00-03 or 04-05 model years
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From: Over the Electric Grapevine.....man
00-03 or 04-05 model years
hey guys, i'm new here but i wanted to see what you all thought about both the MY00-03 and MY04-05. i'm debating on either buying a 02 or 03 or this suzuka blue 04 here in my town. i appreciate you time. thanks! dan
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From: NJ USA
allow me....
been discussed many times - almost weekly. Search & very much will come up.
00-03 - 9K rpm, all around egdier handling...02-03 adds glass window.
04+ - slightly add'l torque, inerior & exterior revisions - including lights f & r, 17" wheels, OEM frame bracing, carbon synchros in trans, slight delay in high rpm shift as result of new OEM slave cylinder...
oh there's more....
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From: Calgary, AB
Drive them and then decide.
I had an '01, now have an '04. Prefer the '04.
They're so damn close that its not a big deal really. I went with the '04 simply because I liked the cosmetic upgrades, and it would have been far more expensive to retrofit it all on my '01.
I had an '01, now have an '04. Prefer the '04.
They're so damn close that its not a big deal really. I went with the '04 simply because I liked the cosmetic upgrades, and it would have been far more expensive to retrofit it all on my '01.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Over the Electric Grapevine.....man
yeah the 04 head and tail lights are awesome. i have driven a 02 and a 04 so i've seen what they both do. just torn on revving to 9 grand or getting more low end. i just wasn't sure if there was something i didn't know about the different years.
for those of you with 04's do you miss revving to 9 grand, or does the low end help with making it a better daily driver? thanks guys
for those of you with 04's do you miss revving to 9 grand, or does the low end help with making it a better daily driver? thanks guys
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From: Somerville, MA, USA
I think the difference in the engines is oversold. According to the dyno curves, power as a function of percentage of max RPM is within a few percent, except at the very top end where the 2.2L engine gets a little more right at the redline.
I believe the big difference is actually the difference in gearing. The lower RPMs plus the higher gearing make first and second just right for street use. It's the equivalent of putting a 4.77 rear axle in the '03s in the lower gears, while still keeping 5th and 6th right for getting to top speed.
I'd love to be able to rev the 2.2L engine to 9k, as that would make the extra power useful, but Honda isn't willing to warrant that. I can pass on revving the 2.0L engine to 9k since it doesn't have the extra power.
The other thing that may make the '04+ more livable as a daily driver is the softer rear springs. The front springs are supposedly slightly stiffer, but that doesn't matter as much since the seat is so much closer to the back wheels.
Disclaimer: I'm over 30.
I believe the big difference is actually the difference in gearing. The lower RPMs plus the higher gearing make first and second just right for street use. It's the equivalent of putting a 4.77 rear axle in the '03s in the lower gears, while still keeping 5th and 6th right for getting to top speed.
I'd love to be able to rev the 2.2L engine to 9k, as that would make the extra power useful, but Honda isn't willing to warrant that. I can pass on revving the 2.0L engine to 9k since it doesn't have the extra power.
The other thing that may make the '04+ more livable as a daily driver is the softer rear springs. The front springs are supposedly slightly stiffer, but that doesn't matter as much since the seat is so much closer to the back wheels.
Disclaimer: I'm over 30.
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