06 Civic EX Coupe vs.08 Lancer GTS Review...

***Cybergypsy*** · 07-16-2007, 10:20 PM

After owning the 2006 Civic EX with navi and now the 2008 Lancer GTS I will try to compare them :

Driving:
Civic: It always was a fun drive however on highways it did tend to float a bit, I always kept both hands on the wheel this was from the first day i bought it and had the alignment checked and it was perfect, really never pushed it into turns,Gas mileage was always pretty good, 32-39 MPG,and it was a bit noisy on the road.but nothing too loud.
Lancer: Very heavy like my BMW, corners amazing, love exits and off ramps, no floating at all, holds the road very well, MPG is about 29 MPG but only on the second tank so far.Really loving the feel on the road.Like the 15.3 Tank.Very smooth.Love the CVT.

Instruments
Civic: Love the speedo on the civic nothing compares to those lights, well lit and large number in bright blue, Navi love the speak button and the ease of the navi,and the Card slot is also nice XM Rocks!
Lancer: wow, where do I start 4 info screens on dash everything from MPG to tire pressure to all warning lights, the navi has a DVD player, 30G Hard drive for music,more info screens then i could ever use for lighting,all functions of the car(cut off of cig 12V after 30 min) lap-times, and so many more,auto head lights,bluetooth,FAST key you never need a key to get in or start the car,to lock the car a touch of the door handle,The navi is pretty amazing, and love having fogs standard. The red gauges are nice and has ambient lighting .also auto climate control is awesome.Paddle shifters are very smooth and flawless.

Seats
Civic: the seats seem to wear easy and had my armrest replaced last year, seatbelt sometimes snaps back and leaves marks on the plastic, and it scratches easy.love the sliding cover for the cup-holders.love my old steering wheels.
Lancer:like the placement of the seat belt no marks so far, lint seems to like the seats but easy to clean off.Love the back seat middle armrest and cupholder.Since i dont smoke the ashtray is useless for me.The Lancer seems to feel much bigger then my civic,when i am at the wheel, the room seems endless.....Steering wheel has bright red lights to light up all functions :)

Wheels
Civic: they were nice but nothing great!
Lancer: Really like the rims and 18" tires.....

Warranty
Civic: they gave me a free 5/60 warranty with my civic at no charge.
Lancer: 5/60K and 100K power-train.Also free oil changes for life of car.

All being said I still will buy the 2008 Civic, I just hope the put more features in it, I paid close to 2.5K LESS for the Lancer GTS, I would tell anyone looking for a good small car to check out both the civic and lancer.

TJ213 · 07-16-2007, 11:18 PM

How quickly do the paddle shifters shift? Is it kind of like a manual shifting?

***Cybergypsy*** · 07-16-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ213

How quickly do the paddle shifters shift? Is it kind of like a manual shifting?

yes, really no lag at all........

psyshack · 07-17-2007, 01:00 PM

I went and checked out the new Lancer. And man was the price right! The car was fully loaded like yours but with a MT tranny white with tan inside. I like the rallyarts. My brother has one and its been a great car. I just couldnt go for a first year car again of a new gen. So I picked up the MZ3.

psy

TJ213 · 07-17-2007, 01:58 PM

can't wait for the EVO X

, too bad I don't have the $$$ for one

maybe in a few years when they are used

Aeth SI · 07-17-2007, 02:37 PM

I drove the lancer an hour before I picked up my SI. They only had the CVT available and as most dealers in the area said, no sticks for months. In all honesty, I pulled out of the dealer...drove 1/8 mile, and turned it around to go back. That CVT is terrible. All you hear is an annoying whine from the engine that never stops. Other than that, it had some nice features but not enough to pull me away from the SI.

Nighthawk07 · 07-17-2007, 02:48 PM

Great Review, what exactly is CVT though? I hear of this a lot.

