Honda Civic 2005 and earlier

banddexpress

I was wondering do they make a civic hx that comes with air conditioning or can you add it in? Would appreciate feedback.

gasguzz

Well, what is the hybrid's resale ratio compared to the std Civ. Is there historical data (how do know it's higher)?

carguy62

Resale value doesn't matter. The Hybrid costs more to start with so if you get more back when you sell it's a wash. I was strictly going by the extra cost over a conventional Civic. That's the best way I know to compare them.

Also who's to say what the resale value of the Hybrid will be. If in three years there is better technology the Civic Hybrid could be hard to sell. I think it will be harder to sell regardless of technology changes.

I'm doing my part. I have one of the most economical SUVs available. I would have waited for the hybrid CR-V but I needed a vehicle now.

mdriver

If you take the extra $ that you spend on the Hybrid over a comparable EX, invest it in a CD, you will just about make enough in interest to cover the extra fuel cost of the EX. Therefore at $1.50/gal, you will never get you money back on the hybrid, never. But if gas goes to, say, $3/gal, you may break even after a few years. Bottom line: just go with the EX.

jim_loves_cars

Go with the hybrid and geek out! IMO no one will get any "value" out of the extra $$ they spend on the hybrid beyond simply enjoying the technology. Jamie Kitman wrote in Automobile about how his week with the Honda Insight revolved around looking at the MPG display on the dash and trying to keep it maxed out. It was like a video game for him and it made the car very entertaining.

Like most cars, you're not going to get what you want if you buy strictly based on "Return On Investment." If you'll get a kick out of driving a car with an exotic hybrid drivetrain then GO FOR IT!! The hybrid Civic is very cool, in a granola / pocket protector kinda way. The EX is just another Civic.

-jim

kkakko

My brother in law bought a 2002 Civic EX last week. What are the most common problems that he must be aware of? Any recommended maintenance tips for this car?

Thank you.

th83

My local Hendrick Honda dealer just gave me what sounds like a great quote. He quoted me $16,685 for a Civic EX sedan automatic with mats and mud flaps. Does that sound reasonable to you guys? Thanks!

cwliang

kkakko: I have an '02 EX and the only problems I've had with it are some rattling in the winter-time. Now that it's gotten hot around here it seems pretty tight. No other problems to report... Maintenance schedule seems long (10k/oil change normally, 5k/severe driving) but I figure they know what they're talking about. I hope!

th83: $16.6k sounds like a pretty decent deal, pretty close to the invoice price (with the automatic and side airbags). You could probably get them to chop another 2-300 off, or at least throw in some floor mats, if you really felt like haggling...

jrct9454

Yes, that is a good figure for an EX equipped as you state. If you want this car, sounds like you've found the right place to buy it...

th83

I checked on it shortly after I recieved the email and that price is indeed very close to invoice. I'm really surprised that they gave me that price right away. I was thinking it was going to take hours of hard dealing to get something that low. Considering how many Civics are sold each year, I guess they really don't need to make a big profit on each one.

ekster

Any tire suggestions for a 1996 Civic DX Coupe
175/70/13? Looking for good performance and control on wet roads. Already have snows, so that's not a concern. Thanks.

flavolvo

Just bought an LX sedan automatic for a tad below invoice price. Finally chose the titanium (beige) color - needed a light color for Florida. Thought the two-tone tan dash & trim was classy looking. Especially liked the driver's armrest - it really makes for a super comfortable driving position. Felt like a solid little sedan - not tinny as in previous generations. I traded in a 10 year old Volvo that was a tank - so I put an emphasis on the solid build quality & the good crash test scores.

rfruth

Might want to check http://www.car-prices-plus.net/cars/honda/insight.htm the hybrid car network for a good price on a hybrid, I don't own one yet.

gman40

Take a look at yokohama avid touring. I have these on my Honda. They ride great and have an
80K mile tread life. I was using higher performance tires (bridgstone re92 and dunlop d60a2) that wore way too fast.

lu888168

Does anybody know what is the advertising charge for Civic EX in the VA-MD area?

devore

I don't know how things work in that area, but I would strongly resist being charged an advertising fee by the dealer. Certainly I would refuse to pay it if the advertising fee isn't on the sticker price of the car.

