[Tantalus]

Hello all, I happened to stumble across this forum whilst doing some research and what a little gem this place is, everyone seemed friendly so thought I'd join and see if anyone could give me some advice .

I've had my heart set on buying a civic (understandably so) and have been doing the rounds on autotrader, pistonheads, gumtree etc looking at what is around and the average prices. I have a budget of about £6 but would be willing to go over slightly if the right car came along. What is certain is that I'll be getting a 5 door, no idea which is the most suitable model though. Apart from gadgets and features, what is the differences between models?

Ideally I'd love the 2.2 diesel, but with the amount of miles a year I drive (approx 10k-15k) I'm not sure it's worth forking out that bit more for a car that possibly won't save me too much in the long run. So is the 1.8 is as reliable as the diesel?

There's a couple I'm seeing on autotrader that seem a bit cheap to me, in your opinions are these bargains or is there something a bit dodge there?
2007 HONDA CIVIC 1.8 I-VTEC SE 5dr Hatchback
2007 HONDA CIVIC 1.8 I-VTEC Sport 5dr Hatchback
2007 Honda Civic 2204 cc -CDTi EX

Last question for now, what type of things should I be looking out for when buying a civic? Any particular reliability issues that are specific to it?

Any help would be appreciated guys

 

[Guitaralmond]

If you can find a Diesel I would go for that, I've had the petrol and Diesel and although there isnt much between the MPG the Petrol wont even shift until you get 4,000rpm+ so driving eco style drives you mad!! you have to accelerate really slowly as theres no torque. Where as the Diesel has loads of torque so you can drive at a good medium accelleration while keeping between 1,500-2,000rpm also gaining a good 50+mpg

 

[J. Derek Riddell]

With that mileage you should probably be looking at a 1.8

Don't let the low torque high revs thing put you off

If you feel that you later want a snappier response, there are some relatively cheap mods that really make a difference

Model specs can be found in the Wiki etc.

 

[geemac]

for 7250 u can have mine

 

[Guitaralmond]

With that mileage you should probably be looking at a 1.8

Don't let the low torque high revs thing put you off

If you feel that you later want a snappier response, there are some relatively cheap mods that really make a difference

Model specs can be found in the Wiki etc.

I disagree, on 10-15k mileage the OP should definitely go for the diesel. I found in the 1.8 I was revving higher just to get going. Also my lifetime average for the 1.8 was 30mpg, the 2.2 diesel 54mpg.

 

[J. Derek Riddell]

I disagree, on 10-15k mileage the OP should definitely go for the diesel. I found in the 1.8 I was revving higher just to get going. Also my lifetime average for the 1.8 was 30mpg, the 2.2 diesel 54mpg.

I know you disagree - I read your first post !

Of course the 1.8 needs more revs - it has less torque

BHP = revs X torque

For a more eager response, a K&N 57i air filter and the Elite remap

Cost was my primary argument - the 2.2 is more expensive to buy, insure, and maintain (and diesel fuel costs more) - 10K / 15K miles a year should be well under the "break-even" point

 

[coste1l]

i just got my 50k sevice done to honda specs for £110 is the maintenance really that much more mine does twice the mpg i would get from a ctr and is just as quick?

 

[J. Derek Riddell]

i just got my 50k sevice done to honda specs for £110 is the maintenance really that much more mine does twice the mpg i would get from a ctr and is just as quick?

It's really maintenance and repairs - more stuff on the 2.2 to go wrong - but yes, for the same service the diesel costs more

 

[coste1l]

true the turbo and fuel rail retail at over 4k!

 

[hewitt20]

the 1.8 is economical enough if you drive it properly.. i was getting 48mpg displayed when driving motorway miles.. and nothing is economical in city driving so what difference does it make there..

plus the fact that diesel is now usually up to 10p per litre more.. it really is only worth considering if you do LOTS of long motorway miles, the occasional trip the petrol is good enough for..

and this whole saying that the 1.8 is gutless until 4,000rpm.. it really isn't. it's maybe not as grunty as the diesel, but the petrol is much better when you want to drive fast, much more rewarding.. and who needs power when you're trying to save money on fuel..?

 

[markvirgo]

I have my up for sale fir £6000 on ebay

 

[Tantalus]

Thanks all, very useful info. Considering the mileage I'm probably going to be doing in it I'll probably go for the 1.8. Although saying that there are some cheap 2.2s on autotrader that look quite tempting...

I'm going to test drive the 1.8 to see how bad the whole high revs low torque issue really is (I'm guessing storm in a teacup here).

From other posts I've read there seems to be an issue with the clutch wearing out quickly on civics, is there any truth to that? Anything else I should look out for with regards to reliability?

 

[dablink]

.

From other posts I've read there seems to be an issue with the clutch wearing out quickly on civics, is there any truth to that?

Yes, the clutch wears out quickly....

 

[ab17790]

I do about 20-25K a year and I love my 1.8 to bits and I get around 43 MPG which was better than my old Megane GT Diesel

 

[Jpetrie]

I do about 20-25K a year and I love my 1.8 to bits and I get around 43 MPG which was better than my old Megane GT Diesel

This feels wrong I'm only getting 28 mpg.

 

[J. Derek Riddell]

This feels wrong I'm only getting 28 mpg.

Wow ! - something wrong there ...

I have a K&N 57i Air Filter and a Digital Throttle Controlller installed, whcih "encourages" me to drive a bit more vigorously than before ...

On long tours, I get 45 mpg - 'pootling' around town etc., 35 mpg - thrashing it, never really less than 30 mpg ...

 

[JohnnyBoy]

Thanks all, very useful info. Considering the mileage I'm probably going to be doing in it I'll probably go for the 1.8. Although saying that there are some cheap 2.2s on autotrader that look quite tempting...

I'm going to test drive the 1.8 to see how bad the whole high revs low torque issue really is (I'm guessing storm in a teacup here).

From other posts I've read there seems to be an issue with the clutch wearing out quickly on civics, is there any truth to that? Anything else I should look out for with regards to reliability?

You'll get people making cases for both the 1.8 and the 2.2 on here, and neither are wrong really. The only thing you can do is test drive the two before you make your mind up, and make the decision for yourself.

The 1.8 and the 2.2 are quite similar in terms of performance, you'll obviously get better economy from the diesel (though not massively so), but you can pick up some bargains. I got mine very cheap, and it's not skipped a beat so far. Plus the remap on the diesel is just fantastic

 

[Jpetrie]

Wow ! - something wrong there ...

I have a K&N 57i Air Filter and a Digital Throttle Controlller installed, whcih "encourages" me to drive a bit more vigorously than before ...

On long tours, I get 45 mpg - 'pootling' around town etc., 35 mpg - thrashing it, never really less than 30 mpg ...

Can you give me an idea of how much you get out of £20 of fuel? If we compared how much a litre costs?

This has been bugging me for a while now. I'm only getting around 75 miles out of £20 and maybe 85-90 when I behave myself. Got 99 once, but was extremely well-behaved.

I've only ever put £20 in.

 

[Jpetrie]

You'll get people making cases for both the 1.8 and the 2.2 on here, and neither are wrong really. The only thing you can do is test drive the two before you make your mind up, and make the decision for yourself.

The 1.8 and the 2.2 are quite similar in terms of performance, you'll obviously get better economy from the diesel (though not massively so), but you can pick up some bargains. I got mine very cheap, and it's not skipped a beat so far. Plus the remap on the diesel is just fantastic

I'm seeing a massive difference compared with my 2.2.

 

[JohnnyBoy]

I'm seeing a massive difference compared with my 2.2.

Apart from you, lol