New Civic, EX or SI?

Right now I've got a 97 4dr Civic DX auto, which is a great car, and got me into civics, but isn't the best base to start modding from.

So I'm planning on selling it ($7k) and getting either a 96 black EX coupe, or a 99 EBP SI.

But I'm really torn as to which I should get. As I'm a poor college student, I'd have to take out a few bucks to get the SI, and wouldn't be able to do any mods till I got it paid off.

Buying the EX and dumping a lot of money into would be very satisfying, and I could do it slowly, never going negative in the bank account...
But I'm afraid in a few years I'll look back and wish I had started with the 160hp instead of the 127.

I think that exterior mods are my prime interest, but of course I want to do some basic engine bolt on's and some suspention upgrades...I don't think i'm up for a full swap, but down the road I might want to turbo it.

Any thoughts, suggestions would be appriciated.