First of all, what I have:
2003 Honda Civic LX 4dr
1.7L engine
Manual Transmission

I purchased the car in 2003 with 3500 miles on it (was a demonstrator car or something). Since then I have put nearly 80,000 miles on it and am about to sell it as I have bought a Truck. More about that later.

First impressions.
The fuel economy miserably failed to meet my expectations. The best I ever got with it running premium fuel downhill with a tailwind was 36mpg. It usually gets about 32. I previously owned a 1992 civic with nearly identical options and would get between 44 and 53MPG. I also had to replace the entire air filter housing at significant expense after the second oil change due to the bolts stripping out. On the positive side, it does have ample power for going up hills or merging into traffic. Better cupholders then the older ones and more room in the trunk.

80,000 miles commuting and road trips.
I drove it through 7 states in 5 days, up to Canada and back and forth to work. The seats aren't completely comfortable, but could be worse. I am 6'2" so they might fit smaller people better. The dual trip odometers have come in handy. Shifting is normally pretty smooth but every once in a while 3rd gear will kinda "stick" and I end up with grinding noises trying to get it in gear. The gauge cluster is very bright and easy to read, no complaints there. A/C seems to work well except when it gets up over 100F, but thats pretty normal for most cars. Heater works pretty good in most conditions. It's developed some very annoying rattles in the dash, around the back seat area, in the doors, and somewhere under the console. But the deafening road noise usually drowns most of that out. Tried a couple different types of tires but that only helped a little. Other then having to replace the air intake, the engine has not had any problems. Front end does not hold alignment as well as the '92 did and tends to pull to the right no matter what you do but nothing has broken or had to be replaced. I put nice stiff alloy wheels and good 65 series tires on it and it handles pretty good but still feels like a bigger car and has some issues with oversteer in the corners. Had the brakes done a while back and have had nothing but trouble with the new ones...don't think that's Honda's fault though. The engine seems to be holding up good, but the body is not wearing as good as the older Hondas did and the power windows and locks seem to be getting tired prematurely.

Overall.
Good semi-compact car. But there isn't that much to differentiate it from "the pack" other then the Honda name. I will admit that I have high expectations for the vehicles that I drive...but shouldn't I if I am going to spend 1/2 a year's salary on it??? The '03 honda has held it's value over the past 3.5 years very well and for that I am thankful. But the overall quality just isn't as good as it was in the 90's. We will have to see if Hondas continue to hold their value with their quality declining. My fiance has a Toyota car and after having driven it a few times I quickly figured out who is the new leader of the pack. Would I buy a Honda again? Not right now, but maybe in the future if they get back to their former glory. My new vehicle is a Toyota Tundra of the same vintage which I am very impressed with so far...but that is another review.


Amount Paid (US$): 12000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: LX 4dr Manual 1.7L engine