THE Smart Economy Car Where You Don’t Have to Slum It
Written: Mar 22 '04
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Pros: Impressive dynamics, Honda reputation, stellar transmission, just makes sense!
Cons: No leather seat option, intrusive trunk hinges.
The Bottom Line: If you're shopping for economy and reliability in a well screwed together and rewarding-to-drive and painless to own package, look no further. The ideal car.
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| syclone's Full Review: 2004 Honda Civic |
I am a bona-fide car fanatic--motor oil runs through my veins and my heart pounds when I get the chance to drive an exotic.
I own other cars, all of prestigious German marques, but with stratospheric and steadily elevating gas prices, I had no choice but to make a sensible move and spring for a car with which economy was a higher priority than cachet and power. I thought I might enjoy a Mazda3--the “zoom-zoom” commercials are quite appealing--but I know a friend who has had a nightmare experience with a Mazda6, so I thought I’d better not chance my money on a car in its first model year that could forseeably experience teething problems. As a daily driver my girlfriend uses a 1998 Honda Accord LX with over 140,000 miles--she is yet to experience ONE problem even though, I must say, she doesn’t consistently maintain the car. The machine still starts beautifully after six years of her abuse, with no end in sight. I’d heard other testimonials to Honda’s rock solid reliability, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to swing by a Honda store.
Once on the lot, I was surprised to see that the Civic line had been significantly cosmetically refreshed for the 2004 model year. The headlights and the entire front fascia were attractively reshaped, the taillights redone, and the body has been nicely tailored to provide a much more contemporary look. On EX models, classy new 15” alloy wheels were added. Overall, the upgrades have done much to enhance the Civic’s traditionally plebian appearance--the EX looks especially upscale.
After chatting with a no-nonsense Honda salesman, I was given a tour of the car. The 1.7 liter VTEC four cylinder engine is especially virtuous, since it is rated as an ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle), achieves 38mpg on the highway, and still puts out a decent 127hp. Inside the car, I was again very pleasantly surprised. The dash layout is commendably simple, yet intriguingly attractive. Considering the Civic’s price range, its interior materials are attractive, feel substantial, and all work with a very pleasant feeling action. Ergonomically, the Civic’s interior layout is beyond reproach--the only snafu is the positioning of the moonroof control, which should be on the roof, not to the left the steering column and way below most driver’s practical reach (Nobody does a better job of moonroof controls than VW/Audi). The front seats are well bolstered, and even though the headrests are only height adjustable (you can’t adjust the angle) they are positioned ideally. Well concieved storage compartments dot the cabin.
All Hondas start with the same charming chirp. It’s instantly recognizible, and it sets the tone for the car’s stellar compromise between efficiency and vigor. The engine idles silently, but the very cool electro glo gauges, which are fully lit even when the headlights are in the off position lets you know the car is alive. My feet met the Civic’s pedals like a long lost friend--they are positioned perfectly for spirited driving. The clutch has a light and direct, linear feeling and the shifter moves in its gates with fluid aplomb. The steering wheel is nicely shaped and molded in the right places and the steering action is very positive--it feels quite similar to that of my 2001 Audi A4. Once out on the road, the car really shines. Road noise isn’t excessively absent; it filters in in a pleasant sounding way and the car tracks arrow straight on the interstate. When I was given the chance to drive with a little more elan, I fell madly in love with the clutch/shifter combo. I, literally have NEVER driven a car with transmission as good as this one, save my brother’s Honda S2000 or possibly my Porsche Boxster. Later, after driving this car back to back with my Audi S4 and BMW 3-Series, I came away wishing the S4’s manual tranny (which is really quite good) had a clutch as silky as the Civic’s and I wished the 330i had a shifter with as pleasant an action as the Civic’s! Imagine that--by this time, I was blown away. I swept through some fast corners--body roll is minimal for a car of this stature. I braked hard (and scared the pants off the salesman)--the car brakes with authority and poise. My only complaint about the dynamics of the car would be the tendency for unsettling front wheel hop over large imperfections, but this may just be a trait of front wheel drive cars, with which I don’t have much experience. After weaving through traffic with a teenage grin, I pulled back into the Honda lot, and yelled out an ecstatic “I’ll Take It!!”
