Suggestions for first car

[homeforsummer]

How much are you planning on spending on it?

If it's anything like his other thread about first cars, $2,500.

 

[niky]

I understand where you're coming from but I have lots of experience with motor vehicles in general. I would not buy a car with out checking it out and my dad defiantly would not let me buy a P.O.S. car

Then why ask? But seriously, mechanical condition first, then mods. Since this is your first car, and it's an old one, even if it checks out on first inspection doesn't mean something won't go wrong after... so save up the money for mechanical repairs.

And, at this point, that generation of Civic is already over twenty years old. You have to decide whether you're willing to commit to the long haul and sinking money into mods or whether you want to save up on a nicer vintage of car, instead (like maybe a later Civic VX, or an EK model... or maybe even something newer... though collectibility for any Civic after the EK series is questionable...)

I wouldn't waste time on the catback... I'd go straight for the quick and dirty chopshop chip mod and a nice set of Bisimoto headers or copies of such. Then focus on sorting the suspension. A friend has a D15B-equipped EG with nothing but an intake, an exhaust and a Type R muffler. Makes 125 whp... which is just 10-15 whp shy of a stock 160-horse B16A without sounding like garbage (like my car, for example). So it goes great. Even better is the fact that he's got a sorted but simple suspension and an LSD, so the car goes great around corners, too, not just in a straight line.

That's what you want on a car. Especially your first car. Something which won't wobble you into the weeds because it's on blown shocks and snow tires.

 

[Bottoz]

...
I wouldn't waste time on the catback... I'd go straight for the quick and dirty chopshop chip mod and a nice set of Bisimoto headers or copies of such. Then focus on sorting the suspension. A friend has a D15B-equipped EG with nothing but an intake, an exhaust and a Type R muffler. Makes 125 whp... which is just 10-15 whp shy of a stock 160-horse B16A without sounding like garbage (like my car, for example). So it goes great. Even better is the fact that he's got a sorted but simple suspension and an LSD, so the car goes great around corners, too, not just in a straight line.

This.

Don't be that kid with the ugly Honda and the obnoxiously loud fart can. Keep it clean, non-flashy. Don't decorate it. Make it better.

 

[SpartanG]

Then why ask? But seriously, mechanical condition first, then mods. Since this is your first car, and it's an old one, even if it checks out on first inspection doesn't mean something won't go wrong after... so save up the money for mechanical repairs.

This completely. I like to keep a good reserve of money for some emergency repair. If you spend money where it isn't really required, you won't have it for later when it is. Make sure you have plenty in reserve.

 

[samurai10001]

Then why ask? But seriously, mechanical condition first, then mods. Since this is your first car, and it's an old one, even if it checks out on first inspection doesn't mean something won't go wrong after... so save up the money for mechanical repairs.

And, at this point, that generation of Civic is already over twenty years old. You have to decide whether you're willing to commit to the long haul and sinking money into mods or whether you want to save up on a nicer vintage of car, instead (like maybe a later Civic VX, or an EK model... or maybe even something newer... though collectibility for any Civic after the EK series is questionable...)

I wouldn't waste time on the catback... I'd go straight for the quick and dirty chopshop chip mod and a nice set of Bisimoto headers or copies of such. Then focus on sorting the suspension. A friend has a D15B-equipped EG with nothing but an intake, an exhaust and a Type R muffler. Makes 125 whp... which is just 10-15 whp shy of a stock 160-horse B16A without sounding like garbage (like my car, for example). So it goes great. Even better is the fact that he's got a sorted but simple suspension and an LSD, so the car goes great around corners, too, not just in a straight line.

That's what you want on a car. Especially your first car. Something which won't wobble you into the weeds because it's on blown shocks and snow tires.

I absolutely love the EK models but they are a lot more costly than a plain civic sedan. Another problem is that I've seen about 3 total on craighslist since last year...