I think it's a pretty ridiculous concept. The dealership spends money to advertise to get people into the store to buy cars. _That's_ the product they get for their advertising dollars. Since they're already receiving something from the advertising (publicity) it seems unethical to then go back and charge the buyer for their expenses.

texbean

Does anyone know if Civic's have clearcoat paint or not? Specifically, I am wondering about white. I just got an '02 EX sedan and am about to put a coat of Zaino on it, but I don't know whether to use the wax for clearcoat or regular paint. Zaino rules.

Thanks in advance.

Tex

carguy62

I also have a white Honda and I'm pretty sure it is clearcoated. Should say on the sticker.

backy

Actually, it isn't unethical for a dealer to try to charge a buyer for advertising fees. Shoot, a dealer can charge whatever it wants to for a car. Some tack on "ADM" fees (Additional Dealer Markup), which are pure profit. Are those unethical too? No. Does a buyer have to put up with it? No. They can take their business elsewhere if they don't want to pay the fees. Let's hear it for the free enterprise system!

jjpcat

Yesterday, when I had the oil change for my 2001 Civic, I was surprised to find out how dirty the air filter is. The car has only 21k miles. None of the other 7 cars I have owned had dirty air filter at this low mileage. For example, the air filter in my 96 Accord was not even half as dirty when I sold it at 47k miles.

I drove many of these cars in the same routes. So, environment is not the issue that causes the difference.

Civic manual says the filter needs to be changed at 30k miles. But I have to change it now at 21k miles. I am not worrying about this early replacement. But I guess dirty filter could mean more dirt could have entered the engine.

newcar31

Don't worry about it. Some filters have oil in the filter media to better help trap dirt and dust. Your Civic's air filter is one of these filters. Filters with oil in them will always look much dirtier than a regular paper/synthetic media filter like your 96' Accord has. This is completely normal.

alyssazmom

I purchased my 2002 Honda Civic EX Sedan (Blue) in January. Everything has been fine until the past two weeks when the back right passenger door would not open from either inside or out. Took it to the dealer and they said a part broke and instead of repairing it, they wanted to replace the part. So while waiting for the part to come in, they fixed it enough to atleast open it from the outside.

I pick up my car, go to put my daughter's booster seat in her spot (back right passenger side) and the seat belt is locked and won't give any slack. I'm in too much of a hurry to go back into the service area (hungry child) so I install her booster seat on the left side but I do call them when I get home.

Service says that it sounds serious, to not use the belt and when my door part comes in they will check it. Three days later the part is in, I get the call about my seat belt. The ball bearings in the seat belt broke and can not be repaired, again, the part has to be replaced which of course has to be ordered. I'm told that under no circumstances to use that belt b/c it will not hold my daughter (or any passenger for that matter) in an accident.

I'm still waiting for the part to come in but am a bit concerned over what has happened. Maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit but I sold my 1997 Ford Escort for the Honda Civic Sedan so that I wouldn't have to put up with repair problems again (My Escort had constant problems which became to costly after the warranty expired).

I'm hoping after this there won't be any more problems but my warranty does end at 12 months. Should I have gone with a 2003 Toyota Corolla or 2002 VW Jetta instead?

Also, has anyone else had any problems with chipping paint? Around the door handle (used and non used doors) and the gas cover is all chipped around the edges, it looks awful.

I love my Civic but am disappointed. I was hoping that other than normal maintence and the usual upkeep after so many miles, that my Civic would be problem-free...

Thanks,

Carrie

cwliang

Maybe you got a lemon? I'm not sure exactly what the lemon law states (maybe the official definition only applies when the car doesn't run at all), but I think it is unusual that you would have so many problems so soon.

As for the warranty, why do you say that it runs out in 12 months? Honda's bumper-to-bumper should run 3 years/36,000 miles, unless you drive that much in a year. You should ask your dealer about why these things are happening (seat belts, chipped paint, etc.) and ask them to fix it under warranty.

I've had an EX sedan since December and it's given me no problems at all, except for a slightly-off alignment in the beginning that was realigned under warranty. As for whether you got the right car... well, some people have said that Honda reliability has slipped over the years but in general it's still pretty decent and it sounds like you may have gotten an anomaly...

alyssazmom

I was told that the entire car was covered until 12/12,000 and then only a partial warranty till 36/36,000. They were mad I didn't buy the extended warranty (great saleswoman, horrible finance officer). I only drive about 10,000 miles a year. I hope I didn't get a lemon! But if this continues over the next year or so I'll have to reconsider my Civic...

