Honda Civic Sedan 2006

targettuning

Although off topic...the 1960 through 63 Corvair had a "swing" axle rear suspension and the wheels tucked in during spirited driving, yeah unsafe. Later cars had esentially a Corvette style rear set-up.

warner

Although off topic...the 1960 through 63 Corvair had a "swing" axle rear suspension and the wheels tucked in during spirited driving, yeah unsafe. Later cars had esentially a Corvette style rear set-up.

Same as the beetle, before they went to IRS.

Warner

midnightcowboy

Yes I had a friend who was seriusly injured when the wheels tucked under. As far as hadnling as well as a Corvette in 1965, the original mini and the Austin Healy were better handling choices.

All that said, almost all cars today handle better, go faster and are more efficient. Tires and supsnesion technology have come a long ways.

Civic Mileage arate at 30/40 and the hybrid 505/50. I have friend who just go the 2006 Hybrid and gets about 40 mpg with his teenage son driving normally!

Go to the Accord mileage forum. There is guy (Wayne Gerdes, ala EXCEL) who says he can easily get 43/48 in a V6 Accord. I have a 2006 Civic Si on order and I would be pleased just to get EPA of 23/32.

CgCheer,

MidCow

drz23

I DON'T THINK THAT THE DX COMES STANDARD WITH A STEREO.
THAT SUCK ANY THING COOL ON THE DX IS EXTRA.

jaxs1

Stereo is not important since it is easy to choose the stereo you want from Best Buy or Circuit City, but not having A/C is ridiculous.

midnightcowboy

drz23,

You are right the main purpose of even having a DX model is to brag about the low end pricing on the Civic line of $14,560 and nothing else!.

DX
• 1.8-liter, SOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine
• 140 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
• 128 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
• Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™
• ULEV-2 (Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle)
• 100,000-miles-or-more tune-up interval
• 5-speed manual transmission
• Available compact 5-speed automatic transmission
• Control-link MacPherson strut front suspension
• Reactive-link double wishbone rear suspension
• Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
• Front and rear stabilizer bars
• 15" wheels with full covers
• P195/65 R15 89H all-season tires
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS)
• Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
• Side curtain airbags
• Active head restraints
• Outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
• Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System
• Integrated rear-window antenna
• Power windows
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Driver's seat with manual height adjustment
• Two-tier instrument panel with tachometer
• Front 12-volt power outlet
• Rear window defroster with timer
• Fold-down rear seatback
• Maintenance minder system

Cheers,

MidCow

integradriver

During my extensive search for a Civic 5M to drive, I saw a grand total of TWO DX models, both with AC added, on a manifest and none on the ground. One dealer went as far as saying that his place didn't even order them for the lot.

barry11

You can add A/C to the DX as a dealer option, but I think it is at least $1000 if not more (not sure about the labor charge), and you are going to drop some money on a stereo, too, so that starts to get close to an LX's price. So I would recommend the LX instead of loading a DX.

Compared to DX, LX adds:

A/C with air filtration system
Stereo head unit (DX has speakers & wiring)
Cruise Control
Power locks with programmable auto lock/unlock
Power mirrors
Security system w/ Remote Entry
body-colored mirrirs/door handles
floor mats
1" larger wheels and wider tires

If you can live without A/C, the DX is a good package which includes all the safety features and even power windows at an attractive price. It's a decent car. But it will be hard to find one because I don't think they are making very many.

But in most areas, A/C is going to be a necessity and the other LX stuff is nice to have, so the LX seems like the sweet spot for overall value and amenities to me. Plus, I think reselling a car later without A/C would be harder-- unless you happen to live somewhere with mild summers like Northern Montana or something (never been there, just guessing).

integradriver

Oh, I was looking LX all the way (and that's what I got), early on I had a couple of them go over what DX has (or doesn't have) just to get my homework done.

AC, IIRC was $1300+ as a dealer add on, at one of the lowest price places I went to.

missglass

Does anyone out there know where to find invoice pricing of various accessories, e.g. body protection? Some are listed on the Honda website and many are not.
Thanks.

integradriver

If it's dealer added aftermarket stuff, like paint protection, undercoating, and interior protection, you won't be able to find it online, just the official Honda stuff.

Personally, I tell the aftermarket person 'no thanks' but there are some personal issues with that as well.

blane

Not invoice pricing, but very favorable to purchase here:

http://www.handa-accessories.com/civic06.html

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/civicsedan/2006_electronics.htm

http://www.cheaphondaparts.com/shop/category.asp+SID+1+Category_ID+1403

There are others if you search online.

aviboy97

Does anyone out there know where to find invoice pricing of various accessories, e.g. body protection?

