wing0

honestly, i've read a lot of the topics in this forum...and i must conclude that there's so many problems with the cars. I'd expect Honda to build good reliable cars that doesn't have problems, but it seems like the 7th gen of civics are getting lot more problems than i want. Do you guys think this will improve as time goes? Like fewer problems with the 2003 models? Since i'm still debating on the civic or the sentra SE-R.

R3DF0G

I drove a SE-R today and i have to say that I was not impressed. The people who are always bitching about their how horrible their cars are probably got lemons. I haven't had any problems with my civ, except the trunk release got stuck one time.

Diznavis

mine has been great too. most peoples problems have been minor. there have been some lemons, but thats gonna happen with any type of car. i think the worst problem ive had with mine is a barely audible rattling noise from the moonroof area. i can only hear it if the radio is low and theres no one else in the car, and only when i go over a bump or uneven road surface

neoretromax

my cars been pretty good to me, my trunk release got stuck one time too, but it's nothing big. At least my brakes are good, unlike "america's best selling car" The ford focus. I hate those things. The civic is a dream compared to that little terd ford pooped out.

djlunatic

the only problems i've had were not honda's fault i'm happy with my civic

mattskav

the 02's are a LOT better than the 01's in terms of quality...

the only problem i've had w/ my 02 is the gas guage - which i choose to ignore given past experiences...

nycivic

I am one of those people with a lemon. But in all honesty, I have never bought a car in it's first year so I guess it's my turn to suffer. The car is definetly "zippier" than a FORD focus and the interior is also very nice-almost bimmer-like. The 6th generation handled better though and had more aftermarket support. In the EX model it's using something called I-VTEC which is noticably less in the grunt department as compared to the 6th generation's VTEC.

I can't say it's an awful car because the 2002 has addressed many of the problems from the 2001 year but I would recommend a look at the "MAZDA PROTEGE5". It has a real nice look performs just as well and has gotten excellent reliability reports as well as reviews. More things come standard and it's a bit less expensive than a EX model CIVIC.

In the end, I'd still say you're better off looking elsewhere or pick up a 6th gen CIVIC.

sham01ski

Come on seriously guys overall the civic is not that bad for the price. the Protege 5 is nice, but my friend has one and honestly I am more impressed with the civic, the protege has a few more looks and rims but overall honda has the reliability and the resale value. Many of us forget that when you go to sell the car it is worth a hell of a lot more than others. We had a 97 accord EX with 105,000 miles on it and still got almost 11 grand when my sister totalled it in june of 01.. so you can compare it to others but nissan's, mazda's etc all lose value a lot quicker. Only toyota has comparable resale values.

nycivic

Resale value is great and HONDA does have the edge for sure. For some I think, it is important to not have to be in the SERVICE DEPARTMENT week after week dealling with recalls. HONDA definetly has great resale value, especially after years and years of ownership. But his question was that he doesn't want to get involved with a car that has problems. So far, unfortunately, this generation's CIVIC has had more problems than previous generations.

In the end, if the reliabilty of this car goes down due to customer complaints so will the resale value.

And, for people who lease, resale value isn't really a concern for them beyond it's effects on residual value of a car. MAZDA's, NISSAN's and TOYOTA's all lease very well.

BTW- here are the facts...
• HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX coupe with 12000miles private party value = $11,777
• 2001 Mazda Protege 4 Dr ES Sedan with 12000miles private party value = $11,341 ("protege5" is too new to factor in as of yet)

(both are bare bones models w/o ABS or add-ons)

-according to EDMUNDS.com

We're talking $400 here folks!

Ronin

<< In the EX model it's using something called I-VTEC which is noticably less in the grunt department as compared to the 6th generation's VTEC >>


7th gens do NOT have i-VTEC. Only the 2002 Si/SiR's and Acura RSX's have it.

As for having less in the grunt dept than 6th gen (stock for stock) , most people would disagree with you here. 7th gen VTEC has slightly more torque , and most people have felt this too, when compared with 6th gen. HP has remained the same.

mattskav

since when is loosing 30% of its value off the lot considered "Good"

seems average to me

PiCASSO

<< BTW- here are the facts...
• HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX coupe with 12000miles private party value = $11,777
• 2001 Mazda Protege 4 Dr ES Sedan with 12000miles private party value = $11,341 ("protege5" is too new to factor in as of yet)

(both are bare bones models w/o ABS or add-ons)

-according to EDMUNDS.com

We're talking $400 here folks! >>



Kelley Blue Book is much more accurate representation of vehicle's value. Most dealers will use this to assess a used car's value.

1999 Model Year (Retail Values):
* Honda Civic EX Sedan 4D $9,175 - $15,200 -&gt; $14,035 with 47,000 miles
* Madza Protege ES Sedan 4D $7,100 - $11,700 -&gt; $11,220 with 47,000 miles
even with added Cruise Control, ABS, alloy rims

That's nearly $3,000...

And here are some figures from the Canadian Black Book (as of July 1, 2001)... sorry about the formatting (Excel spreadsheets don't import well):

New, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 3yr %
Acura Integra GS-R, $28,500, $24,000, $22,000, $20,000, $18,500, $17,500, -65%
Honda Prelude, $28,800, $26,000, $22,900, $21,400, $19,600, $17,600, -68%
Honda Civic Si, $21,400, $18,500, $17,850, $16,350, $15,650, $14,650, -73%
Mazda Prot&eacute;g&eacute; ES, $20,500, $17,500, $15,400, $13,400, $11,400, $9,900, -56%

Take a look at the depreciation of the Protege vs the Civic. Mazda may be cheaper at the beginning and better value, but after 3-4 years, there's nearly $5,000 CDN difference between the two. Add to that fuel economy, and the cost of ownership goes well with Honda. This, aside from the car's overall asthetics, was a defining factor for my purchase of a 2002 Civic Si coupe instead of a Mazda Protoge ES-GT.

Kelley Blue Book

nycivic

Like I said...



<< HONDA definetly has great resale value, especially after years and years of ownership. >>



I am really curious to see how these cars hold up. If 5 years down the line they are still as high as in previous generations. BTW- SUGGESTED RETAIL VALUES represent Kelley Blue Book's estimated dealer asking price. The actual selling price may vary substantially. This is a bargaining tool for the dealer not a true market value. I also quoted private party selling not through dealer trade in. In the in you're still right though. HONDA is a better car after years and years of ownership. But let's not get crazy here only time will tell on this generation's CIVIC.

mattskav

nevermind