Thanks for your reply

cwliang

Your car should have come with a paper in the glove compartment that says exactly what is covered over the next three years. I'm fairly certain, though, that most if not all of the car is covered under the 3 year/36,000 mi warranty... the 12 mo/12,000 mi part covers certain aspects that would wear past a year but would be unusual to break in the first few months, like the alignment being off on delivery.

It sounds like your dealer was not so trustworthy in the beginning... Maybe you should take your car to another Honda dealership. They should all honor your warranty.

xsnowmanx

Don't listen to your dealer. They obviously don't know what they're talking about. Your car comes with a 3 year/36000 mile warranty that covers almost everything.

I suggest you find a new dealership to go to. This one is flat out lying to you so I would not trust them with anything. As far as your problems, there have been some 7th gen Civics with problems but the majority are trouble free except for rattles.

alyssazmom

Thanks again for the warranty info. I went to the Honda website and there absolutely is a 3 yr/36,000 warranty, so that gives me new piece of mind regarding any future repairs (fingers crossed there aren't any).

Actually I purchased the car at Ourisman Honda in Bethesda, MD from a great saleswoman, Lezette Young. She gave me a great price compared to the other Honda dealers in my area. All total I paid:

$19090.11 (Honda Civic EX Sedan with Auto and SSR)
Includes: Mud guards, Floor Mats, Wheel Locks (No choice with that one) and I stupidly purchased the alarm system and fabric protection (never again!). Plus taxes, destination fee, and dealer processing charge.

Except for the alarm and fabric protection (oh and they threw in undercoating that suddenly became free) I felt I got a great deal on the exact car that I wanted, right down to the color. And Honda gave me a great interest rate as well.

So Lezette Young was great, it was the financing guy in the back who explained the warranty to me whom I could have lived without. After his schpiel I still declined the extending warranty (an additional $1200 to $1600) he warned me that the bumoper to bumper was for only 12 months/12,000 miles and then a partial warranty was for 3/36. And that Honda parts are very expensive and that when my first major repair crops up, I'll be wishing that I had bought the extended warranty. After I again said no, he said I had to sign a waiver so that I can not come back in 4 years saying I was never offered one.

I'm actually having it serviced at a local Honda dealer who seems ok so far. I'll probably continue to go there as long as they do their job correctly, however I would not buy a car there, simply because they gouge till the can gouge no more. I was called yesterday letting me know that the part is in, they'll install the buckle Monday. I'm hoping after this I'll rejoin the mass of repair-free Hondas

Thanks again,

Carrie

cwliang

I actually live in the Washington-Baltimore corridor also, and I would recommend (dealer-wise) Herson's Honda in Rockville or Anderson Honda in Baltimore. I've been happy with the service at both dealerships. I don't know if you checked with those dealers, but I'm surprised that other dealers in this area wouldn't give you a price closer to invoice.

As for extended warranties, you can always purchase them from other people if you really want, though whether it is worth the cost is debatable.

chalupny

Hey isell, (or anyone interested in responding) I know you are a Honda salesman and you are therfore inclined to think Hondas are great cars (I do also), but I have seen things you've posted in the past and I value your advice. I'm looking to trade in my '90 Integra - 146K miles and still runs pretty good - but I need a newer car. I'm looking at the Honda Civic LX w/ 5spd manny, and would be interested in what a Honda salesman who isn't the one that would actually be selling me the car would have to say. I'm looking at the Civic because I want a reasonably priced, very reliable, fuel efficient car. I'll mainly use it to drive back and forth to work and occasionally around town on the weekdends - almost all city driving - virtually no highway driving - maybe an occasional 120 mile trip to the airport, but that's about it for highway driving. I have no illusions of this car being sporty or needing to be sporty. In regard to this vehicle purchase I've decided that I don't want to pay extra for horsepower, aluminum wheels, bigger tires, etc... Besides the Civic I'm really only considering one other car - Nissan Sentra GXE w 5spd. Although I told myself that "looks" don't matter on this purchase the 2003 Toyota Corolla just looks too funky and I'm still not comfortable with the Korean cars - even with the 10yr/100K warranties they don't hold their value like the Japanese cars. I pretty much drove my last car until the wheels came off - 12.5 yrs / 146K miles, but with this car I'll probably drive it for 6-8 years and trade it in so resale value matters on this one. Comparing the Civic and the Sentra - both should be reliable - will go with the one that rides the quietest and feels the most solid/substantial. Can get Sentra for $1000 less - is the Civic worth the extra $1000?

pleasantsa

My beloved 96 Civic LX w/pwr sunroof and alloys (dealer installed)was totaled in an accident. That car was a year old off a fleet lease when I got it in 97. I didn't care about the roof and wheels when I got the car, but now I can't imagine not having a sunroof and probably adding alloys myself.

