Attention Honda owners. Tell me how you like your Honda.

[Tobin S.]

My little Chevy is starting to cost me more than it is worth, so I'm looking at new vehicles. I can get a discount on a new Honda because I work for one of their parts suppliers. I'm looking at Civics in particular, but all commments about Hondas in general are welcome.

[MrsBrady]

1. I have a 2007 Honda Fit

Sport model. Luv it.
Bought it in May 2006. Almost 65k, and not one problem.

LUV IT.

[TZ]

2. My stepmother has a Fit.

I rode around in it quite a bit last week. Cool car. Surprisingly roomy inside.:)

[MrsBrady]

5. My husband is 6-2

He loves driving it. He's a car guy, too.
We keep the "recommended" tires on it. Handles very well.

He's still comfortable after long road trips, does not feel cramped.

[kentauros]

4. If they had been making the Fit in 2004

I know that's what I would have gotten over the Civic. I love hatchbacks! :D
If I hadn't wrecked my old '88 VW Fox Wagon in '98, I'd still be driving it...

[grace0418]

15. I feel the same way! I bought my Civic in 99 and I LOVE her. But I love hatchbacks

and would've bought a Fit if they were available at the time. We're trying to have a baby and will have to replace our Civic, which is a coupe so it would be really tough on my back to get a car seat in and out of there. I have a friend with a baby and he loves the Fit. He can get the car seat in and all the baby accoutrements with no problem. Plus you can park them just about anywhere, very important in the city!

[kentauros]

3. I have a 2004 Civic

It's kind of a mix of the DX/LX/EX since we mixed and matched when we bought it. Never had any trouble with it, though I do keep it maintained by a mechanic (I've worked on cars enough in my lifetime that I'm done with getting burned, scratched and bruised ;))

I've owned either VWs or this Honda and the last car I had was a VW. The engine was not that great, but the engine and transmission on my Honda is great. I think it's a 2-ltr engine, and that's plenty for my needs.

I used Consumer Reports to determine which car to get. Their recommendation, especially on low-maintenance and overall durability was the deciding factor.

Good luck in your choice, whatever car you get :)

[Tobin S.]

6. The new Civics come standard with a 1.8 liter motor

They say they can crank out 140 horsepower, which is good enough for me. You can buy a sporty model called the SI that has a faster engine in it, but you will pay with fuel economy. I'm not into drag racing anyway. :)

I'm thinking about the LX. I haven't owned a new car in a long time and I want something with all of the bells and whistles.

[kentauros]

9. When I bought mine, I was married

and she didn't want to learn how to drive a standard, so I have an automatic. The only complaint I have with it is that it can downshift rather quickly when you're braking hard, so maybe try that when you test-drive one. Maybe they've fixed that since then.

Gas mileage is great. City-driving isn't the best (in my opinion) as I get something like 27-28mpg. I'm used to when I'm working and usually driving on the freeways daily. Then the mileage jumps to 33-35mpg. The a/c unit is phenomenal! Little tiny pump and it cools so very well :D

I have no idea how much HP I get out of my engine, but it's not a turbo or anything. Still, I do pretty well on Houston freeways, when there are no slowpokes in front of me on the curves

[grace0418]

14. Once you get going on the highway, it's very zippy. Even my 99 Civic. Getting up to

speed on the on-ramp is the only time she'll a little pokey. I turn off the A/C in the summer when I have to get on the highway. :)

[kentauros]

17. I do the same thing

Just hit that little button to shut it off for a bit. However, as I get cold fast, sometimes the interior temp is cool and I forget I've shut it off!

More often than not, though, this isn't a problem because I have someone even more pokey in front of me ;)

[grace0418]

Exactly! Then about 15 minutes later I'm wondering why I'm so damn hot all of

the sudden. LOL!

Yeah, that is true about the highway. It's not very often I need to worry about getting up to a decent speed. Luckily I don't take the highway very much. I know just about every little sneaky side route on the north side of Chicago by now.

