MY CIVIC AFTER 35 000 kms

[LuCiUs]

Hi Guys

Ok, I could really write a whole book with all my experiences with my civic. But I will try my best to summarize as much as possible. But if i say, numerous of calls or struggled, that means I'VE REALLY MADE A S^% LOAD OF CALLS AND STRUGGLED!!

Week 1

Drove the car out of the dealership. I was probably the first guy to buy a civic here in Cape Town. We only get the basic model. We get no extras or choice of extras. Standard 1.8 . Car felt solid, Luvly! Was extremely proud!

a few days later I've started noticing the badly scrathed perspex in front of the dials. Gave a call to my dealer. He told me that they will order the part immediately and replace. After a year of numerious calls and visits they still haven't replaced my panel.

Around month 3 of ownership

The dash around the CD Player started making this funny crackling plasticy noise. Had to go around and press on certain parts to make it go away. EXTREMELY embarrasing when driving with someone new in the car. Makes the car look and sound cheap.

Month number 6 to 12

More and more things started rattling. I told my dealer at the first service to please inspect these rattling parts. My wipers were also hopping and making a frog like noise. They told me they would look at it. They didn't, all of the rattles are still there. Emailed HONDA SA a few times about the cars poor built quality. No reply. After mailing a few more a few months later i got a call from HONDA SA. The lady just asked me who my dealer was. Told her that this has nothing to do with my pathetic dealer but my car. She told me she will get back to me. 5min later the phone rings. It's the manager of my dealer telling me that I'm making he's dealership look bad and what the problem is. Told him that i will gladly discuss the problems with him. Arranged a meeting at the dealership. He didn't pitch. Phoned him. He told me that he knows where i work and will come to me. That was 9 months ago. Nice..

Visited another dealer about 40kms away to see if i can get help there. NOPE. The dealer also belongs to the same company my current dealer is at. Same F&**-up attitude there.

Year and 2 months

Decided to order my OWN DASH. The Type R one. Service manager told me that he knows the Japanese and that the part will not fit my normal Civic. Told him to order it anyway. Took 6 weeks to get here, because of very interessting reasons, *cough*, excuses. Paid R500.00 for a piece of plastic..Asked the dealer to put it in when i come for my next service. No problem the Service manager said, that will be R350.00. Told them no, I'll do it myself. *It was very hard not to go ape-SH*t on the guy*. With the help of this website installed the dash myself, no problems.

Decided to just accept all the rattles. Installed a nice sound system in my car. The exact same one i used in my two previous cars (160is Opel/Vauxel and Toyota 1.4 Corolla Hatch). But here is the funny part. This Civic rattles now like a $5 hooker!! Not one of my previous cars rattled this much.

O-yes, and the seats look like crap. Should have gone for the leather.

I probably left a lot of stuff out. It's been a battle with this car from
week 1. Dealers dont care, Honda SA don't care. What these dealers don't understand is that it's critics like us who make their cars better. Which equales more sales. And WE are the ones returning after just three years to buy the new model. The other people who never complain will keep the car for 10 years and on (Don't think my civic will last that long.) They will not be returning anytime soon. Which means less cash flow for the dealer.

This made me think. The only reason why I probably bought the car was for looks and looks alone. Will i buy a Honda again, unfortunately yes. I believe in the Manufacturer. Wish all Honda's could be manufacturered in Japan. And all the dealers around the world must be Japanese who shares the passion for Honda. But that will never happen.

So, to end. Will I buy another Honda, unfortunately Yes. Will any of my friends buy a Honda, HELL NO!!..They are still laughing at my problems.

[Woette]

a shame your dealer is so unsupportive, i understand very well it ruins the entire experience.
I also have that annoying rattle around the cd box, i think its coming from the airvent but not sure. I have hammered away on that spot many times which seems to solve the problem for a couple of minutes
The car is a joy, its just the build quality that is seriously letting down.
What fuel economy are you getting from it?

[Dimplyred]

Your dealer sounds like a contender for worst Honda dealership in the world.

They have really let you down and to be honest I don't know if I would buy another Honda again if I had to rely on the same two dealerships. In fact no I wouldn't.

If you do get another Honda, I hope you end up with a reliable and sound car so you don't have to go back to the idiots too much

[bucketp]

You should let Honda know how bad your dealers are, maybe (and thats a huge maybe) they can do something about them.

[Jeroen1000]

Originally Posted by Woette

a shame your dealer is so unsupportive, i understand very well it ruins the entire experience.
I also have that annoying rattle around the cd box, i think its coming from the airvent but not sure.

Oh yes! it's the darned centre piece that seperates them 2 vents just above the cd player. Sometimes it gets on my nerve's too. It should be fixable though.

[g_bak]

it's true that these things can let you down. You can also see the glass half - full though, and that is that you didn't mention any mechanical failures.

