I'm going to be buying the '04 Civic Coupe EX w/side SRS come August. Anybody have any advice for me in regards to price? Anything I should know ahead of time? I've read the msg boards and already asked the service manager about the struts, driver seat creaking, and other assorted problems and he's assured me #1)Honda has changed their supplier of the struts and no longer has that problem and #2)The creaks are caused by overweight people.
Is this BS or are the cars getting better? Please, email me at mattpdx@hotmail.com or post here if you have any answers for me!!!
I want to get the '04 because they will have some exterior changes that will enhance the appearance. I hate buying a car and then they change something significant. That's one of the reasons I'm not buying a Jetta as they're redesigning them for '04. I'll have at least two years for the next Civic.
And as for the seat creak, I thought it was BS too but he said when he drove the car the seat didn't make the noise but when the overweight person drove with him it did.
HA! I am really picky about what I want. I went to the dealership and requested a Civic Coupe EX w/side SRS in Rallye Red with a manual tranny-and they laughed at me and said "We don't get those in" because the demand is low! Apparently they get all LXs in because they're the ones people buy most (not here in Dallas, TX, though. People are concerned with image (You are what you drive here) and people don't want to be seen in the lower-end models).
As for the 1.9%, I'm sure I wouldn't qualify even with a co-signer.
To isellhondas: I have done a lot of research and found that there will be an exterior freshening of the coupe. They did it for 2003 with the sedans (taillights), and hopefully for 2004 for the tailights/bumpers. And seeing as the 2004 will be new, I don't think they'll have a problem getting them in as they appear to be with the '03. I went to several dealerships and they all said the same thing as above.
You may know more than I do. I've heard nothing of any changes on the 2004 Civics. If they do change anything it'll be very minor I would think.
the car you want isn't all that rare. The side airbags have not proven to be much of a demand. Because of this a lot of dealers don't bother ordering very many of them.
I just found out from Honda that the street date is September 18th, 2003. I'm calling tomorrow to find out what the changes will be (if they'll tell me).
So I have a question...they EX Civic comes with keyless entry...and an immobilizer system. What is the point of the dealer-installed alarm then? I have had an alarm before and I liked it for the peace of mind (and that was on a '99 Hyundai Accent). This being a Civic, do you think I should get one? Or am I just being silly?
The EX does come with keyless entry but no alarm what so ever. The Immobilizer system is only so you have to use the key to start the engine. However, todays car theif is way ahead and could care less about that feature. How I tell my clients is that you will get up to 15% off of your insurance if you have an alarm, and obviously pay the full amount without. Either way it's money out of your pocket. If thats the case you might as well get something out of it...in this case an alarm that wouldn't hurt on the 3rd most stolen vehicle anyway.....
just a thought....
Ex: If an alarm cost 400.00 and ins. will save you 400.00 or even 300.00 over the time you have the car...wasn't it worth it? Turns out to be a wash with a valuable product on your car !
I wouldn't have an alarm if it cost $.29. If it's sensitive enough to prevent someone's messing with my car, it's too sensitive to live with. If the insurance savings were enough, LOL, I suppose I'd buy it and just not arm it.
Security's a real issue for me; so I take more care to conceal valuables and to park safely and carry gap insurance. If I wanted more deterrent, I'd maybe get some stickers and a led flasher that looks like an alarm.
A pro thief who can defeat the immobilizer can also defeat the alarm. Smash and grab's gonna happen with an alarm, too. Better parking or cleaning out the garage pays in door ding reduction as well as security.
Well, be careful what you tell your customers. A lot of insurance companies offer no discounts for alarm systems. Usually, the discount doesn't amount to much.
I'm not a fan of aftermarket alarm systems..Too many false alarms etc.
In areas where you can get it, a Lojack system is the way to go if you are concerned about car theft.
I've got little use for either; but, to me, Lojack seems a better bet than an alarm.
Of the possible outcomes 1) nobody messes with my car 2) vandalized but not stolen 3) stolen and recovered 4) gone for good, including stripped and totaled 1 and 4 are by far the best options.
With that in mind, I'd put 'security' money into garaging or even a car cover.
It isn't strange at all...they keep making adjustments to the Civic:
2002: Changed the cupholders to the closed/lid kind.
2003: Changed the center console, full backlit instruments, rear cupholder better, better fabric
2004: Freshening the bumpers/taillights.
I remember the last generation Camry...they "freshened" the rear taillights just before the current one came out. They try to get as much money out of the previous platform. And people are stupid enough to purchase the last of the old kind right before they come out with the new one. That's the main reason I'm not getting a Jetta...because I know they're redoing it.
The keyless entry does come with a panic alarm. I agree an alarm system will not stop an experienced thief and is mainly useful for psychological peace of mind. But I think you're trivializing the immobilizer. I'm not aware that thieves are advanced to the point where they can easily bypass the immobilizer. You may be confusing an immobilizer with the engine cut-off feature that comes with an alarm system. Just look at the rates of theft of Hondas pre and post immobilizer, and it's clear that the immobilizer is very effective.
