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Honda Civic Hatch Vs. Ford Focus ZX3

jsbxjsbx Member Posts: 18
edited March 2014 in Ford
Ok, then ZX3 vs. civic hatch...

I am a first time car buyer and collecting info.
I know I should go with the old "proven" civic
even tho it's more expensive and costs more to
insure, resale value is proven. But having driven
one...all I can say is, it was a bit dull. Plus,
I
am short, so I have to scoot the seat way up. I
felt like I was pressed against the windsheild.
Plus, god forbid the airbag deploys....my head
would snap off I sit so close to the wheel.

the focus was fun. sure, I am sucked in by the
new design, I won't lie...but I enjoyed to the
ride, felt comfortable and I wasnt even squished
with the seat all the way up.

I am a first time new car buyer...I have a 125
mile a day roundtrip commute, so I have to have
something reliable, but all that time is more
depressing in something I am just "ok" with.

I just dont know....

any thoughts?
«1345678

Comments

  • rex12rex12 Member Posts: 133
    Ooooooh I see, my mistake, I thought that was the Escort. Silly me. How could I confuse the warped head by 40,000 mile Escort for the Focus?
  • 181kmiles181kmiles Member Posts: 29
    well everyone should know by now that i am a firm believer in the honda name. i have a 91 honda civic hatchback and it has 183 k miles on it

    and it still gets 40 mpg highway.
    with the focus your takeing a major risk because the car is a new model. you dont know what kind of glitches they didnt find during production. at least with honda you have a design that has been around for a few years so they have pretty much gotten rid of the malfunctions that come about with a new car model. i would definaly go with the honda. even if it is more expensive to buy and insure, youll get your moneys worht when the car dies at 250k miles. all you have to do it maintain it. the engine that is in the focus was in the escort. that engine is a good engine but it does have its problems. as does any car line. i just think that the honda wll be a better car for you. as far as the airbags deploying with you being so far forward, the mainufactur recommends that you sit at least 12 inches from the airbag. if you are scrunched up against the airbag in a civic then youll be scrunched up against any airbag. its your arms distance that makes most of the difference not how far up you put the seat because the back of the seat is reclinable and you should be able to adjust the distance to 12 inches from there.

    well have a good time and good luck with any car you choose.
  • only1harryonly1harry Member Posts: 1,140
    with 181K mi. I just hit 100K mi. on my '97 Civic DX htbk. and so far so good. Read my e-mail back on the Honda HB vs. VW Golf.. too lazy to rewrite or paste it again :-)
    '99 Integra GSR
    '06 Civic LX coupe
    '11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
    '13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    I think the honda civic hatches are great! BUT.... this is the last year they will sell them, AND why oh why did they slope the back window in like that? Makes it look like the old tercel hatches or some other retro...You lose a lot of space as well as style and I can't imagine why they would have done that. The older "boxy" ones were good cars, and the next generation, where they curved the roof around a bit, were the best looking hatches around (and not coincidentally, the ones that you see sportily modified, and raced!) They should have maintained those lines. I think the ZX3 is a great looking hatch and looks more like the logical progression, (stylewise) of the really nice civic hatches. However, I admit that Honda has it all over Ford in reliability, record-wise. The ZX3 does have a DOHC 16valve "zetech" engine that is supposed to be comparable to the excellent Honda V-techs, but that does remain to be seen. I'm taking good care of mine!
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    the Zetec motor in the Focus ZX3 and SOME of the other Foci is not really an escort motor. Was only used in the "sporty" ZX2, and another version of it was used, I think, in the contour. I believe the escort engine you are thinking of is the OTHER 4 cylinder that they are using in the base focus sedans. The zetec is only a 200$ or so option in those so I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't get it but who knows?
  • mznmzn Member Posts: 727
    I drove the Civic Hatchback when I was looking for a new car and I eliminated it because I didn't fit in it.

    Like you, I had to pull the seat all the way up and I felt like my face was right in the windshield. I felt very uncomfortable and vulnerable. In the end, I bought another Golf. I found that the Golf had a height-adjustable seat, as well as the usual back and forth. With that combination, I ended up far enough away from the air bag.

