Engine 1.8 or 2.2 - Very much confused

[ukpm]

I dunno - the 1.8 isn't that far behind in economy terms, and the price differential is quite big, about 101 vs 107 at the moment. Might take a while to get the extra cash back at only 12,000 mi per year.

It's the torque thing that I think might swing my decision towards the diesel - especially the thought of spending £400 odd on a remap or chip and getting 185 PS and 420 Nm.

[civicfan]

Originally Posted by ukpm

Hi,

I've just worked out a semi-done deal with a Honda dealer to trade my 2006 Focus ST2 11k mi, for a 2007 1.8 EX in Vivid Blue, 6k mi he's given me £14k for my ST and wants £14,500 for the Civic, he's included the first service on the Civic FOC too.

Does this sound like a good deal? The car was an ex-demo and looks to be in perfect condition inside and out.

I'm reasonably happy with the deal on that car, but my real dilemma is whether I shouldn't be going for the 2.2 diesel

My friend has the 2.2 in Sport trim, and I've driven it many times. It just seems as though you have to pay a lot more to get the diesel, and I'm telling myself that if money were no object I'd buy the 2.2 and not the 1.8.

Any opinions to add to my confusion are welcome!

Without a test drive in each (preferably the same day) you'll probably never know, no matter what we might tell you. My money would rather be for the diesel, but I'm not going to be driving your car

[Dimplyred]

I'd get the diesel if I had to choose between the two.

[mrh339]

Originally Posted by Dimplyred

I'd get the diesel if I had to choose between the two.

I found that the diesel was a fair bit noisier than the petrol and that it made the petrol a more refined drive but its down to personal choice so go test them both and make up your own mind.

[civicfan]

Originally Posted by mrh339

I found that the diesel was a fair bit noisier than the petrol and that it made the petrol a more refined drive but its down to personal choice so go test them both and make up your own mind.

Noisier, yes, at low speeds, but try 220 km/h on the German Autobahn and then the Diesel is more quiet at only 3400 or so revs (and uses max. 11-12 litres driven pedal-to-metal)

[mrh339]

Originally Posted by civicfan

Noisier, yes, at low speeds, but try 220 km/h on the German Autobahn and then the Diesel is more quiet at only 3400 or so revs (and uses max. 11-12 litres driven pedal-to-metal)

To be honest most of my everyday driving is not done pedal to the metal or at 220km/h. Mostly the usual urban commute and sitting in the usual traffic queues where the 1.8 is a lot quieter than the 2.2. Horses for courses my friend.

[ukpm]

Interesting points made here about the noise levels. I'd did go for a drive in a 2.2 (even tho I'd been in my friends lots) and it stuck me that it's quite a grumbly older diesel sound when you set off at any pace. The petrol doesn't start making itself heard until 5k+ revs.

One point (this may seem weird!) is that I love my Air Con in the summer, and I'm worried the 1.8's power will be zapped by using the A/C - from what I've seen the effect is barely noticeable on diesels. They must be able to gear the compressor differently or something.

[civicfan]

Originally Posted by ukpm

Interesting points made here about the noise levels. I'd did go for a drive in a 2.2 (even tho I'd been in my friends lots) and it stuck me that it's quite a grumbly older diesel sound when you set off at any pace. The petrol doesn't start making itself heard until 5k+ revs.

One point (this may seem weird!) is that I love my Air Con in the summer, and I'm worried the 1.8's power will be zapped by using the A/C - from what I've seen the effect is barely noticeable on diesels. They must be able to gear the compressor differently or something.

The answer to this is quite simple if you look at the torque figures for petrol and diesel

[FWH]

Originally Posted by ukpm

I'm worried the 1.8's power will be zapped by using the A/C

I have not noticed this at all.
Don´t worry about it, I say.

[ukpm]

Originally Posted by FWH

I have not noticed this at all.
Don´t worry about it, I say.

Good, it seems that some cars do suffer this problem of the A/C killing the power - both my Ford Focus cars had this issue, where the compressor would sorta cut in and out, and when it cut it was like someone had just hitched on a 2 tonne trailer! It even does it the ST which is a 2.5T with 320Nm for God's sake!

I'd expect it on a 1.2 petrol etc. but I didn't know if the Civic 1.8 had this issue or not.

[FWH]

Originally Posted by ukpm

Good, it seems that some cars do suffer this problem of the A/C killing the power - both my Ford Focus cars had this issue, where the compressor would sorta cut in and out, and when it cut it was like someone had just hitched on a 2 tonne trailer! It even does it the ST which is a 2.5T with 320Nm for God's sake!

Well that is F*rd for you...

I have to drive one for 5-6 hours tomorrow....