As for the rattles, my personal quote is to try and fix them by yourself, by doing some DIY work. I'm sure that no dealer is better than any caring owner.

[civicfan]

Sorry but if you give them money for new (better?) parts instead of assertively getting them replaced on warranty, you are encouraging them to treat you the way they do. Try to change the dealership, if that won't help, threaten them with a lawyer, or even better, the motoring press, and you will be amazed what it can do for you.

[robbo51]

Where are your ratlles?
My useless dealer failed to fix mine too. I did them myself in less than 5 minutes!!
The car is now silent!!

[pcr]

Nice one Robbo. I think some Civics rattle more than others. I have been fixing rattles now for 2 years and it is still not silent. Most have been behind the dash and due to shoddy cableforms and shoddy fitting.
How many rattles ?..hundreds.

[civicfan]

Originally Posted by robbo51

Where are your ratlles?
My useless dealer failed to fix mine too. I did them myself in less than 5 minutes!!
The car is now silent!!

Me too, I've switched off my hearing aid

(just kidding )

[LuCiUs]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the replies. Two things I forgot to mention.

First, what really bugs me is the inconsistent response from the gas and clutch. I'll explain quickly:

Lets say you start your car in the morning. The rpm goes up to around 1400 just to get the engine at the right operating temperature. But with that higher rpm, it's excellent to just engage the clutch, no gas needed, no extra rpm needed. And when you do engage the clutch, you can see the car fighting to stay at around 1400rpm, which is excellent.

5min later the engine is at it's operating temperature. RPM goes down to around 700. Now, i know this safes gas and everything, but this is way to low in my opinion. On a flat surface, there is no way you can engage the clutch without pushing down on the gas pedal as well. If you do, you will definitely stall the car. And when you engage the clutch, the rpm dips lower quite fast. Then you have to press the gas just to keep the car from stalling. And because the gas pedal response in always late, that causes a bit of inconsistency. Releasing the clutch and stepping on the gas on exactly the same time will make the car stall or jerk heavily. This is really stupid.

Second thing. When approaching a stop sign or something driving at normal speeds. I press the clutch before stopping to take the car out of gear and start breaking. The RPM dips because the gear has been released. My RPM dips so low that the car almost stalls. Then when it almost does, it shoots back up as if the car realizes it F%cked up a bit. Mentioned this to my dealer as well. Said they haven't heard about it but will update the cars computer or something. Still hasn't been fixed.

Now i know some of you think that i should just go back to the dealer the whole time and get it fixed. Or get a lawyer or go to a magazine. After fighting for over a year you really get tired. My efforts are futile. I have no power as a single owner. Lawyer will get you no-where and will just cost you a **** load of money. Magazines won't write something ONE owner said.

O-yes, the underside of the car feels more loose every day. When going over a bump it really feels as if the car is coming apart. Honda really messed up with this car. Which I could let them know.

Someone have a contact in Honda Japan?

[Unknownsoldier]

Originally Posted by civicfan

Me too, I've switched off my hearing aid

(just kidding )

I just turn my music up, i'm almost deaf but it's worth it for a quiet car.

Tom

[bobbybliss]

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

On a flat surface, there is no way you can engage the clutch without pushing down on the gas pedal as well.

This is quite common with a petrol engine. You should get a diesel if you don't like pressing the gas pedal.

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

Releasing the clutch and stepping on the gas on exactly the same time will make the car stall or jerk heavily. This is really stupid.

I'm suprised that after 35.000 km you can't get the timing right.

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

When approaching a stop sign or something driving at normal speeds. I press the clutch before stopping to take the car out of gear and start breaking. The RPM dips because the gear has been released. My RPM dips so low that the car almost stalls.

Why does this bother you? Second, it would be better if you only unclutch if it is absolutely necessary. Like when you almost come to a complete halt.

I'm sorry, but I do not agree with your criticism.

[LuCiUs]

** POST DELETED ** / FWH

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[bobbybliss]

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

..
I've started this threat for educated replies. If you are not capable of that, don't reply.

Why so offensive? I only stated that I don't agree with you.

Please show me some arguments.

[Woette]

I disagree with the car being inconsistent...
I CAN recommend you to install the engine update on the 1.8, it makes it a whole lot smoother. I also noticed that the car drops in revs when you de accelerate and then suddenly the revs go up, this however does not bother me. I also dont have any problems what so ever with starting up a slope.
i am going with bobybliss on this one i am afraid UNLESS there is something wrong with your cars clutch, the problem is ( i am very sorry ) just the driver.

[LuCiUs]

hmmm...

Did you read your own remarks? Those were directed directly at me. Not my criticism.

Anyway, lets end it here. Don't let us waist space arguing with each other.

You have a right to your opinion, no harm done.

[bobbybliss]

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

Anyway, lets end it here.

[FWH]

Please try to keep this polite.

Thank you.