    I don't know if the new Civic or the Focus have height-adjustable seats but it might be helpful to you if they did.

    carlady/host
  • 181kmiles181kmiles Member Posts: 29
    thanks everyone for the support as far as the hondas.

    jsbx

    i want you to know that the focus is not a bad car. it just has a few years to prove itself to the automotive industry. my friend just bought a new focus zx3 hatchback and he thinks its all that and then some. personally i think it has yet to be seen. as far as performance the focus 2.0 zetec is not as good as the v-tec. even thought my friend would beg to differ. i believe that if you went with the honda youd make the better choice. but honestly it really doesnt mater what car you go with just as long as you maintain it to the manufactures recommendations. that is how you get 200,000 miles out of any car. it might be expensive but you should always go to the dealership for all the service and maintainence needs. that way you know your getting factory trained technicians with real cridentials to do the work. youll never know with the independent places who has the right cridentials or not. plus youll be getting the parts that would be specifically made for the car. aftermarket parts were designed to fit any number of cars. so it might not be the exact fit for your car. only the factory parts will ensure an exact fit. so no matter what car you go with you must maintain it. the most important service is the 30k mile service. it may cost as little as $300 or as much as $600. hey no one ever said owning a car was cheap.

    so good luck with whatever car you choose and have fun with it.
  • tickbittytickbitty Member Posts: 250
    Do you know why Honda has quit making the hatchbacks? They were one of the only ones around still selling them and I thought the car sold pretty well for them. Wonder if they have a new one in the works or if they have decided they will sell more ($$) CRV's or something without the competition of the hatch. I tried to compare the civic hatch to the focus before I bought but the 2 honda lots closest to me didn't have a single one, not even used, for me to sit in or drive! So odd. I've never gotten 181K out of anything, (used VWs, Mazda, Isuzus) so kudos to you! Maybe someday if I do right by the car it will do right by me!
  • tuner1tuner1 Member Posts: 44
    I own a 96 civic dx hatch and the last time I checked the hatches are not available with the vetec eng.so your stuck with a measly 106hp.This eng. is no match for the zetec with 130hp and 135tq.Thats why all the fast civics have eng. swaps.But it's a great commuter car and very dependable so jsxb if commutes and over 100k reliability is your #1 priority then get the civic.
  • tuner1tuner1 Member Posts: 44
    By the way I just took del. of a pitch black ZX3.I am enjoying it very much!Life is not a certainty sometimes you have to take risk,if not you'll never know what you missed!Good luck
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    I purchased a new ZX3 in February of this year, which replaced a new '99 Civic CX hatchback purchased new in Feb. '99. While broadly similar, these two vehicles couldn't be more different in execution. I've been a car person for 25 years, read most of the relevant automotive publications, and have owned a variety of vehicles over the years. If your particular "mission" calls for competent, characterless commuting day in and day out with little if any owner involvement required, maybe you should stick with appliances like the Civic. You better hurry, because Honda is discontinuing the hatchback in this country, and is moving further upmarket with the revamped Civic. On the other hand, if a better balance of performance, utility and style appeals to you, and you refuse to be a "me too" lemming, go drive the ZX3. Having owned both, I find the contrast between these two cars interesting. For $12.5K out the door, my CX had no A/C, no radio, no tachometer, just over 100 HP, and 14" steel wheels with ho hum Firestone tires. My ZX3 cost exactly the same with 15" alloys, CD player, 130HP Zetec engine, A/C, full instrumentation, and much better all-around performance AND build quality. Everyone is different... 200K miles in a noisy, bare bones commuter-mobile like a Civic sounds like Hell to me.
  • focuszx3rfocuszx3r Member Posts: 92
    Hey I am the person 181k is referring to. I LOVE MY FOCUS and i went throught your same problem when choosing civic or focus, but the sproty ness and fell of the car did, plus the fact i didnt even get to see a cx, and they were bad with the pricing. Yea V-TEC is better then the knock off ZETEC, but the civic has a watered down 106HP and is juts slow and sheep feeling. My car has a solid feel and all those extras like cd player and fogs and full instruments--and let me tell ya if u buy a ZX3 u will use the tach cuz the car is fun and you want to rev it.
    Also, u work at a dealer 181k so dont try to advertise for dealer service to get bussiness!! j/k but seriosly dealer techs know just as little as the other garages do--thats y i do it myself!
    Yes Civic Vs Focus--u want bare bones realiabilty and boredome--go civic If you want fun and lots of cool features and an great handling (GO DRIVE IT!) and a great value combined with a flashy nice looking car--GO FOCUS!!!!!!!
    BUY A FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Also--Focus has no cheap rubbery shift feel like a civic doea--u feel like ur gonna break the thing everytime you shift, my Focus has a tight action with well defined gates (not on civic), and combined with that great steering system, u cant get a nicer to drive car for the money--not to mention the awesome seats--they keep me comfortable all day--and i have drivin long distance in mine!!
  • jsbxjsbx Member Posts: 18
    All of your responses are much appreciated. Seeing how it always takes me forever to make any decision, I haven't commited to anything yet but am leaning toward the ZX3...due to all of your help and a few other things. Plus, I got one dealer to agree to let me chose my ZX3 and get it at the invoice price, no doc fees, prep fees etc.

