Guide: EP3 buyers!

**Philip Lee** · 14-11-2011 10:16 AM

i think only the early batches of IMG complied cars didn't have side indicators. most other RAWs used Mitsubishi ones.

for me i want them becos i drove in peak traffic a lot and i want ppl to know i'm merging.

**oh_lol** · 14-11-2011 03:04 PM

Awesome thread, just went a looked at one and told the guy I would be back after arming myself with some info!

The asking price is 19,990 for a 3/2002 model with 70,507kms on it. Looked pretty clean from my quick check. Is that price fairly ballpark? I'm hoping to get it closer to 18k.

Has the UK badge on the back, so does this make it a Japan or UK model? I assume it is a Jap model from my research but the guy said it was British. Doesn't add up though since the log books and all paperwork with it is in Japanese!
Does anyone know how to read the Japanese logs? What should I be looking for?

What are the service intervals for this car? When are the minor and majors, and what are common prices for both types of servicing?

Other than the suggestions in the first post, I assume that's the only common problems, and I should just look out for normal things you'd check for when test driving any car?

Edit: I was also wondering if it's any use taking the car down specifically to Honda to get them to check out. Will they be able to identify anything that a non-Honda mechanic can't? Maybe with their Honda database, or won't it matter since it is an import

**Philip Lee** · 14-11-2011 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by oh_lol

Has the UK badge on the back, so does this make it a Japan or UK model? I assume it is a Jap model from my research but the guy said it was British. Doesn't add up though since the log books and all paperwork with it is in Japanese!
Does anyone know how to read the Japanese logs? What should I be looking for?

all EP3s are made in UK. even JDM ones. as long as the plate is JDM with VIN starting EP3-xxxxxxx then u are ok. u can locate it inside the engine bay passenger side sussy tower.

What are the service intervals for this car? When are the minor and majors, and what are common prices for both types of servicing?

i'd personally follow the service procedure of AUDM DC5s.

Other than the suggestions in the first post, I assume that's the only common problems, and I should just look out for normal things you'd check for when test driving any car?

general used car checks still apply.

Edit: I was also wondering if it's any use taking the car down specifically to Honda to get them to check out. Will they be able to identify anything that a non-Honda mechanic can't? Maybe with their Honda database, or won't it matter since it is an import

Honda dealers won't know about the EP3 and they will not care. best bet is Honda specialist who have EP3/DC5 experience.

**oh_lol** · 14-11-2011 03:58 PM

Thanks for the answers Philip.

I just called the dealer who is selling, and asked if they had any idea if any of the parts that are common to deteriorate, but he 'honestly, I couldn't tell you, you'd have to come have a look'. Also mentioned that the car is from AutoTerminal.

I have no idea who has Honda experience in Darwin lol

**JohnO** · 14-11-2011 10:44 PM

service intervals is just standard on every honda which is 5000km

what you should look for is the mounts, how low are the plates sitting which will give you a rough idea on when its gonna break. check the belts is another thing you could do to see how old it is and the condition its in which can really indicate if the km's match the car. test drive the car you should floor it abit i did and the dealer didnt mind all he asked me was do you know how to drive manual. honestly your only interested in a good healthy motor + uncrashed/repaired panels

**oh_lol** · 14-11-2011 11:24 PM

Thanks JohnO.
How low are the plates sitting? Sorry I am not the most mechanically minded person.

When are the major services due? This example has 70k kms (they want 19990 for it).

**pitiek** · 15-11-2011 01:01 AM

My FD's service interval is per 10k/6 months according to the logbook...
So do I need to prepare a bigger budget for service since it's more frequent?

**JohnO** · 15-11-2011 05:10 AM

The driver side mount if ypu look carefully if its got like less than 5mm then its very close to cracking as the mount will drop lower and lower overtime.

As for servicing I reckon its in the best interest to do it more frequently than every 10