Honda Civic (coupe/hatchback)

mattpdx · June 2003

Hi-

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!!!

bodble2 · June 2003

His answer to #2 seems like BS to me. BTW, are the '04 models already available in August?

isellhondas · June 2003

Just buy a 2003? There won't be any significant changes. They are in good supply right now with 1.9 % financing too.

dudka · June 2003

if you wait until september 15th, you can get a 2003 at much discounted price and more attractive finance rate.

isellhondas · June 2003

By September 15th, the selection of 2003's will be down to nothing.

And do you really expect to beat the 1.9% financing that is going on right now?

Don't outsmart yourself!

rivertown · June 2003

is like last Fall, there'll be boatloads of additional dealer cash on the '03 Civics. TMV is already below invoice on some Civics.

Depends on what one thinks the market is gonna do. Betting on further stagnation (and, thus, improved prices) is not unreasonable at all.

mattpdx · June 2003

Hi-

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

mattpdx · June 2003

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.

isellhondas · June 2003

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.

A "new" Civic isn't expected until 2006.

mattpdx · June 2003

Hi people-

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?

sellinhonda · June 2003

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 !

rivertown · June 2003

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.

isellhondas · June 2003

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.

rivertown · June 2003

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.

jrock80 · June 2003

Here are some of the changes for 2004 Accord to a website I found:

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/news/hondapreview.htm

rivertown · June 2003

Good site.

isellhondas · June 2003

Than I do anywhere else. Trouble is, I've learned that a lot of the rumors prove to be incorrect. Same thing with the spy photos.

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...

mattpdx · June 2003

ISellHondas:

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.

isellhondas · June 2003

Of course, I'm well aware of the running changes. I just don't feel that any of these amounted to much, really.

Reading your post I guess I got the idea that any 2004 changes would be more dramatic.

I doubt there will much change.

bodble2 · June 2003

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.

mattpdx · June 2003

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).

Redesign in 2006

volcom378 · July 2003

its funny how these posts just die

mattpdx · July 2003

From a site I found:

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!

I can't wait...

mattpdx · July 2003

Hi!!!

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

mattpdx · July 2003

Dare I saw it looks slightly Acura-ish???!!! Previous-gen CL?

hondasellertx · August 2003

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.

mdriver · August 2003

I don't think there'll be a line.

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 · August 2003

For those interested, you'll now find direct access to "A Honda Civic History" in the Helpful Links on the left side of the page. Happy motoring!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

mattpdx · September 2003

Hi all-

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.

ngagun · September 2003

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.

ish2l · September 2003

Does anyone have another picture of the new civic other than the one on msnbc.com?

hondasellertx · September 2003

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.

steven39 · September 2003

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.

bottgers · October 2003

Does anybody know what was the first year Honda produced the current body style of the Civic? Was it 2001?

mattpdx · October 2003

ncampbell2002 · October 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

5port · October 2003

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.

Kirstie_H · October 2003

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!

93civichybrid · December 2003

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.

Honda Civic (coupe/hatchback)

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