    The Honda dealers seemed a bit unwilling to help. I mean, I wasn't expecting the same sort of negotiation because sure, they don't need to ... because the cars have proven themselves and as they say 'sell themselves'. But that doesn't mean they should sit back with a take it or leave it attitude.

    Because it does sound like a lot of people ARE deciding to leave it....
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    IF you look at the June issue of "Automobile" magazine, they do a comparison that includes the ZX3 and the Civic Si (the top of the line). They still prefer the ZX3, which means they'd REALLY prefer it over a lesser Civic.

    The ZX3 will give you more engine (than the base Civic), and SIGNIFICANTLY better handling...
  • only1harryonly1harry Member Posts: 1,140
    Yeah but I doubt your Focus will ever see 200K mi.
    My friend's '92 Civic LX has over 240K mi. and still going strong.
    My '97 Civic with 100K mi. runs like new and it 's fun to drive due to wider wheels and bigger high performance tires. It handles much better and can hit 115mph in 4th gear with no problem.
    With an automatic and the factory steel rims and tires it would be a little boring but nevertheless reliable. It's commuter car that won't die on you. BUT it doesn't have to be a boring commuter. All you have to do is just upgrade to some alloys and bigger tires and the car gets transformed because its stock suspension is actually good. With the wider rims and tires the car becomes more stable and gives you more confidence. I paid $12,500 with A/C for my DX. So far I 've had 100K trouble free mi. and my next car will definitely be another Civic because my commute is 160mi/day and can't afford to break down. There is probably more aftermarket stuff for the Civic than any other car in the world. With a few hundred bucks of suspension upgrades or a set of good tires, I guarantee you a Civic can outhandle a stock Focus easily.
    But for some real fun the Integra GS-R is what I drive on the weekends.
    '99 Integra GSR
    '06 Civic LX coupe
    '11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
    '13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    Here I feel you're sadly mistaken. Stiffer springs make for a tighter ride, but I now quote the Automobile Mag article:

    "Where the Civic Si is engine, engine, and engine, the Focus is all handling, steering, and braking."

    and again:

    "Outside of the Mazda Miata and cars three or four times the price, no car gives better communicaion between the driver and the road (that the Focus ZX3)."

    That's more than just stiff springs. It's an innovative, all-independent, multi-link suspension with stabilizers front and rear, and MacPherson struts up front.

    You can't get all this from new springs...
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    only1harry,
    I suggest you take a test drive of the Focus next weekend for "some real fun" and share with us your experiences.
    Would you?
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    The first call I made after bringing my CX home was to the Tire Rack for 15" Borbet wheels and Pirelli P6000 summer tires. That helped, but then I was up to $13.2K. I looked around at all the other shortcomings (cheap interior, no tach, no power, etc. etc.) and realized you HAVE to have a big aftermarket for the Civic - essentially, you've got to finish what Honda started. You are correct about the aftermarket catering to Hondas - we ZX3 owners will never have that kind of support... but unlike the Honda, we don't NEED the help as desperately. Imagine how much more interesting life would be if you had "GS-R" style fun every day of the week? If I spent as much time in a car as you do, I'd want more from my ride than hair shirt reliability. Like the Boxster ad says, "the more kids you have, the more sense it makes" :-)
  • only1harryonly1harry Member Posts: 1,140
    Are you implying that for some "real fun" I should be driving a Focus instead of my GSR? You gotta be kidding me right? C&D and R&T, Sports compact car all have said since '94 that the GSR has one of the best steering and road feel.
    Next thing you 're gonna tell us is that that a Focus has overall better handling than a Type-R.
    Please lets not go there. Although I don't doubt that the Focus has pretty good handling and road feed back you guys are letting it go to your head. For the money, I agree that you get a good deal and I 'm sure it surpasses many cars in the steering, road feel, etc. dept. probably all in its class but Automobile said the exact same things about the Geo Storm (which I bought) in '90. "Sharp steering, excellent handling, great road feel, fun to drive, etc. etc.) They were mostly right but the fact remains it was a $10K Geo Storm and never got too much attention or praise. Probably because by the time it hit 50-60K mi. the suspension was all loose, the sharp steering wasn't so sharp or quick (and I kept putting better tires on!) and the handling had deteriorated. Why do you think your cars are $13K compared to $20-25K ones? It's because of the materials used. I guarantee you this includes cost cutting on your suspension bushings, quality of the antiroll bars, tie bars, brakes, engine mounts, etc. and finally the engine itself. In any case the Focus is new. If 4-5 yrs from now it proves its reliability I 'll buy it.
    Until then I 'll keep passing you in my GS-R and I 'll make sure I wave :-)

