Orange 04 GAGT Coupe

[nineteen88ga]

About 2-3 weeks ago I had a mishap with my 00 Civic Si (daily driver). It met a concrete center median after I swirved to avoid a car passing me on the shoulder (im fine only a few bumps n bruises)...and is awaiting repairs at the body shop. Me being the particular butthole that I am when it comes to my cars, I've been thinking what if its not as it was...pre-accident. Those who've been in an accident know how sometimes the car just isn't the same...

On my way to work the other day I drove past a lot with an Orange 04 GAGT Coupe on the lot. Obviously I couldn't resist so I stopped. Body looks like its in pretty good condition. Only saw 1 chip on the passenger side door. The doors were locked so I wasn't able to eximine the interior or see milage but it was a Taupe color, and I did notice a few cig. burns on the passenger side seat cushion (nothing a katzkin leather seat kit couldn't fix) Another nice part was it had a sunroof....something I never had untill I got my Si 3 years ago..and something I definately got use to.

Its going to be some time before the Si gets out of the body shop, and granted I really love the car..and have a good amount of cashola in mods on it. When it's back on the road and I see what its like I guess then I'll be making my decision. KBB on my si is in the 10,000 area, The sticker on the GA is 9500 If I get the most I can for the Civic that leaves a couple bucks for mods ;)

Wasting time I've already picked out a plethera of goodies should I decide to go for the GAGT...SCT kit to start it off....hehe I'll be keeping everyone posted on this. As much as I'd love to have another GA in my driveway,Im not ready to get rid of the civic.

[Matt95GT]

You're going to miss the 5-speed... badly. I wouldn't dive into an auto GA for that reason... if you get bored with in a year, you'll be in the money hole pretty deep thanks to the poor resale.

[GregFarz78]

You're going to miss the 5-speed... badly. I wouldn't dive into an auto GA for that reason... if you get bored with in a year, you'll be in the money hole pretty deep thanks to the poor resale.

agree you will be bored of it fast, thats one big reason I traded in my GA after 2 years it was boring to drive after driving manual for a few years before that...on top of that I wouldn't pay that much for a 04 GAGT maybe 6.5-7k tops thats about all its worth trade in...keep the civic

[nineteen88ga]

If I was to do it I know I'm going to miss the Si. Its a Honda and we're all guilty of ragging on them, but the car definately is fun, at least its not a typical every day civic. The resale value of the GA will never be close to that of the Civic. If the Civic dosen't come out as I hope, then I'll be looking for other options..should that GA still be around ehh maybe I'll consider it if the mileage is low for that price..if not I'll keep looking. :)

[nineteen88ga]

BEFORE
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/stevejihad/DVC00975.jpg


AFTER

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/stevejihad/P1010007.jpg

Day after the accident. Now its at the body shop awaiting to be fixed.

[bballr4567]

That poor Civic looks pretty bad. There is obviously some supsension damage going on there with the weird camber of the tires.

Its an even trade really. If you like a manual then dont get the GA. The GA will have more room and to me looks sharper, esp a Sunset Orange GT. Its your choice in the end.

[nineteen88ga]

wierd camber...hahaha yeah especially when most civic you see have severe negative camber from being lowered.

That is the result of hitting a concrete center median (about 12-15" high). Lucky mimimal body damage..most of the suspension took the hit (and my head,shoulder and hip off the drivers door pannel....I hate the civics flat seats I've found out that seat belts don't help much with a side impact like this one)

The other thing thathas me thinking about changing cars is other people. I'm 27. I've out grown most (definately not all) of the street racing. I can be driving the civic minding my own business and I almost always have other imports try to mes with me....Streets on on the high way. The car definately gets alot of attention for a stock appearing vehicle which kind of makes me jealous when I drive my 88 GA and no one bats an eye at it! (those who've seen the GA will understand). I'm wondering ifI went with that 04 GAGT would I be able to drive with out any other drivers trying to get me to race? haha

[Matt95GT]

Ouch... now that I see the suspension damage, I'd ditch it too. I doubt it will ever handle the same.

My advice still stands... get another manual car. It won't have to be extravagant to keep you interested... I could think of quite a few that would fit the bill.

wierd camber...hahaha yeah especially when most civic you see have severe negative camber from being lowered.

...

The other thing thathas me thinking about changing cars is other people. I'm 27. I've out grown most (definately not all) of the street racing. I can be driving the civic minding my own business and I almost always have other imports try to mes with me....Streets on on the high way. The car definately gets alot of attention for a stock appearing vehicle which kind of makes me jealous when I drive my 88 GA and no one bats an eye at it! (those who've seen the GA will understand). I'm wondering ifI went with that 04 GAGT would I be able to drive with out any other drivers trying to get me to race? haha

Yea, half the SI's I've seen have ridiculous negative camber, to the point on seeing tread on the outside and steel belt in the inside. I asked some dude at my college if he likes replacing tires constantly and replying something about "that's the cost of lowering man." Um... no. :lol:

I hear ya... I get the same thing. Very loud and obvious modded GA... ignored. 100% stock Spec V... random chodes revving at me at just about every other light. Happens frequently... last night it was an older Saturn. :shrug:

[XoticGA]

What about another Civic? I love'em, if it was possible I would've gotten a Civic EX or SI instead of the Cobalt

[bballr4567]

The GA GT wont get that much attention other then the color and then when you add in rims you will get that nod of "yea nice car."

