Other cars Civic -v- Focus - Page 3

chillicat · 2nd January 2007, 09:49

I'm so pleased with my Civic that I'm getting rid of it on Friday. I've decided that I don't really want a car thats unreliable, slow and boring with a dash that looks like a 90's Amstrad hi-fi and feels as well built. I object to paying for voice activation, HFT, climate control etc when none of it works properly so you give up using it anyway and finally I've never driven such a flimsy car ill suited to everyday driving, a country lane brush with a hedge caused the ill fitting plastic wheelarch trim to fall off, a not very bumpy farm track caused a mud flap to hang off and a wing mirror clash witha golf left me looking at a £300 repair bill and the Golf driver looking at a minor scuff. Anyway I'm too young.
Adios Honda I've enjoyed your other products but I'm off to buy a Ford.

Bungle · 2nd January 2007, 10:00

Maybe you should avoid driving into hedges and other cars

geoff · 2nd January 2007, 10:05

I might winge and moan but I don't think I would ever say my civic is slow and boring

chillicat · 2nd January 2007, 10:22

I'd call any car when on cruise it can't maintain 80mph on the M3 as slow and it becomes very boring when you can't overtake safely on A roads. Granted if there is no traffic the handling can be fun.

PS Has anyone else found the triangular black exhaust surround is rusting?

1.8EX

geoff · 2nd January 2007, 10:26

I am not having a go at you but I have the diesel and you could not say that was slow

pjelsworth · 2nd January 2007, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff

I am not having a go at you but I have the diesel and you could not say that was slow

I also have the diesel and agree it is anything but slow and boring. On the motorway it is fantastic as it is so responsive, even in 6th gear. I think chillicat has the 1.8 petrol, but it is the first time I have heard it is slow and boring.

Chillicat, it's unfortunate that you feel the way you do about your car; you are in the minority but if you are not happy then it makes sense to get shut of it.

I cannot agree with much of your description of the car, but each to their own. I mean to me the dash was one of the selling points and when my 13 year-old saw it he couldn't believe how cool it is. If I didn't like the look of it I wouldn't have bought the car.

Also, as many others have pointed out, the grass is not always greener, and you could easily have the same issues with other manufacturers. Anyway, good luck and pity the Civic was not for you.

skam · 2nd January 2007, 11:54

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBnzffYCUWM

this is the "slow" 1.8 petrol engine we are talking about...

Copycat · 2nd January 2007, 11:58

Driving that fast and not wearing a seatbelt!? What were they thinking?

sco77harris · 2nd January 2007, 12:18

erm why was that car so fast lol?

RonaldV · 2nd January 2007, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungle

Because a Focus is such a bland and nondescript car (in it's normal guise at least) it appeals to people and is what you would call a 'safe choice'. It can't really offend anyone and does most things reasonably well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungle

The trouble is, it stirs no emotion aesthetically. You would have a hard time noticing one even if it hit you. What many Civic buyers choose the Civic for is the style and originality, and the technology. Not people who want a plain car to get you from a to b whilst blending seamlessly into the background.

Both brands made a interesting move. The first Focus was a stylish and original car. When it came at the market in '98(?) the press though Ford took an enormous risk with the design. It became a success but Ford was afraid to do the same trick again with the second Focus, and made it boring. Interesting move because many people did like the Focus because of the design (and the handling off course).
Honda always made cars with outstanding technology, especially the suspension and the engines but the design never was superb. They started with double wishbones in '88. But a great handing won't sell big amounts of cars. The engines are not very special anymore also. The Civic is now a very stylish car, but maybe it is not a real Honda. However, it does work. In most counties the Civic is a success.

<edit>
Hmm, I notice I'm behind in the discussion

Anyway, I drove both the 1.8 and the 2.2 and both are not slow. However, in the 1.8 you have to shift gear a lot so the cruise control is not very useful.
</edit>

Bog · 2nd January 2007, 12:39

The 1.8 is slow and boring (or as I prefer, economical and refined) if you choose to drive that way! But push over 4500 rpm and it's a beast! The engine note changes to that of a performance car from being very quiet, as you can hear in the video. Having not owned a Japanese car before and coming from a diesel Laguna, driving at higher revs is something I’m not in the habit of doing. Having said that, it’s nice to know the power is there if needed. I suppose it's like having two engines in one really!

I too, like many others here had the Focus as a serious contender to the Civic, but prior to collecting my Civic, I had a hire 2.0 Titanium Focus for 2 weeks, and I must say it handled well, too well - to the point of being boring! No feedback through the steering, went exactly where you pointed it and not very quick either!

The Focus is a good car and does exactly what it say’s on the tin, the Civic is aimed at different market - people like us who want something a bit different, but with Honda's reliability and state of the art technology!

I personally think there is not much to compare other than that they are in the same segment.

RonaldV · 2nd January 2007, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bog

The 1.8 is slow and boring (or as I prefer, economical and refined) if you choose to drive that way! But push over 4500 rpm and it's a beast! The engine note changes to that of a performance car from being very quiet, as you can hear in the video. Having not owned a Japanese car before and coming from a diesel Laguna, driving at higher revs is something I’m not in the habit of doing. Having said that, it’s nice to know the power is there if needed. I suppose it's like having two engines in one really!

