3 become 4............soon!

robertxxx

Wife, me and son will be having a new member to the family soon, 6.5 months time.
We have an old primera 1.6 2002.
Would it be practical to get a 2006/07 Honda civic 1.8 as a family car?

I have always loved this car but now with the 4 of us would space be tight?

What recommendations do people have? Or do I buy my dream car.

Cheers.

colm_mcm

Are you talking hatchback or saloon?

I couldn't see the hatch being a problem. The a boot is quite big and there's loads of room in the back.

robertxxx

colm_mcm wrote: »

Are you talking hatchback or saloon?

I couldn't see the hatch being a problem. The a boot is quite big and there's loads of room in the back.

Sounds good, hatchback.

colm_mcm

Because there's no spare wheel, the boot goes very deep. You can also put stuff under the rear seats too.

As you can see with the seats folded up, the floor goes all the way back



I have a 1.8 ES so fire ahead if you have any queries on that model, a few on here have diesels too.

robertxxx

colm_mcm wrote: »

Because there's no spare wheel, the boot goes very deep. You can also put stuff under the rear seats too.

As you can see with the seats folded up, the floor goes all the way back



I have a 1.8 ES so fire ahead if you have any queries on that model, a few on here have diesels too.

I'd like a diesel but the pre 08 are tax crazy.
Would I be right in thinking i could get a combined 44 mpg? From the 1800cc Or is that wishful thinking.

Reliability, is it as good as people say?

What's the insurance like? Is it loaded like the 1994 model?

I really want this car to be good to me mechanically and financially as I don't change too often.

colm_mcm

I'm getting those sort of mpg figures, I even got 51mpg on one trip driving like a saint. It can dip to 40 if I'm doing more town driving or going a bit too fast on the motorway.
Reliability wise its been A1, I've had mine 18 months and have covered 32,000km in that time.
Had to do front and rear pads, rear discs, new battery and oils/filters. Nothing outside of service items.

Insurance on my jaguar was cheaper. But I don't think I'm being fleeced either.

Zcott

Great cars, no hassles on my diesel.

Noccy_Mondy

Ya Civic hatch would fit the bill. I quite like the look of them. With 2 kids then you won't have any bother when it comes to baby seats etc with most cars, as most will take 2 no bother, and still have room between them and in the boot also. It's when/if number 3 comes along that things get more awkward....

christy02

Are a lot of the hatchbacks 3 door or am I missing something? Some nice looking ones on DD but all look like 3 door?

colm_mcm

christy02 wrote: »

Are a lot of the hatchbacks 3 door or am I missing something? Some nice looking ones on DD but all look like 3 door?

The 5 door has its handles up behind the glass.





Front door on the 3 door is longer.

robertxxx

Any opinions on Toyota Prius, 2006 model, how would it compare to the civic.

colm_mcm

Lower seating position. Longer but narrower inside. Loads of rear legroom but boot very shallow.
Seats very light coloured and prone to stains.

Similar in many ways alright (split glass on boot door, weird looking, Japanese, fuel efficient)

noelf

robertxxx wrote: »

Any opinions on Toyota Prius, 2006 model, how would it compare to the civic.

Both good cars but Prius would be cheaper to run. Do a search here on Toyota prius Mad lad is a owner of one ..

christy02

noelf wrote: »

Both good cars but Prius would be cheaper to run. Do a search here on Toyota prius Mad lad is a owner of one ..

Guy said he would love a civic and always wanted one. Why then would he buy a Prius?

Everyone coming on here looking for car suggestions gets the Prius as first choice. Reliable and frugal but that's it.

Edit: didn't see ops post on Prius opinions. Ignore my rant.

Op stick with civic if its what you really want.

bazz26

The one pet hate I have with the Prius is that it looks like a Prius, if you know what I mean. It's not a conventional looking car. Shouldn't need to be odd looking just because it is a hybrid underneath imo.

anthonyos

I regularly drine a 2007 1.3 civic hatchback and it is a lovely car I also drive a 2009 audi a 4 and the civic is away nicer

robertxxx

anthonyos wrote: »

I regularly drine a 2007 1.3 civic hatchback and it is a lovely car I also drive a 2009 audi a 4 and the civic is away nicer

Is the civic very slow/underpowered?

colm_mcm

The 1.4 is a dead duck to be fair.
The later (post 09?) iVTEC 1.4 was marginally better but still slow even for 1.4

robertxxx

Colm, what about a Audi a3 sport back 1.6 petrol 2005/06

colm_mcm

Christ no!

