Pulled the trigger on a new car....
Not for me per se, but for my daughter who is going off to college. I deliberated between a) Toyco Corolla 2) Nissan Sentra / Versa 3) Huyndai Elantra 4) Scion xD / xA / iQ, and the 4) Honda Civic. In general, I didn't like any of the choices as they were either old in the tooth (Corolla), somewhat cheap and not appealing (Nissan), too funky for her conservative tastes (Scions), or priced to high due to market demand (Elantra). Fortunately, there's a 4th of July special running so I picked up:
Honda Civic LX Sedan
Yes, it's not the most appealing car for enthusiasts like myself (the acceleration is anemic especially in ECON mode), but I wanted something ultra safe / conservative that will last a while for her throughout college and then some (she presently drives an 2000 Integra and didn't really like it). Add to that the specials running this week and we were sold!
As for me, still contemplating between FR-S, NSX, 328i, or another Supra....hmmmm.
P.S. Sorry, but i did not consider any domestic vehicles as our family always buys Toycos or Honduhs (and some Nissans too).
Honda Civic LX Sedan
Yes, it's not the most appealing car for enthusiasts like myself (the acceleration is anemic especially in ECON mode), but I wanted something ultra safe / conservative that will last a while for her throughout college and then some (she presently drives an 2000 Integra and didn't really like it). Add to that the specials running this week and we were sold!
As for me, still contemplating between FR-S, NSX, 328i, or another Supra....hmmmm.
P.S. Sorry, but i did not consider any domestic vehicles as our family always buys Toycos or Honduhs (and some Nissans too).
Good choice.
I bought a new '08 LX for my son to commute to college and work.
104K miles and the car has been bulletproof and he's hard on a car.Would buy another Civic in a heartbeat.
Personally, if I was his daughter, I would be insanely happy that he wanted to buy me a car and wouldnt ask for shat. Just sayin'.
I worked my *** off for my cars, all of them. I would have given nearly anything to have a brand new car in the driveway and I could have cared less what it was. I still have never had a brand-new car or truck to this day and I have been buying cars for over a decade. His daughter should be, (and most likely is) elated and grateful.
I will say it again, great pick Dad! I am sure your daughter loves it. I know I would
I worked my *** off for my cars, all of them. I would have given nearly anything to have a brand new car in the driveway and I could have cared less what it was. I still have never had a brand-new car or truck to this day and I have been buying cars for over a decade. His daughter should be, (and most likely is) elated and grateful.
I will say it again, great pick Dad! I am sure your daughter loves it. I know I would
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,697
Likes: 290
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
A good choice for a college-girl. 
Civic and Corolla generally rule the small-car world in terms of reliability/longevity.......you don't want something that will break down and (maybe) put her at risk somewhere. Honda has cheapened some of the materials on its latest Civic, particularly inside and on the dash, but that's something your daughter probably won't notice....or care about. And no other manufacturer, IMO (even Toyota), assembles a new-car at the factory better than Honda or Acura.
Did the dealership go over the break-in rules with either you or your daughter? The traditional feather-footing for the first 1000 miles is less-critical now than it once was, due to newer manufacturing techniques, but it's still a good idea, for the first 500-1000 miles, to keep a new engine under 4000 RPM, vary the engine speed, not do full-throttle starts, and not use the brakes full-force. With most vehicles, an oil and filter-change soon after break-in is also a good idea, but Honda formerly used a special break-in oil that they wanted kept in for the first 3000 miles...I'm not sure if that is still the case or not. Check with your service department.
Civic and Corolla generally rule the small-car world in terms of reliability/longevity.......you don't want something that will break down and (maybe) put her at risk somewhere. Honda has cheapened some of the materials on its latest Civic, particularly inside and on the dash, but that's something your daughter probably won't notice....or care about. And no other manufacturer, IMO (even Toyota), assembles a new-car at the factory better than Honda or Acura.Did the dealership go over the break-in rules with either you or your daughter? The traditional feather-footing for the first 1000 miles is less-critical now than it once was, due to newer manufacturing techniques, but it's still a good idea, for the first 500-1000 miles, to keep a new engine under 4000 RPM, vary the engine speed, not do full-throttle starts, and not use the brakes full-force. With most vehicles, an oil and filter-change soon after break-in is also a good idea, but Honda formerly used a special break-in oil that they wanted kept in for the first 3000 miles...I'm not sure if that is still the case or not. Check with your service department.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jul 6, 2012 at 07:23 PM.
