>>28976736
follow the maintenance schedule. don't put gaudy oversized wheels on. redline it.

>>28976736
if its automatic you are cooked, if manual just keep adding oil and youre good.

>>28976740
Why cooked?

Buy apple, amazon, and google stock aggressively until around 2016
Then dump half of it and buy gold and bitcoin with the proceeds

>>28976742
The 2002 automatic Civic is notoriously unreliable because its internal clutch packs quickly wear down and clog a hidden, non-replaceable fluid filter. This clogs oil flow, starves the transmission of pressure, and causes total mechanical failure.

>>28976750
>t. Wendy's cashier

>>28976759
What a weird thing to get upset about

Follow the maintenance schedule, look after it, don't crash it. You'll either keep it for a decade or will sell it for what you originally paid or more.

Keep it as stock as you can, but if you absolutely must modify it because you are a manchild (like me), start with tyres/wheels (i.e., good tyres, higher spec OEM wheels) -> suspension (not some cheap coilover kit, get a full Bilstein/Eibach kit or something similar) -> drivetrain perishables (filters, sparkplugs, fluids) -> conservative remap for a little extra spice if possible -> STOP.

>advice
DON'T ever crack a wheel bolt, because you'll have to take the whole wheel off and change the bearing just to change the fucking bolt.
Otherwise, peak shitbox that is really easy to work on. You can do almost any job with just 10, 17, and 19mm sockets.
>130k miles
My catalytic converter hollowed out and I have eternal code p420, but i swear it gets a few extra hp.
>140k miles
Had to replace TPS position sensor. Cracked the last valve cover bolt into the block when putting it back on. Plugged the hole with a cork, and it's still there.
>145k
Starter broke. Also tumblers in ignition key hole got stuck. Had to take them out. Can start car with screwdriver now.
>150k miles
All the bearings were bad by then (noisy). Rented a press adapter tool from autozone.
>155k
Cam seal just randomly popped out and had oil gushing everywhere. Had to do the whole timing belt job.
>166,666 miles (literally)
Water pump broke. That's where I'm at now.

Keep it clean and simple. The only problem is the transmission filter(fixed post face-lift) and headgasket.
I check the coolant and oil every week, in return this little fella has never let me down. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you.

>>28977775
based EM2 owner.
I would get a strut bar, a neuspeed one made a HUGE difference.

>>28976736
Most common oil leaks are from the valve cover gasket, the camshaft cap right by the EGR valve, oil pan gasket on the steel pans, clogged PCV valve, and the oil pump o-ring which requires dropping the pan. These also go through head gaskets apparently, but I've never had that happen on my 7th gens. Also simplest upgrade if you have access to a 3d printer is better bushings for the driver's seat, EVERY 7th gen seat is wobbly from poor bushing design.