"Must Have" upgrades on a new Civic

[Schmullis]

Hi all! I'm new to the community and I'm going to be picking up my new White Orchid Civic EX on Monday... With that being said, I'm already looking into physical upgrades that might be worth getting. What are some upgrades that you would suggest that are pretty cheap and worth the investment? As of now I'm looking into getting:
Replacing interior and front lights with LED lights
Clear or smoked side markers (not sure which would look better with white)
Door sill protectors
Plastic bumper protectors (possibly)
Dashcam

With that being said, what are your thoughts? This is my first new car and I'm not very savvy with cars so I would only be able to do basic upgrades myself.
Thanks!

Do the Hondata software upgrade for the turbo

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[wilbur_the_goose]

Do the Hondata software upgrade for the turbo

Regarding LEDs:
I have a '16 Touring Coupe with LEDs and a '14 BMW 328i with xenon. Xenon is much, much better than LED. The Honda LED headlights really aren't that great.

 

[BMO]

Thanks for the info. But isn't LED's better?

Alot of people switch from Halogen to LED then to HID. The LED perform worst than the halogen since it throws light at a shorter distance. This is the general reason people go to HID.

 

[Civictouring831]

Alot of people switch from Halogen to LED then to HID. The LED perform worst than the halogen since it throws light at a shorter distance. This is the general reason people go to HID.

Oh wow, I didn't realize that. Hmm, I guess I'll have to do some research and re-evaluation on what to do. So for the HID, what do you recommend. I want something that will match my LED headlights as far as brightness. Any suggestions???

 

[CobraCommand]

Alot of people switch from Halogen to LED then to HID. The LED perform worst than the halogen since it throws light at a shorter distance. This is the general reason people go to HID.

LED's have come a long way and aren't just shite ebay cree chips anymore. The new philips lumiled ones easily beat my halogens in rain / snow. Get what you pay for but I see no need for HIDs anymore.

 

[TdoggTL]

The only thing you really need in these cars are a headlight upgrade and maybe some tints if you live in a hot climate or paint protection if you plan to daily it and care about the paint.

Civic headlights are trash: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/honda/civic-4-door-sedan/2017

What would be the best "plug and play" headlights to install? I know nothing about cars and don't really want to be messing around with my car and accidentally break something... From my understanding with HID lights they have to be installed specially or something along those lines instead of just plugging them in... If else, is it difficult to install HID lights?

 

[BMO]

Oh wow, I didn't realize that. Hmm, I guess I'll have to do some research and re-evaluation on what to do. So for the HID, what do you recommend. I want something that will match my LED headlights as far as brightness. Any suggestions???

I just installed Morimoto Elite HID, instructions are clear and there a picture diagram. Plug and play install, worth the money. Just make sure to reaim your headlights. I had to lower my unit by 4 inches. If money a issue, Opt7 and Xenon Depot also a good brand to go by.

 

[BMO]

What would be the best "plug and play" headlights to install? I know nothing about cars and don't really want to be messing around with my car and accidentally break something... From my understanding with HID lights they have to be installed specially or something along those lines instead of just plugging them in... If else, is it difficult to install HID lights?

I just installed Morimoto Elite HID, instructions are clear and there a picture diagram. Plug and play install, worth the money. Just make sure to reaim your headlights. I had to lower my unit by 4 inches. If money a issue, Opt7 and Xenon Depot also a good brand to go by.

 

[123sillyboy123]

Hi all! I'm new to the community and I'm going to be picking up my new White Orchid Civic EX on Monday... With that being said, I'm already looking into physical upgrades that might be worth getting. What are some upgrades that you would suggest that are pretty cheap and worth the investment? As of now I'm looking into getting:
Replacing interior and front lights with LED lights
Clear or smoked side markers (not sure which would look better with white)
Door sill protectors
Plastic bumper protectors (possibly)
Dashcam

With that being said, what are your thoughts? This is my first new car and I'm not very savvy with cars so I would only be able to do basic upgrades myself.
Thanks!

I am also new to here, got my civic HB sport couple weeks ago. Already spent quite abit of money.
Already spent on:
- I did order LED headlight, havent install it yet so cant review.
- I also order yellow fog led for it.
- Swap all interior light to LED
- Ceramic Tint window
- Ordered Eibach lower spring
- Drilled brake rotor
- Injen CAI (Trying to return for PRL Cobra)
- Type R front lip
- Type R steering wheel
- Interior leather upgrade
- Smoke LED sign marker
- Weathertech mat
- Honda Trunk mat
- Ceramic Paint Coating
- Mugen rain visor

Going to get:
- roof wrapped gross black
- Ktuner
- PRL / RV6 Downpipe & Front Pipe
- Caliper painted

Want to have:
- PRL Intercooler
- Brembo brake kit
- two front race seats
- A set of 16" or 17" rim for Snow tires.

The lists are long, my pocket is too shadow!!

 

[BMO]

LED's have come a long way and aren't just shite ebay cree chips anymore. The new philips lumiled ones easily beat my halogens in rain / snow. Get what you pay for but I see no need for HIDs anymore.

Your milage may vary especially with lights. The good thing is that you can return the product if you don't like it. I tried a OPT7 LED kit myself and it was brighter than the halogen but the distance it threw were the roughly the same to me. That's why I returned it and went for a HID kit.

 

[jeffasaul]

I have my EX'18 Sedan about 6mos. Here is what I have added:

• OEM Splashguards
• Door edge guard trim
• Replaced side markers with Smoked. Looks awesome on my Aegean Blue.
• Replaced internal lights, trunk light, and license plate with LED bulbs.
• Husky floor liners
• Trunk mat
  
• Blue background badge for steering wheel
• Added 'carbon fiber' accents to steering wheel (lower T), and the 'U' around the gear shifter
• Added 'chrome' accents to top of gear shifter, door handle bowls, and tweeters.
• Complete set of rubber liners for cup holders/dash/door pockets, etc.; had to buy 2 different sets because 1st set omitted the lower rear door compartments and back seat armrest cupholder; which were the entirety of the 2nd set.

Haven't decided if I am getting any other accents. I think anything else would require tinkering which I am not sure I want to do.

 

[Leef]

There is a story behind the orange reflectors.

I will admit that you have piqued my curiosity. Please expound.

 

[Divisi0n]

I have the Morimoto Elite HID kit from The Retrofit Source for my low beams and it's a night and day difference between them and the halogens. Easily the best 'upgrade' I have done to my hatch yet. Tons of throw and the crisp white light is much more pleasing.

 

[raynist]

I am also new to here, got my civic HB sport couple weeks ago. Already spent quite abit of money.
Already spent on:
- I did order LED headlight, havent install it yet so cant review.
- I also order yellow fog led for it.
- Swap all interior light to LED
- Ceramic Tint window
- Ordered Eibach lower spring
- Drilled brake rotor
- Injen CAI (Trying to return for PRL Cobra)
- Type R front lip
- Type R steering wheel
- Interior leather upgrade
- Smoke LED sign marker
- Weathertech mat
- Honda Trunk mat
- Ceramic Paint Coating
- Mugen rain visor

Going to get:
- roof wrapped gross black
- Ktuner
- PRL / RV6 Downpipe & Front Pipe
- Caliper painted

Want to have:
- PRL Intercooler
- Brembo brake kit
- two front race seats
- A set of 16" or 17" rim for Snow tires.

The lists are long, my pocket is too shadow!!

What did you use for the leather upgrade for the interior?

 

[Divisi0n]

What did you use for the leather upgrade for the interior?

You can buy the oem leather replacements for all the interior pieces and just swap them out. That's the best way to go.

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