Farewell to my Civic

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by Honcho

The Focus certainly looks bland inside and out compared to the Civic.

But so do the BMW 1 series, Audi A3, VW Golf and many other fine cars.

The penalty for those startling Civic looks has been paid by thousands of early purchasers, like Topcat.

I'm sure she'll now have the compensation of the superior ride, handling and driving refinement of the Focus. And no matter how obliging her Honda dealer's, I'm sure she won't be missing seeing their friendly faces every week.

Thanks Honcho

[mrh339]

Originally Posted by Topcat

Thanks Honcho

The Focus is a fine car, its just not a civic, but given TC's problem with her last two civics Honda probably couldnt give her another car.

[Kremmen]

This is getting to be quite a long thread for a Civic departure !

Never get this when we first arrive

[GHGH]

Originally Posted by l-noel

Oh no... I'm just ashamed to have spoiled TC threads .

No, you shouldn't. I think this has been a good thread, altough not always strictly on topic. But still better than average

[Hartside]

If it is a Focus, then you've bought what I consider to be a good car. You must also think the same or you would not have bought it. Ignore the "knockers" and just remember that the Focus has class leading handling amongst other things to make it a great buy for the money you have paid. I'm not alone in thinking this, see here:

The New Ford Focus Is Crowned Auto Express Car Of The<br>Year 2005

Ford Focus | New Reviews | Car Reviews | Auto Express

Great choice - now enjoy your new motor!

[Bog]

Originally Posted by Honcho

The penalty for those startling Civic looks has been paid by thousands of early purchasers, like Topcat.

It would be nice if Honda/the dealers acknowledged this and made a real effort to put those problems right, rather than do everything to avoid warranty claims (or at least make it very hard) - Filler cap, suspension/subframe, rusty exhaust triangles, rattles/squeaks are just a few that spring to mind.

I guess alot of those early buyers were new to Honda, tempted by the modern design and excellent equipment levels, a lot most them would have been the younger demographic Honda wanted to attract; moving the Civic away from being considered an older persons car. Things go wrong with new models, we all accept, but Honda's reluctance to sort them quick and without a fuss has ensured that the majority of early adopters will never go near a Honda again!

[Hartside]

but Honda's reluctance to sort them quick and without a fuss has ensured that the majority of early adopters will never go near a Honda again!

Absolutely spot on in my case!

[Jack The Lad.]

Spanner in the works, -- I know people, who purchased their cars, within a month or two after the 2006 launch date and not had any problems to speak of.
Two, haven't even bothered to have the fuel cap release upgraded, as its never been a problem. Seems to me, that the first cars, may well have been given a bit more attention on the build / quality control side.

[Opelguy]

Originally Posted by Jack The Lad.

Seems to me, that the first cars, may well have been given a bit more attention on the build / quality control side.

That is most often the case yes, sometimes early in production you even go to such lengths as to strip the car down again to make sure everythings in the right place before putting it back together.
Exhibition & press-cars are also given special care.

[rhodgreen]

TC - so sorry to hear your leaving us Civic owners!! - but yet again very jealous of you!
If feels like I'm losing a comerade of the early adopters with many problems brigade!
My Civic will be 3 years old in March 09 - there is no way on Earth that I can risk owning this car once it's out of warranty - so it's got to go within the next twelve months - lots of test drives ahead!!!!
So tempted to wait for the new Renault Megane (loved my old one) - the pics look like an even better looking car than the Leon!
The Focus I think is a very wise choice. I have a brand new Hendy Ford within walking distance to home that I pass daily - temptation will give in to a test drive very soon! My only problem (dilema!) is that a neighbour works for Hendy down the road, gets company cars - and is driving a Civic!!!!! (she gets it from a distant Hendy dealer that does Hondas! Southampton<>Exeter!)

[Topcat]

Hartside thank you - and thanks for those links, I am enjoying really enjoying driving the new car, in my case it drives far better than the civic did and what a relief no more suspension noises.

I reading that the old shape civic also had many suspension problems, 80% of warranty claims were for the suspension you would think Honda could have finally got it right on the new civic.

Rhodgreen, I was going to wait til next year an sell the civic just before the warranty ran out, but it would have been worth even less by then and I didnt have a lot of money to play around with.

Oh and Jack the Lad, two of my friends with early civic are also having similar problems to what I had and have had enough also.

[Jack The Lad.]

I am really pleased for you TC.

Think my battery is on the blink.

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by Jack The Lad.

Think my battery is on the blink.

Sorry to hear that - mine is ok

[Jack The Lad.]

You Jammy Dodger.

[rhodgreen]

So which model Focus did you go for?
Which engine did you get and how does it compare to the Civic's? (which one did you have anyway?!).

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by rhodgreen

So which model Focus did you go for?
Which engine did you get and how does it compare to the Civic's? (which one did you have anyway?!).

I had a 1.8SE civic and I have bought a 1.6 Focus Climate with sports pack, no its isnt as nippy but its fine for the sort of back street driving I do and it is a pleasure to drive

I will probably upgrade to a 1.8 titanium if I do find the 1.6 too slow - but I will see as then it will have to be a used car.

[rhodgreen]

You'll hopefully see a drop in your petrol bills in that case! - I suspect another flaw in Honda's marketing campaign when we bought our cars...."1.8 - the performance of a 2.0 with the economy of a 1.6" - don't know which 1.6 they were referring to! Do they still state this?

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by rhodgreen

You'll hopefully see a drop in your petrol bills in that case! - I suspect another flaw in Honda's marketing campaign when we bought our cars...."1.8 - the performance of a 2.0 with the economy of a 1.6" - don't know which 1.6 they were referring to! Do they still state this?

Not sure - I averaged about 33 - 35 mpg with the civic. On the Honda website they now have a section for owners reviews, I submitted my review and ended it with "I bet you dont put this one on your website"

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by Topcat

I had a 1.8SE civic and I have bought a 1.6 Focus Climate with sports pack, no its isnt as nippy but its fine for the sort of back street driving I do and it is a pleasure to drive

I will probably upgrade to a 1.8 titanium if I do find the 1.6 too slow - but I will see as then it will have to be a used car.

TC if I had experienced what you have with your two civics, I would have gone back to a manufacturer that I knew was a reliable one.

You had a focus before and said it was great so you've done what most others would have done too.

Enjoy your new car.

[grasey]

I wonder when your old car is resold the new owner will be on this forum talking about it.