MP3 or CIVIC SI???

Sup all, 1st post:)

Depending on your tuning goals this is what I'd do.

Heavy:#1 99si these cars can look downright sexy if done right.
Aftermarket and engine is already proven. Lsvetc and B20vtec...
nuff said, that is if your an all motor buff. Turbo and suspension parts can be had overnight.
#2 tie MP3 pretty much already looks good, not too many around, don't be a follower. Suspension is in place, minus a drop depending on your style. Spend the 3 to 5K on the engine rather than the 1 to 2K on susp. for above plus however much extra on the engine and tear up the town.
#2 tie because the new si is still a honda, so the aftermarket is still there and growing. In my opinion doesn't look that bad. Def. needs a drop and beefier tires with some 7.5 in wide 16's. Aftermarket will be more expensive though, demand is not quite there yet.

Mild Modding#1 MP3 hands down don't touch the susp. as above maybe a drop I/H/E or I/E what have you you'll be pleased.
#2 both civics tied because if you're goals arent that high, they won't look as good as the mp3 because they don't look that good without a drop. And if you do that your talking springs/coils, struts for sure, camber kit unless you like buying tires all of the time. You're already over a grand on susp. Allthough with the stock engine, you'll still be pleased with the MAD VTEC/H YO!!!
And you can load that b**** up with Type R stickers.

P.S. so happy with my MSP. Just got my reflash on fri.
Last car was a del slo Sohc vtec. Had coilovers and tokico blues and was going to do a camber kit and I/H/E next or do a junkyard turbo build for it. But reality was I was already been turned off buy how much money I'd have to spend on it. So keep that in mind, if you don't want soccer moms pulling on you when you're trying to pass on the highway. And if you performance goals aren't that high just get the MP3, cuz its nicer.
 
(hi) ND4MSP

Welcoem to our happy little corner of the net.

The MP3 owner only need spend $2500 for Spoolins stage 1 kit for ruffly 150 whp or $3500 for FM and get 170 whp.
 
i had a 00 Si, mann i realy miss it yes if it was a 99-00 i would deffanly jump on it you car get on now for like 10g's the hard part is findong one that has not been raged on. here a pic of my old Si.
 

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ha this is what it looks now. cuza of a drunk driver that ran a redlight. :(
 

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Im in the exact same boat as you. MP3 or 99-00 Si... Its a toughie, I love the MP3 but its so hard to find. Well, so is the Si but they made a lot more 99-00's than 2001 MP3s.
 
look at the pics in my sig, you know any honda that came from the factory looking that damn good?
 
went to buy a 2000 SI. Save up, went to get it...gone. Couldn't get another.

So, I bought a plain civic........traded that in 2001 for the mp3

I would never go back to a SI...never. To me, even though they are technically in the same class....the SI seems so much less car then the MP3. Even the feel of it, it just seemed like a higer priced car. Well, it is, but you know what I mean.
 
I have 03 si. I love both cars, mp3 and si. cant go wrong with either car. Shifter is very comfortable, nice interior. Stock height is awful, I took care of that.:) . Many aftermarkets are avabile too.
 
I owned a 2002 Honda Civic SiR (Canadian Si) previous to the Mazda, and if you are worried about defects, stay the hell out of a Civic! They had to take mine back.

In the course of 17,000kms:

Visit...

1. Big rattle in dash - replaced screw that was free in dash.
2. Rattle in passenger rear speaker area - loose speaker retaining screws tightened.
3. Rattle in driver rear speaker area - loose speaker retaining screws tightened.
4. Oil loss in engine - engine examined and replaced.
5. Knocking noise in front end - replaced top strut mount.
6. Car pulls - 4 wheel alignment.
7. Scrubbing noise in front end - replaced spring seats.
8. Car pulls - 4 wheel alignment.
9. Thudding noise in front end - replaced strut assemblies.
10. Car pulls - 4 wheel alignment.
11. Clanking noise in front end - replaced CV axle.
12. Car pulls - 4 wheel alignment.
13. Knocking returns - replaced top strut mount.
14. Car pulls - 4 wheel alignment.
Asked everytime I was at the dealership regarding the deathly stench coming from the exhaust... told to use different gas. Tried all brands with all octanes, none removed the smell.
(Other owners reported defective stearing racks, rear struts, ABS, sunroofs...etc)

Car gets too annoying to live with anymore after front end clunk returns... again, along with a possible rear passenger side wheel bearing problem. Lost only the payments I had made up to that point (9), and took the "I'm sorry you got a lemon, please buy another Honda." check to the Mazda dealer as a partial downpayment. And oh yeah, the mileage was never even close to those posted for the SiR, no matter how I drove it.

My 2003 Mazda Protege5 has been trouble free since I got it... I have almost exclusively owned Mazda's previously (86 323LX, 88 626GT, 90 323SE, 91 RX-7, 97 B2300, 98 ProtegeSE), and have never had any real warranty or defect issues, and have been very happy...
 
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