I test drove four different cars in that class a few days ago, in the following order:
1. Vauxhall Astra
2. Citroen C4
3. Ford Focus
4. Honda Civic
The Civic was last. Until I drove that, I'd set my heart on the C4. I ended up falling in love with it and buying the car. Oops!
I accept that the styling, particular the interior, will not be to everyone's taste. I honestly thought that the layout was logical and completely appropriate. Certainly unconventional, but in my opinion, the split-level dashboard makes perfect sense and I liked the speed readout being right up at the top, where it should be (I liked the C4 layout too). Admitedly, I couldn't justify the separate red starter button considering you still need to turn a key anyway, but there you go.
I didn't think the ride and handling was different to anything else in its class. Certainly on a par with the C4. Perhaps the Focus did better and was fun to drive, but I'm afraid every other car in its class looks boring by comparison.
While I was in the dealership sorting out the paperwork, I noticed another customer take a look at the car -- she opened the drivers door, took one look at the interior and exclaimed "Certainly NOT" and walked out. I guess you can't please everyone.
I should get the car in a couple of weeks or so. I can't wait.
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> While I was in the dealership sorting out the paperwork, I noticed another customer take a look at the car -- she opened the drivers door, took one look at the interior and exclaimed "Certainly NOT" and walked out. I guess you can't please everyone.
Chortle.
I would suggest to that customer a Hyundai Accent.
If new-fangled things frighten them then the Accent is ideal.
I dunno. Damn luddites. Should all be banned from owning a car....
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I test drove four different cars in that class a few days ago, in the following order: 1. Vauxhall Astra 2. Citroen C4 3. Ford Focus 4. Honda Civic
May I ask, why not the new Golf MKV or Mazda 3 ?
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Good question.
The Golf, I didn't actually test drive, although a friend of mine has one. It's a very nice car and any car that comes with a bottle opener as standard equipment, as his does, is very civilised! I'd have considered it, although I'd probably have gone for the C4 over it.
Didn't actually look at the Mazda. Never really made it past the Civic as by that time, I was hooked. Oops...
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Good question. The Golf, I didn't actually test drive, although a friend of mine has one. It's a very nice car and any car that comes with a bottle opener as standard equipment, as his does, is very civilised!
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Not true!
You need to order the optional armrest to get the bottle opener.
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I test drove four different cars in that class a few days ago, in the following order: 1. Vauxhall Astra 2. Citroen C4 3. Ford Focus 4. Honda Civic The Civic was last. Until I drove that, I'd set my heart on the C4. I ended up falling in love with it and buying the car. Oops! I accept that the styling, particular the interior, will not be
>>Admitedly, I couldn't justifythe separate red starter button considering you still need to turn a key anyway, but there you go.
Frankly, I would not consider any new car that has a separate starter button (at least for the time being, until they all force it upon us).
For that reason but not that reason alone, I rejected that ugly duckling, the BMW Series 1. To start that car you had to place that key fobby thing into a slot first, with your left hand (was on the left hand side of steering wheel on the fascia) then depress the clutch pedal (not a bad thing, I suppose) after which you pressed the 'Start' button to initiate ignition - what a palaver, almost as laboured as my missive!
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"you had to place that key fobby thing into a slot first.."
Clearly taking their cue from motorbikes. To start mine, you have to put the key in, pushing in and out first before it will rotate, press cut-out switch, lift side-stand or select neutral, find the right choke setting, pull in clutch and press the start button. On some, you have to turn the fuel on, too...
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"I am simply amazed at the importance so many people place on the looks of the Civic"
Or any other car. How many are bought simply because someone (no names, no pack drill) just liked the colour?
Must be depressing for manufacturers, although at least it gets applied fairly evenly.
FWIW, my objection to the Civic is not just its rearward vision, it's the visibility out the front, with those enormous pillars! A major contributor to SMIDSY motorcycle accidents (sorry mate, didn't see you) - Honda should be ashamed!
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I have to say I was truly smitten with the shape initially, but once I sat in the car, the all round visibility was so restrictive, I did`nt even want to test drive the car, which was a great disappointment as the new 1.8 petrol engine IMHO is a real cracker.
At the end of the day, whilst the style of a vehicle is very important, it should never take precedence over substance and particularly safety.
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Well, I'm an old(ish) fogey and a long-term Honda driver and I think this Civic at last looks the business. The previous shape was just a van.
And if anybody wants a fascia that looks like an Amstrad stereo they only have to go and pick up a secondhand Focus.
I've just spotted an ad for the new Civic over here in France and I'll be off to the dealer when I get the chance, to give it a try. My pal up the road has an Opel Meriva and (surprise, surprise) he's keen to give it a go as well.
We have a fifth generation Prelude with thickish rear side pillars and a back spoiler so you can't see too well out of that either, but it's brilliant fun to drive - and it does have big mirrors...
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FWIW, my objection to the Civic is not just its rearward vision, it's the visibility out the front, with those enormous pillars!
and for rear passengers, it's visibility out the side too :(
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Desperation. May date quickly like the Astra MkII. Glad I don't have to work inventing new car models as there is nothing left anymore to try. Renault tried ugly with the Megane and it fell flat now Honda go down the max power, plastic chrome and big wheels styling route. Others try the mpv huge front end and pillars look. I prefer evolution than revolution, eg Golf or Focus. Who wants to sit in a bathtub with no visibility? Bring back the MkII Golf or Mercedes 190 as cars designed to fit people in, be easily driven and long lasting.
