Looking for a new daily driver......

[CrazyCarGuy]

I am re-starting my search for a new daily driver. I put it off last year and need to just get it over with. I drive about 40 miles round trip a day (mostly open highway). The cars I am considering are.........


08 Civic LX coupe 5spd manual (not liking the rear drum brakes)
08 Civic EX coupe 5spd manual
06-07 Civic SI coupe
04-05 Civic SI
02-05 Civic (like because the prices, but likely no warranty)


Any suggestions, thoughts?? Any 08 owners that have owned the older Civics? Pro's, con's?

[-j-]

If budget is not an issue, I would go with the 06+ Si. I commute 99 miles ONE WAY and I needed something fun. I couldn't stand driving in my 2001 Accord V6 so the wife let me buy what I wanted. It was either the Si, new generation Accord LX-S or xB. She hated the xB and tried the LX-S and it had no power.

[CrazyCarGuy]

Budget is an issue. I "really" wanted to stay under 15k. But it might be worth the extra money to get a new car instead of used.

[Izzy]

I say try to find a good 04-05 Si in good nick.

[boltuprite]

Get the EX.coupe. All the same toys as the Si just not the engine. But 148 hp is plenty and you'll get better mileage

[forvisor]

I agree with boltuprite I have an EX sedan and I love it. I get great MPG and I think it has plenty of power when needed. As long as you don’t haul a lot of people or cargo around I think it would be a good choice.

[Epileptic]

im happy with my LX as a daily. i reccommend it.

[IceWindius]

Originally Posted by boltuprite

Get the EX.coupe. All the same toys as the Si just not the engine. But 148 hp is plenty and you'll get better mileage

Its 140hp, not 148.

[spinner]

Originally Posted by CrazyCarGuy

Any suggestions, thoughts??

What you you want? Economical, sporty, or luxury? If it is the latter, then forget the rest and put some extra money in the Civic Hybrid. It is the finest cruiser of the line.

[mO 64 StAnG 06]

^ I don't know much about the Hybrids, but whats different in the interior that makes it superior?

[CrazyCarGuy]

Originally Posted by spinner

What you you want? Economical, sporty, or luxury? If it is the latter, then forget the rest and put some extra money in the Civic Hybrid. It is the finest cruiser of the line.

Purchase price, cost of ownership (gas,maintence), and resell are important to me. I am looking for a car that will get sold/traded in 3-4 years. So trying to decide if I want new with warranty and payments. Or maybe getting a used Civic of some sort and having no payments, yet no warranty....

[06Civic2nv]

I have an Ex... love it in gas...however, I want something a little more fun.. which is the Si.. but w/e I still love my Ex..

[EXcoupe]

Originally Posted by CrazyCarGuy

I am re-starting my search for a new daily driver. I put it off last year and need to just get it over with. I drive about 40 miles round trip a day (mostly open highway). The cars I am considering are.........

Any suggestions, thoughts?? Any 08 owners that have owned the older Civics? Pro's, con's?

If you are looking at an '06 to '08 Civic and you drive mostly expressway, you may want to consider an automatic. The 5-spd auto and final drive ratio has the engine turning much slower, quieter and delivering better gas mileage while cruising at expressway speeds. This is really a very nice highway cruiser for such a small car.

The extra $2K for the EX is worth every penny for the roof, rear disc's, alum wheels, & better stereo. You should also consider that with high residual cars (such as Honda & Toyota) you are usually better off buying new even if you want to trade it in 3-4 years.

[CrazyCarGuy]

Sorry, got to have the manual. Like to row the gears.....

When my wife and I got married in 98', we bought a 92 Civic DX manual shift. Even though the car was slow, it was like driving a go-cart. Guess that is why I really like the 04-05 Civic SI's. The only part of those cars is the shifter coming out of the dash with no console. Just looks like that would make the shifter notchy??

[mz_rigel]

i have an '07 FG2 and i drive around 100 miles a day round trip and i my car... i highly suggest it!!

[spinner]

Originally Posted by mO 64 StAnG 06

^ I don't know much about the Hybrids, but whats different in the interior that makes it superior?

Engine runs at lower RPMs, so it's quieter. CVT provides steady acceleration (no gear shifts). Extra quiet during auto stop. Auto climate control. Colour interior, either golden ivory or two-tone navy blue and ivory. Turn signals on the side mirrors. Upgraded audio. Two 12V outlets. Electric-assisted Power Steering. Brake assist. Subtle differences in exterior lighting assemblies.

You won't get rear disc brakes or fancy wheels (unless you appreciate the aerodynamic light aluminium "pie plates"), but those things aren't practical on this car to the non-racer.

[mO 64 StAnG 06]

Yeah, but it is way over his projected budget.

I don't see why they wouldn't put dics on the rear though...

[perfect-clone]

I could be your daily driver. How much do you pay...Oh and I do have a driving record but don't hold that against me lol.

But in all seriousness I have an 07 Si coupe now and it is great fun to drive but it doesn't seem like you are looking for that. For most of 06 before I got the Si I had a 2003 civic EX sedan and I really liked it. It was really smooth and gas mileage was wonderfull. It had around 45 to 50,000 miles...can't remember and It never had one problem. Plus with the new civics (si atleast) new electronic throttle waiting for it to warm up can be annoying especially if you are only going 20 miles one way.

[CrazyCarGuy]

Originally Posted by perfect-clone

Plus with the new civics (si atleast) new electronic throttle waiting for it to warm up can be annoying especially if you are only going 20 miles one way.

If that is temp related I live on the southern coast. Average temp of about 50 in the winter-85 summer. So waiting for a car to warm up is not an issue.

[Special Ringpop]

People are going to shoot me for recommending this...but here it goes:

A new Cobalt LS or 1LT with the XFE badge. This is something GM just released. It's only available on those two trim levels, the lowest and second lowest, respectievly. The retuned a few things on the car, and with the 5MT, the fuel economy is 25/36. It's also dirt cheap and you get a 100,000 mile warranty.