Trading in for a new MS3.. thoughts?

[Olestra]

The civic Si doesn't make much power until you get in the upper rev range so he's driving it pretty much appropriate for the way the power band is designed in the honda.

be prepared to pay list or very close to list on a ms3...plus you'll take a bath on a trade...heck i just bought my ms3 2 weeks ago and put only 300 miles on it so far...if i were to trade it in right now i'd probably lose 2k probably more...and my car is flawless...

try to be happy with the Si...it's a nice car...it's the cheapest way to go (keeping it).

Sorry, I've never driven the Si before, but I didn't realize you'd have to always hit the peak powerband just to move the car or pass someone. I've driven an Integra for 3+ years and rarely had to punch it into high RPM.

Anyways, I understand the OP's situation. I want to trade up to a MS3 only after a year of owning my regular Mazda3. I know I"m going to get bent over but I'm going to see what I can get for my car first... (see my accident thread... so I'm actually going to get bent over twice.) I'm back and forth as to whether to just drive my car and mod that one or really go for a MS3.

 

[I vtec do you?]

Yeah.. the SI doesn't really make any noticeable power what-so-ever before 5800 RPMS. Litereally, if you try passing someone at 4k RPMs, it will be a very slow and drawn out pass. You HAVE to bring it near redline to get any sort of pull. I'm sick of it.

I realize I'm going to get 'bent over' on the trade, but so far the numbers seem to be working pretty well.

 

[aaronc7]

Work out the numbers and decide if it's worth it to you. I had a civic (ex) before this car, so I can relate to the 'no power whatsoever before 5000rpm'. It's awesome being able to cruise around on the highway in 6th gear and not to have change gears to pass.

I was comparing insurance for the MS3 vs Civic Si and I found them to be virtually identical..I think the Si may have even been a tad more...either way I remember they were pretty equal. I'm 21 and I pay $116/month for the MS3, I've only had 1 ticket, but I don't think it caused anything to go up. I notice I spend more on gas now, but it's not terrible, about 45 more dollars per 1000 miles. (yeah i'm a nerd)

Keep doing your research and figure out if it's worth it to you. Obviously keeping the civic makes the most sense money wise, but if you really want one and you think you won't be getting 'bent over' too badly over the trade, then I say go for it if it will make you happy.

 

[I vtec do you?]

Work out the numbers and decide if it's worth it to you. I had a civic (ex) before this car, so I can relate to the 'no power whatsoever before 5000rpm'. It's awesome being able to cruise around on the highway in 6th gear and not to have change gears to pass.

I was comparing insurance for the MS3 vs Civic Si and I found them to be virtually identical..I think the Si may have even been a tad more...either way I remember they were pretty equal. I'm 21 and I pay $116/month for the MS3, I've only had 1 ticket, but I don't think it caused anything to go up. I notice I spend more on gas now, but it's not terrible, about 45 more dollars per 1000 miles. (yeah i'm a nerd)

Keep doing your research and figure out if it's worth it to you. Obviously keeping the civic makes the most sense money wise, but if you really want one and you think you won't be getting 'bent over' too badly over the trade, then I say go for it if it will make you happy.

My insurance agent told me it'll be cheaper to get the MS3 IF they have Air pressure guages on the new 08s, since it's a hatchback. I specified that it was the speed version and she assured me, using an 07's VIN number (which was slightly higher) and said it would be cheaper if it had the above mentioned.

 

[M3 5MT]

Everyone goes through 18 when you feel like you're invincible.

I wouldnt be took quick to assume how an individual matures. I remember the feeling of 'invicibility' when I was 14, 15, by the time I was 18 I had been in so much trouble I acted like I was 30. I also had to pay for everything myself, insurance, maintenance, payments, etc., which puts perspective on life...

I say, do what your heart tells you. If you were serious about the transaction you'd have scrap paper and a calculator out right now figuring out how much it would cost you to make the swap. I've made mistakes before because I was 'bored' with my car. Big mistake. I lost the most important thing I had. Although, you might be different, because it doesnt seem like you ever 'loved' the civic to begin with.

Lastly, as far as the tranny goes, did you learn to drive stick on this car? If so, maybe you did destroy the syncro. If not, take that s*** to the dealer and make them fix it, or threaten to get a lawyer. Remember, this is AMERICA. And in America, if something sucks, you're suppose to get your money back. Make capitalism work for you.

 

[Scott]

Insurance tends to be higher on a Civic than one might think. Largely due to how often they get stolen.

Anyway, to the original poster. It's your car, your money. You have to be the one to live with whatever decision you make. However, you asked for opinions, so you should be prepared for those you want to hear, as well as those you don't.

 

[CnoTataymo]

You probably should have gotten something with more torque. Most Honda's are high revers so usually the last 2-3k rpms is where the power is at. My first car at 17 was an 03 Spec V. The torque was cool because in any gear, you had ooomph just gassing it. Now I'm 20 and have an MSP. And when I use to have the Spec V, I drove my friends Celica GT-S and I couldn't believe the difference, no torque but pulls hard top end. It's power is probably like what you have.

 

[Scott]

All these nice first cars. My first was a '91 Mustang LX 4 cylinder. It had 105 screaming horses, which was probably a good thing considering it had no rear brakes when I got it.

