Brief Driving Report on 2.2 Civic - looking for opinions

onboardtraining · 9th July 2006, 20:58

I'm very impressed with the car and look for comments on the following:

Brian Gray, the instructor who owns it is on holiday and has left me his car to use since 10.30pm on Thursday night. He got the car end of march and has done just short of 19,000 miles ! I went to edinburgh on Saturday night with it, then left for Aberden about 4.45pm last night for a meal and got home about 1.30am............... so far I have done about 545 miles !!!

At the moment I am making good recovery after a motorcycle accident at September weekend resulting in me breaking both my thighs, my pelvis and smashing my lower left leg. You will understand that comfort is very important

I have to admit the seats in the new Civic are superb for comfort and support. I normally drive a Passat Highline with heated leather seats and I find the Civic more comfortable.

If things go according to plan I hope to have the car well and truly tested out with 1000+ miles in two weeks.

My initial comments would highlight the shear flexibility of the 2.2 diesel engine, it is excellent and drives like no other diesel I have driven so far. The main thing I felt was the fact you did not get the same engine braking when coming off the accelerator (not a bad thing but takes a wee bit to get used to it) the car loses speed very gradually compared to V/W diesel. The car is as happy making progress whether you go up through tthe gears sequentially (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) or whether you go 1, 2, 3 use 3rd to 70 then block change to 6th. You always feel that there is plenty in reserve.

On the way up to Aberdeen there are several sections of roadworks with restricted speed limits. On the way up I used the cruise control only in these areas but on the way back I used the cruise control almost the whole journey. I might add, I don't think that using cruise control is the safest or best way to drive but in my present condition certainly made the journey that bit easier. The only adverse effect being slightly worse MPG figures when using cruise control.

In the dark I found the reflected dials on the windscreen a bit of a distraction but most of the time you were able to look beyond it ok.

The glass roof makes a huge difference to how you feel when driving the car (obviously not much difference in the dark) it makes the car feel so much roomier and fresh with the blinds open......... you really get used to this and miss it when you close them.

The rear window being split in two, from my seating position, catches the headlights of cars behind reducing glare at night. Has anyone else noticed that the bottom section of glass is slightly magnified?

Anyway will continue later as I am off for anothershort run....................

Fedorov · 9th July 2006, 23:30

I've just done my longest journey today in my 2.2 EX and loved it, nice to get a good run out and my mpg has gone from what is normally around 46 for my very short work journey to 49 after today. I use the cruise control as much as possible, enjoy the freedom and relaxtion of not having to do anything with my feet!

Know what you mean about the glass-roof, I've only ever closed it when showing it to someone, cabin feels dark and almost claustrophobic with it closed, it's really nice on a bright sunny day and on rainy days the kids love watching the rain drops above their heads!!!

I relied totally on the SatNav today and it was superb, didn't really appreciate until today just how much safer it can be on unknown road systems, knowing that you need to turn right at the next roundabout before you've even reached the road signs I think adds to the safety immensely, plenty of time to get in the correct lane on roads you don't know, gives you even more confidence and enjoyment whereas in the past without satnav I'd be screaming at the wife for directions or it's a mad panic when you see the signs to try and digest them all and decide which lane to be in if you know what I mean

It's a pleasure to drive any distance with the Civic.

Hartside · 10th July 2006, 00:12

Went from Newcastle to Gretna today and back. Sitting here tonight, it's the only car I think my wife has commented on being so smooth and effortless. She never make comments about cars, but she is full of praise about the Civic. The distance there and back was gobbled up by the car, overtakes were superb with the power from the engine coming in spadefulls. The nice thing is it makes the journeys stress free and enjoyable.

Fedorov · 10th July 2006, 09:57

I agree and so does my wife

richierich · 10th July 2006, 10:35

I have the car for work and have done several 400+ mile trips in it, you can get out at the end of the journey and feel relatively relaxed, whereas the Golf GT TDi I had would often make me feel a little uptight at the end of a trip. Definately agree with the comment re block changing 3 to 6, it is great to give it some beans and then slip it gently into 6, engage warp drive, I mean cruise control and sit back and enjoy the world passing by. Its a shame the glass roof was not an option on the EX when I ordered mine, would definately have liked that.

