Faults:
The car runs rich, shot black soot out the exhaust when I got it; that has a lot to do with the setup. Cheesecloth in the fuel pressure regulator vacuum lines fixed the problem until the swap comes.
A few tears in the seats, otherwise good condition.
Somehow the engine was replaced with a 1995 Civic CX 70 HP motor before I got it, but I didn't buy the car for the engine, I bought it for the body.
General Comments:
Even though the car only has 70 HP, it still accelerates faster than my 2001 Sunfire.
Lowered about 2" on Tein coilovers. Handles excellently and stays firmly planted around corners even at 35-45 MPH. Excellent for making yellow lights :).
The seats are incredible. I especially like the support adjustments that come on the Si's.
I plan to put a 130 HP Acura Integra LS engine in the car this winter. A few of my friends have done this and have been able to outrun Mustang GT's, Subaru WRX's, and a whole host of other cars. One even outran a Dodge Viper with a turbo setup (think he ran 13.2 @ 105 MPH last 1/4 mile track test). Engine swaps are very easy (bolts directly in, no welding required) and very cheap ($1100 for full swap kit), which is my main reason for buying the car.
All this, and I also get 35 MPG city driving. The tank takes ~$18 to fill up at the pump. Very economical choice for poor teenager, all while having available power stated above.
The car runs EXTREMELY well, like the day it was driven off the lot.
Very roomy, especially in back. The car has more rear legroom than do most brand new compact cars, even the new Civic.
This car has more aftermarket parts available for it than any other make of car to my knowledge.
All in all, I gave away a 2001 Sunfire ($8500) that my parents bought me to my sister after not being allowed to sell it, and got this car for $1200. Loving every single minute of it.
3rd Jun 2007, 20:01
First, there is no way any of your friends outran a viper with a 130 hp civic.
I owned a 89 civic hatch too. If you really do have an Si, you have 106 hp, not 70. Only the base civic hatch that only came with a 4-spd manual trans had 70 hp.
Yeah, civics are fun to drive cause they have great steering feel and peppy engines. But they aren't fast, you can make them quick, but they aren't designed for that either.