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Maybe it is a quality control problem....
The radio code problem is recognized by Honda and they have replaced mine (ok for the last 2 weeks), but someone else there has had a couple of them so far.
Other problems reported include poor reception from the keyless entry. The dealer claims it is interferance from local radio / tv / cell transmitters that limit their sensitivity. We often have to be right up to the car for it to work. Someone else had a problem with the locking mechanism struggling to pop up in cold weather.
Many people did not like how the A/C stays on when you move from defrost to heat - but Honda says it's a good way of keeping the A/C compressor from seizing up if not used for months.
I think the car will eventually be recalled for a safety problem with the trunk lid. It is too delicatly balanced and has hit my wife on the head twice. I think that a gentle wind in the wrong direction can force it to swing down.
The dealer says that the wiper blades are "special" which is why they wipe in one direction, and chatter in the other directions.
Carefully check the gas mileage issue. Make sure you are basing your evaluation on actual (gas pump) recordings. You will find that when the gas guage reads 50%, you have probably only used 20% of a full tank. In otherwords, the guage is poorly calibrated. One owner claims the gas warning light comes on at 38 litres (out of a 50 liter tank)
I always told myself to avoid new model years, but I took a gamble on Honda, I hope I will not regret it, especially considering the horror stories of the guy who needs a new cylinder head.
Bob
I haven't had the radios problem, or the keyless remote problem. The A/C thing does bug me that much but I agree that it's a "bug", rather than a feature.
I haven't noticed a problem with the trunk falling. I'll probably pay more attention to it now.
My wipers don't chatter but, but I find that it doesn't clean as well on the "back stroke" as it does on the forward stroke.
As for the gas milage thing. My car does the same thing where half-way is actually just over 15 litres. Even measuring the milage by km/fill-up litres, I'm only averaging 9L/100km (26.5 US MPG) in mixed (70Hwy/30city) driving. This is worst than the rated City rate of 8L/100km.
My car may not be experiencing the same problems because it's fairly. The production date on the driver door says it was built in December 2000. I've had for about a month with ~2,000km (may explain the low gas milage).
The thing that bugs me the most about the car is that the seat belt is so hard to put on (I have the coupe).
Also, anything I should look for when checking out the car (which he has to get)?
Just FYI. Don't know what the colors are....this is per the Washington Post ads. Most dealers are offering for 14,800.
1) Live without the side airbags.
2) If safety is paramount to you, then go ahead
and 'Bite the Bullet' to trade for a new Civic
equipped with the side airbags. However, be
prepared to lose your 'shirt' on this one.
Again, if your safety is priceless, then I
don't see any way around it...you'll be unhappy
with the current car.
3) Never listen to a salesman! They are not to be
trusted in questions of this nature. Do your
own research before committing to buy a new
car. Let this be your costly lesson.
4) Never buy a new vehicle model before crash test
data is published. Appareances can be very
deceiving.
Good luck and keep everyone posted.
If you collide with an Excursion pullng a cabin-cruiser with your head-curtain/side-bag/pre-tensioner/force-limiter equipped EX, who wins?
Thanks in advance!
should I return it to the dealer Monday morning?
4 wheel disc brakes don't stop a car any faster than disc/drums either.
And...even without side air bags, the new Civics do extremely well in crashes.
Frankly, I'm surprised some people even venture out of their homes!
First of all, you knew the car had 257 miles on it when you accepted it, didn't you?
More than likely it did come as a dealer trade, hence the miles.
And...the selling dealer should have inspected the car more carefully before delivery. There is probably no problem, however. Make them do a new Pre Delivery Inspection.
The keys...? Well, mistakes happen. The salesperson should have checked them. This can happen to the best of us. Easy to remedy.
Enjoy your Civic!
When I got my 2001 Civic EX Coupe from a dealer in NOVA, it had 40 miles on it. It came from a near by dealer. The keyless remotes had not been programed, and I did not check them. I drove back and they fixed it in literally 15 seconds.
Very happy with the car so far. Now have about 1600 miles on it.
Enjoy.
Just a thought ... given what the PCM does could that be why some people post low fuel economy? I know that I drive every car on the low end of City MPG and get 32 on my LX.
So how much does cold temperature affect your milage? BTW, even though it wasn't as cold I still used the same accessories (heated seats/mirrors etc...) for the same length of time. I never idle for more than 2 minutes, but it obviously take more time "driving like granny" for the car to warm up when it's colder.
If the car gets damaged, some say that is good because it has taken the brunt of the impact, not the passengers inside. Interesting...I don't know what to think.
This is my first car purchase ever so I want to do it right!
Thanks for your input in advance!
And on dry payment,having ABS can take you a greater distance to stop.
I'm not saying ABS is bad...it's not. We have two cars with ABS and one without.
Personally, I think they are equally as safe.
And...in 1996 ABS was never an option on an LX Civic. It was in some earlier years but was such a poor seller it was dropped.
The security system need is relative. You can always add the factory alarm later, unless you get a good deal now.
Personally, I have not found the "Internet Dealers" to be advantageous. The local dealer can always match them, and you can see right away what you're getting. As far I'm concerned, we are all internet dealers/buyers using the same info base.
The key is to always scrutinize the numbers - they never lie. Remember also that you both have a business relationship - there is a FAIR price in there somewhere. When the time comes, never visit the dealer without a pre-approved loan (check out eloan.com).
Don't fall for $0 down deals or no Int/Payments for 2 years - you'll eventually PAY for it (again, the math/contract will show you that).
You never know either what the dealer order-of-the-day is. The dealer may make a deal on the remaining 5 Civics on the lot. Or, full msrp on the silver EX.
Good luck and enjoy.
"And on dry payment,having ABS can take you a greater distance to stop."
Care to explain?
I think you messed up your facts a little.
It's presented as a fact, and I agree with it, that by locking your wheels you can improve
stopping distances on packed snow surfaces and certain types of the
loose gravel roads.
Under about every other condition ABS wins, including dry pavement.
BTW the ABS brakes are mostly about maintaining control, not stopping
abilities.
I will defintaly order it with an automatic transmission and side airbags, but are there any other options to consider, such as fog lights (do they actually help in fog/rain/snow?), the security system, wheel locks, or floor mats?
I am hoping not to pay too much more than the $16,223 invoice that Carpoint gave me with the automatic and side airbags.
Are all Civics having the PCM and radio problem, or only those manufactured before a certain date?
Is there anything else I should be aware of before I make the deal?
I agree, ABS is more about control, and most drivers can't drive worth a sh** as most of us know here in the DC area, so ABS is great. I love it too - makes me feel safer on slick roads.
Thanks again
If you would like an example proving my point while using the Civic here it is: Car and Driver tested a '00 Civic LX sedan without ABS and it stopped from 70 mph in 195 feet. The '01 Civic EX coupe with ABS stopped from 70 mph in 186 feet. A difference of 9 feet in ABS's favor, and that did not take into account that the new Civic weighed 190 pounds more than the old one. There would have been a greater difference had it weighed the same as the '00. The difference between ABS and non-ABS is greatest among pickups (with ABS improving stopping distances in the dry by as much as 20-30 feet). Anyway, I thought this info might be interesting to you and it might help those that are debating over the merits of ABS. I think its a worthwhile option that should be bought if money and model permits it.
No PCM or radio issues - over 1700 miles so far.
My personal experiences have been different, however. Perhaps they are the exception - it certainly would not be a first for me
Myself...I wouldn't let the lack of ABS stop me from buying a car nor would I reject a car with ABS. I own both.