My 8thgen Review... lots of pics!
Thread Starter
up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-b-a-start
iTrader: (20)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,785
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 370 






My 8thgen Review... lots of pics!
I posted this in the General Automotive thread but I thought I'd post it here for you guys to check out...
Ok... well I was bored today (no work) so I decided I'd go down to my local Honda dealership and take one out to see for myself.
My good buddies a sales rep at my local Honda dealership so I got to give the car a good run.
First things first... I got to choose which model I wanted to drive. I opted for a Coupe only because I'd be getting a Coupe if I were to trade my current ride in. And considering they don't have the any Si's available in Canada yet, we hop'd in a LX Coupe (DX, LX, and EX all have the same motor so I didn't care).

So we get in the car and he hands me the key... I look at and right away I thought.... "COOL!!" It's an all in 1 unit.

So anyways, I close the door and immediatly the car sounds super solid. You know that deep thud that you get when you close an expensive car door??... that's what it sounded like lol.
I adjust my seat and look at the dash... pretty cool. The steering wheel is now tilt and telescopic

Here's what it looks like on (I'm sure you've all seen this)


The dash is pretty nice... very user friendly. Except for the fact that it'll be a nightmare to put in an aftermarket deck

Oh and yes... I took out a 5speed Manual.
Anyways, so I start the car and I throw it in gear... holy **** the throws were long. Maybe I'm used to driving cars with short throw shifters but this felt really long... but it was pretty smooth.

So we're driving along in the city when it starts to drizzle a bit. I turn on the wipers and whoa..... it's like my parents old minivan. The wipers wipe from inside out. Not a big deal just thought I'd share with you guys lol
Crappy pic but you get the idea.

Anyways, once I got to a more deserted road... I ripped the car a bit. Feels a bit faster then ours and pretty solid. The new 1.8 has i-Vtec but I never really noticed/felt the kick.
Overall... I really liked the car. Car feels solid... power is sufficient, although I'd probably get an Si or nothing at all.
Seats were ok... felt a bit more supportive then 7thgen stockies but nothing to brag about. The Si seats might be more supportive then the LX model I test drove.
DX and LX gets the Grey interior (both different patterns)
EX and Si get black interior (both with different patterns)

Here are some tidbits I learned that I thought I'd share:
The car has 8 airbags... yes 8! Steering wheel, passenger dash, both A pillars, both doors and 2 in the rear C pillar for rear passengers.
A Pillar

C Pillar

Here's a pic of the armrest/storage.
Closed

Open

Cup holders open and closed


The gauge cluster not only indicates the odometer, trip A and B, but also shows you oil life and outside temp (forgot to take a pic of temp).

Here's a pic of the engine bay. Now when you guys were talking about the cat... I didn't know exactly what you meant. After taking a look first hand I noticed what you meant... THERE'S NO EXHAUST MANIFOLD (header)!!!


Last pic... I pulled it up beside my car and snapped a pic.

Oh and this was infront of my building when I ran in to drop some stuff of.
Ok... well I was bored today (no work) so I decided I'd go down to my local Honda dealership and take one out to see for myself.
My good buddies a sales rep at my local Honda dealership so I got to give the car a good run.
First things first... I got to choose which model I wanted to drive. I opted for a Coupe only because I'd be getting a Coupe if I were to trade my current ride in. And considering they don't have the any Si's available in Canada yet, we hop'd in a LX Coupe (DX, LX, and EX all have the same motor so I didn't care).

So we get in the car and he hands me the key... I look at and right away I thought.... "COOL!!" It's an all in 1 unit.

So anyways, I close the door and immediatly the car sounds super solid. You know that deep thud that you get when you close an expensive car door??... that's what it sounded like lol.
I adjust my seat and look at the dash... pretty cool. The steering wheel is now tilt and telescopic

Here's what it looks like on (I'm sure you've all seen this)


The dash is pretty nice... very user friendly. Except for the fact that it'll be a nightmare to put in an aftermarket deck

Oh and yes... I took out a 5speed Manual.
Anyways, so I start the car and I throw it in gear... holy **** the throws were long. Maybe I'm used to driving cars with short throw shifters but this felt really long... but it was pretty smooth.

So we're driving along in the city when it starts to drizzle a bit. I turn on the wipers and whoa..... it's like my parents old minivan. The wipers wipe from inside out. Not a big deal just thought I'd share with you guys lol
Crappy pic but you get the idea.