They do have a nice dash to be fair, and they'll be a bit more refined than the civic - but they're sloow and usually quite basic.

They're not especially spacious either.

robertxxx

Bear in mind the banger I have, the Audi would probably feel like a rocket to me.

colm_mcm

What are you driving now?

robertxxx

2002 1.6 primera.

colm_mcm

In that case it will feel slower and less sharp than the primera.

People do aspire to audis though, if it floats your boat then why not.

Lanshane

colm_mcm wrote: »

Because there's no spare wheel, the boot goes very deep. You can also put stuff under the rear seats too.

As you can see with the seats folded up, the floor goes all the way back





I have a 1.8 ES so fire ahead if you have any queries on that model, a few on here have diesels too.

Hi Colm, no spare wheel you say! How do you find that yourself?

Is there some kind of aerosol can or repair kit to replace it? Are they easy to use/make sense or would you prefer a spare wheel, even a spacesaver yoke?

I've always fancied a proper spare wheel in a car, have been handy for me when I did get punctures (Not many mind). Maybe my thinking in this regard is a little dated, I'm not sure.

colm_mcm

Touch wood I haven't had a puncture yet.
You get a wheel brace, a jack, a an electric pump, and a bottle of gunk to pour into the tyre if you get a puncture.

It's called "instant mobility system"

I must get a spare wheel for it though, even a space saver to stick in the garage.
Luckily a lot of older Honda wheels will fit

Lanshane

colm_mcm wrote: »

Touch wood I haven't had a puncture yet.
You get a wheel brace, a jack, a an electric pump, and a bottle of gunk to pour into the tyre if you get a puncture.

It's called "instant mobility system"

I must get a spare wheel for it though, even a space saver to stick in the garage.
Luckily a lot of older Honda wheels will fit

So if I hit a mail, spray up the tyre with the gunk, can the tyre be brought to have nail removed in the usual way. Not sure how safe it would be driving around with a tyre full of gunk with a nail in it or is it meant to just get you to the nearest tyre shop? In other words, a puncture means a new tyre??

colm_mcm

Nah, you get the gunk out then repair as normal. Its not an aerosol like tyreweld, its liquid

Think you need to replace the valve alright.

Here's a pic of mine, its in the drivers side compartment in the boot

robertxxx

Colman, what sort of driving do you do? And what was the worst mpg you got.

colm_mcm

I'd do mostly 110-130kmph driving. A small bit of town driving, and a bit of rural.
130kmph = 40mpg
120kmph = 45mpg
95kmph = 50mpg

Ish.

robertxxx

Would it be practical for two adults and two kids?
Or am I trying to con myself into think it would be big enough as it's my favourite car out there at the moment.

colm_mcm

I can't see why not, I had a brother and a sister growing up, and at the time we all fitted into an early 80s RWD Corolla.
Everyone doesn't need a Scenic or similarly soul destroying yoke as soon as they have kids.
There'll be plenty room for buggy and whatever else, you'll have a 5 star ncap rating, the kids'll love the glass roof, and you'll get something you actually like.

robertxxx

colm_mcm wrote: »

I can't see why not, I had a brother and a sister growing up, and at the time we all fitted into an early 80s RWD Corolla.
Everyone doesn't need a Scenic or similarly soul destroying yoke as soon as they have kids.
There'll be plenty room for buggy and whatever else, you'll have a 5 star ncap rating, the kids'll love the glass roof, and you'll get something you actually like.

Is it not a 4 star ncap?

robertxxx

Colm, BMW 316i ???

colm_mcm

robertxxx wrote: »

Is it not a 4 star ncap?

It was, then it was retested unchanged in 2009 under the new system and got 5 stars.

robertxxx

Everything is pointing to the Honda!

colm_mcm

Im horribly biased I suppose.

kerten

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd do mostly 110-130kmph driving. A small bit of town driving, and a bit of rural.
130kmph = 40mpg
120kmph = 45mpg
95kmph = 50mpg

Ish.