If you are looking for a paint sealent or fabric protectant, Resist-All is a major company that does it for many dealerships. IT costs the dealership about $140 for interior and exterior. Dealers usually charge $500 or more.

blane

"paint sealent or fabric protectant"? Save your money, at any price.

skeeter11

Anyone experiencing poor radio reception with their 06 civic? If so, has honda provided a solution?

remoteraycer

I too think radio reception is poor in my 06 Civic LX. In my limited experience window grid antennas dont perform like their mast antenna cousins.

sheldo1

Well, the ticking noise came back. The dealer has tried adjusting the valves 2 more times and the noise is still there. Now I am told that the car will need a new cylinder head (which will take another week to get leaving me without my car for two weeks).

Does anyone else have this problem? My engine sounds like that of an old worn out car with mechanical lifters. This is while driving and not just normal idle noise.

My dealer has been excellent but between this problem and the growling noise that won't go away I really have my concerns about this car.

midnightcowboy

Radio reception on embeded antennas is severly affected if you apply metalic window tint; electrical skin affect. Otherwise, the divesity embeded antennaes usually have good performance. Is your problem with AM only, FM only or both ?

double sixes,

ModCow

rwb_ii

This is my first time on this forum and it has provided some help. I just got rid of a 2000 Elantra which stalled all the time <20MPH while coasting and the new Civic has been very refreshing. I have a LX auto with 600 miles on in the first week of driving. No noise problems noted yet. Too early to tell MPG but ~ 33 mixed aggressive driving. I love the displays. Now the questions:

1.) Can anyone either recommend getting the full hood mask or not?
2.) With the '06 being a new year model any opinions on extended warranties?
3.) Any wiring suggestions for Sirius Sportster?
Thank you in advance for any help.

warner

This is my first time on this forum and it has provided some help. I just got rid of a 2000 Elantra which stalled all the time ) Can anyone either recommend getting the full hood mask or not? 2.) With the '06 being a new year model any opinions on extended warranties? 3.) Any wiring suggestions for Sirius Sportster? Thank you in advance for any help.

Congrats on the new Civic. It should be a wonderful car for you, and I think you'll notice the quality of build difference between it and the 2000 Hyundai that you were driving. I had a 2000 Hyundai Elantra Wagon and could definitely tell the Honda was a higher quality vehicle. (I had a 2004 Civic that I recently traded in on the 2006 Civic EX auto). As far as your Sirius radio, I'm not sure what size the sportster is (I have a different model), but what I did was just route the antenna wire between the front seats, under the floor mat in the back seats, tucked it under the front of the back seat and down the side of the back seat(in my case I used the driver's side seat, but it doesn't really matter which way you go with the wire) and into the trunk (routing it up above the other trunk mounted stuff to keep the wire out of the bed of the trunk). I also pulled up the weather-stripping (carefully) on the top lip of the trunk and ran the antenna wire directly up the center of the back window to the magnetically mounted antenna. The whole thing took me about 10 minutes. Then, as far as radio location, I mounted it (using velcro strips) directly in front of the shifter in that little area that looks like it was made to have the radio there. It's simple because you have a power outlet right there so there's not a big mess of wires all over the place. I just use the FM transmitter on my radio and it works great. If I ever have reception problems I can just plug it in directly to my AUX port (this is on the EX model only, though). It looks good where it is, didn't take long for the whole installation and was pretty simple from start to finish. Hope this helps!

Warner

jrosasmc

Is it possible to get leather upholstery in any Civic trim level (the '06 models)?

integradriver

Not from Honda.

march5

Sheldo - I have the ticking noise as well. Please keep us posted on what they find. Which dealer are you working with?
Im taking mine in soon.

sheldo1

The way it stands now, Honda Engineering has recommended that the dealer change the cylinder head. It is supposed to arrive by Wednesday this week and be completed by Friday. I will let you know the results next week.

march5

Any suggestions for when I take it in for the ticking noise? Do they have some method or database for comparing similar occurences? By the way, my honda is an 2006 EX civc bought 10-15-05. I'm in san diego CA.

