AWD Civic Wagon
Written: Oct 18 '04 (Updated Oct 24 '04)
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Pros: Superb gas mileage, visibility, interior space, AWD capability, 6 speeds
Cons: Weak AC, climate control noise, unattractive exterior design
The Bottom Line: The question: Do you appreciate a car for what it purports to be, or for what it can deliver? This car does what it was designed to do very well.
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| onefastdriver's Full Review: 1987 Honda Civic Wagon |
Options:
AWD, AC, 6 speed (Was there anything else available?)
Condition:
We bought the vehicle with full maintenance records. Its engine had been completely rebuilt at 135k miles (due to the service shop forgetting to replace the timing belt); the odometer currently reads 185k and we bought it with 155k. It was in great shape with the exception of a little driveline lash while re-engaging after coasting. This is typical of older AWD's as the differentials try to synchronize.
Comfort:
This car isn't really high on creature comforts. One of its only options, the AC, almost comically disperses air from a central vent that pops up from the dash - a great option if you happen to be sitting on the middle of the rear seats ... Seats are moderately comfortable. The steering wheel is not adjustable, and at times, it's hard to find a good driving position. Noise is a little high when the climate controls are on. The engine is not especially loud, but works at full capacity for everyday driving. The radio is just short of useless and is mostly reserved for talk radio.
Quality:
Your definition of quality will also define what you might think of this vehicle. If quality is defined as "the components endure and perform as designed", then overall quality is excellent. Most interior parts are a durable textured plastic. After 180k, there are no broken knobs or really anything - save a hydraulic rear hatch "spring" that has finally lost compression. Paint on the hood has faded significantly.
Driving Impressions:
Surprisingly, the Civic wagon handles reasonably well. Body roll is notable, but the softness firms up as the car nears its limits. As the Civic AWD is a front-wheel drive first - it engages AWD upon the detection of slippage - it tends to "plow" first as its limits are reached in a corner. Soon after, however, the vehicle exhibits typical all-wheel drive traits: a driver can step on the gas to tighten up the corners with a little oversteer.
AWD System
The 85 Civic was the first year with AWD and required manual intervention to engage AWD. In our version, the 87, AWD was an automatic viscous slip even though the vehicle normally propels itself with the front axle. Both axles, amazingly enough, have a limited slip, and the rear axle is fixed. Later models moved to a floating axle. All versions have double wishbone suspensions in both axles. This model has a 6 speed - a Super Low and 5 normal gears. Fifth (technically sixth) is rather longish and contributes significantly to gas mileage.
AWD Performance
The area where we live is, at times, significantly snowy and icy. We live on the side of a canyon where getting out to the road in snow entails driving up a quarter mile switchback some 200 ft in elevation.
I can say without reservation that this vehicle is truly one of the best snow cars I've ever had; I've owned a GMC with positrac and Detroit lockers, an Audi S6 with a locking rear differential and 90% of available power to any wheel, a 4 Runner, and several Subarus. Incredibly, mounted with good 14" snow tires, it could get out of places the Subaru Forester had trouble - even though the Forester had a limited slip in the rear.
During this one snowy winter where snow lay on the ground for over a month, we decided to go up to a local state park. On a back road, it seemed completely undeterred by trodding through snow that swelled up over the headlights. Coming out of the hills, some of the snow melted and turned to black ice. Rounding a turn, we were stopped by a police cadet waving a flashlight. We came to stop, and as the cadet gingerly walked up to our car, he promptly fell over. He clambered back up using the door handle like a mountain climber's grip. His words: "Now that you've stopped, you'll be like all of the others around the corner; they can't go anywhere." We put it in reverse, turned around, and drove back up the hill with no discernible slipping or sliding. (We waited for the cadet to release his grip on the car door first, though.)
Functionality:
Gas mileage typically hovers around 34 mpg and has ranged as high as 42 on the highway. Space is quite impressive. Overhead height is more than enough for a six foot driver. Forward thinking interior design creates an light roomy feeling. Rear "mini skylights" keep the entire car bright on the inside. Cubic volume is impressive when the rear seats are folded flat. The engine runs best and most efficiently at around 3k rpm but will not break any land speed records.
Its overall exterior design also makes it an excellent airport car - one you can leave while you go on vacation and return to find it untouched. We've never found it to have made any of the Insurance Institute's "Most Stolen Vehicles" lists.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $1650
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1987
Model and Options: AC, AWD, 6 speed
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Epinions.com ID:
onefastdriver
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Reviews written: 3
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