What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

New member, thanks for the forum!!

I'm looking at buying a 1996-2003 Civic sedan. I used to own a 1998 DX 5 speed and liked the car, but sold it due to stupidity.

I now have a 2003 Corolla 5 speed that has been in the shop A LOT the last couple of months due to transmission issues. AFTER I bought the car, I learned the 5 speed in the 2003 and 2004 are VERY prone to input shaft failure.

What should I look out for in the 2001+ Civics?
What trans is more reliable (manual or automatic)?
Any known issues?

Will be getting something with over 100k miles, this will be a commuter car for me.

I'd appreciate ANY information or advice you can provide.

Thank you

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

The autos aren't very reliable from what I've heard. I own a manual and I love it to death

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

autos are fine. statistically they have a much lower failure rate than most cars on the road (like honda's 6th gen accord).

get a 2001+. they have a lot of upgrades over the older 6th gen models (like brakes and interior)

but as the previos poster said, manual is the way to go

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

Dont get an AUTO! lol

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

Had an auto and it was fine with 93k on it, but if you can go for the manual.

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

My rule is this :
over 100 k...HELL NO!
Under 80k , Ok, for a year or 2

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

Well, I can't have that rule. Any Civic under 100k here is over $6-7k.

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

I would do yourself a favor and just get a manual trans. They are far more reliable than the Auto's. Every person I know that has had an auto civic has had an issue and tons that I know of through other people. :)

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

The only problem Ive ever seen with the manuals is the main input shaft bearing. Other than that they hold up way better than an auto.

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

I have an 03 with an auto trans. I bought it around 6 months ago and its up to 115000 miles and while the transmission slips from 3rd to 4th(mainly cold), it is still super reliable (i drive 70 miles round trip 4-5 days a week for work). I have put maybe $200 in maintenance into it which is all stuff that needed to be done between 110000 and 115000 miles and other stuff the previous owner didnt for example brakes, tranny flush and fill, oil change, plugs, air filter. I would recommend getting a manual if you can between 01- 05 because they are just all around more reliable, but id say maybe 03 if it was taken care of, and defiantly 04-05 automatics are most reliable as far as the autos go.

And in all honesty, even with the tranny problems and the little things you may find in the you know you own a 7th gen when... thread, these cars are just as if not more reliable than in class cars (cobalt, cavalier, focus, maxima, corolla, neon, etc.).

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

Point Proven lol

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

I bought my 01 civic lx, 88,000 miles, manual, and a bunch of mods... for... wait for it.... only 2000!! Best day of my life :D

But I had to replace all the struts...not fun

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

The auto trans in my old 2001 civic went bad at 110,000 miles, i would defiantly go for a manual especially if you plan on doing any big performance mods

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

LOL....7th gen - Performance - and Mods should never go in the same sentence haha

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

I totally agree.

There are little things, but that's to be expected with any vehicle. The only part I've ever needed to replace that isn't a wear item is the engine mounts, and that's a five dollar repair if you don't want upgraded parts. I've owned my 2002 for six years.

Re: What to look for in the 7th gens?
 

I bought a 2001 auto civic with 170,000km on it for $1200.00 CAD and it runs great. but i wish i got a manual cause its kind of boring to drive lol compared to my previous cars.