1986 Honda Civic Wagon

Pros: Great Gas Mileage and cornering ability
Cons: Boxy Styling

My mom bought a 1986 Honda Civic four-door brand new. The price brand new was around $8,000. I had a lot of fun in this car because it was my primary driver during High School after I got my license. This model has been compared to the new PT Cruiser...

Pros: Gas mileage, go anywhere, plenty of cargo room, very reliable.
Cons: Not much power, indifferent, boxy look

I bought a 1986 Honda Civic 4x4 wagon from a local used car dealer. Car had about 180K miles on it. I only paid $800 for it in 2002. I replaced the clutch myself which was the reason they let it go so cheap. It was in quite good condition. This proved to be a wonderful little car. With studded tires, I could make it up the slushiest, slickest, steepest driveways very easily. For all the miles, car never smoked or used oil. It got about 28 mpg which is pretty good for a 4wd. Shifting into 4wd was as easy as pushing a button on the console. I just can't complain about this car. Highly recommended!

Pros: drives very well, large cargo, climb and corners, easy to load/unload good mileage
Cons: low to the ground, steep driveways in my neighborhood give a problem.

I can't imagine why Honda stopped making these. It zips around and corners like a sports car, carrys more than most small SUV's, gets really good mileage...and is so plain no one would ever steal it. I've had my car since 1987 (new) and I'm about to replace it but not without guilt and some sorrow, it's been a wonderful little workhorse. It is starting to need some significant repairs and I'm just not mechanical, really needs to be in the hands of someone who can repair it themselves. I only ever had one complaint about it (aside from two famously bad Honda dealers in our area, problems with bad mechanics and rip off or poorly done repairs). Finally found and good and honest mechanic. It doesn't have much clearance under the car and some steep driveways in my neighborhood and the increasingly "off road" quality of our streets are sometimes a challenge.