sheldo1

The only thing I can recommend is that you take a drive with the service manager so he can hear the noise. The noise in my car was very easy to hear so my ride with the service manager was fairly short. There probably is a database for problems like this but I don't know if even the dealer can check it unless a formal service bulletin was issued. While we are both talking about a "ticking noise", it may or may not be the same issue as mine. I think your dealer will have to first recognize the noise and then go through the process of diagnosing it. I purchased my car about a month after you and I am in the Chicago area.

march5

Thanks very much for the info. I realize the issues may be unrelated. But one other thing, did they mention if your problem was harmful to the engine or if it was just not pleasent to hear? (Like would your issue unresolved result in something like burned valves?) What im really concerned about is that they will say the noise is normal and do nothing.

sheldo1

I know what you are saying as I have often heard from service writers that something is "normal" when in fact it is a legitimate problem. I have worked on my own cars for a long time and I knew that the noise coming from my car was not right. It may or may not be harmful to run the car for a long time with that noise but I wasn't about to leave it to chance. When the service manager took a drive with me, he immediately agreed that the noise was not good and needed to be addressed right away. I guess you could assume from his reaction that the problem could be harmful in the long run. My dealer has been great.

I don't know if you have the "growling noise" at 1500 rpm but when I talked to Honda about it, they said it may just be a normal characteristic. I asked the Honda factory person if he meant that if all of their cars failed to start would that make them normal just because they all had the problem? Of course, he said "no" but my point to him was that just because all cars exhibit a problem, it doesn't make the problem acceptable.

skeeter11

My reception is poor with FM only. It's so poor that I have static when I am driving through the town that the radio is broadcasting from.

skeeter11

Have you informed Honda of your poor radio reception?

drz23

I am trying to decide what to do next with my civic i like the fuel economy and i am not looking for engine upgrades but i am looking for maybe ideas on a dvd player and monitors and placment of the monitors inside of the car any ideas!

slawenda1

I just purchased a 2006 Civic EX Sedan with navigation, and overall am very happy. However, we opted for the XM radio kit and installation (remember car is "XM-Ready", not factory installed). To my shock and utter dissatisfaction, I discovered that the standard American Honda installation dictates that the XM antenna be installed in the interior, on the front windshield! To be more specific, it is installed on the upper right hand corner of the windshield (passenger side). First off, it is directly in the passenger's field of view, and it is bulky and ugly. Further, it is definitely in field of view of the driver, and in theory could block or hinder the driver's field of view at certain angles. Thirdly, as a fan and enthusiast of satellite radio, I have never seen the antenna on a satellite radio installed on the front windshield, no less the interior! What's even more frustrating is that on the 2-door Civic with navigation(coupe), the XM antenna is factory installed on the roof, and is color-coded to match the paint of your car. I paid more than $700 to have an ugly, obstructing antenna, when if I had purchased the coupe, it would have been cleanly installed for no additional cost. Lastly, and even more important, the installation is ILLEGAL in several states, including the state of California, where I live! You are only allowed to drive with stickers or objects of certain size in the LOWER corners of the windshield, not the UPPER! I called my local Sheriff department, and an officer confirmed to me that this is ILLEGAL!!! What is going on here? My dealer is "looking into it". I'll let you guys know...

march5

Hmm. I was curious what might be the culprit for this ticking (yours at least)...and from looking at the diagram of the cylinder head online and researching this type of noise, it seems like faulty lifters. The head costs about $820 retail.

sheldo1

Where did you find a diagram of the cylinder head? I've been trying to find one online but haven't had any luck.

march5

check out "majestic honda" or "honda parts deals". Google either one - You'll find there is a "cylinder head" by itself and a cylinder head assembly (under "engine assembly").

jaxs1

They are supposed to install it outside the car in roughly the same spot. Still ugly. Sometimes they are mounted on the trunk or roof.
The best place (appearance wise) would probably be just below the windshield wipers where it would be outdoors for good reception, yet still out of obvious view. They won't install it there, you will need to have it moved or move it yourself.

owen3

Hi Outthere. I just purchased my first new car in 17 years. I purchased a Honda LX atomic Blue. I have owned it for 850 miles and so far I just love the vehicle. Espically the fact that there are so many Airbags. I love the new 140 VTech engine and the response is really nice.
I am going to purchase a drivers side seat cover and I also
just order a two tier dash cover. My girlfriend wanted me
to buy a toyota which is what I was driving a 1983 toyota
tercel hatchback which I still have and it's up for sale.
I just thought I would sign in to brag about my Honda.
If anyone out there can give my any feedback, all is welcome. Regards, Owen3

crissman

Congratulations on your new Civic. I'm still loving mine with a bit over 3K miles now. Let us know what you find in the way of seat covers. I think I should probably get one too.

integradriver

Congratulations! I wanted Atomic Blue but Royal Blue was first available, so I went for it. Great colors in any event! Only 200 miles and one week in my LX, but my hard plate arrived, so now it really feels like 'my' car!

warner

They are supposed to install it outside the car in roughly the same spot. Still ugly. Sometimes they are mounted on the trunk or roof.
The best place (appearance wise) would probably be just below the windshield wipers where it would be outdoors for good reception, yet still out of obvious view. They won't install it there, you will need to have it moved or move it yourself.