 

[JCE]

So I'm 15 right now and I'm basically obsessing about my first car... So I'm pretty positive that I'm going to buy a civic (around 88-92) I also am pretty sure that I am going to get a cat back exhaust at some point. So I was wondering what other performance items I should buy and the order of importance. I realize that this being my first car I should not invest in it but if it is nice, I plan on being very cautious with it and I would probably keep it for at least 3 years. So like I said before, I just want some suggestions about parts to buy and order of importance keeping in mind it's my first car and I'm on a tight budget... Thanks

Do yourself a favor and learn to drive first in a completely stock factory vehicle before you even think about performance and or modifying it. Anyone's first car should be cheap to buy, run and maintain and have nothing to do with performance. Thankfully the car you chose in the factory stock form is perfect for a first car. That being cheap, slow and reliable. Save your money from buying performance parts and use it to buy an iPad or video games or clothes. Your goal should be to buy a clean low mileage example of the Civic you like and just enjoy having the privilege of driving it. There is a reason why your age group is the number 1 cause of accidents and motorway fatalities in this country. You start modding your car and the more likely you are to race it, accidents will ensue. It is hard enough for your age group to avoid it in a vehicle that is all stock much less a performance modified one. Think about it.

 

[Carlos]

They should make general thread for these kind of questions.

 

[samurai10001]

I think I would be able to handle a lightly modded civic seeing as how the first car I drove was a 5.7L Hemi Magnum Ram 1500 lol

 

[CMvan46]

I think I would be able to handle a lightly modded civic seeing as how the first car I drove was a 5.7L Hemi Magnum Ram 1500 lol

Your 15 right? So how exactly have you driven that on your own for an extended period of time.

Why did you make another thread asking the same question?

If $2500 is true don't bother dropping a single mod into the thing. What's the point really? So you can drive to high school and think everybody is starting at your car?

$2500 will buy you a half decent car. But it will have problems, I gaurantee it. If it doesn't have any problems when you buy it but it was that cheap due to mileage then it will soon have problems.

My first car was a $750 1988 integra, bought 4 years ago now. Had small rust but overall in decent shape and was fun to drive. It last me 2 years. Don't get sucked into the flashy mods when your looking at cars either. Cars with them are likely with problems and the mods are there to distract you from the issues.

The Honda is a very good choice and they are easy to work on yourself. But like others are saying don't get caught up in the mods, cars are money pits and there is no point doing anything to a $2500 car.

 

[JCE]

I think I would be able to handle a lightly modded civic seeing as how the first car I drove was a 5.7L Hemi Magnum Ram 1500 lol

You're 15, good luck with that unexperienced overconfident attitude. 👍 Resist history and statistics and don't do anything stupid. Just enjoy driving and forget about performance for a while.

 

[CMvan46]

You're 15, good luck with that unexperienced overconfident attitude. 👍 .

This. Your going to get yourself in some trouble thinking like that. There is a reason the 16-24 male age group had the most accidents.

 

[Mike0105]

You're 15, good luck with that unexperienced overconfident attitude. 👍 Resist history and statistics and don't do anything stupid. Just enjoy driving and forget about performance for a while.

This, over and over again. It has been said so many times on these forums, the first car is where you learn to drive. You might have a license, but you have no real experience.

Have fun in an unmolested, safe car, learn how to anticipate others actions, cope with bad weather, dodgy road surfacing like potholes, make your your car last by looking after it and above all else learn to be a safe driver first.

It doesn't matter that you have driven a 5.7 hemi, because that doesn't mean you can handle power. I've driven a 400bhp Ferrari on a track, doesn't make me an expert.

I'm not trying to burst you 'first car bubble', but be sensible. This car will be but a memory to look back on all too soon. Wait until you have the skill and experience to back up your confidence first, then look at buying a more powerful car or modding. Trust me, you won't regret it.

 

[Joel]

I think I would be able to handle a lightly modded civic seeing as how the first car I drove was a 5.7L Hemi Magnum Ram 1500 lol

You should not be concerned with performance at all. The bottom line is, no matter how good a driver you think you are, you suck. You're a brand new driver, and therefore you suck at it. I've been driving for 11 months now, I suck too. What that means, is we should both be looking for reliable, cheap to repair, and safe cars (fuel efficiency is nice too). Performance should not be a concern at all, get a 4 cyl car, and don't heap on performance mods, because you're just going to wrap it around a tree when you try to show off for girls.