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid - September Arrival Sedan - ? Coupe - (from what I was told September 18, 2003)
The 4th year of the production cycle will have freshened restyling and amenity upgrades. A Value Package coupe and sedan will be introduced, and new colors will include Fiji Blue Pearl and Magnesium Metallic.
New 2004 Accessories: Front and Rear Underbody Spoilers, New Splash Guards, New Fog Light Kit, New Gold Emblem Kit, New Half and Full Masks, New Car Cover, New Ashtray and Lighter (Hybrid).
I work for a company inside of the Honda Civic/ Element Plant in East Liberty, Ohio. From what I have seen and heard around, all Civics will get new headlamps, more aggresive looking front bumper covers, and updated grill/hoods to corespond {possibly could get RSX five star alloys on coupes). Every thing else new includes new colors, interiors get small updates, headlamps do look cool{wish i could take pictures too show but we can't!).
Finally! I am so thrilled...the new look is great. It looks like a baby preveious-generation Accord coupe, but the headlamps are better! I am SO glad I've waited. And that new color! Amazing! I'll be in line for this one!
I've been leaning toward a new EX coupe now that I'm selling Honda's. Seeing the photos of the '04 makes me think I'll have to get in line for one of the first of them.
The 2004 Civic Coupe Brochures are available for mailing as of today through AH. If you call them you can get one sent to you. Might also be a good way to learn more info about the other 2004 Honda vehicles.
The redesigned Civic looks great. It looks like a Civic should look, and better than the 01-03 models in my opinion. There seems to be a bit of Acura in there, and a bit of previous-generation Accord too... but both of these are good things. I wonder how much one can be had for. Right now people are paying as little as $14K for an 03 auto LX. I guess $14.5K - $15K for these over the next few months.
The new coupe is significantly better looking than the 01-03 and I drive an 02 coupe. I'm really having a difficult time not trading mine on the 04. I keep telling myself I have to hold this one to pass along to our daughter in 22 months when she goes off to college and then I'll upgrade to whatever Honda I want as a keeper for me but it's tough. There are lots of photos on Honda's website and I believe Edmunds has some although I haven't confirmed yet.
just returned to check out some 04 civics at my local honda dealer. the blackout treatment on the front of the 04 civic ex coupe looks really sweet. and overall the whole car looks great. and there is very little difference in the msrp between the 03 civic and the 04. i think maybe 100 bucks is the difference, iam comparing the 04 civic ex with a mazda protege es 2003.
Yep ur right...most recent generation of the civic came in 2001 of course since then they have slightly redesigned the interior and exterior...most noticable exterior changes have been made for 2004
I had this problem about two weeks after bringing home my 94 Civic Si. I told service what the sound was and they ended up lubricating the front sway bar bushings. Never heard the sound again until 7 years later when I traded it in.
Other problems with my 94:
1) Sqeaky steering column - lube fixed it.
2) Recall on the air conditioning condenser - remove steel rotting one - install cast aluminum one.
A major newspaper is looking to interview people who recently bought small cars after previously driving larger cars or SUVs, despite whether you traded from big to small or if you still have the larger vehicle. He's especially looking for drivers of the Mini Cooper, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Dodge Neon, Hyundai Tiburon and Mazda Protege. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Tuesday, October 28, 2003 with your daytime contact info and the type of vehicles you had and have. Thanks!
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the civic design peaked in the 6th generation. the new ones IMO are ugly looking i just dont like the high back end it looks the car is trying to be a hatch with a trunk. weird looking as for the front i think it was a good redesign from the 01-03 model but still needs some work. i just hope honda doesnt consider this minor design change as a new model generation cuz another 3 years of this car and the civic will be dead to me and i will have to move on from the hodna world.....that is of course unless they give us a new crx or bring the civic type-r to the US shores.
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Comments
I'm going to be buying the '04 Civic Coupe EX w/side SRS come August. Anybody have any advice for me in regards to price? Anything I should know ahead of time? I've read the msg boards and already asked the service manager about the struts, driver seat creaking, and other assorted problems and he's assured me #1)Honda has changed their supplier of the struts and no longer has that problem and #2)The creaks are caused by overweight people.
Is this BS or are the cars getting better? Please, email me at mattpdx@hotmail.com or post here if you have any answers for me!!!
And do you really expect to beat the 1.9% financing that is going on right now?
Don't outsmart yourself!
Depends on what one thinks the market is gonna do. Betting on further stagnation (and, thus, improved prices) is not unreasonable at all.
I want to get the '04 because they will have some exterior changes that will enhance the appearance. I hate buying a car and then they change something significant. That's one of the reasons I'm not buying a Jetta as they're redesigning them for '04. I'll have at least two years for the next Civic.
