Buying EP3

Currently own a DC5 base but looking to upgrade to a EP3 Type R. I mean no doubt it's a better car, but there aren't too many of them for sale. So in that case, would it be too risky to get a EP3 in terms of the car being imported and not having enough history on it?

Is it worth spending about $20k on this 9 year old car?

Is the kms shown on the cars for sale on carsales of what it's done overall if it was imported as a used car, or just how much it's driven after it's been imported?

Thanks for the help

Best way to confirm km is to look at the auction report when it was imported from japan. For 20k it's not a bad deal considering a Aus dc5r will cost similar money with higher kms

i'm located in Brisbane and got my Ep3 for 14k, the kms were average too

Is there much difference between a DC5R and a EP3R? Is it worth the extra 2k you would pay for the Civic?

I reckon the ep3r is more practical and the back seats should be more roomy. Best way is to inspect and test drive one. The dc5r has a better looking cluster and interior but thats just my opinion

Main reason I chose the EP3 over the DC5 was the visibilty looking out the rear windows.

Hi davidaff,

I think you're mainly risking all the negatives of an import car. Parts are harder to get, never know if the kms are real or not but as supabob said, the auction report is the best, most trustworthy source of information you can get. I don't think you'll have a log book either and I'd say it's much harder to sell an import car here. EP3 also doesn't have as much selection of mods as a DC5. If you're paying 2k extra for an EP3, you're paying 2k extra for a real type R k20a with extra 15hp but you're sacrificing the aforementioned negatives. In the end though, I still love my EP3 :) just need to find a bloody side skirt lol. Also check out the difference between pre and post facelift ep3s, i.e. 02-03 vs 04-05 ep3!
oh btw, I've heard many good things about IMG for imports (though pricey) unless you're just looking at carsales then best of luck!

Thanks pkjai2k mate, helped a lot!

Just buy off one of the respected members here on the forums

George is an ex mechanic and takes great care of his cars and I'm quite sure the ks are real
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthr...m-ep3-nhb-2002

He's upgrading to a family car the sell-out lol

plus he's a very matured driver so why not.

Hi,
I'm new to the forum just joined recently. I'm currently in the market for a Honda Civic Type R EP3. I'd just wanted to know regarding the maintenance/service costs are they going to be expensive?

How much do you think a EP3R goes for? from my research its about $17-$21k.

I went and test drove one last weekend at Xtreme motorsports and am going to check one out at IMG. Are any of these dealers reputable?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by bluey45

Hi,
I'm new to the forum just joined recently. I'm currently in the market for a Honda Civic Type R EP3. I'd just wanted to know regarding the maintenance/service costs are they going to be expensive?

How much do you think a EP3R goes for? from my research its about $17-$21k.

I went and test drove one last weekend at Xtreme motorsports and am going to check one out at IMG. Are any of these dealers reputable?

Thanks

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Both dealers are reputable. A lot of the EP3 drivers here bought there's from IMG, I believe.

$17k - $21k for a pre-facelift is usually the general asking price. I'm sure if you know how to negotiate you can get one for cheaper though.

Re: servicing costs ect. Not anymore than any other Honda. Common problems are cracked engine mounts and squeaky steering rack. Spare parts being hard to source may be it's only fault.

Good luck! :)

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Originally Posted by Symphorced

Both dealers are reputable. A lot of the EP3 drivers here bought there's from IMG, I believe.

$17k - $21k for a pre-facelift is usually the general asking price. I'm sure if you know how to negotiate you can get one for cheaper though.

Re: servicing costs ect. Not anymore than any other Honda. Common problems are cracked engine mounts and squeaky steering rack. Spare parts being hard to source may be it's only fault.

Good luck! :)

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Thanks. Both of the ones I went look at were 02 pre-FL models. I'm just wondering is it easy to deal with Gavin @ IMG? Has any previous Ozhonda members who bought from IMG have any problems?

With the cracked engine mounts and squeaky steering rack, how much does it cost for repair?

I say most of these cars on here are from IMG.

For the squeaky steering rack, it costed me 88 bucks for labour. The mechanic just geased the steering rack but the squeak is coming back after long drives

Cracked engine mount you'll be looking at $400 - $500 for a replacement depending on what brand you get. You can then either diy swap them over or pay ~$300 for labour to swap them.

oem you'd be looking at 299 for left/right, 199 front and rear would probably be the same price. thats hondatax for you.

mugen i got for about 4something off some canadian honda site that only distributes mugen, slightly harder than oem. my mounts havent cracked yet(knockwood)

wow that dude bout ep3r for 14k

Squeaky steering rack cost me: 4 cable ties, about 20 mins of my own time and some lithium grease (spray) which I already had lying around... Its a pretty simple DIY.

