I want to buy a SER or SPEC V

Apr 24th, 2003, 07:11 PM

Hi,

This is my first post at this site but ive been reading the forums w/ out posting for about 1-1.5 hours. I finally have the basics. Im buying a car in the near future and want to ask you guys, the spec v and ser owners, if this car can beat a 2000 civic SI?

The reason im asking is that is my other option. To be honest, the 2k2 has kind of made me hestitant towards Nissan as a whole considering all the problems tht come w/ it.

I read some where on this forum that the 2k3 is much better, ie the bugs have been ironed out but still kind of iffy.

Please clearify what some minor, major or any problems im probably going to face if i buy a spec v or ser model from 2k2?

Thank you.

jblaze · Apr 24th, 2003, 07:27 PM

i have an 02 with absolutely no problems. IMO I think its all in how you break in your car. And also how you maintain it. My 02 has 23,500 miles and i havent had one problem. As far as the 00 Civic Si. You should be able to smoke one stock for stock. they only came with 127hp...from what i have read, but they do weigh approx. 200 lbs. lighter than the specs.

**chimmike** · Apr 24th, 2003, 07:57 PM

whu??? 2000 civic SI's came with 160hp, but absolutely JACK for torque. you can beat an SI.

BREAK IN IS IMPORTANT!

jblaze · Apr 24th, 2003, 09:10 PM

sorry chimmike...i was looking through a site on the web to try and see how much hp the SI came with and it told me 126. I didnt know for sure.

**chimmike** · Apr 24th, 2003, 09:20 PM

that's the SI in Canada I'm pretty sure.

Silvspec86 · Apr 24th, 2003, 09:38 PM

i think its mostly because people try to drive it like a honda...meaning that they carnt driving to meet the car's potential and needs... and that dumbasses try to race and screw things up. i have a 02 and the only problem i have with the car is that it grinds with fast 2nd to 3rd shift at higher RPMs and even then, it is neglegible. i usually driven consevatively and i have no problems what so ever.....only when i try to have some fun, the 3rd gear synchro screws me over...but I'm gonna get the Dealer to replace it with the 03 tranny for free after Final Exams are over and then it should be as bulletproof as any other Nissan

Apr 24th, 2003, 10:33 PM

Quote:

meaning that they carnt driving to meet the car's potential and needs... and that dumbasses try to race and screw things up.

So you can't drive this car fast? Is that what your saying>? What exactly is wrong w/ the "tranny"? Is it the gear grinding scenario for most people?

Im most likely getting 2k2 but don't want the bad tranny...I like the 2k3's considering they are rid of the old engine as a whole.

Man i love this car. Btw...i have a 2000 sentra gxe. It's pretty cool. I'll post some pics for you guys if you like.

I haven't had any problems w/ that. Im ready to go for something faster w/ a reasonable price tag.

jblaze · Apr 24th, 2003, 10:45 PM

You can drive this car very fast...but you would want it broken in properly. I wouldnt buy a used 02...just b/c some asshole probably beat the shit out of it and now its having problems, so they are tryin to get rid of it. I drive my car everyday...accelerate on and off ramps and like i said i have no problems since the start. but i also didnt beat it for the first 2000 miles either. You treat a car like anything else you appreciate. If you dont take care of it, it wont take care of you.

Apr 24th, 2003, 11:50 PM

true, true. Man i love this car.

cortrim1 · Apr 25th, 2003, 06:54 AM

the problems with the 02-03 spec v's have are blown out of proportion. I have a 02 with a oct 01 build date I have had no problems. Also It dynoed at 163whp and 180lbft recently.

Apr 25th, 2003, 08:02 AM

Althought the Civic Si is a well built car... it doesn't have the "bang-for-the-buck" that the SER or SER-V have. Either Nissan can blow the Honda away in a race. As far as 02 or 03... we have seen some horror stories out here about the 02 Spec-V transmission. I'm not sure that these stories aren't a result of plain old abuse. I have a 02 Spec-V and have had no problems. I think you can ruin any car if you try hard enough... lol

muphasta · Apr 25th, 2003, 08:03 AM

I have had no problems w/my '02 either. Minor inconveniece w/the damn "get it in reverse" thing, but no problems. The 02 and 03 have the same engine, so I don't know what you meant by

Quote:

Originally posted by vbp6us
I like the 2k3's considering they are rid of the old engine as a whole.

I love my 02, and I like the seats better. Front seats anyway.

lo-specV · Apr 25th, 2003, 10:53 AM

i was also considering getting '03, only because all the stories i here about the '02s. I was able to find an '02 with 5k miles on it and fell in love with the car and bought it on the spot. paid 13k for it and just hope that owner before me took care of it.

BlackoutSpecV · Apr 25th, 2003, 11:52 AM

I have had no issues with my 02, I've had it since Feb02. The break in on an aluminum motor is crutial, i kept my foot out of it for the frist 3k, then got a little more agressive till 5k, only raced once and that was at about 8k, Since 10k i have been driving it pretty hard about half the time.
Truth be told, we blew up a totaly built Mustang because we did'nt break it in right. My 90 integra is driven like its stolen, i use the rev limmiter as a shift point, and it still runs strong. It was broken in very very well to the tune of 5,000 miles of soft driving and 2k oil changes. It makes all the diffrence on all the cars i've owned/worked on.

\\\Edit:

regarding the 00 si. They are 160hp, and they are always driven by $tupid little kids, i think i could beat half of them on foot! I used to have a friend who had one, they are fun and fast, but they have no low end, we (SE-R's) walk all over them.

Apr 25th, 2003, 12:17 PM

I cant really remember where i heard this but, "Horsepower sells cars, Torque wins races". And i believe in this 100%

A se-r or spec V will definitley beat an 00 si in every type of race out there