And as for the seat creak, I thought it was BS too but he said when he drove the car the seat didn't make the noise but when the overweight person drove with him it did.
MattPDX
As for the 1.9%, I'm sure I wouldn't qualify even with a co-signer.
To isellhondas: I have done a lot of research and found that there will be an exterior freshening of the coupe. They did it for 2003 with the sedans (taillights), and hopefully for 2004 for the tailights/bumpers. And seeing as the 2004 will be new, I don't think they'll have a problem getting them in as they appear to be with the '03. I went to several dealerships and they all said the same thing as above.
the car you want isn't all that rare. The side airbags have not proven to be much of a demand. Because of this a lot of dealers don't bother ordering very many of them.
A "new" Civic isn't expected until 2006.
I just found out from Honda that the street date is September 18th, 2003. I'm calling tomorrow to find out what the changes will be (if they'll tell me).
So I have a question...they EX Civic comes with keyless entry...and an immobilizer system. What is the point of the dealer-installed alarm then? I have had an alarm before and I liked it for the peace of mind (and that was on a '99 Hyundai Accent). This being a Civic, do you think I should get one? Or am I just being silly?
just a thought....
Ex: If an alarm cost 400.00 and ins. will save you 400.00 or even 300.00 over the time you have the car...wasn't it worth it? Turns out to be a wash with a valuable product on your car !
Security's a real issue for me; so I take more care to conceal valuables and to park safely and carry gap insurance. If I wanted more deterrent, I'd maybe get some stickers and a led flasher that looks like an alarm.
A pro thief who can defeat the immobilizer can also defeat the alarm. Smash and grab's gonna happen with an alarm, too. Better parking or cleaning out the garage pays in door ding reduction as well as security.
I'm not a fan of aftermarket alarm systems..Too many false alarms etc.
In areas where you can get it, a Lojack system is the way to go if you are concerned about car theft.
Of the possible outcomes
1) nobody messes with my car
2) vandalized but not stolen
3) stolen and recovered
4) gone for good, including stripped and totaled
1 and 4 are by far the best options.
With that in mind, I'd put 'security' money into garaging or even a car cover.
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/news/hondapreview.htm
I don't know what "freshened styling" means. sounds like a pretty dramatic mid-cycle change which would be unusual.
Surprised they didn't just drop the SI.
Guess we will see...
It isn't strange at all...they keep making adjustments to the Civic:
2002: Changed the cupholders to the closed/lid kind.
2003: Changed the center console, full backlit instruments, rear cupholder better, better fabric
2004: Freshening the bumpers/taillights.
I remember the last generation Camry...they "freshened" the rear taillights just before the current one came out. They try to get as much money out of the previous platform. And people are stupid enough to purchase the last of the old kind right before they come out with the new one. That's the main reason I'm not getting a Jetta...because I know they're redoing it.
Reading your post I guess I got the idea that any 2004 changes would be more dramatic.
I doubt there will much change.
Hybrid - September Arrival
Sedan - ?
Coupe - (from what I was told September 18, 2003)
The 4th year of the production cycle will have freshened restyling and amenity upgrades. A Value Package coupe and sedan will be introduced, and new colors will include Fiji Blue Pearl and Magnesium Metallic.
New 2004 Accessories: Front and Rear Underbody Spoilers, New Splash Guards, New Fog Light Kit, New Gold Emblem Kit, New Half and Full Masks, New Car Cover, New Ashtray and Lighter (Hybrid).
Redesign in 2006
I work for a company inside of the Honda Civic/ Element Plant in East Liberty, Ohio.
From what I have seen and heard around, all Civics will get new headlamps, more aggresive looking front bumper covers, and updated grill/hoods to corespond {possibly could get RSX five star alloys on coupes). Every thing else new includes new colors, interiors get small updates, headlamps do look cool{wish i could take pictures too show but we can't!).
SOUNDS EXCITING!
Finally! I am so thrilled...the new look is great. It looks like a baby preveious-generation Accord coupe, but the headlamps are better! I am SO glad I've waited. And that new color! Amazing! I'll be in line for this one!
http://www.msnbc.com/news/944714.asp
Good job Honda for making the coupe even more bland than it was. Throw in the soggy suspension and you've got a perfect boulevard cruiser.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
The 2004 Civic Coupe Brochures are available for mailing as of today through AH. If you call them you can get one sent to you. Might also be a good way to learn more info about the other 2004 Honda vehicles.
Other problems with my 94:
1) Sqeaky steering column - lube fixed it.
2) Recall on the air conditioning condenser - remove steel rotting one - install cast aluminum one.
driving larger cars or SUVs, despite whether you traded from big to small or if you still have the larger vehicle. He's especially looking for drivers of the Mini Cooper, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Dodge Neon, Hyundai Tiburon and Mazda Protege. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Tuesday, October 28, 2003 with your daytime contact info and the type of vehicles you had and have.
Thanks!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle