2005 LX Sedan - Buying Advice?

leeave96 · 11-20-2005

My fleet of junk cars is nearing 200K and the time has come for me to buy a new car.

My local dealer has a 2005 LX Civic sedan (new) they will sell me for invoice. It has an auto tranny.

I have read a ton of posts in researching this vehicle, some of which indicate some tranny problems for the 7th generation Civics.

I reasoned that in as much as the 2006 models were new, that the safe thing to do was go with the mature design of the 2005/7th gen Civic and save a little $$ in the process vs the '06 models.

It is really a nice car and I especially like the idea of 38 mpg.

Any advice, warnings or recommendations would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Bill

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micks7thgen · 11-20-2005

i have a 02 coupe MT love the car great gas mileage and reliable only work done on it was normal maintence. i drive my bros 04 ex sedan MT around and it is a good car too. if you are interested in the 8thgens wait another year, it is like with every new gen gotta work out the kinks. yes every car has their problems but i dont think the tranny is a big issue i have a manual so i wouldnt really know, but everyone here will agree good car will last you 200k.

Roosbok · 11-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeave96

My fleet of junk cars is nearing 200K and the time has come for me to buy a new car.

My local dealer has a 2005 LX Civic sedan (new) they will sell me for invoice. It has an auto tranny.

I have read a ton of posts in researching this vehicle, some of which indicate some tranny problems for the 7th generation Civics.

I reasoned that in as much as the 2006 models were new, that the safe thing to do was go with the mature design of the 2005/7th gen Civic and save a little $$ in the process vs the '06 models.

It is really a nice car and I especially like the idea of 38 mpg.

Any advice, warnings or recommendations would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Bill

I've never heard of a high incidence of transmission problems with the 7th gens. My 01 has had front struts replaced at 20,000mi., but this problem may may be improved with the 2005s.

05_ CivicJDM · 11-21-2005

I have an 05 Coupe Vp (same as lx) and love it! Would've of liked a sedan but oh well... I think as long as you maintain proper maintenance and don't run it in the ground you'll be happy.

2k1sedan · 11-21-2005

My 2001 sedan MT has 110, 000 km (about 60000 mi) with no major repairs
Front struts replace at 50, 000 km
I think that Honda beefed up the design of the struts
I average 7 litre/100 km no matter how I drive or what time of year
About 50/50 city/highway

Jrfish007 · 11-21-2005

Yeah, they have tranny problems, that is why Honda generally will pay around 2/3 the cost of a replacement of an auto tranny even after it s out of warranty. My advise is to go with an '06, they have better trannys and if you can go with a manual, you'r probably in the same range as that auto. Plus the '06 civic's come with a 60,000 mile and 5 year power train warranty where the '05 only comes with a 36,000 miles 3 year warranty. But if you do go with an '06, get either a Japan made sedan (hard to find) or a coupe, just my .02. My fiancee went from an '04 to an '06, the '04 was lemon law for leaking problems.

But yeah, the 7thgens are know to have a weak clutch plate in the enagement system of the auto's, second plate if I remember correctly.

CivicsRdBest · 11-21-2005

We've got 2 auto's. No issues with any of their trannies. The older black car is @ 88k miles while the new silver car is at 35k miles. Both very reliable cars.

They've never been driven hard except by me, and I don't normally take the black car above 4k rpm. Very reliable trannies. I had issues with the struts on the black car, but once again, no tranny issues.

Jrfish007 · 11-21-2005

Struts where a problem with the '01-'02 and a little bit in '03.

leeave96 · 11-21-2005

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I brought home the Civic today. I've got my fingers crossed this car will last a long time and handle a lot of miles over the years.

Thanks again,
Bill

HondaSales · 11-21-2005

you should not pay more than 14,930 for that car

11-21-2005

I have a 2005 EX SE Sedan that I bought about 10 months ago. Haven't had any problems with it at all. I would venture to say that driving habits can induce problems with the automatic transmissions as well as that there could be a hereditary weakness within. This is my 4th civic and have never had problems with them that I wouldn't consider normal wear and tear. However, this is my first auto so we will see over the long run how it holds-up.

Fiji_Blue_EM2 · 11-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeave96

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I brought home the Civic today. I've got my fingers crossed this car will last a long time and handle a lot of miles over the years.

Thanks again,
Bill

how much did you pay?

leeave96 · 11-21-2005

The price was about $15,700, including freight, but excluding tax.

Thanks,
Bill

Fiji_Blue_EM2 · 11-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeave96

The price was about $15,700, including freight, but excluding tax.

Thanks,
Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaSales

you should not pay more than 14,930 for that car

could have saved yourself 800 bucks or more -

HondaSales knows all

leeave96 · 11-21-2005

Where? Not at the dealer I bought from. Invoice was as low as they'd go and that was a straight out deal, no trade-in.

They had two of these 2005's left. The same day I committed to buying the one I bought, someone else bought the other.

All things considered, where I live, I think I came out as good as I could.

Of course, I had looked at a Chevy Aveo for several thousand less, but I think my money is better spent on the Honda.

Bill