[grace0418]

21. Dupe

[never cry wolf]

16. The EX is ALL the bells and whistles.

I have a 2003 Civic EX, the LX is a step up from the DX and EX a step up from the LX. My experience has been ok, but the car I had before this spoiled me, a Geo Prism I just loved. No major problems, brakes and a new blower motor.

Have you thought about the Civic Hybrid? My mom has a 2003 Hybrid and my sis has a 2007 Hybrid.

[lutefisk]

19. Don't count out the Si.

I had a 4 door 2007 Civic Si, and it averaged about 28 mpg overall and 35 on the highway. It is a very, very enjoyable, fun car to drive. It doesn't really cost much more than the other Civics, considering all the standard equipment. It would be worth driving one before deciding...

[Moondog]

7. It is really tough to go wrong with anything Honda makes.

:thumbsup:

Toyotas too, for that matter. But if you can get a discount on a Honda, that makes it easy. And their Civics and Accords are at the top of the heap. They sell a bunch of them, and there's a reason for that. When you turn on the key, it goes. Not a huge amount of required maintenance, and they drive quite nicely. All in all, they're winners.

[Shell Beau]

8. I love my Honda Accord.

They are very very reliable vehicles.

[gmoney]

10. The only way to go, IMHO

Have a 2003 Accord and it's just a dream to drive... had nightmare cars before my first Honda, then a second honda which I stupidly got rid of rather than repairing. Had an Altima which was OK, but seemed slightly second-rate, then inexplicably a Ford, but I managed to return to Honda last year, and won't be straying again if I can help it.

Look at the Fit in addition to the Civic. An excellent car at a fair price with a little more room than you might have in the Civic.

If you can get an employee discount of some sort, you're golden! (Check with a credit union to get pre-approved financing before you go make your deal... http://www.wpcu.coop/ is one choice.)

[NV Whino]

11. 2007 Honda Fit, here

I Love it. 33-38 MPG. Tons of room. But you can't go wrong with a Civic.

[AngryAmish]

12. 98 Accord owner

140k or so. Had to replace the front axels at 130k. New alternator at 110k.

Fantastic, fantastic car.

[grace0418]

13. I have a 1999 Honda Civic. I adore that car. I just NEVER have to worry about her.

In ten years the only thing I've had to do besides regular maintenance and oil changes is get a new battery, a new muffler and change a couple of lights. Oh, and repair to the front end and AC after we ran into a downed tree on a dark road, but that's not her fault. In fact I was very impressed at how well she held up after that accident. We hit the tree pretty hard and were able to drive home.

Last winter was BRUTAL here in Chicago and she started up every time without any hesitation, even after two weeks of being buried under ice and snow. She handles well, she drives well, she gets good gas mileage. She takes some time to accelerate getting on the highway, but I'll live with that considering the LACK of headaches she causes me.

Our Subaru, on the other hand, is newer and much more expensive and causes us WAY more problems. We've spent way too much repairing that car. Grrrr...

Before our Civic, we had a '91 Accord, which we loved as well. We both talk about how we should've kept that car longer. My brother-in-law had an '81 Civic that he eventually gave to a relative who'd just emigrated to the US. That car ran like a charm until just a few years ago when it was totalled in a crash. It was over 20 years old and we were all sad to see it go. We would've liked to see just how long it would've ran.

After our experience with the Subaru (which isn't terrible, I think we're just spoiled by our Honda), I think I'm going back to Honda from now on. When the Civic goes, I want to get a Fit. When the Subaru goes, we'll get a CRV or an Element. The Subaru will need to be replaced long before the Civic does. Our mechanic told us a few weeks ago "You'll get sick of having that Civic long before it stops running" which I think is totally true. I'll probably give it to one of my younger relatives. Especially because we're trying to have a baby and it will be hard to get a baby seat in the back of a coupe.