Anyways, once I got to a more deserted road... I ripped the car a bit. Feels a bit faster then ours and pretty solid. The new 1.8 has i-Vtec but I never really noticed/felt the kick.
Overall... I really liked the car. Car feels solid... power is sufficient, although I'd probably get an Si or nothing at all.
Seats were ok... felt a bit more supportive then 7thgen stockies but nothing to brag about. The Si seats might be more supportive then the LX model I test drove.
DX and LX gets the Grey interior (both different patterns)
EX and Si get black interior (both with different patterns)

Here are some tidbits I learned that I thought I'd share:
The car has 8 airbags... yes 8! Steering wheel, passenger dash, both A pillars, both doors and 2 in the rear C pillar for rear passengers.
A Pillar

C Pillar

Here's a pic of the armrest/storage.
Closed

Open

Cup holders open and closed


The gauge cluster not only indicates the odometer, trip A and B, but also shows you oil life and outside temp (forgot to take a pic of temp).

Here's a pic of the engine bay. Now when you guys were talking about the cat... I didn't know exactly what you meant. After taking a look first hand I noticed what you meant... THERE'S NO EXHAUST MANIFOLD (header)!!!


Last pic... I pulled it up beside my car and snapped a pic.

Oh and this was infront of my building when I ran in to drop some stuff of.
Originally Posted by jer2k
Wow, I feel like I've been in one now. Nice review with pics!!
I guess the LX trim now gets rims. That's a pretty big change.
I guess the LX trim now gets rims. That's a pretty big change.
haha, felt just the same way.
nice review
see you next year maybe at the track! haha.. if i get tires
Thread Starter
up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-b-a-start
iTrader: (20)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,785
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 370 






The biggest change I think is the motor. i-Vtec in all models... Si getting the K20
I like the look of the 8th Gen Coupes... I'd only buy the Si if I were going to buy one though.
I like the look of the 8th Gen Coupes... I'd only buy the Si if I were going to buy one though.
Originally Posted by R1Style
The biggest change I think is the motor. i-Vtec in all models... Si getting the K20
I like the look of the 8th Gen Coupes... I'd only buy the Si if I were going to buy one though.
I like the look of the 8th Gen Coupes... I'd only buy the Si if I were going to buy one though.

Thread Starter
up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-b-a-start
iTrader: (20)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,785
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 370 






Originally Posted by jer2k
Why only an Si? Is it because you have more $$ now or you would rather have another car in the same price range as the LX/DX?
I have the OEM version of weight reduction. DX
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,710
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Rep Power: 315 

Originally Posted by R1Style
The biggest change I think is the motor. i-Vtec in all models... Si getting the K20
I like the look of the 8th Gen Coupes... I'd only buy the Si if I were going to buy one though.
I like the look of the 8th Gen Coupes... I'd only buy the Si if I were going to buy one though.

