Nice Car For The Money
Written: May 07 '04
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Pros: Great gas mileage, fun to drive, a lot for the money, it's a Honda!
Cons: Wish there was a little more power
The Bottom Line: Buy this car for the gas mileage, the great quality, and the tremendous reputation that Honda has
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| nikefreak's Full Review: 2001 Honda Civic 4 door |
Now this is a long time after this car has come out, but you ever think that someone needs a review for a car that has actually owned it for awhile, instead of a owner who just bought theirs off the showroom floor? Not dissing the other reviews at all, just giving a different perspective after owning this car for three years. Plus, with the gas prices going up and up every day, this car is great if you can find it used somewhere.
Well, my parents bought me this car, first using it for awhile until they bought a new Accord. So, I inherited this very economical car from them. I know that two doors are cooler, but I actually like the extra space to store stuff, plus you can pack more friends in. They know you have the great gas mileage, so you know you are the one who is always driving!
The Civic comes in DX, LX, and EX options. I have the LX, which comes with most power options, windows and locks, to me, the most important power. The seats are hand-controlled with a lever, but that suits me just fine. The only thing it doesn't have is the sunroof and the little more power the EX possesses. I love the ergonomic controls, with the uncluttered and nicely-designed dash. It's very nice to actually see the controls without having to fumble around for switches. The tachometer, speedometer, and gas meter have a yellowish-orange tint to it at night, which is very visible and doesn't wash out in light either.
The five-speed automatic is smooth-shifting and nice. The shifter is ergonomic to your hand with nice detailing. There is a tilt steering wheel, as to custom to what position fits you. Being marketed to the younger crowd, a good stereo is a must and this car has a great factory system in it. My sister has a 2000 Civic and her system is nowhere near the quality that my car has, so Honda has done some major overhauling. The speakers pump out able sound, with good but not overpowering bass. The sound is really crystal-clear. It may not be Bose level, but it is actually one of the best sound systems I have ever heard in a car in this price range.
It also comes with cruise control, which is nice on that long trip, with the buttons set conveniently located on the side of the steering wheel. Nice map lights are overhead, with a function of just pressing the whole light to come on and off. The middle backseat has a full seatbelt, which is a really nice feature if you have kids. Plus, there is a passthrough in the middle, so if you have something long you need to store, such as skis, it can ably fit that task. The backseat has plenty of room for two adults. Three may be pushing it somewhat, but that is how it is on almost all cars. The trunk can fit quite a load for such a compact car. Oh yes, before I forget, there are the requisite airbags for driver and passenger.
The ride is pretty good for a compact car with a surprising good "lean" into sharp curves. The brakes are never failing, since I have had to stop pretty hard multiple times and have never hit anybody (Knock on wood).
Now, my biggest asset with this car is the durability and gas mileage. I have never had one single problem in three years of pretty extensive driving with this car. No mechanical problems, no unexpected services at all. That is the Honda badge of quality and I wholeheartedly agree with this motto. Secondly, the gas mileage is something to die for. I consistently get between 35-38 miles per gallon in the city and between 45-48 on the interstates and highways. I fill my tank maybe once every two and half weeks. To me, this is really awesome. If OPEC wants to raise those prices, well, I can't really take a huge hit, but I'm confident knowing my car is getting great mileage compared to the guy in the suburban next to me. Plus, another thing that I like is the service I get. I know this is objective, but I really get good service every time I go in for the oil changes, tire rotations, and annual checkups. Just think about that, because a lot of companies are jerks when it comes to this part, the service.
The only misgiving I'm going to say is that I wish it had more power. I feel as though I have to really push hard on the accelerator to get into the passing mode or to merge. However, this is an economical car, not a sports machine, so I'll just deal with that. This really is a fantastic car for the money and if you see one on a car lot, I'd recommend taking it for a test drive.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 19,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: LX, automatic, power windows and locks, keyless entry
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