Your first car is about getting experience on the road, learning how to deal with other drivers and whatnot. I know all these older guys telling you to get a sensible car might seem like killjoy grown ups, but they're speaking from experience. Worry about keeping your car clean, and most importantly, running. Not performance.

 

[ozyran]

I think I would be able to handle a lightly modded civic seeing as how the first car I drove was a 5.7L Hemi Magnum Ram 1500 lol

And to throw myself on the dogpile...

Let's make one thing completely clear: 5,500lb pickup truck =/= 2,100lb hatchback. They'll drive different, they'll handle different, and overall perform different. Every single aspect of driving those vehicles is different. And as mentioned before, getting into a Civic that's been 'lightly modded' feeling like you can handle it since you had some small amount of driving time in the Dodge will be exactly as said, it will leave you overconfident and inexperienced.

Put it this way, Michael Schumacher, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, and countless other race drivers did not start out driving high-performance race cars, and there's a good chance that being overconfident bought them an accident. It can happen to anyone, and saying to yourself that it won't happen to you leads to one foreseeable future in my humble, worthless internet opinion...

 

[JCE]

Us "old" people aren't trying to be buzzkillington's, we're trying to give you (original poster) wisdom to make sure you don't end up a statistic. 👍

You should not be concerned with performance at all. The bottom line is, no matter how good a driver you think you are, you suck. You're a brand new driver, and therefore you suck at it. I've been driving for 11 months now, I suck too. What that means, is we should both be looking for reliable, cheap to repair, and safe cars (fuel efficiency is nice too). Performance should not be a concern at all, get a 4 cyl car, and don't heap on performance mods, because you're just going to wrap it around a tree when you try to show off for girls.


Your first car is about getting experience on the road, learning how to deal with other drivers and whatnot. I know all these older guys telling you to get a sensible car might seem like killjoy grown ups, but they're speaking from experience. Worry about keeping your car clean, and most importantly, running. Not performance.

+1 Good to see a youth with his or her head on straight. Fantastic post.

And to throw myself on the dogpile...

Let's make one thing completely clear: 5,500lb pickup truck =/= 2,100lb hatchback. They'll drive different, they'll handle different, and overall perform different. Every single aspect of driving those vehicles is different. And as mentioned before, getting into a Civic that's been 'lightly modded' feeling like you can handle it since you had some small amount of driving time in the Dodge will be exactly as said, it will leave you overconfident and inexperienced.

Let's not forget the first time anyone drives a pickup truck in the rain they will truly understand oversteer and its demonic brother snap-oversteer. First time I ever drove a pickup truck was a late 90's Ford Ranger with the 4cyl engine. Let's just say making the first turn on to the frontage road was about a 270º spin without warning--this was while it was raining a good amount. Something with a higher power to weight ratio such as that Dodge Ram will not be any better. A Civic, Corolla, Focus or Cavalier would be perfect first cars. Do you see a pattern with those? Small, cheap, slow and reliable forms of transport.

 

[Zenith]

I think I would be able to handle a lightly modded civic seeing as how the first car I drove was a 5.7L Hemi Magnum Ram 1500 lol

You drove a big pickup once without crashing, therefore you'll easily be able to drive a Honda Civic every day without crashing. You should pay attention to the scare videos that they show you in Driver's Ed. They have pictures of teenagers wrapped around trees in heaps of twisted metal for a reason. Crashes come out of nowhere because of negligence, bad luck, and (emphasis...) overconfidence. It has very little to do with how skilled of a driver you are. You can have the driving skill of an F1 star and it won't make a damn difference because you'll crash doing something stupid or not paying attention.

Onto the car...

Yeah, we all remember the feeling when you're about to get your first car. The first thing you'll look at is which exhaust to get, and then what new wheels to buy, yadda yadda. The car WILL have mechanic faults. You're going to have to fix them and still have the budget left over to fix any more things breaking in them. It's going to be a lot longer than you think before you can mod it.