    BTW, stiffer springs are $125 and a good rear antiroll (sway) bar is about $200. You don't need much to turn your Civic into a gokart. I know, I did it with my Integra. Cost me exactly $325 for the parts (plus $150 labor) and the car feels like it's on railroad tracks, no body roll, extremely quick & precise steering, etc. because of its already stiff chassis and excellent suspension.
    BTW, does anyone have any #s on the ZX3 besides the 8.8s 0-60 that Edmunds has? Like Skidpad G forces and slalom speeds?
    My sister is looking for a car so maybe I 'll take to a Ford dealer to test drive a Focus. Is the ZX3 the only good with a good suspension or do all Foci have the same one? (she doesn't like the hatchback).
    Enjoy your cars. All that matters is that YOU like it!
    '99 Integra GSR
    '06 Civic LX coupe
    '11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
    '13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    I have seen both .81 and .83 on the skippad ratings. I don't know about slalom speeds. Stopping is 178 feet from 70mph with ABS.

    They all have the same suspension, but I'd make sure to get the Zetec engine.

    We'll talk more when th 220hp Focus-R coumes out =]
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    I have read the threads with great interest.

    Togneter and SilverBullet, you have convinced me to try the Focus!

    Based on the above, I thought I'd add my pinch of salt: The Focus is NOT really a NEW car. It IS compared with the Civic, but in Europe it's been around for some years now. And 3-4 years is usually a lifetime nowadays for a particular design.

    Honda's ARE remarkable cars for their reliability and their engines, which are 'high-pitched' but still very reliable. But then, Ford has a very good reliability record in Europe. Most of their cars actually LOOK like Japanese cars (the Mondeo), but then they came out with the Focus and a smaller funky one called the 'Ka'. In Europe, people either love'em or hate'em...

    I have test driven a few Civics. My impression? the Si was speedy when revved up (of course)and handled just fine. But honestly, I found that the finishing in the Hondas was TERRIBLE!!! The interior was bland, and I was amazed to see that the velcro which was attached to the carpeting was simply STAPLED (!) to it!!! Just HOW those cars can sell at those prices amazes me. Check out similarly priced Jetta's or Golfs and you'd be in for a surprise: the interior is superb! ...But back to the Focus:
    I have not tried the ZX yet, but will do that ASAP.
    Someone mentioned price... Well, in all logic, Ford is pricing the Focus aggressively because it needs market share on that particular size. Honda dealers don't need to give you a break! Their cars sell like French bread!
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    Should I decide to buy a Focus, I will opt for the hatchback with a stick (of course!)
    But I saw that you could get bucket style seats... Does anyone have anything to say about those?
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    As opposed to the sedans and wagons, Ford installs what they refer to as "sport seats" in the ZX3. I've looked at both, and other than the fabric selection (nicer in the ZX3 IMHO), the ZX3 seat just seems to have a bit more side bolstering. The Focus seats have generated a lot of comments from testers - if they fit you, they're great (I'm 6'5" with long legs, and I love them), if not, people seem to complain loudly. See what you think. Then again, you could always install Recaros :-)
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    ...I agree. VW/Audi is doing amazing things with the design and material selection for their interiors. If I won the lottery, I'd keep my ZX3 as a runabout, but would probably get an Audi S4 with the leather/Alcantara interior and brushed aluminum trim - heaven!
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    Thanks Silverbullet for your remarks. I think we share a lot when it comes to taste in cars (S4 = DREAMCAR!)
    Based on all the positive opinions I have read, I called five dealerships yesterday and asked if any of them had a ZX3 stick shift. 3 of them were negative. Two confirmed they had them, but one of those dealers was closing in 5 minutes. So I drove up to the other dealer, and asked for "Lou" whom I had talked to. He barely remembered me, and after checking for the keys, came back and said they had just sold the car. ...hmm right!

