I have had a company car from the moment I passed my driving test but in 2001 after changes to the tax laws I decided to opt out of my company car scheme and purchase my first car.
I had been driving a VW Passatt Estate but wanted something a bit smaller, the obvious choice was a VW Golf but I had driven these in the past and wanted to try something different, besides the golf’s are a little more pricey than other hatchbacks and seeing as I was paying for this myself, money was now an issue.
I looked at most of the 5 door hatchbacks in the class but it was the Honda Civic that stood out amongst the rest and for just £13,500 I was able to purchase the 1.6 SE Executive model.
Here are the technical
bits that mean nothing to me! It has 4 cylinders with 4 valves per cylinder. Maximum horsepower is 110@5600, maximum power kW/RPM is 81@5600 and maximum torque Nm is 152@4300. It has a manual transmission and a maximum speed of 185. Acceleration (0-100km/h) is 10.6 seconds. The Honda Civic has a 3-way catalytic converter and takes unleaded fuel.
What struck me most about this car was how roomy it was, the centre console has been taken away to give the car a much more spacious feel than most and the gear stick is mounted below the dashboard. I thought it would feel strange changing gears at first but it is in fact a very natural position for it to be in. In the back too there is plenty of room for 3 adults with out it feeling cramped and the person in the centre does not have to straddle the bump that is present in most other cars. There are 3 rear headrests and all 3 rear seat belts are full belts (as opposed to a lap belt in the centre)
The SE Executive model has luxurious leather seats and both front driver and passenger seats are heated which is a godsend in winter. Heated wing mirrors will get you off to a quicker start in winter and the air conditioning with climate control will keep you cool in summer. There is also a glass electric tilt and slide sunroof fitted as standard. There are cup holders for front and rear seats and both driver and passengers have vanity mirrors in the sun visors.
Honda has achieved very high standards of safety with the Civic and boasts driver and passenger front airbags, side airbags, four wheel ABS, electronic brake distribution and high mounted brake light. The car is also fitted with an immobiliser and alarm and has remote central locking with dead bolts.
Boot space is good and will fit even a quite large pushchair along with your shopping. Additional space can be achieved by folding the seat down which is very easy to do and it has a 60/40 split so you can just fold one side down and still accommodate passengers.
Servicing is due every 12,000 miles or 12 months and I have found it to be quite reasonable plus it always comes back to me after having a wash and valet. My local dealership will collect and deliver the car and courtesy cars can be arranged should you need one.
I have enjoyed driving this car, the windscreen is large and gives a very good view of the road ahead and I feel just a safe in this as I have always done in the VW golf’s and passats that I have driven in the past. I think this makes a great family car and leather seats are invaluable for wiping away spills from juice bottles and sticky chocolate finger marks. Cup holders will keep the whole family happy and the extra legroom should help to cut down on squabbles in the back seat. There is a single cd player and radio fitted but I opted for the additional 6 cd changer to be fitted and managed to negotiate this into the price along with front and rear mats to keep the carpets clean.
If I had to find fault in the car it would be that the glove compartment is far too small and once your manuals and service records are in it there is little room for anything else. There is also very few places to put the things that you have laying around your car such as spare change, wipes, tissues, chocolate bar and mobile phone etc.
I would definitely recommend this car to anyone looking for a 5 door hatchback, it may not be the first car of its type to spring to mind but take a look and take it out for a test drive, you may well be surprised.
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I had a 3 door hatch one of these - I got 17km's to the litre, it was fantastically economical (and great for squeezing into little spaces at supermarkets and stuff). Good review, Kez :)
srxwilson 08.10.2003 11:39
Japanese cars are pretty unbeatable on reliability and it sounds like a great little car! Cheers, Sarah
ElizaF 07.10.2003 13:26
until it can fit 3 baby seats in the back, this will never be a mummy toy :) Would like to test drive it thou'. Great op! :) xx E.
Oct 6th, 2003
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