I too, like many others here had the Focus as a serious contender to the Civic, but prior to collecting my Civic, I had a hire 2.0 Titanium Focus for 2 weeks, and I must say it handled well, too well - to the point of being boring! No feedback through the steering, went exactly where you pointed it and not very quick either!

The Focus is a good car and does exactly what it say’s on the tin, the Civic is aimed at different market - people like us who want something a bit different, but with Honda's reliability and state of the art technology!

I personally think there is not much to compare other than that they are in the same segment.

Maybe after only two weeks you knew the Focus not well enough because the handling is not boring . If you push it to the limit at a highway ramp, you get a nice 4-wheel drift(that was the Focus 1, but I think the mark 2 is the same). Unfortunately, the Civic does have understeer. But then again, the Civic is forgiven. Every time I see it I just have to smile for owning such a beautiful car.

czechplastik · 2nd January 2007, 12:59

The 1.8 really does make a lovely noise! Thats one thing i miss about the diesel.

The Focus is designed to be mass produced...for the masses. If it was funky and different it runs the risk of alienating its customers. I remember watching the review on topgear last year and they parked it on a busy high street months before it was on sale and nobody gave it a second look. They made the point that there are going to be so many of them on the road it doesn't really matter what it looks like, better to be safe.

Bog · 2nd January 2007, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonaldV

Maybe after only two weeks you knew the Focus not well enough because the handling is not boring . If you push it to the limit at a highway ramp, you get a nice 4-wheel drift(that was the Focus 1, but I think the mark 2 is the same). Unfortunately, the Civic does have understeer. But then again, the Civic is forgiven. Every time I see it I just have to smile for owning such a beautiful car.

Your right, two weeks perhaps was not long enough, but the first time drove the Civic, I knew I had to have one! Like you I smile every time I see it and look forward to the drive to work!

elfa7 · 2nd January 2007, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bog

The 1.8 is slow and boring (or as I prefer, economical and refined) if you choose to drive that way! But push over 4500 rpm and it's a beast! The engine note changes to that of a performance car from being very quiet, as you can hear in the video. Having not owned a Japanese car before and coming from a diesel Laguna, driving at higher revs is something I’m not in the habit of doing. Having said that, it’s nice to know the power is there if needed. I suppose it's like having two engines in one really!

I too, like many others here had the Focus as a serious contender to the Civic, but prior to collecting my Civic, I had a hire 2.0 Titanium Focus for 2 weeks, and I must say it handled well, too well - to the point of being boring! No feedback through the steering, went exactly where you pointed it and not very quick either!

The Focus is a good car and does exactly what it say’s on the tin, the Civic is aimed at different market - people like us who want something a bit different, but with Honda's reliability and state of the art technology!

I personally think there is not much to compare other than that they are in the same segment.

I thought, when I purchased my Honda last February, that the next visit to the Dealer would be this February, for its service. How wrong was I ?.
So much for the reliability and state of the art technology. They couldn't even manage to design a proper fuel flap --- or get 5 stars !!.

I'm not going over old ground again, it is a new year. I hope we eventually get the car we thought we'd bought twelve months ago.

skam · 2nd January 2007, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sco77harris

erm why was that car so fast lol?

every civic (1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel) is fast. There is nothing special in it. It is a normal 1.8 petrol. I can't understand though why they say that this car is slow and boring...
If you ask me i would say that both cars aren't boring...the problem is that the ford looks so common...

sco77harris · 2nd January 2007, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by skam

every civic (1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel) is fast. There is nothing special in it. It is a normal 1.8 petrol. I can't understand though why they say that this car is slow and boring...
If you ask me i would say that both cars aren't boring...the problem is that the ford looks so common...

sorry it took me a bit to realise it was kmh rather than mph

sco77harris · 2nd January 2007, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by skam

every civic (1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel) is fast. There is nothing special in it. It is a normal 1.8 petrol. I can't understand though why they say that this car is slow and boring...
If you ask me i would say that both cars aren't boring...the problem is that the ford looks so common...

sorry didnt realise it was kmh rather than mph lol

czechplastik · 3rd January 2007, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by sco77harris

sorry didnt realise it was kmh rather than mph lol

haha! Thats the new Honda Nitrous kit!

Dutch_Civic · 3rd January 2007, 16:19

My 1.8 petrol is anything but slow and boring! If you rev it, it makes a beautiful sound and it's very quick. If i'm at 4500 rpm and i decide to overtake, i've already passed the car in front before they even realise it. And the accompanying sound brings a smile to my face.

Same goes for cruising on the highway here. I just put it in 6th gear and only use the cruise control. No need to shift anymore, unless you really have to overtake someone in a hurry.