Then I sold it, and put a down payment on a '97 Cavalier. And I was thrilled to have bought my own car, even if it was a slow econobox.

 

[ZooMIN3]

^LOL^

try an 98 Chevy Metro.... my first car... yeck!

 

[Scott]

Yikes! Well, at least it was a '98 Metro and not a '91 Metro. Not that there's all that much refinement to be gained in that 7 years.

 

[I vtec do you?]

Lastly, as far as the tranny goes, did you learn to drive stick on this car? If so, maybe you did destroy the syncro. If not, take that s*** to the dealer and make them fix it, or threaten to get a lawyer. Remember, this is AMERICA. And in America, if something sucks, you're suppose to get your money back. Make capitalism work for you.

It was my first manual, but I'd driven other manuals before it and I knew the idea behind it. I've maybe grinded 2 gears the entire time I've had the car because of my fault. If that ruins the synchros, then I guess I'm SOL. However, I can't imagine two bad shifts would ruin a gear. And they weren't horrible grinds, they were more like I had the clutch half-way in and got a light grind.

 

[Scott]

As per the 2nd gear synchro, yes, they blamed it on me. I brought it in because it's near impossible to shift into 2nd when redlining first (which is basically an SI requirement if you want any sort of speed). They suggested I rip out the tranny, replace synchros, and that I would pay since I obviously ****** it up. I pointed it out and printed out a few pages from 8thcivic.com showing other people had the same problem and they stated they had never had a person bring theirs in for it yet.

I call BS on that. Shops (dealers included) make most of their money on labor. If they refused to warranty the car, why would they tell YOU to replace everything yourself when they could do it and bank completely on it, knowing you would foot the bill?

 

[SwampAss]

It's a never ending thing. First a civic Si with a paltry 197hp and then an MS3 with 263hp (nevermind the torque)

Then the MS3 becomes ho hum power wise. You get used to it. I've seen several threads here and other places about people becoming complacent with the power output of this car.

Then you move on to STIs and Evos. Then GTOs and Corvettes Z06s if money allows.

You have a new Si. It's a great car. My first car had 50hp and I had a blast in it. Appreciate what you have and stop thinking that the grass is always greener unless you're prepared to eat a hand full of ass in depreciation.

You'd think I'd be a little envious of kids who "pay" their parents for cars. You'd think I'd even be more envious of kids who have cars given to them. You'd be totally wrong.
I'm not envious because I worked for what I have. It makes having nice things that much sweeter to me. I'm not saying the MS3 is some sort of financial achievement. It's a small piece of the overall puzzle.
In summation, stay with what you have. Taking it in the ass and pissing off your funders is probably a bad idea at this point in your life.

 

[Scott]

^^Not to mention that you actually build credit by financing a car for yourself rather than relying on mom and dad..

 

[I vtec do you?]

I call BS on that. Shops (dealers included) make most of their money on labor. If they refused to warranty the car, why would they tell YOU to replace everything yourself when they could do it and bank completely on it, knowing you would foot the bill?

So are you an asshole to everyone or are you just singling me out for no reason? BS? I never said they told me to replace all that s*** myself. They just suggested to me I get it all replaced, AT COST TO ME.. meaning it wasn't going to be covered by warranty. Do you understand, or do I have to spell it out for you. They don't want to warranty it since it's a wear item..

Of course they make money on repairs.. do you honestly think my dealership was going to tell me to replace all that s*** myself without them doing? Wow..

 

[Scott]

So are you an asshole to everyone or are you just singling me out for no reason? BS? I never said they told me to replace all that s*** myself. They just suggested to me I get it all replaced, AT COST TO ME.. meaning it wasn't going to be covered by warranty. Do you understand, or do I have to spell it out for you. They don't want to warranty it since it's a wear item..

They suggested I rip out the tranny, replace synchros, and that I would pay since I obviously ****** it up. I pointed it out and printed out a few pages from 8thcivic.com showing other people had the same problem and they stated they had never had a person bring theirs in for it yet.

You specifically said "I". I've heard of people referring to themselves in the 3rd person, but not many people refer to other people in the 1st person. Maybe you should have spelled it out better.

And I'm not an asshole to everyone. Just spoiled brats that come on a new forum, act hard, pretend they know everything, and argue with everyone who has a different opinion. So far, you've fit the bill perfectly.

So have a good day!

 

[I vtec do you?]

Interesting, I wasn't aware that when someone tells you to do something, that they always mean specifically you.

For example, if I was getting my house built and the contractor told me to fix the plumbing for whatever reason, and then I called a plumber and said "The contractor said I should fix the plumbing", do you think the plumber would assume I was going to do the plumbing, or they would?

That's a rough example but I'm heading out and I needed to get my point across.

 

[Scott]

That point isn't incredibly valid, as your house analogy requires two seperate 3rd parties to be involved, whereas your original post only involves you and the dealership. That's why it didn't make sense when I first read it. Because no shop would ever turn away business unless it put them or their operation at risk or wasn't profitable.

 

[RelliMS3]

both are great cars for a first car. like what other people have been saying, enjoy what you have, its not worth trading it in.

 

[ZooMIN3]

Yikes! Well, at least it was a '98 Metro and not a '91 Metro. Not that there's all that much refinement to be gained in that 7 years.

lmao! (beer)