic to help:

Well, for $1k you have a very good window of options. You say you are into the visual, more than sped wise. This is what I would do, if I were in your shoes.

First, I would look into maybe geting it lowered down a bit. Now I know you still have the stock wheels on, but with a slightly lower stance, it will look a little better overall. Next, i would work on getting the black door trim, painted to match the body color. If the bottom side skirts come off, I would maybe try to get them color matched also. I think Honduh should have painted those in the first place, it would make them look alot nicer. Next I would move to the emblems. I would remove all of them, and fix any blemishes accordingly. I would leave the lighting how it is (no clear corners, clear taillights, etc.) Then, I would move onto maybe a front lip for the bumper. These are relativly inexpensive, and can be found under $200 easy. Thats about all I would do for the visual. I would then move onto the performance side. I would look into getting a intake. I would probably go for a Warm Air Intake, as they will be cheaper, and easier to install. Then I would go for maybe a Header, with a mild exhaust. Nothing to big, and flashy. But with all that, i would think you would come out close, or under $1k.

[Racing Rice]

I would have to agree.. If you are more into looks then speed.. I would also have to say...

1)Lower it..(you kind find some lower springs for about 100-200 dollars, If you dont go to low you could use your stock shocks..)
2)wheels.. I dont know what kinda look you going for but you could probably get a nice set of 15 inch wheels/tires for about 500-700 if you watch your $$ groupbuycenter.com usually has great deals on wheels and stuff.. (I really like the Rota wheels, I have a set and they are great, light weight and cheap)
3)I would have to say get a lip also... I got an OEM lip for my 97 Civ for $80 and it made the car look 1000x better.. I got it at hparts.com they carry lots of OEM equipment...

[josedi]

Hmm i carry the Arospeed Coil over sleeves that are adjustable to lower the car from 0-4" inch drop. I will sell them to you for 130 + shipping for all four and that includes the adjustable tool., Very cheap. Email me if you are interested. Also rims would probably be my choice.

[josedi]

Heres a picture of them.

[Racing Rice]

Man thats a sweet deal.. To bad I dont need any,or Id buy some.

[Darkwing]

That is indeed a nice deal. I found a set of Rage 5.0 rims for my car, all 4 for $320. plus I can use my new tires I just bought and not have to get new ones

when I get some more cash on hand, I'll let you know. And for comparison, how much would that set of adjustable springs cost normally? And seroiusly, are they any good?

ps- anyone know if Rage 5.0 rims are any good?

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by Darkwing
That is indeed a nice deal. I found a set of Rage 5.0 rims for my car, all 4 for $320. plus I can use my new tires I just bought and not have to get new ones

when I get some more cash on hand, I'll let you know. And for comparison, how much would that set of adjustable springs cost normally? And seroiusly, are they any good?

ps- anyone know if Rage 5.0 rims are any good?

Spring cost - I paid $350 for my skunk2 coilovers.. I dont know what kinda quality they are compared to the Arospeeds I have never ridden in a car with Arospeed coilovers on it.. But $130 dollars is almost as cheap as non-adjustable springs(cheaper depending on the springs). I love coilovers I will never buy another pair of nonadjustables again.

Rage 5.0 rims- I dont know what kinda quality they are I had thought about getting some Rage rims but went with Rota's instead cause I didnt want silver wheels.

[Darkwing]

Originally posted by Racing Rice


Spring cost - I paid $350 for my skunk2 coilovers.. I dont know what kinda quality they are compared to the Arospeeds I have never ridden in a car with Arospeed coilovers on it.. But $130 dollars is almost as cheap as non-adjustable springs(cheaper depending on the springs). I love coilovers I will never buy another pair of nonadjustables again.

Rage 5.0 rims- I dont know what kinda quality they are I had thought about getting some Rage rims but went with Rota's instead cause I didnt want silver wheels.

ok. You got chrome then for your wheels?

well, here are the only specs I could get on the rims:
Rage 5.0 14" silver rims
14X6 4-100 38S
one-peice aluminum casting.

that's about it. I just need to know if they are gonna fall apart on me or not!

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by Darkwing


ok. You got chrome then for your wheels?

well, here are the only specs I could get on the rims:
Rage 5.0 14" silver rims
14X6 4-100 38S
one-peice aluminum casting.

that's about it. I just need to know if they are gonna fall apart on me or not!

No chrome wheels for me.. I dont like chrome wheels.. I got a set of Gunmetal Rota Circuit 8s

I doubt that the Rage wheels would fall apart on you.. The worst thing that could happen is some of the clearcoat my begin to peel or the finish may not be that great.. I would probably guess the wheels would be fine though.. You just arent paying for a big name like Volk or MOMO.

Heres some pics of my civic if you want to check them out.
http://www.stormpages.com/riceboy97/cars/civic.htm

[Darkwing]

well, lets try again, my car needed some MAJOR tuneups that cost me $420 so make that a $600 budget

I found great rims for $350 so what would you do with the rest of the dough?

And how long is that offer on the coilovers good for?

thanx

[kris]

Originally posted by Darkwing
well, lets try again, my car needed some MAJOR tuneups that cost me $420 so make that a $600 budget

I found great rims for $350 so what would you do with the rest of the dough?

And how long is that offer on the coilovers good for?

thanx

hehe, for 200 bucks? get the coilovers, and lots of cleaning supplies

[Darkwing]

cleaning supplies?!!!

rofl, I think I can do better than cleaning supplies!!!

[Darkwing]

well, got those rims today (extreeemly fast for ups ground!) and boy they look sweet. Can't wait to get them put on. Unfortunately the Firestone wheel clamp is broken ATM, so I gotta wait a day or two to get them on. Man, they look good. Silver with chrome centerpiece and chrome lugnuts and valvestem. plus I got 4 of those locking lugs. very very cool. I will put a pic up when I get them put on. Thanx for all y'all's advise. I decided not to lower the car though, as my driveway has a sharp, steep bump up from the street and would probably scrape every time I backed out, plus all the curbs I pull up to. So maybe I will get a catback exhaust. found one for $380 on some website. or maybe just the muffler part for $99. who knows!

any more suggestions?

[Dezoris]

Have the side moldings painted, also you can get a very good set of tires, CAI, ore exaust.