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.”
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Honda : Civic EX 2dr Coupe ONE OWNER~LEATHER~SUNROOF~HEATED SEATS~EXCEPTIONAL!!!!! C $16,051.33 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 22:00:00 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic Civic Hybrid Honda: Civic Hybrid 2008 We Finance! C $13,136.64 (23 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 22:03:52 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 4dr Sdn Hybr 2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID CVT ONE OWNER LOW MILEAGE C $7,186.15 (4 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 11:30:21 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID C $16,407.46 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 11:59:58 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 2DR 2007 Honda Civic Si Coupe Manual 16k Miles Loaded C $18,422.08 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 12:23:54 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic CVT with NAV 2006 CIVIC HYBRID 48K 6CD XM NAVIGATION NICE COLOR COMB C $12,828.75 (16 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 12:58:15 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 04 CIVIC 2004 HONDA CIVIC "EX" 2 DOOR COUPE GREAT CAR LOADED C $4,720.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:10:13 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 06 CIVIC EX 2006 HONDA CIVIC "EX" COUPE LOADED GREAT PRICE C $6,877.24 (6 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:13:10 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic SI Gas Saver / Sunroof / Manual / Used Cars Kansas City C $4,156.51 (13 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 15:48:28 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic EX DONT MISS OUT LOW MILES C $7,081.47 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 16:28:02 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 4dr AT EX 07 HONDA Civic Sdn 4dr AT EX SUN SD AIR 30K MI PWR WNDW C $12,828.75 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 17:01:12 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 4dr Auto EX 09 HONDA CIVIC SDN 4dr Auto EX SUN SD AIR 17K MI CLN C $15,907.65 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 18:47:22 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic WE FINANCE! 2006 HONDA CIVIC SI 6 SPEED MANUAL NEW TIRES LOADED! C $11,391.93 (6 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:00:00 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic *NO RESERVE* 2003, HYBRID, SERVICE RECORDS, NEW IMA BATTERY, 45+MPG! C $6,568.32 (25 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:00:21 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 2008 Honda Civic EX Sdn C $12,315.60 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:10:09 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid..ONE OWNER!! C $14,368.20 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:10:53 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic LX 2007 Honda Civic Sdn LX...ONE OWNER!! C $10,319.45 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:12:48 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic Hybrid IMPECCABLE 1 Owner, Florida Hybrid - NAV / XM...45 mpg C $10,263.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:30:00 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic LOW RESERVE 2003 CIVIC LX CA CAR LOW MILES RUNS GREAT LOW RESERVE C $5,644.65 (30 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 21:37:21 EST Add to watch list |
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Honda : Civic LX Civic NO RESERVE HONDA CIVIC LX COUPE GAS SAVER LOW MILES C $4,156.51 (14 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 22:07:14 EST Add to watch list |
