Build Quality

[Branflake]

Originally Posted by Coldwarkid

My other car is an MG, as we all know from Longbridge, I've never had any issues with it apart from a squeeky dash.

My current car is a ZT and its been perfect. Very solid and well built. To be honest, i think you can just be lucky with cars. Also you can rely too much on what other people think and not go in with an open mind. This is what i've done with the civic and i think its going to be my next purchase.

[Charley Farley]

Hi N H Dan

I know that Mercedes A Class was built in Germany because the factory only made A Classes. I have to admit that C classes made in South Africa were a bit suspect but I now hear that quality has improved. I just think that Honda philosphy of giving you expensive mechanicals and cheap remainder of the car just doesn't work. I don't care if its got the best engine in world. For the me the car has to be built as a whole entity. So my car list would be: Mercedes A class, C Class, and Volkwagen Golf. Oh and by the way some Honda dealers leave alot to be desired. The aftersales experience I have to date has been appalling. I have had to travel quite a distance (from London) to get reasonable service.

[Eddie]

We all base our opinions on car reliability on personal experience or 'knowledgeable' friends. I subscribe to 'Which' magazine and they get feedback from ALL makes and Japanese cars are always the top three for reliability. They recommend the previous Civic, but advise against the latest model. They qualified their judgement by saying that knowing Honda's excellent reputation, they will soon iron out the problems to restore their reputation. 'Which' are usually spot on with their research and unfortunately for me, I bought the new Civic before 'Which' checked it out. I have since changed back to VW and so far I am delighted in every respect. Yes time will tell, but the Civic lost it's shine very soon after purchase and it felt cheap from day one, but the basic concept is excellent, spoiled by penny pinching, ie, lack of sound proofing etc.
Eddie the Jett.
PS. I visit this site to keep up to date on how the Civic is shaping up

[Kremmen]

I also get the Which? magazine and it's reviews of cars I have owned has been spot on.

I also bought my Civic before their review and wold probably have been swerved towards an Octavia had I have seen the reports first.

However, my Civic has been largely problem free and is definately, at the moment, on my next car list.

[uncler]

I'm surprised Which? rated the older Civic over the latest one - I mean they were both built in Swindon and from what I've heard the previous models had their fairshare of similar issues.

Either way, I think it was the first 'batch' of models that unfortunately had some problems, 2007 and later I would expect things to have been sorted out. I've got a 2008 MY and there have been no issues with anything failing at all. However, I agree the build quality isn't the best - I have a few rattles and my paint is covered in stone chips. This is my first new car though, so I'm not sure what to expect - don't know if other manufacturer's have similar issues?

One other thing to consider when looking at build quality, is the cost of new cars nowadays - they are much, much cheaper in real terms than they have ever been. A mid-range Civic in the late 80's would have cost about £9,000 which was not far off the average full time salary at the time. Allowing for inflation and the rest, a new mid-range Civic these days is probably half the cost. Coupled with the fact that new cars have so much in the way of equipment and features, it's inevitable that something will give and unfortunately it's build quality & materials.

To be honest, if it wasn't for the (very annoying) rattles, the Civic interior seems excellent - the plastics seem of decent quality, things don't seem to buckle or bend when leaning on them and buttons feel solid and 'clunky'.

Finally (I know I've written somewhat of an essay here!), the car I felt had the best build quality of all those that i've been in, was my Dad's 1990 Audi 100. Even by 2005 there wasn't a single rattle and it felt as screwed together as the day it was made. Not a spot of rust or a stone chip either! Unfortunately by this time the transmission and engine were on the way out. Had it have had a Japanese engine in there then it'd probably still be alive today.

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by Charley Farley

Hi N H Dan

I know that Mercedes A Class was built in Germany because the factory only made A Classes. I have to admit that C classes made in South Africa were a bit suspect but I now hear that quality has improved. I just think that Honda philosphy of giving you expensive mechanicals and cheap remainder of the car just doesn't work. I don't care if its got the best engine in world. For the me the car has to be built as a whole entity. So my car list would be: Mercedes A class, C Class, and Volkwagen Golf. Oh and by the way some Honda dealers leave alot to be desired. The aftersales experience I have to date has been appalling. I have had to travel quite a distance (from London) to get reasonable service.

A class has also been built in Austria.

Re service from dealers. try some of the Merc/VW's too - no-one is perfect.