I followed this: greasing ep3 steering rack Thanks Phil!!!

Passenger side is easier to get to if you have the airbox out.

yeah i did my steering rack regreased, its squeaky again :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RPS.13

Squeaky steering rack cost me: 4 cable ties, about 20 mins of my own time and some lithium grease (spray) which I already had lying around... Its a pretty simple DIY.

I followed this: greasing ep3 steering rack Thanks Phil!!!

Passenger side is easier to get to if you have the airbox out.

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Didnt the cable ties melt from the heat of the headers? and also how long did your grease last for?

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Originally Posted by stienerv2

Didnt the cable ties melt from the heat of the headers? and also how long did your grease last for?

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cable ties are still fine after 18 months.

i think it's important what type of grease you use. apparently WD40 doesn't last too long. lithium grease should be better.

spotted johno last thursday on hume highway at ashfield.

hahaha not me im taking a day off uni today :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Philip Lee

i think it's important what type of grease you use. apparently WD40 doesn't last too long. lithium grease should be better.

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Yeah WD40 wouldnt last long its not really meant to. My mechanic used actual gease and used a gease gun to apply it on. I should of asked him which type of gease he used.

Cheers everyone. Thanks so much for your advice. I'm probably planning to go down IMG to have a further look at their EP3.

How common is the cracked engine mount issue and squeaky steering? Also I've done some further reading on the forums and there seems to be this issue with master clutch cylinder?

Did any one of the ep3 buyers have this issue when you purchased? Or is this mainly a normal service issue after driving heaps until service time? ie 5,000km

Apologies for so many questions....I'm kinda new to this lol.

It's not something to be too deeply concerned over. I've had my car for close to a year with no trouble.. except for a stuffed aftermarket alarm and an isolated headlight problem. All in all, just make sure the car has been taken care of and you won't run into any problems.

Thanks Symphorced.
I was just reading some posts before and noticed keepitlow just bought the 2004 EP3R from IMG.

Can't wait to find a good EP3 in good condition. Very hard car to find these days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluey45

Cheers everyone. Thanks so much for your advice. I'm probably planning to go down IMG to have a further look at their EP3.

How common is the cracked engine mount issue and squeaky steering? Also I've done some further reading on the forums and there seems to be this issue with master clutch cylinder?



Did any one of the ep3 buyers have this issue when you purchased? Or is this mainly a normal service issue after driving heaps until service time? ie 5,000km

Apologies for so many questions....I'm kinda new to this lol.

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I had a 04 model, which the steering rack issue may have been recalled and rectified i guess. But i had my 04 model for almost 3 years with no squeaky steering wheel.

The engine mounts are a wear and tear item so depending how you drive etc and actual kms on the ep3, engine mounts will need to be replaced sooner or later.

Cheers everyone thanks so much for your help.

I've just joined the EP3 family. Just got a EP3 from IMG and picking it up next saturday. =)

Hey man.... that's cool!!!!!! :)

hahahaa I might see you when I pick up my car then~

Congratss!!!!!

ive always wondered how an EP3 would take on corners. it looks like a small version of that minivan.....whats it called,the Odyssey? as if maybe its abbout to tip and roll

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

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Originally Posted by JohnO

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

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LOL what?!

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Originally Posted by EVLGTR

ive always wondered how an EP3 would take on corners. it looks like a small version of that minivan.....whats it called,the Odyssey? as if maybe its abbout to tip and roll

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You make no sense mate.

In this post, http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthr...=1#post2728219, you say they are great cars and etc.

Every now and then I see you coming into EP3 threads trying stir something. What gives? *Rolls Eyes*

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Originally Posted by Poeter

You make no sense mate.

In this post, http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthr...=1#post2728219, you say they are great cars and etc.

Every now and then I see you coming into EP3 threads trying stir something. What gives? *Rolls Eyes*

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They are great, lol, im just "wondering". not trying to stir, if u think so then i apologize for ur sensitivity.

Stock car, modified driver
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...tfiddybert.gif

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EVLGTR

They are great, lol, im just "wondering". not trying to stir, if u think so then i apologize for ur sensitivity.

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i sold my EP3 and got into a RB3 Odyssey. i can tell you they feel very different.

the problem with stock RB3 is the progressive springs + under damped shocks. it pretty much feels like floating. but you don't get that with the EP3.

EP3 has very similar chassis to DC5 so by your logic DC5 would also tip and roll?!

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Originally Posted by GSi_PSi

"Stock car, modified driver"
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...tfiddybert.gif

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lol lame....

why doesnt your dc2r's rear wheel lift during a corner? if not you aint cornering hard enough.

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Originally Posted by JohnO

why doesnt your dc2r's rear wheel lift during a corner? if not you aint cornering hard enough.

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is that true?