I did my own installation (which took less than a half hour from start to finish) and installed my antenna directly above the BACK window. It's hardly noticeable, and through the back window the antenna wire looks like a rear-defroster wire; again not noticeable at all. I NEVER have a problem with receiving a signal in my car. I have NO idea why they'd want the thing installed on the front window, especially in the driver's line of sight.

Warner

slawenda1

Where exactly did you install the antenna? On the exterior or interior of your car? When you say above the back window, do you mean on the roof? Pls explain, and if you by any chance can post a picture or send me one, I would really appreciate it! Thanks.

warner

Where exactly did you install the antenna? On the exterior or interior of your car? When you say above the back window, do you mean on the roof? Pls explain, and if you by any chance can post a picture or send me one, I would really appreciate it! Thanks.

Exactly. The wire runs under the trunk lid weatherstripping and up the back window (on the outside of the window) and is a magnetic antenna that simply sticks to the metal roof, just above the back window. I'll see if I can get a photo to show you, but it probably won't be until at least later this evening.

Warner

slawenda1

Thanks! If you could get me a photo I would greatly appreciate it.

bcasey1

I just bought a new 2006 civic sedan w/navi and I love the car. The only problem that I have noticed and I might be being a little critical. I have notice before I come to a complete stop (and I am talking about a very slow and moderate stop)you can feel the car downshift or almost buck a little bit. This usually happens at about 4mph. Has anyone else experienced this with their automatic transmission? It does not happen when you come to a more abrupt stop just when you slow down very gradually.

I would appreciate any insight on this not so big problem, but it is a new car and I don't feel the transmission should be doing this

thanks

blane

http://www.honda.co.uk/civic/

blane

Look at pages 11 through 14 of this Delphi Sky Fi2 XM Radio Installation Manual for optimum antenna locations.

http://delphi.com/pdf/consumer/skyfi2_installation_manual.pdf

I installed Delphi's magnetic mount on my wife's car, above the rear window.

travis77

Yep mine does the same thing,,, it has 1500 miles on it and has done it from the start,, i don't think its a problem and not gonna worry about it. A transmission tech told me a while back,,, that a tight transmission is always better,,, because that little buck you feel is a defined grab which is the way a transmission is supposed to be. if you notice in some other vehicles such as a ford taurus i used to have,,, there is slack between gear shifting,, which made for a smoother shift but also ultimately led to the tranny failure. It wasn't a defined shift,,, and sometimes took a second or 2 to get fully engaged into the gear.

warner

Yep mine does the same thing,,, it has 1500 miles on it and has done it from the start,, i don't think its a problem and not gonna worry about it. A transmission tech told me a while back,,, that a tight transmission is always better,,, because that little buck you feel is a defined grab which is the way a transmission is supposed to be. if you notice in some other vehicles such as a ford taurus i used to have,,, there is slack between gear shifting,, which made for a smoother shift but also ultimately led to the tranny failure. It wasn't a defined shift,,, and sometimes took a second or 2 to get fully engaged into the gear.

Yep, my '06 Civic EX does this as well. I agree with travis77's post....and don't worry about this a bit. All things considered, I think the auto trans in the '06 Civic is the best auto trans that I have driven.

Warner

bcasey1

Thanks I really appreciate the feedback. The buck did not bother me I just wanted to see if it was normal and my question was answered.

Thanks again

piason

I was going to get the EX Coupe with XM but the car does not come with the antenna installed. XM ready for Honda means - you have to have the dealer install another radio with the antenna for $1,000 - what a joke. If you get the navigation the XM is all ready to go with no installation.
To put it simple - they are ripping you off. I just put in an XM ready aftermarket radio in my other car. The radio came XM ready - I had to buy an XM adaptor for $50 and the antenna for $50 - total $100 and I was ready to go.