    Today, I drove over to the other Ford dealer. They had a bunch of automatics, but no stick. What is the matter with these people??? It can't be that difficult to check what cars they have in their inventory!!!

    Anyway... I saw no point in test driving the automatic (I suffer from autophobia, an incurable ailment inflicted upon me at birth, in Europe, 34 years ago), but nevertheless I sat in one of 'them' automatics, trying to overcome my urge to grab the gear handle and force it left and right, but to no avail. It was miserably limited from its conception to a one-dimensional existence.
    Ok... let's remain serious...
    Honestly... I was not too impressed with the layout/interior/seating. But in all fairness, I was not too 'hot' for the car even when I lived in Europe. The Focus being 'avant-garde' both inside and out, DOES imply that some of us will love it, and some will frown. I guess I still belong to the latter lot.

    I haven't given up completely, since I do admit that the price of the car makes it seem very competitive.
    I have read some remarks which lauded the car's design to some excess (in my opinion).
    While it is not my intention to support the Hondas (I honestly think the cars are good. But how boring can you possibly make a car! - and what cheap finish, excuse me!).

    To put things in perspective, there are about 20 different 'hatches' in Europe (or more) to choose from. Japanese, English, German, Italian, French, Spanish - even Polish! the list is long. A LOT OF THEM are dead cool and really, really good. Peugeot, according to the European press, made the 'best' GTI when I left Europe in 1999. On the upper side of the scale, I bet the new Golf GTI '4 Motion' with 208 bhp and 4 wheel drive would kick some serious [non-permissible content removed] (leaving even Porsche's Carrera 4 in the dirt on winding mountain roads). In Europe, it 'trades' for around the price of a VR6 in the US!

    But still, in the 'Focus Class', there are LOTS to choose from, and the Japanese hatches - while very much respected in Europe too do not measure up at all. Not design wise (in Scandinavia, they are referred to as "koensloes" which means witout a gender, or hermaphrodites, if you prefer!), nor performance wise.
    Why am I making a lengthy point? Well, to those like myself who like 'hatches', I would just hope that many more models (from any country) would 'come' to the U.S. It would make many more happy, but then, there would be an amazing quantity of forums comparing the Peugeot to the Opel to the Lancia to the Seat to the Renault to the (...) and to the Alfa. I would almost instantly fall in love with the latter. Of course! Having said that, I don't think any American car enthusiast will take me seriously!

    No offense - I hope, to Silver Bullet and our Italian friend Togneter. I think people have personal affinities with cars like they do with everything else, and that's the way it should be!
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    And to convince the skeptics... check out the following site:
    www.peugeot206.com
    But again, that just ONE OF THEM!
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    If you can't afford the S4, why not try this?

    www.moller.no/audi/nyheter_s3.html

    Sorry, the site is norwegian...

    But I guess I should stop this trend... it's depressing me!
  • readysetgoreadysetgo Member Posts: 4
    everyone,
    all of u guys are confusing as hell!its my first time in here and also my first time buying a car. i have no clue about cars but have been reading up on it ever since i planned on buying one.i had two choices in mind, civic dx hatch or zx3.i thought reading everyones input would help me make up my mind but it just confuse me more. i hear honda is reliable in da long run with good resale value then i hear its not good resale value because ders too many of them running around. zx3 handles good on the road then i hear it doesnt handle good on the road. zx3 has not been around long enough on da market to know its realiability den i hear its been around europe for 3-4 years and its favored over japanese cars.zx3 is trouble free den i hear people bringing in their newly purchased zx3 in da shop already.go get honda its reliable dont get zx3 coz its not reliable yet. go get zx3 its got ac, cd, 15 inch wheels, power this power that, dont get honda it doesnt have any options, its got small wheels, it wont handle good on da road but if you buy bigger wheels, better struts and if buy this and that it will handle better but by then you would have spent about thousand bucks. buy zx3 its got that ergonimacally new design compared to the box design of honda. dont buy the zx3 its got ergonimically new design that nobody knows how its going to do in the market just buy the honda its got a nice old style.go buy the civic because its gonna be discontinued next year but it might come back in 2002. dont buy the civic because its gonna be discontinued just buy the zx3 because they gonna make more in production in years to come. go buy the zx3 because its got the zetech engine which is powerful but wait the zetech engine is not really powerful because its the same engine they used in the escort and the neon.i could go on and on and on and on!!!!goodness gracious!!!stop the insanity please!!!have mercy on me!!!!DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHICH CAR IS THE BETTER DEAL???a little help please, por favor!!!
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    Ha Ha! I love your sense of humor!
    First, let me put it this way: the day you fall in love with a woman, and you consider marriage, you should follow your heart, NOT what everyone else says!
    I think MOST cars sold today have a respectable quality, though there are differences of course.

