i think the best year to buy would be 2005. Do a search for the differences between Model Years and see what suits your tastes best.

 

ya heard?

 

04-05 = exact same
06+ = vsa (traction control), better headrest, integrated rollbar speakers rather than optional headrest speakers

many forums on the changes, but these are the biggest ones for ap2 i think. for most years of the ap2, there were minor changes in suspension that can be done yourself (well, kind of).

 

and every year the stereo is right outta the cheapest civic.

 

Basically, Honda looked at the AP1, looked at how it could improve it, and came out with the AP2 for 2004, making something like 2,000 changes to the car, including the F22C engine it stuck in the AP2. In 2006, Honda decided it needed to add stability control, so 06+ have DBW so the computer can control the rear wheels.

04-05 are the same, so I'd look at either of those years, 40-50k mi, clean - there are lots of good examples and lots of ragged examples anymore.