1989 Honda Civic Si hatchback 1.6 DOHC EFI

Summary:

Fun, cheap, refuses to die

Faults:

The car had an ongoing problem with intermittently not starting - traced to the (apparently classic civic problem) of dry solder joints in the main relay. Easy fix with a soldering iron.

Rear suspension bushes replaced at 140000 km.

Various belts replaced at 165000 km.

Beginning to rust in a couple of places and the bonnet paint has oxidized and peeled off, but this adds to the 'character'.

General Comments:

The civic has been my daily driver for 6 years and goes surprisingly well for a car that's almost as old as some of my workmates...

I have only serviced the civic once in the time I have owned it. I have taken it in and out of paddocks, transported half a tonne of firewood in the back, basically given it constant abuse - and it still keeps on going.

Fuel economy is great and the car has been really reliable overall. Performance is lively enough to get into trouble, the civic is actually quite fun to drive and handles well (kinda like a go-cart), but is uncomfortable on long trips.

Th civic doesn't offer much in the way of street cred and my girlfriend refuses to ride in it, but I'm pretty happy with it overall and I'd happily buy another one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th March, 2006

30th Jun 2006, 17:55

You need another girlfriend if she cares what kind of car you drive.

1989 Honda Civic 55x Super Shuttle 1.5 petrol

Summary:

A lemon that left me with a bitter taste in my mouth

Faults:

Unknown electrical problem that meant the ignition would randomly fail on some days.

One indicator didn't work some of the time.

Head gasket blew after 1000 km of use, at only 124,000 kilometres.

General Comments:

I bought the car cheaply, and it performed well and seemed to be a good deal.

However, the head gasket blew, leading me to suspect it had been treated badly by the previous owner.

The quoted cost of repair was well above the price I paid for it so I had to write it off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th December, 2001

17th Dec 2001, 06:55

It was 12 years old!! These things happen.

17th Dec 2001, 08:30

Yeah, it had to be treated badly. You simply don't hear about unreliable Hondas.

13th Jul 2002, 13:25

"Yeah, it had to be treated badly. You simply don't hear about unreliable Hondas."

Oh yes you do. The wheel- yes the WHEEL- (from the HUB) fell off my 89 Civic. The engine would stall on days of its choice with NO explanation. even after the intake was cleaned, fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap & rotor were all replaced. the car would stall at the worst times and refuse to start after doing so. (in the MIDDLE of the road)

19th Aug 2002, 09:38

Well, I bought my car new based partly on a fabulous Consumer Reports reviews that year. I am the original owner with just over 100,000 miles on it now and I took incredibly good care of my car. That had no effect on the electrical problems... I have had FOUR alternators and countless batteries installed to correct the electrical problems. Turns out there was a problem with the igniter switch in this series of Civics that Honda failed to notify me about -- even after taking my car into three different Honda dealers repeatedly with the electrical problems. (A Porsche mechanic helping me on the roadside one night happened to mention the igniter switch to me and since then everything has been fine.)

I'm also told that Hondas exhaust systems are notorious for rusting out frequently (as mine has).

Sad to say, my luck hasn't been that great and I have been deeply disappointed by Honda's poor response.

1989 Honda Civic SiR 1.6 vtec

Summary:

A quick, economical racer

Faults:

Replaced the front shock absorbers.

Replaced the battery.

General Comments:

This car is very quick and economical.

Vtec engine has awesome top end power, but lacks torque.

Lighter than an Integra and more space than a CRX.

Handling is excellent due to aftermarket shocks, but the ride is harsh.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2001