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>. Renault tried ugly with the Megane and it fell flat<<
Really? I see them everywhere and despite not being a Renault fan, I kinda like them. Even Dad - a staunch anti French car...ist after our Peugeot debacle likes them.
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It's been a huge seller. Not ugly either...
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Megane, is a shape thats dating quite well, has user amd market acceptance and is selling well in the market today.
Time is important.
While I thought the new civic was WOW and FAB and looks good - only time will tell. And to be frank, I dont think time will be kind to it*. I hope I am wrong as bravery in design like that deserves to be recognised.
*In the words of the Kaiser Chiefs #Every day I love you less and less#
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Don't try and sound hip and cool RF.
you're already cool
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And the hip is athritic
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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It's been a huge seller. Not ugly either...
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I know it is the USA version but someone loves it
Honda Motor Co. became the first automaker to sweep the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards on Sunday, with auto critics choosing the Honda Civic and the Honda Ridgeline as the most outstanding new vehicles of 2006.
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This is a country with cars like the Pontiac Aztec though.
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How can you not like this?
www.tcar-recovery.com/photos/260667.jpg
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you DID splash the drain cleaner in your eyes....
FiFi is half trained as a guide dog, she can lead you up the garden path anyway........
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I'm taking delivery on Monday. It's very exciting.
Also my pen is leaking.
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I'm so very very sorry about your pen.
Good luck with the new car.
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Let the sales figures answer the question. If it's a catastrophe, we will know soon enough. Somehow I don't think it will be. For some time the Japanese have been very good at building reliable but slightly boring cars, a few exceptions noted. Now they seem to be excelling at building reliable interesting cars.
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Exactly X. The only thing that's put me off buying a Jap car is the interiors. Dreadfully bland and enough in themselves to completely dissuade me from getting one.
Could the Civiv break the mould?
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They haven't brought out an even newer car. I meant Civic obviously.
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I'm with Xileno on this - let the sales figures have the final say.
Renault have caught a cold with the Modus and Ford did likewise with the Fusion, whatever you think of the new Civic it's certainly
got a lot of attention for the right reasons - albeit initially.
I hope it does succeed, if only to encourage other manufacturers to be less conservative.
I also suspect that the beancounters had little to do with launching such a radical car which is another good reason we should all hope that it's a success.
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It must be a French pen.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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How can you not like this? www.tcar-recovery.com/photos/260667.jpg
Mummy, my eyes hurt!
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I honestly think that is the ugliest car I have ever seen. No really. That's a bold statement but that's bold ugliness.
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I'll throw my hat in the ring....
I absolutely loved the look of the new civic when I first saw it in Top Gear mag, and I thought the interior looked bold, stylish, exciting. But when I went and sat in one I was really disappointed by the cheap, plasticky feel of it. If the finish was of VAG (or even Ford) quality I could probably forgive the other issues you all mention.
But then I'm quite enjoying a 1.2 Skoda Fabia at the moment....
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"I see on the what car website their doing a comparison in this months mag between the focus golf and civic.Has anyboby read it?
If so how did the new civic compare!!"
Apologies if I've missed someone aleady answering this, but What Car's order of preference was:
1 Octavia
2 Golf
3 Focus
4 Civic - "a good car up against three excellent ones".
What Car liked the Civic's looks, engine (1.8), flexible load space, fuel-efficiency, low emissions and strong residuals.
They disliked: ride, noise, lack of steerinjg feel, poor rear vision, price and rear headroom.
Styling is of course a matter of opinion, but I totally agree with people above about visibility, both front and rear. This is a matter of safety - and most of us have heard stories about small children being knocked down by cars reversing, even at very low speeds.
SWMBO has a Civic type S but she won't have another for this very reason. She disliked her 206 for the same reason - whereas the 205s were very good for visibility all round.
It surely must be possible for stylists to make cars that look good but have reasonable glass areas. I don't think anyone would clas the A4 as ugly - but even this has less glass than its predecessor, fo no obvious reason.
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There's a road test in today's Autocar.
One of the downsides with the new Civic is that Honda has reverted to old-fashioned torsion beam suspension (hence the inferior ride quality) whereas the new Focus and Golf have more sophisticated multi-link set ups.
Torsion beam costs Honda less money. So I guess the savings have been spent on the exterior and interior styling.
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The vast majority of buyers wouldn't know one suspension set up from another and wouldn't probably care. Looks will always outsell ability, re. Calibra v Corrado in one good example.
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Another form over function is the Chrysler PT cruiser, which was based on the Neon which itself was cheap rather than good value.
It's slightly better than the Neon but IMHO both of them share possibly the worst engine in the world - very American handling too, great in a straight line but carp round bends, always adjusting the line as they would bump steer badly, not confidence inspiring at all.
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In today`s Autocar`s road test, they placed the Honda 4th, - Focus was first, then joint second was the BMW 1 series and Golf 2.0 FSI GT.
They particularly slated the Honda ride, which on UK roads was totally unacceptable, - it would seem that Honda have traded the practicality of additional boot space by ditching the old double wishbone suspension and replacing the rear with a cheaper and inferior torsional beam and the fronts with McPherson struts. The 1.8 petrol engine is a screamer if thrashed through the gears but has very little low end torque, and so if driven in this manner, fuel consuption takes a nose dive (only 20.3 mpg during track testing).!!!!
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Ride most likely poor due to 45 section 225 tyres on 17" rims, with stiff springs giving plenty of grip, but at a price. EX version sounds one to avoid!
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