Hi, i am currently seriously considering trading in my 02' Accord LX I-4 Sedan or a 04' Accord LX- I-4 MANUAL Coupe. I was just wondering what your guy's thoughts were. Is it worth the extra 4000$ to get the new body style, Manual tranny, lose two doors, and most importantly the K-24 engine. (which i understand has so much more potential then my F23A4) LMK what you guys think. Ive put a good amount of mods in my 02 accord, but the auto tranny is really pissing me off, along with the limitations of a sohc 2.3L engine. IM NOT asking whether or not i should turbo, swap or do any other things. I want to keep my car clean and stylish w/o anything crazy, for it will be my daily driver. Opinions would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

I really like the 6thG Coupe/Sedan body styling better, esp the Coupe, but speaking from someone who also owns an automatic and just learned to drive a 5 speed the other day (in a D16Z6 95 Civic EX, no less! ) I'd say go for it. $4K isn't much in the long run:

Gains:

-10hp, I-VTEC DOHC engine (does the K24 advance timings when 91+ octane is detected like the new J30A4??)
-Manual transmission
-Totally 'new' car

Losses:

-Time+Money spent on mods
-Money spent on new car
-A little bit of styling in my opinion, but I still like the 7thG coupes, and when they first came out I mistook the rear end for an MB

 

yes, the mods and money that i put into my 02 accord are what is making me hesitate....I put AEM CAI, Greddy Evo exhaust, DC Headers, AEM Cam gears, AEM pulleys, tokico springs/shocks, 18" sub zeros in pirellis zero neros (wont work with the 5lug 04), WW body kit with custo mugen lip, jdm headlights, rear camber kit, etc. If anyone wants to buy them ALL off of me, by all means, id wouldnt hesitate twice, but i doubt id find anyone.

 

btw, im hearing that the 7th gen manual i-4s are just as fast as the 6th gen V6s, is this true? And also, is there a lot of potential for the k24 with bolt ons? I mean, the F23 gains in bolt ons alone were pretty cost ineffecient. Im hoping that the dohc with the i-vtec will give it more sensitive gains.

 

I would go for it

 

i own a 2004 charcole grey manual coupe. i say go for it. i love my car. i have exhaust,intake,springs and a shortshifter and i love it!

 

damnit, that is the exact car i want down to the color...did you notice any good gains with the bolt ons??

 

I would keep the 02. I have the 02 EX top of the line, and I love it. The styling is the best ever. The new styling was shockingly ugly at first, but it has grown on me a bit. However, it is still no match for the 02 styling. The 02 looks extremely nice with 18 inches rims.

I don't think you need a manual transmission. You can manually shift the automatic transmission of your 02 from 2nd to 3rd and 4th. I wouldn't use the 1st because it would be harder on the engine. I do this once in the blue moon just for fun, but I really like automatic transmission better. If you want to go fast, you should floor it and the car will take care of the rest.

Personally, I would save the 4 grands and use what you have now. In about 5 years, you'll be able to get a super hot sport car with hybrid engine or running on hydrogen. I am waiting for a better mileage sport car from Honda that can have at least 150 hp and can get 50 mph in city. I am sure we get something like that in 5 years. At that time, your current Accord can be your Caddy.

 

There is talk that a S1000 is coming to the US. It is the exact car as the S2000 but it only has a 1.0 liter engine, so the fuel economy is awesome. It will produce 120 horsepower and feel like a hot-rod golf cart for way under 20 large.

 

ummm. the difference b/t manual and auto (even with shifting up and down) is like night and day. There is no question..
Power and speed wise, an 04 accord i-4 coupe manual will romp on a 02 sedan i-4 auto even with bolt ons.
The power that 6th gen auto i-4s are pretty depressing imo, considering that you have to put that pedal to the metal to even get past 4000rpms...