2003 Honda Civic--Good things come in small packages.
Written: Feb 27 '03 (Updated Feb 27 '03)
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Pros: Fuel economy, reliability, and relative quality.
Cons: Not a car for anyone taller than 5'10" or a new driver.
The Bottom Line: I love it but bumpy and too small.
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| utonel's Full Review: 2003 Honda Civic 4 door |
While test driving several compact and sub-compact models (Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima), I took the 2003 Civic out for a spin.
Although small, the civic packs a lot into a little package. The EX I test drove had most the amenities I found in the Accord SE. The knobs on the center console controlling the A/C, radio/CD player, and clock were ergonomic and easy to use. Power locks, windows and mirrors are standard on the EX. The car had front and rear cupholders as well as a sunroof with a tilt feature. The seats, although smaller than the accord's are still comfortable (mind you I am a very small person). They may not be as comfy for others. I cannot see a large or tall person driving this car. For me, however, it was fine.
On my drive, I felt immediately dwarfed on the highway. I live in Texas, land of huge trucks and SUVs. However, that seems to be the trend in most of America lately. I am a good and confident driver, yet I sensed an inherent disadvantage in this compact car.
Moreover, automatic acceleration was responsive enough, sometimes shifting with a jolt. I was nonetheless left with the feeling that if for some reason I had to get the heck out of the way, and I hesitated for even a split second, it might be too late. Honda claims a 127 horsepower engine with 114 torque. That's nothing to scoff at in such a small car.
The fuel economy in these things is incredible. Since I only test drove it for about 20 minutes, I cannot make any claims myself. But having owned a civic in the late eighties, I can tell you Honda is not bluffing. You'll save a lot of money (and emissions, oil, etc) by driving one of these. They claim 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway with a 13.2 gallon gas tank (the manual transmission gets slightly better gas mileage).
As impressed as I am (and always have been) with the fuel economy of the Civic, the ride leaves something to be desired. In my estimation, all Civics ride better than the subcompact norm. Still, some bumps register through suspension and steering. Small bumps can feel like potholes. If you have back or neck problems, this is not the car for you. This aspect was by far the least attractive. All this makes for a noisy ride. With regret, I must say it makes the car feel cheap.
Another drawback is the rear seat legroom. Even with the front seats up a significant amount, the back seat is adequate but not comfortable. What can I say, it's a compact car. It would be unfair to compare the room to a mid-sized sedan.
Despite the glitches, the Civic is an unmatched blend of small-car comfort, refinement, and fuel thrift, plus great resale and reliability records. As compared with others in its class, it is the clear stand-out and the best value for the money.
As for me, I decided on the Accord SE. As much as I drool over Civics, prudence usually leads me to the larger, safer Accord. I recommend the Civic for experienced drivers who enjoy smaller cars. I think it's ridiculous as a first car for a teenager who will probably get into a wreck in it. Although the safety ratings are good in the Civic, they will always be better in larger vehicles. For what it is worth, that's my two cents.
For more information on the civic, go to www.hondacars.com.
Thanks for reading my review.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): None
Condition: New
Model and Options: EX automatic
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Epinions.com ID:
utonel
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Location: San Antonio, TX
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
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"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." -Mahatma Gandhi
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