***Note: This epinion is about a Honda Civic 4-door sedan - there was no category for that exactly, but the 87 Civic wagon is closest I could find.

If you've ever read my epinions, you know that last year I was about ready to trade in (bury actually) my beloved minivan. I had the most difficult time deciding what to do next. In the meantime my marriage came to an abrupt end, and finances were short. So I shopped every car on every lot and in every newspaper in three counties, that was within my budget. Unfortunately, even though I wanted another minivan, none that had any life left in them fell within my price range.

On the way home from a particularly frustrating day of car-shopping, I passed a Honda Civic parked on the side of the road, right near home, with a for sale sign in it. I called and met the owner there about half an hour later, and I was sold.

The body was straight, the motor ran smooth and was immaculately clean, and the interior was in perfect condition. All this, yet there was 135,000 miles on the odometer. Very good testimonial to what you get when you take good care of a car. I took it for a spin, popped the hood and took a quick look, then had a friend give it the once-over, and the deal was made. I didn't even dicker with her - for what I'd seen in my shopping, this was obviously a great deal.

I've had the car now for seven months. The only complaints I have is that the heat/defrost system is very loud, and the stereo system is not. This is not generally a problem, except during the winter (now) when it's necessary to keep the defroster going. It also is no Ferrari going up a hill, but in all other situations it holds its own just beautifully on the highway, passes with ease, and is very responsive from a dead stop during city driving.

And the mileage - for a 13-year-old car, it gets between 30 and 40 miles to the gallon. In the summer soon after I got it, the best I did was 42 mpg on one tank. I won't complain about that! Again, testimony to how a well-kept car can perform.

The ride is solid - front wheel drive keeps it firmly where you intended it to be, even in the snow. We get snow occasionally where I live - not enough to chain up, but enough to be aware of. I have had not one sliding incident in the Civic, much to my (and my kids') relief. The seats recline and are comfortable, and with four doors, getting three kids in and out could not be easier.

We're trying to take as good care of it as its previous owners did, and hope to double the mileage before we are done. All in all, we are very, very pleased, with our new car (and our new life)!

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 2500
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1987
Model and Options: NA