Tuned or turbo’d civics...

[redkow97]

How dumb of an idea is it to upgrade a civic?  

What kind of power do they make with basic (cheap) mods, and how badly does that effect fuel economy, if you’re staying out of boost while cursing at 70 mph?

[Bubba]

32 minutes ago, redkow97 said:

....and how badly does that effect fuel economy, if you’re staying out of boost while cursing at 70 mph?

Cursing at 70 MPH will make your f*#ki@g gas mileage go into the gd mf$^! crapper faster than a $10 whore goes down on Michael Jordan, @$$h01e....

[redkow97]

I’ve basically settled on buying an 8th gen civic with a manual transmission the next time my corolla has any major mechanical issue.  

The only question is whether it’s worth paying more for an Si, or if a lower trim civic with some power-adding mods would be cheaper, and make for a more surprising “sleeper.”

The Si makes 197hp, so it’s not exactly fast, just fast for a civic. 

That’s good enough for me when it gets 31 mpg highway. But if a modded LX is more powerful and cheaper, i could deal with slightly lower mpg...

[JustinNck1]

7 minutes ago, redkow97 said:

I’ve basically settled on buying an 8th gen civic with a manual transmission the next time my corolla has any major mechanical issue.  

The only question is whether it’s worth paying more for an Si, or if a lower trim civic with some power-adding mods would be cheaper, and make for a more surprising “sleeper.”

The Si makes 197hp, so it’s not exactly fast, just fast for a civic. 

That’s good enough for me when it gets 31 mpg highway. But if a modded LX is more powerful and cheaper, i could deal with slightly lower mpg...

My 2014 V6 Accord coupe is getting 30s mpg on highway. 278 hp, more room too. Running it hard on a twisty road is a different story though.

[serpentracer]

Not bad considering my R1 averages 28 mpg

[redkow97]

V6 Accord with a manual transmission is an option I would definitely consider, but 4-doors will be an easier sell on the wife.   I keep telling her that the kids are rarely in my car, and they're only getting older, and more self-sufficient.  My oldest can climb into the back seat on her own, plop down in her booster seat, and buckle herself.  I may have to adjust the shoulder strap and snug up the belt, but I'm not having to place her into the seat anymore. 

It's been difficult to find Accords with manual transmissions, period, let alone models with reasonable mileage, priced below $10k, and good interior options.  With that said, I have found a couple with 4 doors, the I-4, leather, and 97k miles, but those things are unicorns...

I may also really regret a manual transmission in traffic.  I'm tempted to buy a shitty Escort ZX2 (my brother had one, and I found one for $1500) just to drive this winter, to see if the clutch annoys the shit out of me while commuting.

[Tonik]

 

It's a Civic FFS.

[JustinNck1]

10 minutes ago, redkow97 said:

V6 Accord with a manual transmission is an option I would definitely consider, but 4-doors will be an easier sell on the wife.   I keep telling her that the kids are rarely in my car, and they're only getting older, and more self-sufficient.  My oldest can climb into the back seat on her own, plop down in her booster seat, and buckle herself.  I may have to adjust the shoulder strap and snug up the belt, but I'm not having to place her into the seat anymore. 

It's been difficult to find Accords with manual transmissions, period, let alone models with reasonable mileage, priced below $10k, and good interior options.  With that said, I have found a couple with 4 doors, the I-4, leather, and 97k miles, but those things are unicorns...

I may also really regret a manual transmission in traffic.  I'm tempted to buy a shitty Escort ZX2 (my brother had one, and I found one for $1500) just to drive this winter, to see if the clutch annoys the shit out of me while commuting.

I struggled with this when searching for an Accord. I hated the CVT transmission that comes in the 4 cylinder, so I tried the 6 cylinder with a normal automatic transmission. I liked it better, but still wanted the 6 speed manual. I never did find one like I wanted (EX-L with Nav, V6 6 spd). I ended up with a EX-L with Nav, V6 Auto. I'm happy with it. Sport mode with the paddle shifters is fun.

[redkow97]

I have never used a manumatic that I liked...  But I would consider an auto IF the car is more legitimately fast.  My desire for a manual is in part because i think it makes the car feel faster, even when it's dogshit slow.

That ZX2 I referenced was still fun to row through the gears, even though it took 10 seconds to get to 60. 