Impressive numbers. Are those best possible with steady driving(motorway or N roads without slowing down) ?


Like shape of both saloon and hb civics of this era.

I guess hatchbacks have that ishift semi-autos which I don't like.

I wonder automatic(torque converter) saloon 1.8s are similarly economical.

colm_mcm

I doubt they would be as economical. Saloons are less economical in the first place, and one of the benefits of stupid semi auto jobbies is that there aren't as many losses through the transmission.
If you must have an automatic Saloon civic then get the hybrid.

Yes, those figures are when driving sensibly. Cruise control helps.

bazz26

I thought the Civic saloon (non hybrid) had a conventional auto?

kerten

colm_mcm wrote: »

I doubt they would be as economical. Saloons are less economical in the first place, and one of the benefits of stupid semi auto jobbies is that there aren't as many losses through the transmission.
If you must have an automatic Saloon civic then get the hybrid.

Yes, those figures are when driving sensibly. Cruise control helps.

I didn't know saloons are less economical than hb. They seem aerodynamic enough shapewise but didn't compare weights.

I don't expect an automatic to be as economical as yours. I got used to torque converter losses and extra fuel consumption. I just liked figures that engine can achieve.

I don't mind owning a hybrid civic but I don't like CVT+small engine combination too much.

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote: »

I thought the Civic saloon (non hybrid) had a conventional auto?

It does. I'm saying the combination of the less aerodynamic or heavier or whatever - saloon and old fashioned (but better) box would make them harder on petrol than an I-shift hatchback.

christy02

robertxxx wrote: »

Would it be practical for two adults and two kids?
Or am I trying to con myself into think it would be big enough as it's my favourite car out there at the moment.

Tbh I have 2 kids and I would find a civic too small. That said I know plenty that have that marque of car and manage fine with them.

Depends on what driving you do with all of you in the car really. We travel a good bit to visit family etc and I need a bigger boot. I am also 6'4" and find that in smaller cars their is little or no room behind drivers seat once I am in position!

Nice car though. I have an accord though so biased towards Honda.

robertxxx

Colm could you do me a favour and measure the boot of your Honda, from the part where the lock is to the back seats.
Want to compare it with mine for buggy duties.

Cheers

colm_mcm

I checked earlier. Think its 34" inches at its biggest. Must recheck!

robertxxx

So I ring to to get insurance quote on a 1.8 civic vtec, and because the wife has just a provisional license for the last 10 years and own policy for 6 of those years they won't quote me, mine is full license for around 13years with full no claims bonus.

What a joke.

colm_mcm

That's unreal

Maybe ring around

christy02

robertxxx wrote: »

So I ring to to get insurance quote on a 1.8 civic vtec, and because the wife has just a provisional license for the last 10 years and own policy for 6 of those years they won't quote me, mine is full license for around 13years with full no claims bonus.

What a joke.

I have an accord and am with tesco insurance. Missus has provisional and putting her on policy makes it cheaper. She wouldn't drive it in a fit.
Ring around.

bazz26

It's probably your insurance company's way of telling your Mrs do her test. You may have a better chance shopping around come renewal time.

Lanshane

colm_mcm wrote: »

Touch wood I haven't had a puncture yet.
You get a wheel brace, a jack, a an electric pump, and a bottle of gunk to pour into the tyre if you get a puncture.

It's called "instant mobility system"

I must get a spare wheel for it though, even a space saver to stick in the garage.
Luckily a lot of older Honda wheels will fit[/

Quick one Colm, a friend of mine has a Mazda 6 and like you has no spare tyre with the car, just the bottle of gunk. However, he is going to get a physical wheel as there is a wheel well in the car, just no wheel in it! Regarding the Honda, is there a well somewhere to store either a space saver or normal wheel should I make the coice to carry one around all the time?

colm_mcm

Yeah there's an underfloor compartment in the boot that'll easily fit a space saver. There isn't any bolt to secure the wheel onto the floor though.

I'm pretty sure I traded in an 05 (the only time I've ever seen an 05 new shape civic) years ago with a full size steelie in there.