[PVnRT]

18. I dare you to post this in GD

[cleveramerican]

20. Civic is the best car in the world

reasonably priced
reasonably sporty
reasonably comfortable
rugged and sturdy.

"feels" good to drive
hardly ever breaks
if it does break, repairs aren't too expensive.

I have own six in a row going back to 1982.

[mochajava666]

22. I have a 2004 Civic and a 2004 Accord

Both cars have about 130,000 miles on them. Both have been repair-free, except for routine maintenance like oil changes, replaced timing belt at 100,000 on the Civic, etc. I get about 38 mpg, combined city and highway on the Civic.

I fully expect to get over 250,000 miles on both of them, if not more. I have also owned many Toyotas in the past, but would choose Honda slightly over Toyota right now. 20-30 years ago, I would have chosen Toyota.

[Orsino]

23. 2005 Accord Hybrid

It rocks.

[Flaxbee]

24. We have an Odyssey (minivan)

Love it. LOVE it. Growing up, my family had Hondas for many years - all the way back to the little orange pumpkin-esque Civic from the late 70s. They're great cars. Don't worry about this purchase, if you decide to go with a Honda.

[Catshrink]

25. I have a 2008 Civic EX

before that I had a 2002 EX. Love 'em both. I've never had a problem with either one -- except a tire blew but that's not a "car" issue it's a road problem.

I debated whether to get the LX or EX. The dealer sweetened the pot so I went with the EX. The sun/moon roof isn't a big deal to me but the wheels, extra charger, steering wheel mounted controls, etc. have been pretty sweet. It also has an outlet for my sat radio/mp3 player so I can play it through the car speakers. (I'm not sure whether the LX has that.) Yes, these are creature comforts I'm talking about but I have a 45 minute commute so it matters to me. Reliability with Hondas isn't an issue.

The only thing that bothers me is the seat. I'm short and the headrest isn't adjustable to a low enough point for me to be comfortable. I bought a neck pillow that helps some. IIRC you're tall so this won't be a problem for you.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

26. My wifes 99 CRV is still running strong and we have never

had to do any repairs ever. Just the usual maintenance stuff like brakes and tires.

[Paper Roses]

27. 2005 Honda Pilot. Bought used in 2008 w/18,000 miles.

Easy to drive, have done nothing to it so far except oil change and new battery. Have always had vans of some type(all Chevy). Before this, had a Chevy Astro. This car is much heavier, feels more solid on the road. Love it. Probably my last car.

[david13]

28. Dude, are you joking. Civics and Hondas are the greatest. They

are loved world wide, but most intensely by the people what owns them. From the east to the west, Honda is the best.
Hey Toyotas are ok too, and widely loved and very durable. But Honda, oh, the best of the best by far.
dc

[smitty]

29. You can' go wrong with a Civic. I bought a 2009 Civic last June

after doing a lot of research. It's a great car.

[WCIL]

30. We bought a 2000 Civic for my daughter to drive

She's had it four years and it has never had a problem. We get the routine maintenance when the light turns yellow; that has happened twice in the last four years and the cost was $35 each time. She drives it all month on $20 worth of gas. She slid on ice and rear-ended a big truck - no damage, just a little dent in her license plate.

My husband and I took it on a week-long drive through the South last month, and it has made believers out of us. She has a coupe, so it was a little trouble for us to fold ourselves into every time, but the ride was very nice. We had no trouble keeping up with other traffic on the Interstates, and the gas savings (compared to our van) were amazing. My husband wants to take over the Civic and have her drive the van from now on.

[ThatsMyBarack]

31. Civics ROCK!

Got my 3rd one last year. They run like a dream! :)

[ThatsMyBarack]

32. Oops, double post!

I meant what I said, though: Civics ROCK! :bounce:

[Digit]

33. My 91 Accord was wonderful, although low to the ground

I had trouble with my car scraping the ground on many driveways including my own. It was quite annoying.
When it was time to replace my vehicle, I was shocked to discover the new Accords and Civics were even LOWER. I am glad I checked this since it made me purchase my 2005 CRV (which I love).