Last time I had to drive one I wrote this:
I have just driven a F*rd F*cus!

[ukpm]

*UPDATE*

The dealer is keen for me to take this Vivid Blue 1.8 EX away from his sight, lol.

He's let me take it for a big test drive, I picked it up this evening after work and he said to just bring it back next week! Very surprising, and very good I thought. He also had to tax the car, put me on their fleet/trade insurance and he put £30 of petrol into it!

Initial impressions from the 35 mi journey home are very good. There's more power and flexibility in the 1.8 than I was expecting. I guess coming from a Focus ST that's actually high praise indeed.

I should never have bought the ST, and gone from my 1.6 Focus straight into the Civic; it would have been a lot easier!

[DouglasW]

Originally Posted by cb550

Its sometimes the case that only when you've ran a car for a while do you find out if its really the car for you.Was happy with my 2.2 ES,but came to the conclusion I perhaps wanted a more sporty drive that I suspected the type S had to offer.

Had my 2.2 Type S for approx 5 weeks and its the best move I've made.Brilliant looks,handling and the car feels quicker off the mark/mid range too.

I chose the Type S (not GT) simply because I did'nt want the glass roof again.Hav'nt driven the petrol (although have had a previous gen.ivtec type S),and for me its no question,the diesel every time.For anyone who does'nt need 5 doors,the 2.2 Type S is the one I'd definitelty recommend.

hi there

...any particular reason for not wanting the glass roof again?
just curious. ive got deep bronze type S GT arriving with me (hopefully!) in a couple of days - and sitting here withe civinfo sticker and nuthin to stick it on!!!!!
after my better half got her 207 with panoramic glass roof, thought it'd suit the civic as i did feel quite closed in when in the car on test drive (at least, compared to C4 coupe im driving at the moment - which has no sunroof, but loads of light gets in all round anyway) cheers

[gaffa_22]

If youre looking to save money then only get the diesel if you are going to do more than 15,000 miles a year

[cb550]

Originally Posted by DouglasW

hi there

...any particular reason for not wanting the glass roof again?
just curious. ive got deep bronze type S GT arriving with me (hopefully!) in a couple of days - and sitting here withe civinfo sticker and nuthin to stick it on!!!!!
after my better half got her 207 with panoramic glass roof, thought it'd suit the civic as i did feel quite closed in when in the car on test drive (at least, compared to C4 coupe im driving at the moment - which has no sunroof, but loads of light gets in all round anyway) cheers

Three reasons really :

• I did experience a little of the headlining 'squeeks' in my ES,depending on the road conditions.
• Only my opinion,but I reckon the glass roof had some negative effect on the rigidity of the body (perhaps less so in the 3 door)
• I wanted the extra headroom to allow me to fully use the available seat adjustment-again a personal thing as I'm more comfortable with the seat pretty high

Congratulations on choosing the Civic! The Type S for me looks the part,and drives if anything even better than it looks

[Seirrah]

I've not got a Civic, but I was certain I'd get a diesel. However I've recently changed my mind. I will at least test drive a Petrol. What appeals to me is the smoothness and quietness of a petrol. The fuel efficiency doesn't really bother me as I won't do enough miles to justify the extra initial cost of the car. The diesel does have more torque though, and the ability to remap the engine for big increases.

A 'Type D', if it ever happens, will probably trump all other models for me though.

[ukpm]

I'm gonna go back out in my mates diesel this evening and see, but my route to work is over country B roads and is also up and down some fairly steep hills. The 1.8 wasn't bad, but it wasn't that great either - it just lacks the oomph needed to blast up a hill or overtake easily. I would overtake about 5 cars on average in each direction every day, so it's important to me.

Really is a shame though, cos I do like this car (engine aside) the EX is a lovely spec and it's quiet and comfortable. The Vivid Blue is also possibly the best colour they have (correction: had).

The dealer will be disappointed, I just need him to keep looking! The car for me is out there.

[RobbieCivic]

Out of interest what is the mpg for the 2.2 diesel as I have had my 1.8 doing 42mpg according to the details on the dashboard quiet regularly.

However, having previously owned a Focus diesel I have noticed that I am filling the car up more frequent than I did the Focus. The Focus had a 55 litre tank, I am sure the Civic tank is smaller?

You may want to think about how many times with the present cost of fuel do I want to pop to the Petrol Station. If it is not many then I would go for the Diesel as I pretty sure you will be able to get 50 plus mpg from it which should mean that you are filling the car once every two weeks depending on the mileage you are doing and how the car is driven.

[Jack The Lad.]

Certainly 48 -50, but a bit more when the cruise control is on. Some when falling asleep, have managed 57 - 58.