Questions Right, should I get a Civic?

[Unlight]

Hi guys,

Im currently doing about 45 miles a day to work and back in my Fiesta ST, and its a very harsh ride.

Trading in, I could clear off remaining finance and leave around 5k for a deposit on a Civic.

Anyone any opinions? Good deals out there? What sort of finance should I be looking at?

Any help would be much appreciated!

[Ancient Nerd]

Originally Posted by Unlight

Hi guys,

Im currently doing about 45 miles a day to work and back in my Fiesta ST, and its a very harsh ride.

Trading in, I could clear off remaining finance and leave around 5k for a deposit on a Civic.

Anyone any opinions? Good deals out there? What sort of finance should I be looking at?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Sounds good.

However, avoid getting any punctures involving any sort of slit in the tyre, out of mobile phone range, or at night - You don't get a spare wheel. If you need the mobile to get a tow, make sure you switch the ignition off first so that the hands free isn't involved.

Wear a sou'wester and cape if you intend to open the tailgate any time after a shower of rain. You may have to end your journey at the petrol station because you may not be able to open the filler cap.

If you fancy a Big Mac, allow some time because the nav system will take you to Calais.

If you fancy getting the Honda Happiness servicing deal, forget the diesel. It doesn't mention it in the brochure, but it's only available at the whim of your dealer if he's desperate for a sale.

If you're really lucky, you can get the boot swimming pool option at no extra charge.

Oh, and your fog lights will self destruct at random intervals at a far greater rate than on any other known car. The nice man from your Honda dealer will nevertheless say that was a stone chip, without looking at the car and takes £250 (or therabouts) at a time to replace it.

It's the only car at it's price that doesn't include any sort of door protectors as standard, so expect lots of small dents and scratches over time.

You will probably get to deal with Honda Customer Services at some point. They will politely tell you that your fault hasn't occurred to anyone else that they are aware of, so go see your dealer.

Other than that, and a few more assorted minor faults, It's a great car to drive.

Will I get another Honda? Not likely.

[Dave Taylor]

Take a test drive, I find the ride quite hard, if the roads on your journey are good then you wont have a problem, my roads are bad and I can count every bump.

The trouble is there is not much else to choose from in the same price bracket, I have the 1.8 V-Tech and it goes like a rocket the fuel economy is good for a 1.8 (but not as good as the trip computer says its about 10% out) and the car looks great. I sat in the Focus and Golf and it looked and felt nothing special and when you are spending 15K on something I at least want it to feel special. There are some build quality issues but on a forum like this you will get mostly problem postings.

Like I say have a good long test drive over all surfaces

Re Dave

[bounce75]

Had my 1.8 SE for over a month now & its brilliant still brings a smile to my face when I drive it. It is very good on petrol getting about 42mpg to & fro work. I have the standard alloy wheels & it rides quite well over bumps. Take the plunge & enjoy I did.

[pcr]

Unlight,
You mention "harsh ride", if a smooth journey is a priority for you then I would suggest a test drive in a Focus before the Civic. Ride quality on poor roads is not the Civic's strong point.

[Bungle]

With the standard 16" wheels, I find the ride fine. OK, over particulary poor roads it isn't great, but for 95% of roads you will be more than pleased.

As for other issues, the civic really is no worse than any other car out there, this forum attracts those who have problems

As for how to finance the car, it's up to you and how much disposable income you have etc etc. You will need to take into account whether you want the car for a few years, or if you want to keep it for a long time.

Go for a drive, and you won't be dissapointed. Steer clear if the (lovely looking) 18" wheels if a harsh ride you want to avoid. And don't be put off by other people's problems.

[AubreyS]

I've had my Civic EX since August. Phoned Honda CS up and got a FREE spare wheel. No leaks, rattles, showers, swimming pools in the boot, no problems with fog lights. Its a great car and all I want to do is drive it. I had a Civic Sport before this one and it also had suspension that loosened your fillings. There is no complaints on the new Civic. I love it.

Like Dave say's, take a test drive. You'll want one!

[PTR]

Originally Posted by bounce75

Had my 1.8 SE for over a month now & its brilliant still brings a smile to my face when I drive it. It is very good on petrol getting about 42mpg to & fro work. I have the standard alloy wheels & it rides quite well over bumps. Take the plunge & enjoy I did.

It seems like the newer cars have less bugs! Good to hear!

Ancient Nerd when was your car produced?

[czechplastik]

Hey unlight, you probably see more negative than positive things here but don't be fooled its a fantastic car and any negatives are overshadowed by the many positives. Take it for a test drive and see how you feel then.p.s diesel all the way!