[Tobin S.]

35. What kind of gas mileage are you getting with the CRV?

How does it handle in the snow compared to your accord? I have a 60 mile round trip to work and back every day and I live it Ohio. So I can see the advantage of having either the CRV (4 wheel drive) or Civic (better fuel mileage).

[Digit]

40. The Accord was horrible in the snow

It may have been my particular model year but I had real problems with hydroplaning in the rain, so you can imagine how paranoid I was in the snow. I even purchased Michelin Harmony tires thinking it would help. It only helped slightly.

I can go for over a month on one tank of gas with the CRV...but that is because I am unemployed.
It is not GREAT gas mileage, but I love the comfort, the appearance, the reliability, and being able to move a washing machine if I have to (and I did).
Plus, I am not worried about being stuck in the snow anymore.
:hi:

[Callalily]

34. I own a 2008 Honda Fit

and I just LOVE it. Before that I had a Honda hatchback. Put on a little over 250,000 miles, and just kept up the routine maintenance, (oil change, etc.). It still ran good when I sold it, and it was still getting 40 mpg.

My Fit doesn't get quite that kind of gas mileage, but close. And you'd be amazing how much stuff you can haul in that thing.

[triguy46]

36. I have 2 now, kids each have one we've given them:

2004 Civic
2006 Civic
2009 Fit
2010 Insight

All have been great. No probs other than routine maintence and required things like brake pads. We have decent local service too.

[Tobin S.]

37. Do you have ample getty-up in the Insight?

I've often wondered that about the hybrids.

[triguy46]

38. In "Econ" mode not all that great....

But with 10,000 miles on it we've averaged 44.2 mpg. Drove it out to New Mexico (600 miles each way) and it did fine, 75 to 78 miles per hour the whole time in I-40.


Keep it in perspective, it is a fuel saver. If you want speed and power try my weekend driver below:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

39. I love everything except the 15 MPG

And for anyone who wants to lecture me about owning a Honda Pilot, two words: BITE ME."

:rofl:

[LeftyMom]

41. Wait, you need some combo of fuel economy and ability to drive in the snow?

I know you get a discount on Hondas, but that combination of needs is just screaming Subaru. Discount or no, I think you might be happier (and safer) with one rather than a Honda. But I drive a Subie, so I'm a bit biased. :D

Brands aside, if *I* had to drive 60 miles to work, and lived where it snowed frequently, I would not be looking at anything that didn't have AWD. As far as Hondas go, I'd suggest looking at an AWD equipped CR-V or maybe an Element (you have rentals, right? The extra crap hauling abilities of the Element might be worth your while over the CR-V if you do your own repairs) but there's a reason you see Subarus all over the damned place in areas where it snows a lot.

[kedrys]

42. We have two

Both 2004: an Accord EX and an Element EX. My parents are driving the Accord; my dad thinks it's the most gorgeous, most plushy car he's ever driven, and he's had BMWs and such. I've never had any problems with it, and truth be known, I have a huge crush on it. :D

We're driving the Element. Last winter, our first in Montreal, we bought it a nice set of snow tires, and it runs over everything, including 2-foot snowbanks. When it gets dirty, you hose it down - inside and out. It's roomy, surprisingly agile, and gets really good mileage, even in a city where the average speed limit is like 24mph. :rofl: Great for camping and generally hanging out outdoors, and it holds an obnoxious amount of stuff, especially when you hang the rear seats on the wall. Really comfy to sleep in too.

When we bought those cars, they were meant to be the last cars we'll ever buy. I'm convinced they'll last that long, with proper maintenance, but if I ever have to buy another car, I'm not looking anywhere else - it'll be a Honda.