mrchowmein

I cant believe I've been on this forum for a decade. I've been on less frequent in the last few years as life got more busy. I still remember the forum as 7thgen and i still have the forum license plate frame! This car took me from High school to Grad school spanning 12 years.

But anyways, its time to retire my 2002 Honda Civic EX Sedan in Satin Silver. Her name was Daisy. She was a fun car to own. She was never on a tow truck. It started every single time in the last 12 years. Even now, it takes about 2-3 turns and the car starts! I am still on the original water pump. I decided not to do a timing belt change at 200k as i was planning on getting a new car. When new, the 7thgen was the best compact car on the market. It was a rattlebox but it was my fun little rattle box that wouldnt give up. I've had all the common problems of the 7th gen, but those never stopped her from soldiering on.

Anyways, here is the history of my car:

• Current Odometer Milage: 214,000 (actual milage is HIGHER as the speedo is a lil off, honda got sued for this)
• Transmission: Auto, bad 2nd gear clutch pack since 40k miles, but tranny never failed, so honda wouldnt replace it.
• Check Engine Light: 2 times for misfire in cylinder 3 due to low temp.
• Worst MPG (tank avg): 19mpg, in year 2005
• Best MPG (tank avg): 48mpg, in year 2008
• Best Recent MPG (tank avg): 44mpg, in Nov 2013
• Normal Commute MPG (tank avg): 33mpg (38% city, 62% hwy)
• List of Items Repaired: head gasket, 2 front struts, 2 front lower control arms, 1 engine mount, loose driver seat (fixed 3 times)
• Current Non-operational features: shift indicators (both center console and dash), mirror/cruise/moonroof switch lights, rear right passenger window is non-functional
• Mechanical Repairs Needed: front driverside strut, fix engine oil leak
• Service needed: oil change, timing belt, tranny fuild, rotate tires
• Mods: fogs, JVC head unit (got stolen, actual whole center console was stolen), bazooka sub.

Overall, shes been pretty reliable even though head gasket and tranny issues bothered me the most, i spent less than $2000 repairing my car over the span of 12 years. Thats avg $166 worth of repairs a year. Not bad! Anyways, i will be retiring her from as my daily driver as shes loosing a quart of oil every 2 weeks. Her ball joints will need to be replaced soon also. Ive decided not to get the timing belt done. This car will just be an around town beater. I'll still give it normal routine service, but nothing much beyond that. Im sure i can hit 250k without much effort.

What is her replacement? a 2014 Mazda3 5door

Anyways here is a recent photo of her:

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Good lord that is a pretty picture.

Looks like she had a good run. The small list of repairs is quite impressive, as well. A small part of me is happy that you're keeping her around even after nabbing a new DD.

Best of luck with the Mazda. I hope it'll treat you as well as your ES1 did

lowlife9

i've never heard of the odometer being faulty. ok im back from google and according to google you actually have less mileage then what your odometer reads since they were sued for rolling over to fast not the opposite. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money...ter-usat_x.htm
so calculate the percentage into mileage

Poopies

iTrader: (4)

Damn, that's quite a nice post for your car! Really cool picture too! My friend has a '13 Mazda 3 4-door. It's not too shabby. :-)

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Nice pic. Glad the car was good to you.

mrchowmein

your right about the specifics of the case. i forgot about the details.

but my odometer was off anyways, my speedometer and odometer always gave a lower reading. thus, i actually have more mileage than the odometer shows. good for resale value i guess, jk.

mrchowmein

thanks all for the nice comments!

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

glad yer keeping her hope it gets to the target miles

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

Good work. Great picture. I still remember the 7thgencivicdays