I'm back & forth between the 98 Civic EX and the 97 Accord EX because they're about the same price and have comparable features. Is the Accord worth going back a year older (interior room, features, etc.)? If I find a 98 Accord LX with a sunroof should I go for that since that's the year they got roomier? I'm a 6'1" female who always has a carload full of people. I fit fine in the driver's seat of my 96 Civic LX, but my backseat passengers were pretty cramped.

Any used Honda dealer recommendations in the DC Metro area are appreciated.

bjk2001

I would go for Accord. Accord has more room inside more horsepower than Civic. If you find a 98 Accord with sunroof I will go for that.

texastownhall

I once owned a 94 Civic. It was an automatic and still got 40 mpg. I just got a hold of an 00 Integra auto through family. Need to pay off about $14.5K. I am contemplating whether or not trade in for a Civic.

Reasons for the Civics are:
1. I will be putting 20K miles per year and that
2. Civic costs less to operate (gas mileage, maintenance, insurance)

Reason for keeping the Integra are
1. Great handling
2. Not a dime a dozen
3. Almost always lose money when getting out of one car and acquire a new car.

I would like the Civic drivers' opinions on just how good the new Civics are and whether or not it's a better car than the Integras. Thanks.

jrct9454

...I would keep the Integra. The new Civic is not such a dramatic improvement in driving experience that you want to take on the expense of a new car. Yes, there are minor costs associated with the Acura vs Honda ownership experience, but I would still go with the Integra.

isellhondas

Of course, that Civic would be a great choice.

Since you do mostly city driving, do you really want a 5 speed? The automatics are MUCH easier to resell down the road. Just a thought.

Good luck!

chalupny

Thanks for the response isell. I should probably clarify "city" driving. I live in a university town - Columbia, MO (pop. = 80K to 90K) - right between St. Louis and K.C. So when I say city driving it's not the same as driving in New York, Chicago, L.A., etc... not constant stoplight to stoplight. I just won't do a lot of driving on interstates with this car - cruise control wouldn't be a big deal to me. I just happen to prefer manual transmissions in smaller cars. I do appreciate your comment about the auto being eaiser to resell - hadn't really thought about that. I did test drive the Civic and the Sentra last night. Both felt pretty solid. I'd give the Civic a slight edge on quietness and overall ride (purely my objective opinion). Back seat of the Civic was much more roomy than the Sentra though. I'm about 6'-1" and with the front seat of the Civic where it was comfortable for me to drive I could get into the back seat behind the driver's seat and had a little room between my knees and the back of the driver's seat. Not even close on the Sentra - my 10 year old son's knees would be against the back of the driver's seat in the Sentra. I'll definitely be driving this car on the weekends with my two sons in the back - and by the time I'd be looking to get a different car they'll be teenagers - the Sentra is out. Pretty sure I don't like the looks of the Corolla - if I test drive one it would have to really blow me away to consider it. Tried to drive one last night also - would've been a great 3-way comparison all in the span of about an hour - but the local Toyota dealer only had one on the lot and it was sold. Salesman was going to call me back. They were actually unloading a few off a car carrier as I was leaving - he'll probably call me today. But, it looks like it's gonna be a Civic. Honda's still offering 2.9% financing too.

dtownfb

Actually pleasantsa, the 98 Accords have less leg room then the 97 Accords (The interior is roomier overall) It has to do withthe steering wheel position and how it is not a true tilt steering wheel but rather an adjustable steering column. At 6'4" tall i could fit in the pre 98 Accord but can not comfortably drive the current model. Since you arre also tall, that could be a problem for you as well. Of course you will have to test them out for yourself.

I would also go with the Accord simply because it is a larger vehicle with more horse power. Both cars are extremely reliable. The Civic will give you better gas mileage and overall lower operating costs.