I drove from Bexhill (Sussex) to Oxford a couple of weeks ago after the company golf day, even after 27 holes of golf and a relatively late finish the drive was still a pleasure. I have the option to buy the car at the end of the lease, I have already decided that the Wife will be running my Civic in 3 1/2 years time, it might have starship miles by then, but I am sure the car will be good for a couple hundred thousand at least. Especially with the lambo door conversion!

onboardtraining · 20th July 2006, 00:02

I have completed just over 1200 miles since the 7th July when I got a loan of this car for 2 weeks! For fear of repeating myself, I think it is an excellent all round car. I have driven a number of times using the cruise control and the air con has been working its socks of for me. I was in the car for 4 1/2 hours tonight, not driving the full time but was still in the drivers seat. Apart from a few aches and pains I would have had anyway, I was not any worse for it. Part of the journey included taking a drive along the seafront at Ayr and I was aware heads were turning every few yards and my young son was with me and he is used to being in the cars with the driving school graphics, but he was aware that more people were looking and commenting on the car.
My son is 13 1/2 and likes his cars. I asked him what car I should get for a driving school car i.e if I should get a Honda Civic, Golf GT TDi, New Focus or Astra. He thought the Civic is the best car by far for appearance inside but reckoned the Astra 3 door looks better with spoiler etc. When I said it would be a five door, he went back to the Civic as it looks as if it has three doors. I have driven our Golf GT TDi a few times during the week and I am definately more relaxed and less achy gettingo ut of the Civic. I will be sorry to see it go back to its owner on Friday!!

9th July 2006, 20:58	#1 (permalink)
onboardtraining Wheelnut Join Date: 30th June 2006 Location: Larkhall, Scotland Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Brief Driving Report on 2.2 Civic - looking for opinions I'm very impressed with the car and look for comments on the following: Brian Gray, the instructor who owns it is on holiday and has left me his car to use since 10.30pm on Thursday night. He got the car end of march and has done just short of 19,000 miles ! I went to edinburgh on Saturday night with it, then left for Aberden about 4.45pm last night for a meal and got home about 1.30am............... so far I have done about 545 miles !!! At the moment I am making good recovery after a motorcycle accident at September weekend resulting in me breaking both my thighs, my pelvis and smashing my lower left leg. You will understand that comfort is very important I have to admit the seats in the new Civic are superb for comfort and support. I normally drive a Passat Highline with heated leather seats and I find the Civic more comfortable. If things go according to plan I hope to have the car well and truly tested out with 1000+ miles in two weeks. My initial comments would highlight the shear flexibility of the 2.2 diesel engine, it is excellent and drives like no other diesel I have driven so far. The main thing I felt was the fact you did not get the same engine braking when coming off the accelerator (not a bad thing but takes a wee bit to get used to it) the car loses speed very gradually compared to V/W diesel. The car is as happy making progress whether you go up through tthe gears sequentially (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) or whether you go 1, 2, 3 use 3rd to 70 then block change to 6th. You always feel that there is plenty in reserve. On the way up to Aberdeen there are several sections of roadworks with restricted speed limits. On the way up I used the cruise control only in these areas but on the way back I used the cruise control almost the whole journey. I might add, I don't think that using cruise control is the safest or best way to drive but in my present condition certainly made the journey that bit easier. The only adverse effect being slightly worse MPG figures when using cruise control. In the dark I found the reflected dials on the windscreen a bit of a distraction but most of the time you were able to look beyond it ok. The glass roof makes a huge difference to how you feel when driving the car (obviously not much difference in the dark) it makes the car feel so much roomier and fresh with the blinds open......... you really get used to this and miss it when you close them. The rear window being split in two, from my seating position, catches the headlights of cars behind reducing glare at night. Has anyone else noticed that the bottom section of glass is slightly magnified? Anyway will continue later as I am off for anothershort run....................

