Bye Bye Civic !

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by Topcat

I went back to the VW dealership yesterday to look at the Golf Plus again (I need a boot bigger than the standard Golf) which is the car I almost bought before the civic.

Im going to look over the Xmas period at Ford too an see what I can get, it will have to be a used car now thats the only problem

I can't say I blame you TC after the experience you have had. I think it is sad though you have got to this point, as you say you still really like the car.

[cb550]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

I've now got to the stage where I'm thinking why put up with something you don't like. The ride is terrible, and I'm trying desperately to convince myself that I'm overeacting. Sorry, but I'm going to be test driving the A3 (the car I test drove before the civic). To get the same spec I know I'll be paying through the nose, but I just can't keep on putting up with this cars poor ride quality. Can anybody tell me why the car is so uncomfortable? Have Honda made a radical change to the suspension?

Had the 2.2 ES-extremely pleased with the car.With a critical hat on,I would say the refinement of the (low speed) ride was'nt its best feature.Also the seats I found a little firm,to the point where I bought sheepskin seat covers to even out any pressure points-worked a treat.

Now I'm in the 2.2 S type, got to say the 'questionable' ride quality is now just a memory .This car just rides rutted/potholed roads beautifully.The seats have a layer of softer padding making them,for me a very comfortable seat.

Before you give up on the Civic,along with the A3,also give the S type a test drive - you might be a little surprised

[robbo51]

Originally Posted by cb550

Had the 2.2 ES-extremely pleased with the car.With a critical hat on,I would say the refinement of the (low speed) ride was'nt its best feature.Also the seats I found a little firm,to the point where I bought sheepskin seat covers to even out any pressure points-worked a treat.

Now I'm in the 2.2 S type, got to say the 'questionable' ride quality is now just a memory .This car just rides rutted/potholed roads beautifully.The seats have a layer of softer padding making them,for me a very comfortable seat.

Before you give up on the Civic,along with the A3,also give the S type a test drive - you might be a little surprised

I was reading this thread rather puzzled that there was a ride and uncomfortable seats issue. My ride is very good indeed and the seats are the most comfortable Ive ever had!!
Looks like the Type S hits the spot then

[cb550]

Originally Posted by robbo51

I was reading this thread rather puzzled that there was a ride and uncomfortable seats issue. My ride is very good indeed and the seats are the most comfortable Ive ever had!!
Looks like the Type S hits the spot then

Issues like seat comfort robbo, will always be a subjective thing-we're all different shapes and sizes!

Type S ? Well I reckon,Honda may just have the best sports Hatch out on the market today.Do I need a 1 series? nope,do I need an A3? nope,do I need a Golf? not likely.

As recently said,owners will tend to speak louder when there are issues,and quite understandably.Are you 'pleased' with your Type S?

[Honcho]

Originally Posted by Cap

Erhm... Have you considered the competition and the price?

Indeed.

Focus, when the TWIN CLUTCH semi box is available next year, with its Sony audio, MULTILINK suspension, bi-zenons, decent rear view.

Test drive coming up.

We shall, as I say, see!

[robbo51]

Originally Posted by cb550

Issues like seat comfort robbo, will always be a subjective thing-we're all different shapes and sizes!

Type S ? Well I reckon,Honda may just have the best sports Hatch out on the market today.Do I need a 1 series? nope,do I need an A3? nope,do I need a Golf? not likely.

As recently said,owners will tend to speak louder when there are issues,and quite understandably.Are you 'pleased' with your Type S?

No!!
My fillings have rattled out and I've a numb bum!!









Only kidding!!

[Silver Driver]

I changed my BMW 320d tourer in May 07 for the Civic EX 1.8 i-shift and the ride is not as good as the beamer but as far as comfort, doors opening wider for access,flexible seating helps to distribute varying loads, more inside storage space etc. etc.,
My Civic has now completed just over 8,000 miles giving an average of 40mpg, this includes driving to the south of France (door to door 900 miles each way) which included a lot of driving on the Autoroute cruising at 80mph.
Had to go back for warranty work on a tight passenger door handle and recently for a works mod. on the drivers door.
My wife also drives the car (when I let her) and we are both very satisfied with the performance,comfort and economy of the car, which suits a 73 year old civic enthusiast.

[freddo1]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

I've now got to the stage where I'm thinking why put up with something you don't like. The ride is terrible, and I'm trying desperately to convince myself that I'm overeacting. Sorry, but I'm going to be test driving the A3 (the car I test drove before the civic). To get the same spec I know I'll be paying through the nose, but I just can't keep on putting up with this cars poor ride quality. Can anybody tell me why the car is so uncomfortable? Have Honda made a radical change to the suspension?

A small price to pay for class leading handling through the twisty bits methinks

[Type S Bournemouth]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

I've now got to the stage where I'm thinking why put up with something you don't like. The ride is terrible, and I'm trying desperately to convince myself that I'm overeacting. Sorry, but I'm going to be test driving the A3 (the car I test drove before the civic). To get the same spec I know I'll be paying through the nose, but I just can't keep on putting up with this cars poor ride quality. Can anybody tell me why the car is so uncomfortable? Have Honda made a radical change to the suspension?

I cant as I think its the most comfortable car ive driven. But to be fair im comparing the Type S. I havent driven a 5dr version.

The ride in my Type S is spot on and the seats are extremely comfortable.

[Type S Bournemouth]

Originally Posted by Honcho

Indeed.