Aeth SI · 07-17-2007, 03:17 PM

Constant variable transmission. Sounds like it never shifts.

Nighthawk07 · 07-17-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aeth SI

Constant variable transmission. Sounds like it never shifts.

O RLY?

So you don't feel it shift either? Almost as if you have a single really long gear?

TJ213 · 07-17-2007, 03:53 PM

ummm, a CVT is Constantly Variable, so it never has to shift, thats why it feels like it never shifts, because it never shifts.

but Mitsuishi added paddle shifters and "shifting" to give it a more conventional / fun to drive feel

***Cybergypsy*** · 07-17-2007, 10:21 PM

the noise does not bother me at all my ex was much louder from just the road noise, I have 700 miles already on her....and it so much fun hoping the 08 civic with have more toys........

***Cybergypsy*** · 07-17-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk07

O RLY?

So you don't feel it shift either? Almost as if you have a single really long gear?

no shifting feels sooooo smooth and no AC cut ons to zap engine :)

***Cybergypsy*** · 07-17-2007, 10:49 PM

my second tank was not bad at all 27Average, but the engine needs to be broken in :)

TheRumBucket · 07-24-2007, 09:47 AM

My GFs dad has a nissan murano ((spelling)) and he has that CVT thing in it, it's pretty nice, especially in an SUV like that...but i really still love the feeling of manually shifting the car, nothing feels greater then that

I Vtec, do you? · 09-01-2007, 03:28 PM

If it never shifts, does the sound just keep getting louder and louder as you speed up? I can't imagine how a non-shifting motor would work lol, something I'll have to wikipedia after work :P

Btw it sounds like you have nearly nothing good to say about the civic, and nothing bad to say about the lancer. Why even bother buy an 08 civic then? You know it's not going to change. Maybe now is your chance to check out other cars besides getting back into one that'll be just like the one you only found sub-par.

e60.deluxe · 09-01-2007, 03:35 PM

CVTs shift...all the time.
they are always shifting.

what happens is that your will accelerate, but instead of the RPM rising and falling with shifts, it stays the same even as you accelerate. this is because the CVT is continously reucing the gear ratio as your speed increases.

its good because it keeps the engine in a constant RPM range in the powerband. in that sense its more feul efficient than an automatic. then there is no shift shock so it feels smoother.

but because its constantly slipping, there is power wasted. Manuals will still be more feul efficient and faster.

CVTs are good for hybrids.

***Cybergypsy*** · 09-01-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Vtec, do you?

If it never shifts, does the sound just keep getting louder and louder as you speed up? I can't imagine how a non-shifting motor would work lol, something I'll have to wikipedia after work :P

Btw it sounds like you have nearly nothing good to say about the civic, and nothing bad to say about the lancer. Why even bother buy an 08 civic then? You know it's not going to change. Maybe now is your chance to check out other cars besides getting back into one that'll be just like the one you only found sub-par.

I have alot of good things to say about my civic, the seats wear and I hope the 08s have leather,,,,thats a big thing...I guess you never read the rest of my posts about the civic,,,,,

***Cybergypsy*** · 09-01-2007, 03:47 PM

I also want to say I love my civic, but wanted to trade it and got a great deal, I will not lie and say the Lancer is Crap, because in lots of ways it better then my civic.....so deal with a honest review :)

***Cybergypsy*** · 09-01-2007, 03:49 PM

I do love the CVT and will keep it as my son DD, I really want a new BMW but will wait till the 1 series comes out

Aeth SI · 09-01-2007, 04:18 PM

I had an 03 G35 Sedan and loved it until I traded it in for an 05 Legacy GT (turbo). I liked it much better because it was what I was driving... the choice I had made (rationalization) . Now I love my SI more than my LGT because it rides better and handles as well stock, as my LGT did with major suspension mods. It is not as fast as the LGT but also doesn't stall when it's cold and rattle me to death.
My point here is that once you take the plunge on a fairly major investment, you love it in public no matter what. Even if it doesn't make sense.

