kkhor1@eq.edu.au wrote in news:1140058882.670182.131360
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:

Here in the US, the civic and the Integra are some of the most heavily
stolen cars out there. The integra is in the top 10 stolen cars for each
year since '96. A reason not to buy a honda I guess.

You can get the EK9 down there can't you? Civic Type-R? They were never
introduced here in the states. My guess is an EK9 would probably top out
at 120 mph. My '98 hatch with the B18C5 will do 120 pretty easily but,
with the JDM ECU, it won't go any faster (japanese cars are limited to
120 MPH). I have a US ECU for it but, I'd need some way to disable the
anti-theft system built into the ECU. Then it should go up to 143, the
same top speed as the Integra Type-R. Im not sure the hatch is safe at
that speed though. It does have a longer wheel base than the Integra R.
96-2000 civics hatch and sedan, have the same wheel base as the Integra 4
door.

What are you planning to do with the civic? I like taking mine to the
race track and pretending I'm a racer. Trying to train myself not to let
off the gas when the back end comes loose (which causes a spin).

The honda is a great car to work on. Nothing I've ever worked on is as
well designed for maintainance and swapping.

Hi,

I have a Civic Type-R and can honestly say it's a fun car to drive despite
the complete absence of front end grip in anything but 100% dry conditions
(which shouldn't be a problem for you I suppose). The top-end is supposed
to be 146mph but I reckon it might go past that it gear changes are timed
right. It does seem to rev out quickly in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, but 4th takes
you past 100mph and you've still got 2 gears to go.

Insurance for these can be a bit of a bugger. I'm certainly no teenager
but I still get renewal quates in excess of 1000 pounds, and usually end
up paying around 700 pounds per year. Service costs (mine is still under
warrenty) com in at around 125 pounds for a standard oil change basic
service and tyres come in around 160 pounds each. If you're thinking about
racing, I reckon you'll get around 18 miles per gallon if you try to keep
it over the recommended 6000 rpm - to and from work I get about 30.

If anyone can tell be a better made, more fun car, with around 200hp for
16000 pounds sterling BRAND NEW, then I'll go out and buy one right now !!

happy motoring.

Ade

I'm not sure if top speed should be the only criteria, I have a 2004 Civic
SI with V-tec, just the joy of driving it enough for me, of course I'm over
60 now and get thrills much easier lol.