By no means could this car blow the doors off any number of higher dollar machines, but the appeal lies much deeper than that: this car so effortlessly combines a bargain-basement price with a rock solid platform, a gem of a tiny engine, a sparkling transmission, VERY friendly insurance rates (even for a twentysomething male), purposeful and attractive interior, tidy exterior demensions, and very pleasing driving dynamics.
Best of all, for an EX model (includes monochrome paint scheme, floormats, power moonroof, CD player, cruise control, power mirrors, and the uplevel VTEC engine) with a standard transmission and side airbags the sticker price of the car only came to under $18,500. I walked out of the dealership with the car for only $17,850. For the assurance that comes along with the Honda badge, impressive efficiency, 5-Star NHTSA front and side impact rating, and an absolutely incredible transmission, that’s a small price to pay. If you’re on more of a strict budget, the Civic’s other trim levels offer all of the same virtues minus the side airbags, some miscellaneous options, and the 127hp engine.
The car has been absolutely painless to own. I’ve racked up more than 12,000 miles in 5 months, and have only had to take the car into Honda once for non-scheduled maintenance; the moonroof was sticking, but it was fixed well and was covered under warranty. I have observed about 36mpg, even though I really drive the hell out of my cars. My complaints are minor: the seat fabric attracts every molecule of dirtiness, so keeping the upholstery clean takes extra effort (I wish for a leather upholstery option); the trunk hinges are the old-fashioned intrusive type, meaning they take away trunk space and can even smash things in their way if you close the trunk without being careful; especially in higher altitudes, the engine really could use 15-20 more horsepower to make passing more effortless (I’m sure the next-generation Civic due in '06 or so will have a more powerful, larger displacement engine). Other than those minor niggles, there’s no reason to complain. I added a K&N air filter, which produced modest but noticeable results. Fuel economy went up by about 2mpg with the addition of the K&N. There is an abundance of aftermarket accessories available for the Civic, although with the advent of a revised 2004 model, some accessories are just becoming available.
The mechanical preciseness of this machine still makes me smile--the engine sings at redline (as opposed to most low market inline-four cylinders which buzz and lose steam as the revs climb) Drive a Honda: Shift fast, brake hard, I say! I am confident that this car could go for hundreds of thousands of miles before it has to retire--it may outlive me! This is truly one of those rare machines with such an undenably good formula that it deserves to sell as well as it does. I thank Honda for giving the world a safe, precise and pleasurable machine at a very accessible price. You don’t have to slum it in THIS economy car.
Lets make a Sake toast to Mr. Sochiro Honda!
Accessories I have added:
Carbon fiber trim kit from Honda: $150
Painted Factory Spoiler: $195 from www.spoilerdepot.com
K&N Airfilter: $36 (Highly reccommended)
Thule roof rack system, modular for skis and bikes: $550
Leather Civic Si shift knob: $115 from www.handa-accessories.com
Factory half nose mask: $56 from www.handa-accessories.com (Highly reccommended)
Factory foglights: $254 + installation www.handa-accessories.com
Aftermarket window tint: $100
UPDATE (March 2004): While traveling at about 70mph on a crowded bypass (on my 23rd birthday, nonetheless) I was suddenly t-boned by a Ford Excursion, forced onto a sidewalk, barrelled into a concrete wall, then rear-ended by Hyundai Tiburon. I have not a single scratch or bruise on my body, the side airbags worked spectacularly, and most importantly, the structure of the car was granite solid. The driver of the Excursion is suffering from whiplash and severe airbag burns, and the occupants of the Hyundai were taken into the hospital by ambulance. One was treated for a broken leg, another for a chest injury, and the third reported facial fractures. I was hit by an automobile weighing probably 4 times the Civic (the Excursion)--I could have easily been a statistic of American excess--another individual killed because of our greedy lust for huge land-yachts of gluttony. I was the only driver NOT cited, and also the only driver not injured, yet my car suffered the most extensive damage because it was subject to the hardest impact. That my car performed so well in the accident speaks verses about Honda’s committment to safety--thanks again Honda. Sadly the Civic didn’t survive, but I have since purchased an identical car.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 18,500
Condition: New
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: EX 5-Speed w/Side Airbags
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Epinions.com ID:
syclone
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Member: Cameron Rousseau
Location: Santa Fe, NM, USA
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 5 members
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