07-16-2007, 10:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Cybergypsy* Mini Me! Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 48 Posts: 7,760 iTrader: 3 / 100%	06 Civic EX Coupe vs.08 Lancer GTS Review... After owning the 2006 Civic EX with navi and now the 2008 Lancer GTS I will try to compare them : Driving: Civic: It always was a fun drive however on highways it did tend to float a bit, I always kept both hands on the wheel this was from the first day i bought it and had the alignment checked and it was perfect, really never pushed it into turns,Gas mileage was always pretty good, 32-39 MPG,and it was a bit noisy on the road.but nothing too loud. Lancer: Very heavy like my BMW, corners amazing, love exits and off ramps, no floating at all, holds the road very well, MPG is about 29 MPG but only on the second tank so far.Really loving the feel on the road.Like the 15.3 Tank.Very smooth.Love the CVT. Instruments Civic: Love the speedo on the civic nothing compares to those lights, well lit and large number in bright blue, Navi love the speak button and the ease of the navi,and the Card slot is also nice XM Rocks! Lancer: wow, where do I start 4 info screens on dash everything from MPG to tire pressure to all warning lights, the navi has a DVD player, 30G Hard drive for music,more info screens then i could ever use for lighting,all functions of the car(cut off of cig 12V after 30 min) lap-times, and so many more,auto head lights,bluetooth,FAST key you never need a key to get in or start the car,to lock the car a touch of the door handle,The navi is pretty amazing, and love having fogs standard. The red gauges are nice and has ambient lighting .also auto climate control is awesome.Paddle shifters are very smooth and flawless. Seats Civic: the seats seem to wear easy and had my armrest replaced last year, seatbelt sometimes snaps back and leaves marks on the plastic, and it scratches easy.love the sliding cover for the cup-holders.love my old steering wheels. Lancer:like the placement of the seat belt no marks so far, lint seems to like the seats but easy to clean off.Love the back seat middle armrest and cupholder.Since i dont smoke the ashtray is useless for me.The Lancer seems to feel much bigger then my civic,when i am at the wheel, the room seems endless.....Steering wheel has bright red lights to light up all functions :) Wheels Civic: they were nice but nothing great! Lancer: Really like the rims and 18" tires..... Warranty Civic: they gave me a free 5/60 warranty with my civic at no charge. Lancer: 5/60K and 100K power-train.Also free oil changes for life of car. All being said I still will buy the 2008 Civic, I just hope the put more features in it, I paid close to 2.5K LESS for the Lancer GTS, I would tell anyone looking for a good small car to check out both the civic and lancer.

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07-16-2007, 11:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
TJ213 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 18 Posts: 3,051 iTrader: 0 / 0%	How quickly do the paddle shifters shift? Is it kind of like a manual shifting?

07-17-2007, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
psyshack Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Okmulgee, Oklahoma Age: 47 Posts: 705 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I went and checked out the new Lancer. And man was the price right! The car was fully loaded like yours but with a MT tranny white with tan inside. I like the rallyarts. My brother has one and its been a great car. I just couldnt go for a first year car again of a new gen. So I picked up the MZ3. psy

07-17-2007, 01:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
TJ213 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 18 Posts: 3,051 iTrader: 0 / 0%	can't wait for the EVO X , too bad I don't have the $$$ for one maybe in a few years when they are used

07-17-2007, 02:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aeth SI Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jersey Age: 44 Posts: 476 Geezer Squad #136 iTrader: 1 / 100%	I drove the lancer an hour before I picked up my SI. They only had the CVT available and as most dealers in the area said, no sticks for months. In all honesty, I pulled out of the dealer...drove 1/8 mile, and turned it around to go back. That CVT is terrible. All you hear is an annoying whine from the engine that never stops. Other than that, it had some nice features but not enough to pull me away from the SI.

