opionions on 2001-2002 Acura 1.7EL

My brother is looking for a car as his got totalled 2 weeks ago.

Insurance gave us back $6900 for our 1998/w 130000K Protege and my parents are willing to add another $7-8K on top of that.

He was thinking of jus getting a 2002 civic LX ($12000 or so) until a i saw a few ads for the 1.7EL in autotrader..

2002 1.7EL premium pkg /w51K for $14995
2001 1.7EL premium pkg /w 43K for $14995

in my opionion that is not bad considering the civic with same mileage and year wont be that much cheaper..and the 1.7 comes with sunroof, leather, heated seats, keyless. spoiler and more..

i've never driven a 1.7EL so cant tell whether it is good or not...the dealer is 30 mins away from my house so i would like some opionions before i head out for a test drive

anyone here care to share some experiences?

really apprecaite it

When I was looking at a new car a few years back I was looking at that car, the limited gold edition though. I took it for a drive and man was it nice. Reason I didn't buy it, it was an over priced Honda... That was new though. I think they are pretty nice cars myself.

Originally Posted by Bortman

When I was looking at a new car a few years back I was looking at that car, the limited gold edition though. I took it for a drive and man was it nice. Reason I didn't buy it, it was an over priced Honda... That was new though. I think they are pretty nice cars myself.

Acura is Honda with a tuxedo on.
The materials are better. The fit and finish is a little better.
Its not over priced if you consider they are generally better equipped.

I have a 1.6el, and the 1.7 is the generation after that.

If your not looking for a fast car this is it, it has decent power to change lines, but dont expect to beat a ferrari.

I love all the features in the car, leather, heated seats and mirror, sunroof.

and the one thing that civics dont have, 4 disc brakes.

the 1.7EL is a Honda Civic with an Acura badge....

same car.... actually... it's a sedan SI....

even with 4 disc brakes.... if you are running on stock rubber.... it HAS to be garbage... those stock tires give out so quickly during stops.

I'm not sure if the 2002 model had it, but current ELs have side airbags, which Civics don't offer. Other than that though, they're basically Civics in tuxedos, as stated earlier. Which is a good thing considering how popular and reliable the Civic is.

Originally Posted by ronny1980

My brother is looking for a car as his got totalled 2 weeks ago.

Insurance gave us back $6900 for our 1998/w 130000K Protege and my parents are willing to add another $7-8K on top of that.

He was thinking of jus getting a 2002 civic LX ($12000 or so) until a i saw a few ads for the 1.7EL in autotrader..

2002 1.7EL premium pkg /w51K for $14995
2001 1.7EL premium pkg /w 43K for $14995

in my opionion that is not bad considering the civic with same mileage and year wont be that much cheaper..and the 1.7 comes with sunroof, leather, heated seats, keyless. spoiler and more..

i've never driven a 1.7EL so cant tell whether it is good or not...the dealer is 30 mins away from my house so i would like some opionions before i head out for a test drive

anyone here care to share some experiences?

really apprecaite it

the car is a the same like a honda civic. just more luxery good in it..

look into its bigger brother... honda accord or look at the tsx.. or even a rsx..

www.torontoaccords.com

talk to people who drive that car..

or civic's 7thgen civic or honda or something along the like there.. serach it.

look into its bigger brother... honda accord or look at the tsx

Please tell me where I can get a TSX for $15K as I will be there asap to pick it up.

I say go for a used Protege ES.

Originally Posted by frogger

I say go for a used Protege ES.

the car he totalled is a protege.. so he would rather drive a different car..

this post is more about is it worth spending the extra $2-3K for the 1.7EL or just get the civic for around $12000...

we have a budget...my 19 yr old bro doesnt need a tsx..

thanks for all the input tho..

Used Focus SVT? Just trying to be devil's advocate/get him into something sportier than a Civic/EL (thus the SVT and Pro ES).

Its an embellished Civic but i like it all the same. More luxurious than civic with leather seats etc and looks better then the civic with Acura grill and lights etc.

IT is also reflective of a vehicle a more mature person might drive so not sure if it will help with insurance and the stigma associated with honda civics and young recklessness. If the price is right i say go for it.

A guy at my work has a 2004 el and loves it, Myslef id get the 2001 with less km's for less money, also honda lx isnt even the top model ? you be better of comparing the 1.7 el to a civic si .Acura !

p.s. i own an rsx so im kinda biased

Back on topic. For the 3 grand difference, go with the Acura with the extra features. Both the Civic and the 1.7 are good cars, you can't go wrong with either one.

Look into the Nissan Sentra SE-R..fast car!