My baseline is that I would like whatever I end up with to be as fast as my wife's  V6 sorento, which scoots to 60 in about 7.5 seconds.  For a car its size, it hauls ass. A civic Si would hit 60 in just under 7 seconds.  I would also like whatever I end up with to get 30 mpg...  Obviously when the acceleration times drop, so does the gas mileage, and that's okay, so long as the purchase price is reasonable enough.  I mean, I don't plan on having a payment on this car, which is why I'm capping my price range at $10k, and looking at everything as cheap as $6k.

I would drive a Honda Fit if I could find some simple bolt-ons to add some power... 

I don't really want a sports car - I just want a car that can get out of its own damn way merging in traffic.  I'm not going to hustle my commuter around any country roads. I am going to accelerate on the highway daily.  And as mentioned, I love sleepers.  I would drive a minivan if it could get to 60 as quick as a '01 mustang.  I don't need actual fast - i just need surprisingly fast for what it is.

[CBBaron]

So you looking for the Caravan Sport that actually has some sport

I hear you on the manual making a slow car feel fast. My current Beetle and the Geo Metro were both dog ass slow but were tolerable because they had decent manuals.

So far all my experiences with manumatics have been that they are pointless. It does more what I want when I leave it in auto than when I try to manual it. In my experience the switches are just suggestions to the transmission logic that it mostly ignores.

  

[tall_tracy]

58 minutes ago, redkow97 said:

I don't really want a sports car - I just want a car that can get out of its own damn way merging in traffic.  

Why does every knucklehead in Cleveland insist on merging onto a highway at 50 mph?  There is nothing more annoying...

 

What about an older GTI?  Not that I'm biased or anything...  lol

 

[redkow97]

19 minutes ago, CBBaron said:

So you looking for the Caravan Sport that actually has some sport

I hear you on the manual making a slow car feel fast. My current Beetle and the Geo Metro were both dog ass slow but were tolerable because they had decent manuals.

So far all my experiences with manumatics have been that they are pointless. It does more what I want when I leave it in auto than when I try to manual it. In my experience the switches are just suggestions to the transmission logic that it mostly ignores.

  

The ONE place I have found a manumatic to be useful was towing my bike back from GA when I raced at the Herrin Compound.  I could drop the transmission out of overdrive before bogging the engine on whatever hill I was trying to maintain 70mph up  

Otherwise they just react too slowly. 

it shifts a second AFTER you wanted it to, and I just find it maddening.  I also don't like that Kia has theirs set up backward.  I'm of the opinion that you should PULL the shifter to go up a gear, and push it forward to go down a gear.   Our Hyundai Tucson (2.7 V6) and our Kia Sorento (3.3 V6) both orient the shift patterin in the opposite manner.

 

I am resigned to the fact that my car will almost certainly not be a 'status symbol.'  A Civic slots into a weird area where it's okay for my 17 yr old neighbor to drive one, and it's also okay for my father-in-law and one of the judges at work to drive one ...but I can't have a coffee can muffler or a boy-racer wing on mine at 34 yrs old.  The 4-door Si is a nice in-between range that I had gotten wife endorsement, but also felt would satisfy my itch for something a little less boring.

...but if there's a bolt-on turbo kit for the 7th generation

[redkow97]

23 minutes ago, tall_tracy said:

What about an older GTI?  Not that I'm biased or anything...  lol

 

I've considered that as well.  I believe the Honda will last longer, and it has a larger aftermarket, if I choose to buy a non-Si and modify it.   Remember, I'm driving 25,000 miles or more each year and talking about buying a car with over 100k on the clock.  I need to be pretty sure whatever I buy will turn 250,000 miles without bankrupting me.

[CBBaron]

2 minutes ago, redkow97 said:

I've considered that as well.  I believe the Honda will last longer, and it has a larger aftermarket, if I choose to buy a non-Si and modify it.   Remember, I'm driving 25,000 miles or more each year and talking about buying a car with over 100k on the clock.  I need to be pretty sure whatever I buy will turn 250,000 miles without bankrupting me.

Yea, Civic or Corolla sound like a good bet for you.

I drive about 5-6k on the car and usually can leave at the shop while I commute by bike, so dealing with an older VW is no big deal.

GTI aftermarket is pretty good though. VW shares alot of components beween vehicles and GTI is a pretty popular hot hatch.