[lost-again]

Yes, the hands free is a bit flakey, you get wet if you open the boot in the rain, and my fuel flap sticks too. But, as has been said I just want to drive it (6 months and 7000miles later)! Most problems reported are minor niggles. To be honest if a manufacturer waited until a product is perfect before it was released -they would end up behind all the rest. IMHO Honda got this one right. Yes it will improve with age, as they all do. Even £100K+ super cars have bugs - get used to it, and enjoy the good bits, there's lots of them!

[sarahjo]

In response to your question

" Should I Get a Civic"

My answer.......................
.........................................


YES

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by Ancient Nerd

Sounds good.

However, avoid getting any punctures involving any sort of slit in the tyre, out of mobile phone range, or at night - You don't get a spare wheel. If you need the mobile to get a tow, make sure you switch the ignition off first so that the hands free isn't involved.

Wear a sou'wester and cape if you intend to open the tailgate any time after a shower of rain. You may have to end your journey at the petrol station because you may not be able to open the filler cap.

If you fancy a Big Mac, allow some time because the nav system will take you to Calais.

If you fancy getting the Honda Happiness servicing deal, forget the diesel. It doesn't mention it in the brochure, but it's only available at the whim of your dealer if he's desperate for a sale.

If you're really lucky, you can get the boot swimming pool option at no extra charge.

Oh, and your fog lights will self destruct at random intervals at a far greater rate than on any other known car. The nice man from your Honda dealer will nevertheless say that was a stone chip, without looking at the car and takes £250 (or therabouts) at a time to replace it.

It's the only car at it's price that doesn't include any sort of door protectors as standard, so expect lots of small dents and scratches over time.

You will probably get to deal with Honda Customer Services at some point. They will politely tell you that your fault hasn't occurred to anyone else that they are aware of, so go see your dealer.

Other than that, and a few more assorted minor faults, It's a great car to drive.

Will I get another Honda? Not likely.

OMG!!!! You are starting to sound like me

I would recommend driving other makes/models first, the Civic isn't the smoothest or quietest of rides but you do get used to it, I would definately recommend taking the Civic out on a good weather day, a rainy day and in the dark to see how you get on with the rear window, I personally do not find having a split rear screen or no wiper a problem.

However, the car can have its problems as does all cars but with the Civic its a lottery it would seem, if you get one problem you get loads of them!!

In hindsight I wish I had waited to buy mine to ensure the "teething problems" had been sorted out.

[PTR]

Topcat!

When was your car produced?

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by PTR

Topcat!

When was your car produced?

My original one was ready for collection Feb and the replacement was registered in May.

[pcr]

Topcat says it's a lottery, I think that's right. You need to order one made by Fred Dibnah, otherwise you might get one made by Frank Spencer, like mine.

As a result of my disappointment with the build quality of this car, I have resolved in the future never to order a new car in advance. I feel that I must see and test the actual car I am buying.

[PTR]

Originally Posted by pcr

Topcat says it's a lottery, I think that's right. You need to order one made by Fred Dibnah, otherwise you might get one made by Frank Spencer, like mine.

As a result of my disappointment with the build quality of this car, I have resolved in the future never to order a new car in advance. I feel that I must see and test the actual car I am buying.

Probably you are right. But as I see the newer the car is the less problems it has. For example the 2007 cars have less bugs.
My opinoin is based on what I read here at the forum.

It is always worth to wait a year and only then by a new model!

(But I think the Civic with her bugs are still better than other brand new models!!)

Pcr, waht's the production date of your baby?

[pcr]

PTR, not sure of production date but took delivery 02/06/06.

[Cad]

Originally Posted by pcr

PTR, not sure of production date but took delivery 02/06/06.

Spooky, the same date as me!

[Honcho]

Originally Posted by Unlight

Hi guys,

Im currently doing about 45 miles a day to work and back in my Fiesta ST, and its a very harsh ride.

Trading in, I could clear off remaining finance and leave around 5k for a deposit on a Civic.

Anyone any opinions? Good deals out there? What sort of finance should I be looking at?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Wait at least eighteen months...unless you're a gambler. The Civic exemplifies the car launched too early...a cascade of production faults in some models, none at all in others and design flaws which take time to correct. The Civic is a great car tarnished by certain poor management decisions. The revised model will show its true potential. Honda knows it has to.

[PTR]

Originally Posted by Honcho

Wait at least eighteen months...unless you're a gambler. The Civic exemplifies the car launched too early...a cascade of production faults in some models, none at all in others and design flaws which take time to correct. The Civic is a great car tarnished by certain poor management decisions. The revised model will show its true potential. Honda knows it has to.

the 2007 models have far less issues...