07-17-2007, 02:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nighthawk07 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rockledge, Florida Age: 21 Posts: 5,733 Mikey iTrader: 4 / 100%	Great Review, what exactly is CVT though? I hear of this a lot.

07-17-2007, 03:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Aeth SI Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jersey Age: 44 Posts: 476 Geezer Squad #136 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Constant variable transmission. Sounds like it never shifts.

07-17-2007, 03:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
TJ213 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 18 Posts: 3,051 iTrader: 0 / 0%	ummm, a CVT is Constantly Variable, so it never has to shift, thats why it feels like it never shifts, because it never shifts. but Mitsuishi added paddle shifters and "shifting" to give it a more conventional / fun to drive feel

07-17-2007, 10:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
*Cybergypsy* Mini Me! Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 48 Posts: 7,760 iTrader: 3 / 100%	the noise does not bother me at all my ex was much louder from just the road noise, I have 700 miles already on her....and it so much fun hoping the 08 civic with have more toys........

07-17-2007, 10:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
*Cybergypsy* Mini Me! Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 48 Posts: 7,760 iTrader: 3 / 100%	my second tank was not bad at all 27Average, but the engine needs to be broken in :)

07-24-2007, 09:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
TheRumBucket Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 22 Posts: 1,110 iTrader: 0 / 0%	My GFs dad has a nissan murano ((spelling)) and he has that CVT thing in it, it's pretty nice, especially in an SUV like that...but i really still love the feeling of manually shifting the car, nothing feels greater then that

09-01-2007, 03:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
I Vtec, do you? Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: mn Posts: 7,954 iTrader: 9 / 100%	If it never shifts, does the sound just keep getting louder and louder as you speed up? I can't imagine how a non-shifting motor would work lol, something I'll have to wikipedia after work :P Btw it sounds like you have nearly nothing good to say about the civic, and nothing bad to say about the lancer. Why even bother buy an 08 civic then? You know it's not going to change. Maybe now is your chance to check out other cars besides getting back into one that'll be just like the one you only found sub-par.

09-01-2007, 03:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
e60.deluxe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Forest, CA Age: 22 Posts: 4,955 iTrader: 3 / 100%	CVTs shift...all the time. they are always shifting. what happens is that your will accelerate, but instead of the RPM rising and falling with shifts, it stays the same even as you accelerate. this is because the CVT is continously reucing the gear ratio as your speed increases. its good because it keeps the engine in a constant RPM range in the powerband. in that sense its more feul efficient than an automatic. then there is no shift shock so it feels smoother. but because its constantly slipping, there is power wasted. Manuals will still be more feul efficient and faster. CVTs are good for hybrids.

09-01-2007, 03:47 PM	#18 (permalink)
*Cybergypsy* Mini Me! Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 48 Posts: 7,760 iTrader: 3 / 100%	I also want to say I love my civic, but wanted to trade it and got a great deal, I will not lie and say the Lancer is Crap, because in lots of ways it better then my civic.....so deal with a honest review :)

09-01-2007, 03:49 PM	#19 (permalink)
*Cybergypsy* Mini Me! Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 48 Posts: 7,760 iTrader: 3 / 100%	I do love the CVT and will keep it as my son DD, I really want a new BMW but will wait till the 1 series comes out

09-01-2007, 04:18 PM	#20 (permalink)
Aeth SI Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jersey Age: 44 Posts: 476 Geezer Squad #136 iTrader: 1 / 100%	I had an 03 G35 Sedan and loved it until I traded it in for an 05 Legacy GT (turbo). I liked it much better because it was what I was driving... the choice I had made (rationalization) . Now I love my SI more than my LGT because it rides better and handles as well stock, as my LGT did with major suspension mods. It is not as fast as the LGT but also doesn't stall when it's cold and rattle me to death. My point here is that once you take the plunge on a fairly major investment, you love it in public no matter what. Even if it doesn't make sense.