I have an 02 6MT with 134,000 miles on it. I posted about this earlier and get a few different answers ranging from clutch chatter to engine mounts.

When I'm in 1st at a stop and take off slowly I get what feels like wheel hop. It is a pretty strong vibration that lasts only a few seconds. Once the RPM's get up a bit it goes away. Gear changes are fine and it doesn't happen in higher gears. I can't even try to launch aggresivly at all , the car feels like it is going to fall apart.

If I'm starting downhill it doesn't happen. If I'm turning while starting (right turn at a stop sign for example) it doesn't happen.

If I'm cruising in any gear and let off the gas I can feel the car jerk a little.

So does this sound like bad engine mounts or possible something else?

 

Sounds like bad mounts. Start there.

If that's not the issue:
1. Axles (CV bad)
2. LCA and/or end links, bushings
3. inner tie-rods

 

I experience the same thing. Have someone power brake the engine while you watch the engine bay. See how much give you got. Mine is HORRIBLE! Waiting for my mounts to come in.

 

The test on the mount is pretty simple and very conclusive. That's the 1st thing you should do. Good luck anyway.

 

Ok, we did this during lunch. With the E-Brake on and giving it gas in first it really didn't look that bad but I'm not sure. I would estimate that it moved about an inch or 2. We compared the amount of movement to my friends 05 accord and it was very similar. The difference was his engine seemed to rotate a little while mine appeared to actually lift up. If that makes sense.

At one point while I was watching the engine, he stalled it. At that point the engine shook horribly and moved a lot.

 

Sounds like motor mounts can be the issue. I had alot of thumping and vibration in my 200sx when i would take off from a stop as well as the shifter moving abit. Turns out my rear motor mount was completely trashed, swapped it out and no noises or drivability issues ever since.

 

Since you can get the whole set (minus the trans mount since apparently it doesn't fit) on ebay for $100 I'll probably go ahead and replace them and hope for the best. With 134K miles on the original mounts I don't feel like I would be wasting money if that wasn't the problem.

I just hope it isn't anything major. I did look up CV joint symptoms and one of them is almost exactly what I described. But I don't have the typical clicking sound associated with a bad CV joint and I don't have any issues above about 5mph.

 

You are on the right track. Good luck.

 

Replaced the front, rear, and passenger mount today. Vibration has been reduced but not eliminated.

I plan on replacing the transmission mount next weekend and really hope that fixes it. If not then I guess we will start troubleshooting other options. The person helping me do the work thinks if that isn't the problem that it might be clutch chatter.

 

+1 on clutch chatter.... generally motor mount vibration is not more pronounced while acceleration since the motor will move and stick to the end of the mount.
What are describing are potential signs of the worn clutch or pressure plate.
I had similar symptoms on my civic:
- vibration on start off
- vibration on aggresive throttle
- no vibration once moving
- no vibration going downhill

Also, with the miles on your car the other parts you have mentioned are suspect also:
- LCA
- Tie rods
- cv joints

All these have now worn over the last 100K+ miles.

I did a complete front end suspension job around 130K miles myself replaced the following:
1. LCA's
2. inner and outer tie rods
3. struts & springs + associated h/w

now fast forward to 190K miles all is still gr8. I have been extra careful while driving and make it a point not to do any aggressive launches, hit potholes etc.
The only thing i have had to do in the last 60K miles apart from regular maintenance has been motor mounts which I am impressed lasted 190K miles!

Good Luck.