There's a reason everyone is responding the same way, we've been where you are now.

 

[niky]

A long, heavy Dodge Ram is nothing like a Civic.

The steering is slower. You don't give the wheel a small tug and suddenly find yourself in the next lane. The response to prods of the throttle isn't abrupt enough to cause issues if you're not stupid. The sheer size and the weight means that it's not as fidgety on the highway, and it's got ABS... and if it's a newer model, ESP, so you can't actually do anything crazy with it.

A small, relatively sporty compact car from the late 80's, on original size tires will wander like hell on the highway. Driven at half the speed, it will feel twice as fast as the Ram. If you're getting a Civic without ABS, which is entirely likely, you may experience your very first spin if you have an emergency situation in the rain. And if that spin finds you sideways across the road when a newer, bigger, heavier car comes across it, say goodbye to your Civic.

This is not to say you're a bad driver. But at 15, you don't have the freeway and real-world experience to know what you're in for. And since you're asking about mods, you are like 99% of the rest of us here. You like to drive fast. That's not a good sign.

I learned to drive out of high school on these cars. They're great fun, but safe? Hell no. First time I ever saw a spin, way back when, was not in a heavy rear drive sedan (the family had a few Mercs, Toyota Crowns and etcetera at the time) but in a light front wheel drive sedan of that vintage. A Corolla, to boot.

Don't think a Corolla can oversteer? Try doing a Scandinavian flick while blowing through an intersection that other cars are already crossing... which my cousin inadvertently did while trying to avoid said cars.

Get a year's worth of driving under your belt without mods. If you really want some excitement, enroll in a high performance driving course and/or do some autocrossing, to learn the ins-and-outs of your car and proper emergency handling safety. You will eventually find that the more important modifications to be made to your car are with the the suspension, brakes and tires, not the engine. Hell... slap some good rubber and brake pads on it and that may be enough.

That generation of Honda is so light that you're already starting with something that's sprightlier and more willing than the RAM, so it's better to work on the bits that not only make it more fun, but safer, to boot.

I've been ruining modifying cars for decades. And throwing little bits and pieces of exhaust and intake at Japanese compacts is like adding more tweeters to a stereo for extra volume. If you're a good audiophile, you can make it work... but most of the time it sounds like garbage and doesn't make much difference to the overall power.

The most satisfying "simple" modifications I've done to these cars, time and time again, is to properly sort the oily bits underneath so that driving quickly feels less like taking your life into your hands and more like doing something actually... y'know... fun.

 

[Cale]

Get something really fast. If you crash it and die you weren't meant to drive in the first place.

 

[Joel]

Us "old" people aren't trying to be buzzkillington's, we're trying to give you (original poster) wisdom to make sure you don't end up a statistic. 👍

+1 Good to see a youth with his or her head on straight. Fantastic post.

That's why I felt I wanted to add my quip. I mean, you guys are all "old", as you said, but I'm 16 and I've been driving for 11 months, and I completely agree with you. As a fellow teen, of course there's always that feeling of invincibility, and "it can't happen to me". I'm guilty of it, we all are. But the problem is that behind the wheel of a 2000+pound car at 60 miles per hour, that feeling of invincibility can lead to catastrophe.

And thank you, I'm a he and it's glad to hear I have my head on straight

 

[samurai10001]

How much do Civic EKs run on places like craighslist? If it helps I'm in eastern Washington lol Also, are EKs worth me saving up the extra money to buy in terms of reliability and stuff?

 

[CMvan46]

How much do Civic EKs run on places like craighslist? If it helps I'm in eastern Washington lol Also, are EKs worth me saving up the extra money to buy in terms of reliability and stuff?

Again how much do you want to spend is it 2500?

 

[niky]

2.5k should just get you in the door, I think. EKs are much better cars all around.

Personally, I'd prefer a B13 Sentra SE-R. That's a light car with a punchy 2.0, a well sorted but comfortable suspension (except for the tiny matter of bottoming out waaaay too easily) and an LSD to help it hook up for an excellent 7 second 0-60 time.

