Honda Civic
“It will get you where you’re going,” was the slogan for the early Honda Civic’s, first introduced in 1972 as a two door coupe, and then later that year, a hatch-back version. Although Honda was known only for producing small runabout motorcycles prior to the release of the Civic, the fuel and oil crisis of the early 1970’s prompted many consumers to demand smaller vehicles with high fuel efficiency.
Honda tried to fill part of this market demand with a small car that could comfortably transport 4 adults while achieving 40 mpg with its 1169 cc (about 70 cubic inch) engine. Although the overall dimensions of the vehicle were small, with it’s front wheel drive and transverse engine mounting, the Civic was able to offer relative comfort to driver and passengers.
Standard options back in those days were quite a bit different than today! An AM radio, heater and two speed wipers and a manual transmission were about all you could get for the base price - certainly the Civic has become quite a bit more luxurious since those original vehicles were shipped to North America.
Relative to it’s price, the quality was decent and the Civic took off in North America, sales driven by fears of increasing fuel prices and the Civic’s fuel economy.
In 1980, the Civic was redesigned and featured a larger body style with a larger engine (1.5 litre) as an option.
Since then, the Civic has come along way and has been known for it’s durability and extended life. It’s often the car of choice for those in the used car market with it’s continued excellent fuel economy and of course today, far more luxurious offerings than it’s predecessor of the 1970’s.
If you’re in the market for a Honda Civic, you might want to be aware of some owner comments as reported in this Toronto Star Wheel’s article:
The 2001-05 Honda Civic is actually not a bad car, but this generation had more teething problems than seasoned Civic buyers were used to.
Some drivers complained about leaking struts, worn control arms, bushings and stabilizer links – even entire steering racks have been replaced at low mileage.
Some manual transmission drivers experienced the shifter popping out of second or fifth gear, a malady that usually required a rebuild. Automatic transmissions were also known to give up the ghost, but usually at high mileage.
Other not-so-uncommon headaches included failed air conditioners, alternators, fuel tank sending units, seats that rocked on their tracks (a Honda pandemic) and numerous squeaks and rattles. At least the engines run forever.
Ah, yes - the engines run forever! It is certain that the Honda Civic will be favored by many for a long time to come as the ultimate used car to purchase. It will still “get you where you’re going.”
 |
Honda : Civic EX 2008 Honda Civic Sdn EX C $14,388.07 End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 9:01:40 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic HYBRID 2008 Honda Civic HYBRID Clear/Rebuilt 07 09 L@@K C $12,257.00 End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 12:22:37 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic 09 CIVIC 2dr COUPE Automatic! FULLY LOADED!! LQQK C $7,313.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 18:58:31 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic EX 07 CIVIC EX! FULLY LOADED! EXTRA CLEAN! FULLY POWER! C $5,768.00 (6 Bids) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 19:03:01 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic LX 02 Honda Civic LX, 4 Door, silver, 5-speed, Florida car C $2,627.52 (5 Bids) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 19:34:24 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic SE 2005 Honda Civic. Great Shape! 120,000km. C $7,725.00 End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 20:03:04 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic 2dr Cpe LX A 2002 HONDA CIVIC LX COUPE AUTOMATIC 93302 MILES BLACK C $7,519.00 End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 22:01:15 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic EX 09 Civic EX! LOW MILES! FULLY LOADED!! MUST SEE! C $8,240.00 (7 Bids) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 22:07:46 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic CVT 2006 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID NAVIGATION REBUILDBALE SALVAGE C $6,283.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 22:16:04 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic LX Honda Civic LX sedan 5 speed C $1,236.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 11:05:11 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic Si 2DR 4CYL 2006 HONDA CIVIC SI 2DR 6 SPEED SUNROOF...2.0L DOHC 4CY C $12,243.61 End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 11:10:50 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic SI Civic 09 Sporty 6 Speed Manual i V tec Clean Local Trade C $7,313.00 (19 Bids) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 13:41:11 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic WE FINANCE!! 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID NAV CRUISE CTRL CD AUDIO 26K MI C $12,691.66 (5 Bids) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 16:00:00 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic EX Coupe 2006 Honda Civic EX Coupe - Galaxy Gray Metallic C $8,234.85 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 16:02:05 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic EX Coupe 2007 Honda Civic Ex Coupe~Navigation~Satellite Radio!!! C $5,253.00 (6 Bids) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 16:05:02 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic EX 06 EX 5 SPEED MOONROOF CIVIC COUPE CALL TODAY GA C $11,328.97 End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 16:53:54 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic SI iVTEC 2009 HONDA CIVIC SI COUPE MANUAL SUNROOF i-VTEC CLEAN C $8,240.00 (4 Bids) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 17:51:33 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic 2002 honda civic ex C $3,811.00 (10 Bids) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 19:07:03 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic This item has sold off of auction. Thank you. C $10,918.00 End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 19:36:45 EDT Add to watch list |
 |
Honda : Civic EX Sedan AUTO SUNROOF ALLOY WHEELS MP3 CD CRUISE KEYLESS ENTRY! C $10,403.00 (15 Bids) End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 20:30:00 EDT Add to watch list |