G1goldcoupe

hmmm, that got me thinking. so I searched around and found a someone asked the dif between the 1.6 EL and the civic. this was a response

"I assume you are comparing the 1.6 EL to the 6th gen Civic (1996-2000). The
major difference between the 1.6 EL and the Civic sedan is the engine. Both
have 1.6L 4 cyl engines, but the 1.6 EL engine has VTEC which boosts the HP
to 127 compared to 106 for the non-VTEC engine...the torque is also higher,
but I don't know off hand what the numbers are. This is for Canada, where
none of the Civic sedans sold in Canada have the VTEC engine. It is the
same engine as in the Civic Si coupe (Canada only) and Civic EX coupe and
sedan (U.S. only).

Other differences are the wheel and tire size: 195/55R15 on the 1.6 EL, and
up to 185/65R14 on the Civic, depending on trim level and year. There may
also be minor differences in the suspension setup, and some other features
that you may or may not be able to get on a Civic sedan, depending on trim
level, like sunroof, leather seats, leather steering wheel, heated seats,
heated mirrors, remote trunk release, etc.

Reliability for both should be identical as they are based so heavily on
the same chassis with many shared components. And the relibility of the 1st
gen EL/6th gen Civics have been excellent, probably even better then the
current models. This is from someone who has owned a 1996 Civic and now
owns a 2001 EL. I would still be driving the Civic if other people would
have just stopped driving into it."

same question for the 1.7, response

"I purchased an acura 1.7el about one year ago , and I satisfied with the results. The ignorant believe the appearance of exterior will amount to the same car. A 1.7el provides 127 hp not the stock hp of the 2002 Honda civic sedan, which is 115hp. This is the equivalent to the 2002 Honda civic coupe. For that extra amount paid for an Acura 1.7el you will recieve a more luxuriously-finished interior than the top-of-the-line Honda Civic LX sedan - luxury touches include wood trim on the dash, console and doors; chromed door handles, lock buttons, handbrake button and shiftgate; and leather-covered steering wheel and shifter handle. This will also include different taillights and front bumber. The 1.7 will also include power windows, doors, alloy wheels etc. The 1.7 may seem just like a regular Honda to some, but to the more in deepth consumer..... There is a great and much better difference."

hmmm, and it's not bad looking for a wee'un
this is a 04


still sounds like decent little car. still haven't tracked down any chronic issues yet.

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