Well... if you can find one that hasn't rusted to nothingness... if anything, Nissan's rust-proofing at the time was even worse than Honda's... and those things are rolling deathtraps. I've seen too many of those flattened to road-pancakes in collisions with trucks.

 

[homeforsummer]

The EK should have the edge in terms of safety, security and comfort without sacrificing too much in the way of fun, so if it's within budget it's definitely the better option.

 

[Mike0105]

That's why I felt I wanted to add my quip. I mean, you guys are all "old", as you said, but I'm 16 and I've been driving for 11 months, and I completely agree with you.

Hey, I'm only 24! Am I really old then?? Only joking.

It good to hear some one with both youth ad wisdom!

All my mates said I was boring for driving properly (most of the time) when I first started. I was the only one they felt safe with though! And the only one who hasn't crashed yet....

 

[Joey D]

How much do Civic EKs run on places like craighslist? If it helps I'm in eastern Washington lol Also, are EKs worth me saving up the extra money to buy in terms of reliability and stuff?

Try searching craigslist, that's the only way to find out how much they are going for.

http://spokane.craigslist.org/

or even better...

http://spokane.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=Honda+Civic&srchType=T&minAsk=&maxAsk=

Here's a 97 Civic for $2,500
http://spokane.craigslist.org/ctd/2544126030.html

And a pre-poorly modded 96 one for just shy of $3,000
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2527350460.html

 

[Mike0105]

Avoid pre-modded cars like the plague, they will have had a hard life and will probably have been driven badly.

Only consider it if you know exactly how the car has been driven throughout it's live.

 

[CMvan46]

Avoid pre-modded cars like the plague, they will have had a hard life and will probably have been driven badly.

Only consider it if you know exactly how the car has been driven throughout it's live.

Couldn't agree more with that statement.

 

[JacoJa]

In my (rather predictable) opinion, you should look at getting an old Celica if you're interested. The hatch variant of the 4th generation looks great, and is very reliable. You can save up a bit and buy a used 3S-GTE engine (preferably a gen-2, onwards), to replace the standard 3SGE, and it'll be quite easy and cheap to increase the performance with aftermarket modifications.

 

[JCE]

In my (rather predictable) opinion, you should look at getting an old Celica if you're interested. The hatch variant of the 4th generation looks great, and is very reliable. You can save up a bit and buy a used 3S-GTE engine (preferably a gen-2, onwards), to replace the standard 3SGE, and it'll be quite easy and cheap to increase the performance with aftermarket modifications.

I'm sorry but as soon as you starting talking about an engine swap that is by far the worst suggestion so far in this thread. The LAST thing a first time driver needs in his or her first car is to waste money on an engine swap for performance or otherwise. "Easy" and "cheap" never go together for stuff like this. If his budget is $2,500 you can forget about it anyway. You cannot even FIND a Celica in good shape for that money regardless of generation. A clean well running example of any first car should be the goal not talking about engine swaps and performance.

 

[CMvan46]

In my (rather predictable) opinion, you should look at getting an old Celica if you're interested. The hatch variant of the 4th generation looks great, and is very reliable. You can save up a bit and buy a used 3S-GTE engine (preferably a gen-2, onwards), to replace the standard 3SGE, and it'll be quite easy and cheap to increase the performance with aftermarket modifications.

Hahaha all for $2500! I agree with above, cheap + easy =/= good. True performance upgrades cost money, useful mods that do more than allow for slight bragging rights when sitting at the cafeteria in high school do not come cheap.

There is one sensible thing everybody here (for the most part) is telling you, find an older cheaper car and take care of it and run it till she dies. Another thing to remember, if you add 5000 in mods to your car right away and day one your car is totaled even if by somebody else you don't get that money back, you get the insurance book price.

I'd look for an old Civic, Golf, Corolla, or really any other small 4 cylinder car. They are easy to work on to get to know cars a bit more, easy to drive, decent on gas, and cheap to insure. Those last two points may not seem important now but just wait until you start driving. Cars are money pits.