The EX is a pretty well equipped package as well, black interior, sunroof, bigger exhaust tip, 4 wheel disk breaks, and I'm sure alot more. I'd like to get an Si, but I'd settle for the EX, depending on the price difference.
Nice review D
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 
Yah I hate the new look of the civic. And frankly the Si model (197hp) ... for $30k with taxes I'd rather look for something else. There is no way I'm going to pay $30k for a civic. I'd even take a RSX Sport package over the civic a) it looks better b) it looks 10X more sporty c) its Acura - higher brand name.
Hell even for the closeness in price I might just spend the few extra thousand and hook it up with an RSX type S.
Also the whole cd player snag, yah thats gotta sux. I also dont quite fancy the short hood, I think it makes the car look smaller, and the center wiper blades is kinda un-sporty.
I really dont think I'll like this new civic, glad I got a 7thgen.
Hell even for the closeness in price I might just spend the few extra thousand and hook it up with an RSX type S.
Also the whole cd player snag, yah thats gotta sux. I also dont quite fancy the short hood, I think it makes the car look smaller, and the center wiper blades is kinda un-sporty.
I really dont think I'll like this new civic, glad I got a 7thgen.
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ont. Can.
Rep Power: 0 
I test drove an LX coupe the other day and compared to my 03 coupe, it was a great improvement and compared to my 98, it was like driving a totally different car. Apples to oranges.
It rode and handled very nice, with 140 hp it performed much better then my Si, braked and accelerated very nice. I felt it had enough power for a daily driver and it will still get awesome mileage. It was quiet inside and it absorbed the nasty Hamilton roads well. The interior is very up scale compared to most other cars in the price range. The two-tier dash was functional and easy to see. The steering wheel and seat are very adjustable and much more comfortable the my 03's seats. I had no problem getting comfortable. The shifter's throws were short, but a little sloppy, but not unlike my 03 was before I got a SS. The doors closed with a very solid thunk and nothing rattled or made any noise. The chassis felt very stiff and composed. No noticable bump steer or other odd handling issues. The rear seats are very small with limited head room, but I don't really care about that.
A very nice car in my opinion. For the price, it can't be beat. I would much rather have a Civic then a Cobalt, Corolla, Jetta, etc. I can't wait to drive an EX with more options and an Si with more power. I also read on TOV that the R18 and K20 dyno higher then Honda is advertising. It's probably got something to do with the new HP rating system, but they said the R18 makes about the same amount of HP as the EP SIR hatch did.
It rode and handled very nice, with 140 hp it performed much better then my Si, braked and accelerated very nice. I felt it had enough power for a daily driver and it will still get awesome mileage. It was quiet inside and it absorbed the nasty Hamilton roads well. The interior is very up scale compared to most other cars in the price range. The two-tier dash was functional and easy to see. The steering wheel and seat are very adjustable and much more comfortable the my 03's seats. I had no problem getting comfortable. The shifter's throws were short, but a little sloppy, but not unlike my 03 was before I got a SS. The doors closed with a very solid thunk and nothing rattled or made any noise. The chassis felt very stiff and composed. No noticable bump steer or other odd handling issues. The rear seats are very small with limited head room, but I don't really care about that.
A very nice car in my opinion. For the price, it can't be beat. I would much rather have a Civic then a Cobalt, Corolla, Jetta, etc. I can't wait to drive an EX with more options and an Si with more power. I also read on TOV that the R18 and K20 dyno higher then Honda is advertising. It's probably got something to do with the new HP rating system, but they said the R18 makes about the same amount of HP as the EP SIR hatch did.
Thread Starter
up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-b-a-start
iTrader: (20)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,785
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 370 






Originally Posted by DumbasSi
I test drove an LX coupe the other day and compared to my 03 coupe, it was a great improvement and compared to my 98, it was like driving a totally different car. Apples to oranges.
It rode and handled very nice, with 140 hp it performed much better then my Si, braked and accelerated very nice. I felt it had enough power for a daily driver and it will still get awesome mileage. It was quiet inside and it absorbed the nasty Hamilton roads well. The interior is very up scale compared to most other cars in the price range. The two-tier dash was functional and easy to see. The steering wheel and seat are very adjustable and much more comfortable the my 03's seats. I had no problem getting comfortable. The shifter's throws were short, but a little sloppy, but not unlike my 03 was before I got a SS. The doors closed with a very solid thunk and nothing rattled or made any noise. The chassis felt very stiff and composed. No noticable bump steer or other odd handling issues. The rear seats are very small with limited head room, but I don't really care about that.
A very nice car in my opinion. For the price, it can't be beat. I would much rather have a Civic then a Cobalt, Corolla, Jetta, etc. I can't wait to drive an EX with more options and an Si with more power. I also read on TOV that the R18 and K20 dyno higher then Honda is advertising. It's probably got something to do with the new HP rating system, but they said the R18 makes about the same amount of HP as the EP SIR hatch did.
It rode and handled very nice, with 140 hp it performed much better then my Si, braked and accelerated very nice. I felt it had enough power for a daily driver and it will still get awesome mileage. It was quiet inside and it absorbed the nasty Hamilton roads well. The interior is very up scale compared to most other cars in the price range. The two-tier dash was functional and easy to see. The steering wheel and seat are very adjustable and much more comfortable the my 03's seats. I had no problem getting comfortable. The shifter's throws were short, but a little sloppy, but not unlike my 03 was before I got a SS. The doors closed with a very solid thunk and nothing rattled or made any noise. The chassis felt very stiff and composed. No noticable bump steer or other odd handling issues. The rear seats are very small with limited head room, but I don't really care about that.
A very nice car in my opinion. For the price, it can't be beat. I would much rather have a Civic then a Cobalt, Corolla, Jetta, etc. I can't wait to drive an EX with more options and an Si with more power. I also read on TOV that the R18 and K20 dyno higher then Honda is advertising. It's probably got something to do with the new HP rating system, but they said the R18 makes about the same amount of HP as the EP SIR hatch did.
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 
Is Jetta really in the same class as a civic ? Wouldn't it be more of a Golf range ?
And someone explain to me this whole Drive by Wire thing ... and how our 7thgens differ.
And someone explain to me this whole Drive by Wire thing ... and how our 7thgens differ.
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ont. Can.
Rep Power: 0 
Most cars have a metal throttle cable, which connects the gas pedal to the throttle body. A drive by wire system is an electronic connection.
Certain models of the Jetta sure, Golf, Sentra, Mazda3, Corolla. None of them are vailable in coupe form though. I'd still pick a Civic Sedan EX or Acura EL/CSX over any of them except maybe the Jetta GLI.
Certain models of the Jetta sure, Golf, Sentra, Mazda3, Corolla. None of them are vailable in coupe form though. I'd still pick a Civic Sedan EX or Acura EL/CSX over any of them except maybe the Jetta GLI.
im undecided.... the 4 drs look
./.....they look good from the back.....and says "saturn" from the side......... the 2 drs are hot but alot of the design is a little too futuristic for me, im not ready for that yet!!!
I have the OEM version of weight reduction. DX
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,710
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Rep Power: 315 