[TimTheAzn]

2 hours ago, redkow97 said:

 it has a larger aftermarket

Mannnnnnn, thats almost not true anymore..... There are SO many parts out for GTI's of all generations its astounding. You may not be able to find some altezza's for your GTI though, not sure if they make those.

 

17 hours ago, redkow97 said:

How dumb of an idea is it to upgrade a civic?  

What kind of power do they make with basic (cheap) mods, and how badly does that effect fuel economy, if you’re staying out of boost while cursing at 70 mph?

BPU's on civic will get you nowhere. (Not counting the newest type r which is boosted.) The way to go for a 90's-2000 civic is boost by way of turbo. You can make that kit as nice or as cheap as you want. But you'll still only get under 400 some hp without internal's. 

Edited November 9, 2017 by TimTheAzn

[MidgetTodd]

28-30mpg is impressive? I get 30-32 out of my AWD Grand Cherokee and it will run away from Civics all day long

[flashesbuck]

I wouldn't expect anything with a turbo to last 250k. Take a look at the focus, 3 gen cars. You can get a a nicly optioned one for what you looking to spend. Yes the autos are crap, but I currently have 2 of the manuals (2011  &2014) and have had nothing but great luck with them. The newer one will push 40mpg on the highway, and easily stay above 32 when I rail it. 

Very light clutch in the newer ones, with a short throw-ish shifter from the factory. 43k on it and still rocking the original tires, and have losts of tread on them. 

[redkow97]

18 hours ago, MidgetTodd said:

28-30mpg is impressive? I get 30-32 out of my AWD Grand Cherokee and it will run away from Civics all day long

8-speed automatic, yes?

let me know how long it lasts for you. 

[MidgetTodd]

Yes. And turbo from the factory. 

And yes it will last. 

[jbot]

so does that mean they're not going to recall the 3.0 ecodiesel?

[Pauly]

It doesn't matter if you boost from the factory or from Summit Racing. 

Boosting is boosting. 

[serpentracer]

On 11/9/2017 at 10:45 AM, redkow97 said:

The ONE place I have found a manumatic to be useful was towing my bike back from GA when I raced at the Herrin Compound.  I could drop the transmission out of overdrive before bogging the engine on whatever hill I was trying to maintain 70mph up  

Otherwise they just react too slowly. 

it shifts a second AFTER you wanted it to, and I just find it maddening.  I also don't like that Kia has theirs set up backward.  I'm of the opinion that you should PULL the shifter to go up a gear, and push it forward to go down a gear.   Our Hyundai Tucson (2.7 V6) and our Kia Sorento (3.3 V6) both orient the shift patterin in the opposite manner.

 

I am resigned to the fact that my car will almost certainly not be a 'status symbol.'  A Civic slots into a weird area where it's okay for my 17 yr old neighbor to drive one, and it's also okay for my father-in-law and one of the judges at work to drive one ...but I can't have a coffee can muffler or a boy-racer wing on mine at 34 yrs old.  The 4-door Si is a nice in-between range that I had gotten wife endorsement, but also felt would satisfy my itch for something a little less boring.

...but if there's a bolt-on turbo kit for the 7th generation

Dont knock a kia.  My mom has an optima turbo 4cyl.  Can surprise you with how good it pulls.  I actually find it to be a well made car that drives great.  The seats feel great to me.  they are leather and heated.  Id prefer cooled seats in the summer though. Why i stick to cloth. 

Edited November 10, 2017 by serpentracer

[serpentracer]

forgot to mention it's a 2013 the 4cyl turbo has 275hp.   more than her old Z28 lol

Edited November 10, 2017 by serpentracer

[MidgetTodd]

5 hours ago, jbot said:

so does that mean they're not going to recall the 3.0 ecodiesel?

Doesn't look like it. I never received anything and they just opened up ordering again for the 18's

[jschaf]

Honda never had the torque thing down plus the new civics are ugly as hell.  I've had 1 Honda civic SI & 3 Volkswagen GTIs.  Current one is the best.  3000 lbs, 316 hp, 380 lb ft, 38 mpg highway, 32 mpg everyday (APR stage 1 tune, otherwise bone stock).  

Better fuel economy with the tune.  

 

Edited November 11, 2017 by jschaf