Focus, when the TWIN CLUTCH semi box is available next year, with its Sony audio, MULTILINK suspension, bi-zenons, decent rear view.

Test drive coming up.

We shall, as I say, see!

The Focus just makes you wanna go zzzzZZZZZ

[Cap]

Originally Posted by Honcho

Indeed.

Focus, when the TWIN CLUTCH semi box is available next year, with its Sony audio, MULTILINK suspension, bi-zenons, decent rear view.

Test drive coming up.

We shall, as I say, see!

Ye ye, heard it all before.. Youll be back in civic before you know it

[HappyMan]

I think the ride quality thing is also subjective. I presently have a skoda fabia ( getting the civic today or tomorrow) and sometimes I feel the ride quality in that is rather hard too! When I test drove the civic I was considering the comments of the drive quality and found that I was pleasantly surprised at the ride ( and I live in poland where the roads make the roads in the UK look like smooth ice ). We shall see when I pick up my car!

[3rd Honda]

Originally Posted by HappyMan

When I test drove the civic I was considering the comments of the drive quality and found that I was pleasantly surprised at the ride ( and I live in poland where the roads make the roads in the UK look like smooth ice ).

I'm not sure how long it is since you visited the UK, and whereabouts you went, but in the last 5 years the roads where I live in the UK have deteriorated dreadfully - much accelerated by last summers flooding. Whilst some major roads may not be too bad, a lot of minor roads are now in a really appalling state.

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Silver Driver

My wife also drives the car (when I let her) and we are both very satisfied with the performance,comfort and economy of the car, which suits a 73 year old civic enthusiast.

Good to hear from you! Another person who has received his winter fuel allowance!

[gmp]

MIBS(made in britain syndrome) how is it we have this problem! arn't the cars built by robots?, but they have still got to be programmed by humans- how can I have varying thickness paint on my bonnet for instance( paint chips easlly) found this when service manager checked with special gauge .I reckon its something to do with feelgood factor at their place of work(probably should bring back workers playtime)yes I am that old to remember!!!

[Type S Bournemouth]

Originally Posted by cb550

Had the 2.2 ES-extremely pleased with the car.With a critical hat on,I would say the refinement of the (low speed) ride was'nt its best feature.Also the seats I found a little firm,to the point where I bought sheepskin seat covers to even out any pressure points-worked a treat.

Now I'm in the 2.2 S type, got to say the 'questionable' ride quality is now just a memory .This car just rides rutted/potholed roads beautifully.The seats have a layer of softer padding making them,for me a very comfortable seat.

Before you give up on the Civic,along with the A3,also give the S type a test drive - you might be a little surprised

Interesting that your saying the same as me. As you have owned both the S and the 5dr version. Ive only ever driven and owned the Type S and the ride and seats are great.

[montana]

Originally Posted by Type S Bournemouth

Interesting that your saying the same as me. As you have owned both the S and the 5dr version. Ive only ever driven and owned the Type S and the ride and seats are great.

The 5dr suspension was modified and the track widened for our Type S. The ride is much better. I've been in both and the Type S is more comfortable.
I wonder why they don't revisit the 5dr's suspension and modify it?

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Type S Bournemouth

I cant as I think its the most comfortable car ive driven. But to be fair im comparing the Type S. I havent driven a 5dr version.

The ride in my Type S is spot on and the seats are extremely comfortable.

Its the first car in over 25 years of driving that feels so bad. It almost feels that everything is loose and likely to drop off. My wifes car is a Smart Forfour, and really solid. The wheels move over the potholes but the car remains solid and doesn't roll or lurch like the civic. Its got nothing to do with the seats. I went for the leather interior, and the seats are the most comfortable I've ever had. It hasn't got sports suspension or 18 inch alloy wheels so why should it be such a harsh ride. If honda could do a modification to the chassis, I'd open my cheque book like a shot, but it looks like I'm stuck with it, unless I cut my losses and get something else. Maybe when I test drive the A3 (over my carefully chosen roads) it will feel no better than the civic, but if it does, then I'm afraid the civic has to go.

[Type S Bournemouth]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Its the first car in over 25 years of driving that feels so bad. It almost feels that everything is loose and likely to drop off. My wifes car is a Smart Forfour, and really solid. The wheels move over the potholes but the car remains solid and doesn't roll or lurch like the civic. Its got nothing to do with the seats. I went for the leather interior, and the seats are the most comfortable I've ever had. It hasn't got sports suspension or 18 inch alloy wheels so why should it be such a harsh ride. If honda could do a modification to the chassis, I'd open my cheque book like a shot, but it looks like I'm stuck with it, unless I cut my losses and get something else. Maybe when I test drive the A3 (over my carefully chosen roads) it will feel no better than the civic, but if it does, then I'm afraid the civic has to go.

I think you ought to try the Type S unless 3 dr's is not practical for yourself? Like I said before, I havent driven the 5 dr as i personally only wanted the 3 dr Type S but obviously the mods they made on the Type S have made a big difference, considering how many 5dr owners are moaning about the ride.

Perhaps Honda need to look at changing the 5dr setup to that of the 3dr setup as its obviously better.

[cb550]

Originally Posted by Type S Bournemouth

Interesting that your saying the same as me. As you have owned both the S and the 5dr version. Ive only ever driven and owned the Type S and the ride and seats are great.

You're right!-the seats and ride give the car a refined and upmarket feel

My thoughts are the 3 door (stiffer) body contributes a bit to this.Fair to say though,mine's still done <1.5k while my 5 door had clocked up 12k.