    If Honda and Toyota didn't have reliability on their side, they simply wouldn't sell! Well, at least not in Europe where there is plenty of competition on all sizes.

    Also, we are all different, and I think it's silly to systematically rank cars by saying 'this is better than that'... Personally, after seeing the ZX3 up close (no, I haven't driven it) I would rather buy a Honda. But then, that's because the styling of the Focus doesn't do much for me. It does not mean I disrespect those who would buy one. Quite to the contrary. In the US, there seems to be little (if any) openness towards bold designs. Thus, those who 'dare' go Focus, well, I salute them. In Europe, the 'new car on the block' appeal is enormous. People aren't too worried whether their car will run 100,000 miles. They usually want the latest, hottest car.

    Again, I would rather opt for the Honda Civic. Independent suspension, good engine (but high revving - a simple matter of driving style) and good reliability it seems but then it has incredibly boring if no sex appeal at all. So frankly, it's really for lack of a better alternative in the same price range.

    Actually, I'm going to save some money, and get the Golf 1.8turbo with sport suspension which comes out this fall. Yes, it costs a lot more (+8000). Boring, yes, to some maybe. Financial nonsense? Totally! But then I can dream while I drive, and tell myself that when it grows up, my car will become an Audi S4!
  • readysetgoreadysetgo Member Posts: 4
    alfaromeo,
    thanx for da quick response,preciate it.i guess id settle for da civic hatch even though it doesnt have that much sex appeal,i'll just have to make it up with my looks and personality(he he).even though it has less options than da zx3,its probably more practically for me in da long run. well, im gonna need it to go to work everyday,it takes meh bout an hour to get there den another hour back. ill need something thats dependable so dat i dont need to worry bout transportation. question? how do u think the civic would handle in snow? also if i do decide to sell it back(listen to me, i havent even bought it yet)it might do ok in resale value.i planning to buy the civic hatchback this week! i hope im not making a big mistake by passing da apportunity to buy da zx3(hopefully im not).
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    Any small front wheel drive will perform well on snow. Particularly if you choose a stick shift.
    I live in NJ, and when we had 15 inches of snow overnight with freezing temperatures, I drove my wife to work 35 miles away in our Jetta GLS (2000).
    On the way, we passed several cars which were stuck - even SUV's!!!
    But then, I do come from Norway where ice/snow driving skills is something you learn quickly.
    If you're stuck, start in second gear, and don't accelerate too hard, you'll lose your grip. If you're initiating an uncontrolled slide, press on the clutch, and try to straighten up the car (most people turn the wheel too harshly while accelerating...)
    What more can I say? Sporty low profile tires don't do too well on snow. Now... I guess it's up to you...
    Regarding resale value, frankly, I don't know what to say. My own opinion is that Civics are seriously overpriced. There are so many of them around, and yes, the model 2001 will be different. But again, this risk is one you just have to take. Who knows? The 2000 model may seem more attractive than the 2001 in a couple years or more. You never know. (An example? well, take a look at the Civics back in... hmm, 1985? they looked a lot better than the recent models. Actually, they had a original futuristic edged design to them, ...just like the ZX3 has now!

    Damn... I bet I haven't helped you a bit!
    Now good luck!
  • readysetgoreadysetgo Member Posts: 4
    thaxs for da tips! actually, sounds like you're pretty knowledgeable bout cars so the things you say sounds alright.i for one does not have a clue. maybe i can take some basic classes bout cars(i really need it). well, i am gonna buy a stick but i dont know how to drive one. i read a little bout how manual trans work and i drove a couple of times with my bro(hes got a stick). i dont know, im gonna be using this car alot on the freeway and seems like my mind wont be focus on the hazards of the freeway, its like my mind will be occupied on shifting and keeping up on which gear im engaged in. alfaromeo, do u think thats gonna be dangerous for me? or do u think im just getting the jitters right now because im not use to stick yet? im kinda doubting wether to get a stick or not. i would really like to learn though and its pretty fun shifting and stuff but i dont wanna put myself in danger. i mean, i know i can learn it, im not goofy or anything. im pretty coordinated. well, i guess i know that practice makes perfect but i guess i just got the butterflies thats all. got any advice, things i can do to learn quicker, any tips, any tricks, or any confidence booster would be very much appreaciated.
  • rex12rex12 Member Posts: 133
    How exactly does the Civic owner to Lemming
    analogy work? (It doesn't)

    I don't have suicidal tendencies.

