Contemplating an EP3R! Opinions please!

[dee-y]

Hi guys! Thinking about getting an EP3R. Personally love the look of the car and now am considering it. Just a few queries I have on the car.

1. Being an import I'm a bit iffy on its maintainability. Is it hard to obtain parts, servicing etc... Or overall just like any other honda.

2. Hows the reliability? Anyone had any glaring issues with their EP3R?

3. When I'm test driving one, are there any model specific issues I should b on the lookout for? Any common signs that it's been thrashed etc...

4. I haven't driven a manual in 5 years (always had auto cars at home) is it a hard car to pick it up again?

5. Would an Ep3R that's done over 100k be a turn off?

6. Came across this, seems like a good deal. Is it? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2002-Honda-Ci...item19bf77c347
Heck even better - http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/sea...&nr=D_14972799

Cheers,

[JohnO]

1. servicing like any other honda like a dc5r mate its identical, its easy to source parts like mounts mods and other bits and pieces and like if you cant find it usually it takes a phonecall to hondas head office and chances are they'll have things shipped in overnight.

2. pre facelift 02-03 common issues are steering rack needs greasing- 20min job at the mechs or less and costs <90bucks. other than that its good, facelifted ep3s have the problem fixed.

3. not gonna lie every ep3 will have been thrashed, even when the first owners of japan bought it off the dealership floors. but if its serviced reguarly and well maintained which nearly all are then theres nothing to be worried about.

4. when i got off my reds, i went out to buy the car straight away afew days after getting my greens and it was easy to pick up on, just the position was abit strange at first and the clutch was really light. took me a couple of days to get the hang of it.

5. numbers dont matter, servicing and maintenance is the importance.

6. i think the 2nd one is from a member here, i remember seeing that when i bought mine from img, when my mechanic checked it, was in excellent condition. just i wanted the oem headlights and foggies =)
check the forsale section there might be a few ep3s for sale if your in sydney.
good car for a daily, parking is hassle free.

[dee-y]

1. servicing like any other honda like a dc5r mate its identical, its easy to source parts like mounts mods and other bits and pieces and like if you cant find it usually it takes a phonecall to hondas head office and chances are they'll have things shipped in overnight.

2. pre facelift 02-03 common issues are steering rack needs greasing- 20min job at the mechs or less and costs <90bucks. other than that its good, facelifted ep3s have the problem fixed.

3. not gonna lie every ep3 will have been thrashed, even when the first owners of japan bought it off the dealership floors. but if its serviced reguarly and well maintained which nearly all are then theres nothing to be worried about.

4. when i got off my reds, i went out to buy the car straight away afew days after getting my greens and it was easy to pick up on, just the position was abit strange at first and the clutch was really light. took me a couple of days to get the hang of it.

5. numbers dont matter, servicing and maintenance is the importance.

6. i think the 2nd one is from a member here, i remember seeing that when i bought mine from img, when my mechanic checked it, was in excellent condition. just i wanted the oem headlights and foggies =)
check the forsale section there might be a few ep3s for sale if your in sydney.
good car for a daily, parking is hassle free.

I'm in Brissy, but would be willing to travel down if the right deal is there.

[flubbar]

lol...hard to say when johno's pretty much answered everything. but yea, second one looks like it was from a member in this forum.
only thing i can really add in here is to take a look at www.internationalmotorgroup.com.au and have a test drive.
Having been driving automatic transmission and learning manual the second i bought my ep3, took only a few hours and days to get used to the light clutch.
personally, at first i didn't like the ep3 due to its hatchback design and "jazz-look-a-like", but after driving it for 5 months, i love it! sometimes feel like just sitting in the car and turn everything off coz the recaro's are comfy and it's nice a quiet.

[dee-y]

Yeah I thought the car wouldn't be too much of a problem maintenance wise as it shares the K20, so that's good news. I'd rather find one here in Brissy but none atm. Good to know it has a light clutch!

DY

[waiwai]

There is actually one in Brisbane for sale, LINK gave them a call and the guy would take as low as $14,000.

You should check it out if your looking for an ep3.

[dee-y]

Yeah saw that one. Just not too keen on the amount of k's it's done. Plus I'd prefer champ white lol.

[Twest]

There is actually one in Brisbane for sale, LINK gave them a call and the guy would take as low as $14,000.

You should check it out if your looking for an ep3.

I woulnd't touch it at 14k. It doesn't have JDM headlights so it could be the EDM. The guy complies them himself so if it's been in any accident or anything shifty has been done to it you wouldn't know as the regulations that prohibited you from buying a lemon dont really exist as he just wants to register the car. Get it checked out thoroughly by a mechanic that atleast knows imports and hondas. Check it wasn't cut and joined somewhere....I found a few when i bought mine that bad been in serious accidents and If i didn't take my friend who's a panel beater I would've never noticed.

Also on parts, anything panel related is hard to find. There are a few ep3's now that are being used for wrecking so it's made it a bit easier...but stuff is still hard to find, much on the contrary to JohnO's experience ringing honda is never a 5 minute thing and never did I get anything overnighted to me...LOL. They wanted 4 weeks for tie rod ends. 4 WEEKS!

Also my clutch is really heavy...wth? Why are all your clutches so light?

[JohnO]

the look and shape of the car just grows on you i guess. 10months ago an ep3 didnt even cross my mind haha nearly bought a dc5r until i sat in both and notice the difference.

[Philip Lee]

I'm in Brissy

hi mate. finally another (potential) owner up here.

ps. red is actually a rare colour for EP3.

i have a friend in Syd selling his pre FL CW with a few goodies on (mugen catback, mugen grill, FL projectors, RSR springs etc). he just has his car professionally detailed. ad is here

[dee-y]

hi mate. finally another (potential) owner up here.

ps. red is actually a rare colour for EP3.

i have a friend in Syd selling his pre FL CW with a few goodies on (mugen catback, mugen grill, FL projectors, RSR springs etc). he just has his car professionally detailed. ad is here

Hey Phil,
you know what his best offer would be? The car looks great!

[JohnO]

man for that price its a bargain like its infavour of the buyer. +prefacelift headlights ontop man. phill think he can sell me the facelift lights? =D