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This thread is about: Brief Driving Report on 2.2 Civic - looking for opinions, it's in General Discussion at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I'm very impressed with the car and look for comments on the following: Brian Gray, the instructor who owns it is on holiday and has ...

9th July 2006, 23:30	#2 (permalink)
Fedorov Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th April 2006 Posts: 783 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've just done my longest journey today in my 2.2 EX and loved it, nice to get a good run out and my mpg has gone from what is normally around 46 for my very short work journey to 49 after today. I use the cruise control as much as possible, enjoy the freedom and relaxtion of not having to do anything with my feet! Know what you mean about the glass-roof, I've only ever closed it when showing it to someone, cabin feels dark and almost claustrophobic with it closed, it's really nice on a bright sunny day and on rainy days the kids love watching the rain drops above their heads!!! I relied totally on the SatNav today and it was superb, didn't really appreciate until today just how much safer it can be on unknown road systems, knowing that you need to turn right at the next roundabout before you've even reached the road signs I think adds to the safety immensely, plenty of time to get in the correct lane on roads you don't know, gives you even more confidence and enjoyment whereas in the past without satnav I'd be screaming at the wife for directions or it's a mad panic when you see the signs to try and digest them all and decide which lane to be in if you know what I mean It's a pleasure to drive any distance with the Civic.

10th July 2006, 00:12	#3 (permalink)
Hartside Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 4th May 2006 Location: Northumberland Posts: 549 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Went from Newcastle to Gretna today and back. Sitting here tonight, it's the only car I think my wife has commented on being so smooth and effortless. She never make comments about cars, but she is full of praise about the Civic. The distance there and back was gobbled up by the car, overtakes were superb with the power from the engine coming in spadefulls. The nice thing is it makes the journeys stress free and enjoyable.

10th July 2006, 09:57	#4 (permalink)
Fedorov Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th April 2006 Posts: 783 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I agree and so does my wife

10th July 2006, 10:35	#5 (permalink)
richierich Smell My Cheese! Rocketship door handle Join Date: 17th May 2006 Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire Posts: 1,843 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have the car for work and have done several 400+ mile trips in it, you can get out at the end of the journey and feel relatively relaxed, whereas the Golf GT TDi I had would often make me feel a little uptight at the end of a trip. Definately agree with the comment re block changing 3 to 6, it is great to give it some beans and then slip it gently into 6, engage warp drive, I mean cruise control and sit back and enjoy the world passing by. Its a shame the glass roof was not an option on the EX when I ordered mine, would definately have liked that. I drove from Bexhill (Sussex) to Oxford a couple of weeks ago after the company golf day, even after 27 holes of golf and a relatively late finish the drive was still a pleasure. I have the option to buy the car at the end of the lease, I have already decided that the Wife will be running my Civic in 3 1/2 years time, it might have starship miles by then, but I am sure the car will be good for a couple hundred thousand at least. Especially with the lambo door conversion!

20th July 2006, 00:02	#6 (permalink)
onboardtraining Wheelnut Join Date: 30th June 2006 Location: Larkhall, Scotland Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have completed just over 1200 miles since the 7th July when I got a loan of this car for 2 weeks! For fear of repeating myself, I think it is an excellent all round car. I have driven a number of times using the cruise control and the air con has been working its socks of for me. I was in the car for 4 1/2 hours tonight, not driving the full time but was still in the drivers seat. Apart from a few aches and pains I would have had anyway, I was not any worse for it. Part of the journey included taking a drive along the seafront at Ayr and I was aware heads were turning every few yards and my young son was with me and he is used to being in the cars with the driving school graphics, but he was aware that more people were looking and commenting on the car. My son is 13 1/2 and likes his cars. I asked him what car I should get for a driving school car i.e if I should get a Honda Civic, Golf GT TDi, New Focus or Astra. He thought the Civic is the best car by far for appearance inside but reckoned the Astra 3 door looks better with spoiler etc. When I said it would be a five door, he went back to the Civic as it looks as if it has three doors. I have driven our Golf GT TDi a few times during the week and I am definately more relaxed and less achy gettingo ut of the Civic. I will be sorry to see it go back to its owner on Friday!!