And the final huge plus (apart from the amazing looks), is the fuel mileage. On the highway it uses 6.6 litre in 100 km's. That's almost what Honda claims it can do and it may get better the more i drive it. Especially considering the 18"/225 tyres and the 140 bhp, the fuel mileage is really impressive.

2nd January 2007, 10:05	#43 (permalink)
geoff Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 20th May 2006 Posts: 533 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	positive note I might winge and moan but I don't think I would ever say my civic is slow and boring

2nd January 2007, 10:26	#45 (permalink)
geoff Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 20th May 2006 Posts: 533 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Not having a dig I am not having a go at you but I have the diesel and you could not say that was slow

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode


This thread is about: Civic -v- Focus, it's in Buying, Dealers and Servicing at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I'm so pleased with my Civic that I'm getting rid of it on Friday. I've decided that I don't really want a car thats unreliable, ...

2nd January 2007, 09:49	#41 (permalink)
chillicat Valve Cap Join Date: 22nd November 2006 Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I'm so pleased with my Civic that I'm getting rid of it on Friday. I've decided that I don't really want a car thats unreliable, slow and boring with a dash that looks like a 90's Amstrad hi-fi and feels as well built. I object to paying for voice activation, HFT, climate control etc when none of it works properly so you give up using it anyway and finally I've never driven such a flimsy car ill suited to everyday driving, a country lane brush with a hedge caused the ill fitting plastic wheelarch trim to fall off, a not very bumpy farm track caused a mud flap to hang off and a wing mirror clash witha golf left me looking at a £300 repair bill and the Golf driver looking at a minor scuff. Anyway I'm too young. Adios Honda I've enjoyed your other products but I'm off to buy a Ford.

2nd January 2007, 10:00	#42 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Maybe you should avoid driving into hedges and other cars

2nd January 2007, 10:22	#44 (permalink)
chillicat Valve Cap Join Date: 22nd November 2006 Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I'd call any car when on cruise it can't maintain 80mph on the M3 as slow and it becomes very boring when you can't overtake safely on A roads. Granted if there is no traffic the handling can be fun. PS Has anyone else found the triangular black exhaust surround is rusting? 1.8EX

2nd January 2007, 11:54	#47 (permalink)
skam Greek Subtopic Moderator Rocketship door handle Join Date: 7th October 2006 Location: ATHENS, HELLAS Posts: 1,102 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts iTrader: (0)	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBnzffYCUWM this is the "slow" 1.8 petrol engine we are talking about...

2nd January 2007, 11:58	#48 (permalink)
Copycat Galaxy class starship Rocketship door handle Join Date: 5th May 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 1,050 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Driving that fast and not wearing a seatbelt!? What were they thinking?

2nd January 2007, 12:18	#49 (permalink)
sco77harris Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 5th June 2006 Location: stanmore london Posts: 974 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	erm why was that car so fast lol?

2nd January 2007, 12:39	#51 (permalink)
Bog Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 5th October 2006 Location: Romford, Essex Posts: 898 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (0)	The 1.8 is slow and boring (or as I prefer, economical and refined) if you choose to drive that way! But push over 4500 rpm and it's a beast! The engine note changes to that of a performance car from being very quiet, as you can hear in the video. Having not owned a Japanese car before and coming from a diesel Laguna, driving at higher revs is something I’m not in the habit of doing. Having said that, it’s nice to know the power is there if needed. I suppose it's like having two engines in one really! I too, like many others here had the Focus as a serious contender to the Civic, but prior to collecting my Civic, I had a hire 2.0 Titanium Focus for 2 weeks, and I must say it handled well, too well - to the point of being boring! No feedback through the steering, went exactly where you pointed it and not very quick either! The Focus is a good car and does exactly what it say’s on the tin, the Civic is aimed at different market - people like us who want something a bit different, but with Honda's reliability and state of the art technology! I personally think there is not much to compare other than that they are in the same segment.

2nd January 2007, 12:59	#53 (permalink)
czechplastik King of the rodeo Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th October 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,727 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (0)	The 1.8 really does make a lovely noise! Thats one thing i miss about the diesel. The Focus is designed to be mass produced...for the masses. If it was funky and different it runs the risk of alienating its customers. I remember watching the review on topgear last year and they parked it on a busy high street months before it was on sale and nobody gave it a second look. They made the point that there are going to be so many of them on the road it doesn't really matter what it looks like, better to be safe.

3rd January 2007, 16:19	#60 (permalink)
Dutch_Civic Wheelnut Join Date: 17th October 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	My 1.8 petrol is anything but slow and boring! If you rev it, it makes a beautiful sound and it's very quick. If i'm at 4500 rpm and i decide to overtake, i've already passed the car in front before they even realise it. And the accompanying sound brings a smile to my face. Same goes for cruising on the highway here. I just put it in 6th gear and only use the cruise control. No need to shift anymore, unless you really have to overtake someone in a hurry. And the final huge plus (apart from the amazing looks), is the fuel mileage. On the highway it uses 6.6 litre in 100 km's. That's almost what Honda claims it can do and it may get better the more i drive it. Especially considering the 18"/225 tyres and the 140 bhp, the fuel mileage is really impressive.