I'm tellin you guys, they got the front design from the TSX 
Mike, that drive by wire thing is a new system that Honda uses on this model civic. In Honda Tuning, they gave it a bad rating. It will be harder to adjust your "play" in the gas pedal, than just taking a wrench to your throttle cable. the 7thgen's compared to the 8thgens are almost limo size. I think they are almost a foot longer (7thgen)

Mike, that drive by wire thing is a new system that Honda uses on this model civic. In Honda Tuning, they gave it a bad rating. It will be harder to adjust your "play" in the gas pedal, than just taking a wrench to your throttle cable. the 7thgen's compared to the 8thgens are almost limo size. I think they are almost a foot longer (7thgen)
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 
and I personally hate the new way the "H" is done on these cars.
It all started with the new shape accord (which looks like an accord that had oxygen loss during delivery, and now takes the short bus to school). But that big plastic sorta wing looking thingy that the "H" sits in the middle of ...
Yah that is now finding its way down to the civic ... and I personally think its gay.
That plastic wing lookin thing reminds me of the Chrysler badging
http://www.chrysler.com/sebring_conv...os/index.html#
http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=228128
It all started with the new shape accord (which looks like an accord that had oxygen loss during delivery, and now takes the short bus to school). But that big plastic sorta wing looking thingy that the "H" sits in the middle of ...
Yah that is now finding its way down to the civic ... and I personally think its gay.
That plastic wing lookin thing reminds me of the Chrysler badging
http://www.chrysler.com/sebring_conv...os/index.html#
http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=228128
Originally Posted by dcamilo
Nice Civic gauges and all, but still prefer 7th gen's.
New civics look like they stretched the 7th gens into a bubble form.
Thats just my opinion.
New civics look like they stretched the 7th gens into a bubble form.
Thats just my opinion.
... Your right its like the streched it by both ends! and pulled inward to make it the way it is... the 7thgen Rock the best body i mean i like the idea of the 197HP in the 8th gen but i wont give up my 7thgen up for that i'd be throwin a nice lookin car away for power. when i'd rather drive a 7thgen with a k20 in the end being more aggressive and powerfull thats just my 2 cents
-Rob
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ont. Can.
Rep Power: 0 
I ordered mine today. Neutron Blue EX Coupe. The Si would be very nice, but kinda $$$ and I just bought a house. I was told that most dealers are only getting 1 a month and the dealers in my area already having waiting lists into the new year. The EX will still be plenty nice.
Found this video: Temple of VTEC 8th gen Civic underbody review.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1481197&q=vtec
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1481197&q=vtec
Thread Starter
up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-b-a-start
iTrader: (20)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,785
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 370 






Originally Posted by FurBall
Found this video: Temple of VTEC 8th gen Civic underbody review.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1481197&q=vtec
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...1481197&q=vtec
I'm at work right now and I can't hear the video but I'm gonna watch it again when I get home.
Did you notice they changed the rear suspension setup?? The spring is seperate from the struts.