Good luck with your purchase.

bjk2001

I definately will go for Civic than Integra, Sentra or Corolla. Before we purchased our 02 Civic EX 4 dr with Auto for my daughter last Sunday. We were looking for a used Accord or Camry. I drive 01 Ody and wife has a 97 Toyota Avalon. My daughter used to drive our 93 Villager minivan. She wants something with front and rear leg rooms. Anyway to keep a long story short. When we test drove 4 dr Civic last Saturday. We were impressed with front and rear leg room in Civic 4Dr. I am merely 6' and wife is 5'7 my daughter is 5'8. During our test drive, I sit in both front driver and passanger seat they still have plenty of leg room in the back. You know women have long legs than man. I would go for Civic.

khanhv

Hello:
I'd like to know how much gas is left when
the fuel light comes on?
Thank you.

rudy1000

In my cicvic when the light comes on I still have about 10 litres left on a 50 litre tank.I see you live in the States so you obviously want to know how many gallons are left.You still have about 20% of the tank left so you can probably still go about 60-70 miles after the light first goes on.

Hope this helps.

jjpcat

I have a 2001 Civic LX which shall have the same fuel tank as the 2002 model. In my case, right after the light comes on, I normal can pump in 10.2-10.5 gal of gas. Since this car has a 13.2 gal gas tank, I think you shall have about 2.5 gal left after the light is on. I once drove 70 miles (mostly freeway) after the light came on w/o troubles.

tatdotcom

I have been keeping track of my mpg on my '95 Civic DX Coupe for my last 1600 miles and I am getting 33 mpg while driving mostly highway. The rating for this car is 34/40. Why is it that I am not even at the lower end of the spectrum?

Also, I noticed on my tires that I purchased 15k miles ago that the rear is wearing out much faster than the front. This is unusual to me because on all the fwd cars that I have owned, the front wears out significantly faster than the rear. Actually, the rear is usually like new even after 30k miles! I have not had the tires rotated because I have not had the wheels removed since they were new.

What are your experiences with these issues?

gman40

I HAVE NO IDEA ON MPG, BUT AS FOR TIRE WEAR, I
WOULD SUGGEST BEING RELIGOUS ABOUT ROTATING. I JUST REPLACED 2 TIRES WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TREAD ON THEM. SINCE THERE IS NO WEIGHT IN THE BACK, THE TIRES TEND TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN CREATING UNEVEN WEAR.(MECHANIC REFERRED TO THEM AS CUPPED). ANYHOW MINE IS ALSO A 95 DX COUPE I AM
STILL GETTING AROUND 40MPG HIGHWAY.

tatdotcom

your 40 mpg is based on what speeds? i do about 20% hard city and much of my driving is about 70-80 mph. as i understand it, 70 is not at the peak efficient operating range. the most efficient is probably around 55. my problem is that i would at least want to be on the lower end of the spectrum based on my driving habits.

jrct9454

...it means they were out of balance, or the shocks are shot. They only "bounce up and down" if either or both of these things are true.

However, religious rotations should be the norm with FWD, unless you just plan on replacing the tires in pairs and understand that from the get-go. But in my experience, waiting 7500 miles between rotations is too long - 5k miles for front drive cars is more like it. Once you wait much longer than that, it may already be too late to normalize wear.

gman40

I am basing my 40mpg on a trip a took to Florida in January. I drove 75-80 mph the whole way.( about 1000 miles)

jfong

Hi,
Does anyone know how much a new 02 Civic LX Windshield cost? Mine has a small crack in the middle that is emerging rapidly and needs to be replaced. If I get it done in the Honda dealers, do they usually charge more?

Thanks!

RonaH

Am considering a 2002 Civic EX sedan for a new driver. I have been reading that the brakes are not the greatest on the Civic. Any feedback would be appreciated as we want the safest car possible for our daughter. Thanks in advance.

isellhondas

This is news to me!

Civic brakes are excellent. They are also five star safety rated front and rear with four stars for side impact.

Hard to get much better than that!

seminole_kev

the stopping distances I've seen for the new Civics have not been spectacular.

alyssazmom

And my brakes have been great. No problem at all especially compared to what I was driving before my Civic- a 1997 Ford Escort Sedan- avoid one!! Seriously, my stopping distance has been fine, I've had a few close calls with someone slamming on their brakes in front of me and my Civic stopped in record time. Unless you are implying that the Civic brakes maintence has been a problem, which I haven't heard nor experienced. Could you please elaborate what brake problems are you talking about? And where you heard this?

I chose my Civic because of the excellent front and side crash test results. I'm a mom and have my 5 year old in the back (in her booster seat of course) and side impact protection was of great importance to me, along with having the middle back lap shoulder belt.

Overall a great car

~Carrie