    I'm not furry.

    I'm not small.

    I'm not going to drive off a cliff.

    I don't live by the ocean.

    Personally, I think the lemming would better
    compare to someone purchasing a new vehicle from
    Ford. Better yet, a totally new model from Ford.
    Talk about suicide.

    If you want a very good comparison of the Civic
    hatch versus the Fucus Hatch go to:
    http://www.honda2000.com/models/competitive/index.html?modelPathName=civic_hatchback

    Choose either the CX or DX Honda then the Focus
    and look at the numbers.

    BTW, if you pay $12,500 for a CX hatch somebody is
    laughing at you other than me. (The dealer, all
    the way to the bank.) I paid $12,400 (out the door
    taxes title & dest.) for my 2000 DX with A/C last
    October.
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    And it convinced me that the ZX3 is a much better car and deal. Unless ou want les power, worse handling, small wheels, no alloys, no ABS, etc...

    Oh...you do get .4 more inches of HIP ROOM in the Civic. Don't forget about that...

    The only real stat the Civic had over the ZX3 is the gas mileage. And that's a result of the wimpy engine.
  • only1harryonly1harry Member Posts: 1,140
    wimpy engine? That's why the Civic DX HB can go to 60mph in 8.7s compared to the ZX3's 8.8!
    It might be a little wimpy but the Civic weighs less. I 've blown a couple of ZX3s away with my Civic htbk already.
    You do seem to get a lot for your money with the Focus. Hope your cars last..
    '99 Integra GSR
    '06 Civic LX coupe
    '11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
    '13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
  • rex12rex12 Member Posts: 133
    Isn't power relative to weight? Or should a Freightliner blow you away because it produces 1000+ hp?

    I never said the comparison was favorable. Must take some cajones to put such a comparison on their own web site. Apparently they belive in their product. I think you'd be hard pressed to find such a straight forward comparison on a Ford site.

    I didn't see anywhere in the comparison the mention of worse handling.

    No alloys? No, they are not standard but, they are an option.

    Like I've said before, I'll harbor no ill feelings when I see you on the side of the road. I'll pick you up and drop you off at the nearest Ford dealer.
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    Like I said. I've driven both. The ZX3 has significantly better handling characteristics. The writers agree...please refer to above posts.

    I have to say here: I like Hondas...always have. I've owned an older Prelude, my brother drives an Integra. I am also notorious amongst my friends for HATING American cars. Not until the ZX3 came over from Ford of Europe had I ever even slowed down on my way by a Ford dealership. In fact, I still can't believe I'm driving a Ford. I drove one...it convinced me.

    Sure I'd like a little more power. I'll just wait until the 220hp Focus R comes out... =]
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    The Focus R may arrive at some point, but Jackson Racing is doing a supercharger kit for the Focus now (like they do for most Civics). Serious fun to be had with an Eaton blower :)

    I won't dispute Honda vs. Ford reliability, but like Togneter, I would never have considered a Ford product before the Focus came along. I've been impressed with the level of engineering I've seen while looking in, around and under my ZX3. It is definitely not a warmed over Aspire or Escort. And listen, Hondas break too, folks. I see more than a few doggy Civics and Accords on the roads around here, with clacking CV joints, faded paint, torn upholstery, and oil smoke from bad valve guides or seals.
  • alfaromeoalfaromeo Member Posts: 210
    In my home country, Norway, cars are exposed to the elements with a big E. Also, because of taxes, cars tend to come pricey 'up there'.
    You know what? There ain't that many Hondas. In fact, most of the market is German, German, German. The most popular car? the Golf. And yes, Ford sells a lot of cars there too. And yes, the Focus does very well there too.
    So let's put this 'reliability image' of Honda a little in perspective, shall we?