I used to get it in the SE all the time. People will notice a good looking car as long as you are being a chode in it. lol

[nineteen88ga]

I stopped by the shop earlier...they're just about ready to begin work on it. Then we'll find out how bad the suspension really is. At first glance the Rear LCA's appear to be fine, but the front control arms are definately seem to be f'ed. Oh well enough guessing. I'll just be waiting for the phone call...haha

After I left the body shop, on my way to work I saw 2 Orange GAGT's both coupes, both with SCT hoods. ehh I'm starting to second guess that one I saw on the lot now.... haha

[bballr4567]

They are still pretty rare. I think that the orange was only on like 4% of all GAs. Some sites dont even list it as a color available for that year. Its still damn eye catching though.

[Matt95GT]

They are still pretty rare. I think that the orange was only on like 4% of all GAs. Some sites dont even list it as a color available for that year. Its still damn eye catching though.

I see them all the time around here. Sure, that color isn't too common, but there's nothing special about it IMO.

Steve, remember... you'd be at least the 3rd orange GA at GM nats... which would technically make any color 4th gen more rare. :lol:

[bballr4567]

Yea its not "rare" but IMHO it is the best looking color on a GA other then the light blue on SEs.

[GtAudioFreak]

I miss my orange one :(

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/grandamgtblk99/04Ga013.jpg

People kept running into me, I think it was bad luck or something so I got rid of it after like 6 months.

[nineteen88ga]

I see them all the time around here. Sure, that color isn't too common, but there's nothing special about it IMO.

Steve, remember... you'd be at least the 3rd orange GA at GM nats... which would technically make any color 4th gen more rare. :lol:

werd. good point maybe I'll look for another color.... oh who cares I probwont even go to any shows..you know me.:lol:

[Pontiac]

The comments about driving stick, then missing it, I dunno.... I found it to be a bit of a pain.

I was the type of guy that had a Camaro that was as a stick, the Mazda was a stick and the Sunbird was a stick. I got bored of the stick. It became too much of a pain in the ass. This is the first automatic I've ever owned. I'm enjoying it a lot. The only thing I miss is being able to just rev the engine at the line just for me to hear, not to show off... But then I discovered neutral...

[Matt95GT]

It's not so much the manual trans alone, but going to a car that has nearly opposite traits. That SI was light, tight suspension... pretty responsive to the driver overall. The 99+ GA is on the heavy side, handles decent but not the most agile without upgrades. While it is one of the better GM vehicles of that time, it still has more of a "highway cruiser" or "disconnected" driver feel relative to what he's used to. In other words, I'm not ripping on the GA's, but making a suggestion based on what Steve is replacing since I've tried both cars, and many others in the "pocket rocket" category.

[nineteen88ga]

Just stopped by the shop again and its being worked on! New body pannels are on. and The suspension isn't as bad as it looked. All of the aftermarket parts are fine (thank God). No list of what exactly was damaged, but the front control arms and knuckle were bent as wel las sway bar end link. Not sure about the rear, but Everything I installed is untouched(Rear Lower control arms, rear sway bar, rear sub frame bracing, and obvioiusly the struts and springs all around). The way it looks it should be back on the road soon. The only thing they were concerned about was matching the paint.....the least of my worries at this point. :)

Finally some good news. I hope this is the start of a good news streak for me now

[XtremeGrandAm]

Areas are always different. But when I had my 04 Fusion Orange Grand Am I always had people that did the same thing that they do to you in your civic. I also agree with those people talking about driving a manual. I hate automatics and thats one thing I hated about the 2 Grand Am's that I owned.

[nineteen88ga]

The civic is the only manual trans. car I've owned, and I definately miss it. I always get excited when I have to drive a manual vechivle at work any more...especially now that mines in the shop. My GA, Jeep, and Olds are all autos. So its nice to have a change sometimes.

[nineteen88ga]

Just saw the car 99% finished at the body shop a little while ago. I'll be picking it up in about an hour or two! I'll be sure to get some pics of it soon. Definately looks like a brand new car! I hope it drives liek it too...thats my only concern now.

[nineteen88ga]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/stevejihad/DSC00133.jpg
A few hours after I got it back from the body shop getting gas. Still have alot of cleaning to do, butthe body work came out nearly flawless. Drives just as good as before. BUT the interior does rattle a little more then it use to. solid motor mounts suck for that, but I definately picked up a few new squeeks on the inside.

New stuff waiting to go on..OEM Fog lights, and 8000K HIDs also I have to stop by a honda dealer to get new centers for the wheels and a new mud flap for the driver side front.

[Jonbo298]

Nice :thumbup2: At least it looks to have came out great.

[SX1980]

I must say thay i personally think that there is nothing nicer than a 2 door burnt orange GA coupe!Absolutely the sharpest color there is!They are rare in this area.The only thing i would suggest is to buy one that has NO evidence of cigarette use.
To me it reflects abuse.
I know that seat covers can be replaced but if it was not smoked in ;you can still smell the new car smell.
Just my 2 cents.
P.S. The Civic looks great!

[jackpot]

yea I got 3 burn holes in my back seat, I smoke but they arnt from me

peace
JP