The Honda Civic has been one of the most popular cars in its segment since it was first launched in the early 1970s. As with any car which has consistently been popular, you will notice a number of consistencies across each generation. If you are in the market for a used Honda Civic, then you will likely be looking at the sixth, seventh, and eighth generation, depending upon how much your budget is. In this Honda Civic used car review, you will discover the consistent benefits and drawbacks spanning each generation, as well as a specific look at the three generations you will likely be targeting.
Benefits of the Honda Civic
Regardless of who you ask, there are at least two benefits of owning a Honda Civic which have consistently been pointed to for more than two decades. The first is its reputation for reliability. As with most Honda cars, the Honda Civic can easily exceed 250,000 miles with and average maintenance schedule. If the car was extremely well maintained, finding a quality Honda Civic with more than 300,000 miles isn’t difficult. This is a well-known fact, which is why you have to go back to 1993 before you can find a Honda Civic Coupe with an average market value below $2000.
Another reason you find so many used Honda Civics on the road is because every generation is also known for its low ownership costs. With high fuel efficiency and durable parts, owning a Honda Civic is an extremely cost effective choice. As a result, many Honda Civic owners don’t feel the need to purchase new vehicles every few years, which is common among some other manufacturers.
A final benefit of looking for a used Honda Civic is that the long production run and ever-increasing variety of models makes it much easier to find the exact type of car you are looking for. Along with the recent hybrids, you will also be able to find a coupe, sedan, and the sportier Si.
Drawbacks of the Honda Civic
Overall, the Honda Civic has very few drawbacks which span multiple years, let alone generations. One of the primary issues which are constantly discussed is the elevated road noise. While the Honda Civic can definitely deliver a smooth ride, it seems that some models can get a little loud, especially on bumpier roads. At the same time, this is a common concern among a majority of used cars because most cars naturally get louder over time as seals become looser, especially window seals.
The other potential drawback of a used Honda Civic is the dash layout and interior. While there are some years in which the Honda Civic got everything perfect, there have also been some interior configurations which left fans wanting more. While this may not be a consistent drawback across all models and generations, it is something to keep in mind when you start comparing used Honda Civics from multiple years.
6th Generation Used Honda Civic Review
The sixth generation Honda Civic was sold from 1996 to 2000. This generation made an instant splash with its new styling and technology. It featured a coupe, sedan, and hatchback body styles. In 1999, Honda released the Si, which was powered by a higher performance 1.6 liter engine. This was a much sportier coupe then the other two models available. The sixth generation sedans had three trim levels (DX, LX, and EX) and two engine choices. The two engines were a 1.6 liter, 106 horsepower in the DX and LX and 1.6 liter, and 127 horsepower in the EX.
7th Generation Used Honda Civic Review
The seventh generation Honda Civic was sold from 2001 to 2005. Again, there were a coupe, sedan, and two-door hatchback and the DX, LX, and EX trim styles were also available. This generation also released a handful of specialty trends including the SE, HX, VP, and Hybrid. Most of the models relied on a 1.7 liter engine with either 117 horsepower or 127 horsepower. The hybrid combined a 1.3 liter four-cylinder, 85 horsepower gas engine with a 13 horsepower electric motor. The Si utilized a 2.0 liter engine with 160 horsepower. Overall, this generation continued to get favorable marks for fuel efficiency, safety scores, and interior space. One thing to keep in mind is that this generation only offered a limited selection of models with antilock brakes.
8th Generation Used Honda Civic Review
The eighth generation Honda Civic was sold from 2006 to 2011, with the 2012 release been the introduction of the night generation. For this generation, Honda decided to drop the hatchback from its Civic lineup and placed more emphasis on the hybrid and natural gas options. In terms of the overall look, the eighth generation is considered to have one of the most significant visual redesigns of any generation. There is a much greater available range of power, although the Honda Civic is still one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the road.
Buying a Used Honda Civic
If you are in the market for a used Honda Civic, the most widely available generation will be either the seventh or eighth, although there are still a large number of sixth generation Honda Civics on the road. If pricing is your primary concern, then it should be no surprise that the older the Civic gets, the less expensive it becomes. When looking at the average market value, you can expect the Civic to be devalued between $1000 and $2000 per year. In most years, it will be closer to the $1000 side of the equation.