    ps: in Europe, most Ford are considered "German' since we don't get the American models they make (Gott sei dank, I think that's 'thank God' in VW language)
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    We must remember this is a Ford of Europe car.
  • readysetgoreadysetgo Member Posts: 4
    rex12,
    either your dad works in a dealership or your just one owesome bargaining machine!!!your numbers just dont add up!this is what u said and i quote, "I paid 12,400 out the door taxes title & destination with AC". there's no way you could have paid for a 2000 honda civic dx for that price! let me break it down for you bro. first of all the invoice price of this car is $11,026 with a destination price of 440. add that up you get 11,466. now, lets add your AC, let me be lenient and say $1000 for the AC. now lets add that and you get $12,466. thats already 66 dollars over what you paid for and i havent even added TAX, LICENSE AND REGISTRATION, DOC FEE, OH AND LETS NOT FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANDT FEE OF ALL WHICH IS THE DEALER'S PROFIT. so, as you see, there's just no way you could have bought your civic for that price!!! maybe your dad does work for a car dealership??? if my numbers are incorrect, please show me the errors of my ways and break it down for me as i have broken it down for you.
  • rex12rex12 Member Posts: 133
    My bad. I paid $13400. Sometimes I get going and make up my own facts. I should work for the government!

    I can tell you it sure is nice to get a steady 35mpg with my "small" engine right now! Nice to have that extra $100 or so in my pocket at the end of the year.
  • powerslidepowerslide Member Posts: 48
    Is that all it takes to compesate you for driving a boring car?
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    It will be very interesting to see what the next generation Civic is all about. Although we aren't supposed to get the hatchback version, I'll wager that a hatch will be offered in other markets, and will (in typical Japanese car fashion) borrow more than a few cues from the Focus. I've read recent articles that describe Honda's new engine program. It seems they are finally getting the message, and will actually give their new engines some torque. The current Civic Si is a fun car to test drive, but most people over age 21 get tired of having to rev the pee out of an engine every time they want to get somewhere.
  • rfruthrfruth Member Posts: 630
    Knew I wanted a hatchback but when I bought the ZX3 was just coming out or I would have had a
    big(er) decision to make. Went with the Honda HB,
    no regrets its just what I wanted but the Civic
    is plain compared to the ZX3. I like plain, less to go wrong, would like cruise & a tack but their not an OEM option. No Honda HB for 2001 but might be back for 2002. Almost wish I had held out for the Insight, oh well Happy hatchbacking !


    Rob Fruth - Houston, Tx
    http://freeweb.pdq.net/rfruth

    1981 Raleigh for commuting, errands & fun
    1997 Trek 2300 for real fun !
    2000 Civic DX hatchback
  • rex12rex12 Member Posts: 133
    Boring? Hey if you call not worring about relability boring SURE! If you call 0-60 times quicker than your Focus boring then SURE! If you call an outstanding aftermarket presence boring then you my friend hit the nail on the head!

    Hey, maybe you didn't notice but not everyone likes the style Ford borrowed from the VW thing for their automobiles.
  • tognetertogneter Member Posts: 245
    What VW?
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Togneter, he's referring to the vehicle VW sold for a few years back in the early 70's. It was an updated version of the Kubelwagen military vehicle VW produced during WWII. Not a very apt comparison, but then what do you expect from a lemming ;-)
  • rex12rex12 Member Posts: 133
    Ha. Good one. You can't see the similarities? Nice-n-boxy. No thanks, I prefer curves.

    Once again, how exactly does that lemming analogy work? I assume you are refering to a follow the leader type of thing? Like the old Honda line? "Follow the leader he's on a Honda"

    I like the way Ford is going with it's designs (The way Detroit likes to do things) Find a formula and make everything out of that mold. Cougar, Mustang, Fucus, what's next? Honda doesn't take the Civic design and apply it to two completely different cars!

    WHAT OTHER CAR ON THE ROAD LOOKS LIKE THE CIVIC HATCH???? (Oh, I know, OTHER CIVIC HATCHBACKS!)
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    The lemming analogy, as you might guess, has little to do with furriness or cliff diving -- I was referring to the "me too" herd mentality that leads so many people to buy Hondas without considering alternatives. I won't argue design esthetics or appearance; this is way too subjective. To me, good design combines equal parts functionality AND originality. For my money, the ZX3 provided a better balance - I don't miss my Civic one bit. Pay your money, take your choice. If 200K mile durability combined with "lock the hood" reliability was at the top of your list, you might have made a better choice with the Honda -- but last time I checked, Honda dealers have parts and service departments too.

    I'll say it again - life's too short to spend 200K miles driving the automotive equivalent of a refrigerator.
This discussion has been closed.