Dysfunctional Veteran
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,108
Likes: 323
From: Van Alstyne, TX
I am wondering if they fixed the engine block cracking problems of 2006+ models. It wasnt many, probably less than 10% had the issue, but when you think about it, 10% of Civic's sold in a 5 year period...thats a staggering number...tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,697
Likes: 290
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I am wondering if they fixed the engine block cracking problems of 2006+ models. It wasnt many, probably less than 10% had the issue, but when you think about it, 10% of Civic's sold in a 5 year period...thats a staggering number...tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands.
Consumer Reports still shows recent Civics with a very low incidence of major engine-problems and good-to-excellent overall reliability. The 2006 models, as you noted, had a few more engine problems than in subsequent years....but, according to CR, not much since then. CR did, however, comment on the road noise and the 2012 model's cheapening compared to previous years.....on which I agree. But, for basic transportation, I don't think his daughter will have too much to complain about.....Heck, at that age, (18-19) I would have loved to have a new car (which I couldn't afford at the time).
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,248
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From: Highway Pull Councelor
Don't know about the recent year Civic's but the one I have owned (2002 Civic) felt VERY hollow... The chassis felt very weak and the handling was poor. That kinda left me bad taste about the Civics..... The similar year Sonata on the other hand, my Dad's, felt SOLID.... like a tank. Did the new model Civic increase in chassis strength?
p.s. the Accent I drove felt very good. Didn't feel hollow at all.... actually a complete opposite.
p.s. the Accent I drove felt very good. Didn't feel hollow at all.... actually a complete opposite.
and the accent is an excellent car. civic is good too, but i don't like the interior compared to an accent.
I am wondering if they fixed the engine block cracking problems of 2006+ models. It wasnt many, probably less than 10% had the issue, but when you think about it, 10% of Civic's sold in a 5 year period...thats a staggering number...tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands.
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Dysfunctional Veteran
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From: Van Alstyne, TX
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Woodlands, TX
Other then the fact that this Civic is 12 years newer and a bit bigger in physical size, how is it any different then the 2000 Integra that she doesn't like now?
Both are FWD, same 4 cyls power, all Honda cars pretty much feels the same
Both are FWD, same 4 cyls power, all Honda cars pretty much feels the same
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 219
From: Silicon Valley
Well if you want to ask...1) The Integra has had a few problems including several accidents (it is a hand me down). 2) It is a sedan, which she prefers, 3) it gets much much better gas mileage (averaging around 34 as we speak), and 4) it is her own new from the start without an unknown history.
My point was a brand new 2000 Integra drive and feels pretty much the same as a 2012 Civic.
I should have been a bit more specific, I should have said all Honda that are the same level feels the same. Like all Civic, ILX, Integra, TSX, RSX that came out in the last 10~15 years feels all the same to me. Like how the LS460 feels very similar to a LS430 to me. Or a TL is similar to an Accord. Supra feels the same as a SC300 to me if the suspension tuning is similar.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,183
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From: California
You sir, are a caring and thoughtful father.
Now that she's taken care of, let's get down to business and find you a real car. No more of this boring Civic talk. We here on Car Chat approve of the NSX, Supra, and the FR-S (although lots of kids will be driving that). Ixnay on the 328i.
Now that she's taken care of, let's get down to business and find you a real car. No more of this boring Civic talk. We here on Car Chat approve of the NSX, Supra, and the FR-S (although lots of kids will be driving that). Ixnay on the 328i.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Silicon Valley
OIC, that just means she prefer a new car vs. an old car, which is understandable.
My point was a brand new 2000 Integra drive and feels pretty much the same as a 2012 Civic.
I should have been a bit more specific, I should have said all Honda that are the same level feels the same. Like all Civic, ILX, Integra, TSX, RSX that came out in the last 10~15 years feels all the same to me. Like how the LS460 feels very similar to a LS430 to me. Or a TL is similar to an Accord. Supra feels the same as a SC300 to me if the suspension tuning is similar.
My point was a brand new 2000 Integra drive and feels pretty much the same as a 2012 Civic.
I should have been a bit more specific, I should have said all Honda that are the same level feels the same. Like all Civic, ILX, Integra, TSX, RSX that came out in the last 10~15 years feels all the same to me. Like how the LS460 feels very similar to a LS430 to me. Or a TL is similar to an Accord. Supra feels the same as a SC300 to me if the suspension tuning is similar.
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