Honda Civic - is it still a desirable car to steal?

Pipmae

Just wondering as I'd be parking it at a fairly isolated train station Monday to Thursday. I remember years ago a few friends/neighbours having them and they were a very desirable for stealing. I'm looking at the 4 door coupe type one. Thanks in advance.

mphalo1

yes they are ,,consider it stolen!!!!

pudzey101

any car is a target , but hondas etc would be near the top of the chart . depends really on the mods and if its looking nice imo

KwackerJack

Id rather a Aston Martin DB9 but id settle for a Type R Civic!!

Pipmae

H'mm as I thought. Thanks folks - food for thought. The husband could drive it to work instead and it would be safe enough there. He'd have to squash three kids in on the way though so that could be interesting......

Would I be correct in assuming that I could expect my insurance to be loaded just because it's a Honda Civic? I'll give the insurance company a call tomorrow to see what they say.

colm_mcm

What year are we talking?

bazz26

Insurance companies do tend to put higher premiums on Civics, not just because they are bit of a thief magnet but in general the are attractive to young drivers especially those who like to modify them. Golfs, Boras and Passats are going the same way too.

Pipmae

colm_mcm wrote: »

What year are we talking?

2010 or thereabouts. Something like this: -

http://www.carsireland.ie/1099960

KwackerJack

Pipmae wrote: »

2010 or thereabouts. Something like this: -

http://www.carsireland.ie/1099960

Ah its only a 1.4....may not be as interesting to thieves as the Type S/R

Arciphel

I had a 2.2 litre Honda Civic (2012 model) and never had it stolen or had anything happen to it. I think it's the older models that are attractive to thieves. No loading of my insurance with it either.

bazz26

That model especially a 1.4 not as much a thief magnet as the older models though it could be prone to vandalism like any car left in an isolated place for a long period of time.

KwackerJack

Would you not go for the Accord?

For 10k You could get a Nice S80 or EClass

Or my Fav the Jaguar XJ 3.0 Diesel or below the older 2.7 XJ ( 2.7 you will get for 10k less but not the Newer XJ)

Pipmae

Kwackerjack.

We're trying to downsize a Toyota Rav4 (petrol - 2006) while still find a car we both like. The Accord, S80 or E class wouldn't tick the downsize box. It's mainly the tax and running costs ie petrol we're trying to downsize.

I drive a return journey of 6 miles a day (house to train station) and the hubbie drives a return journey of 12 miles a day (house to office) so we're not heavy on mileage. We have to get rid of the Rav4 - it makes no sense to keep it. When it's time for the other car to go (Corolla Verso) we'll look at bigger cars.

KwackerJack

Pipmae wrote: »

Kwackerjack.

We're trying to downsize a Toyota Rav4 (petrol - 2006) while still find a car we both like. I don't think the Accord would tick the downsize box. It's mainly the tax and running costs ie petrol we're trying to downsize.

I drive a return journey of 6 miles a day (house to train station) and the hubbie drives a return journey of 12 miles a day (house to office) so we're not heavy on mileage. We have to get rid of the Rav4 - it makes no sense to keep it. When it's time for the other car to go (Corolla Verso) we'll look at bigger cars.

Ah why didn't you say you were down sizing................here is a small car



Keep the Verso for the kids

colm_mcm

Post 00 civics aren't nearly as stolen as the older stuff.

Pipmae

KwackerJack wrote: »

Ah why didn't you say you were down sizing................here is a small car

If the husband had his way it would be a hardtop Audi TT. The original Audi TT. He's not going to get a chance to own one - he might be buried in one if he doesn't shut up going on about them.;)

KwackerJack

Pipmae wrote: »

If the husband had his way it would be a hardtop Audi TT. The original Audi TT. He's not going to get a chance to own one - he might be buried in one if he doesn't shut up going on about them.;)

Ah your no fun.......Maybe go fresh family MPV and older weekend car!

I've a 98 CLK 230 Kompressor Automatic. 400 miles a week I average 33 mpg on both national and motorways, driving not like miss daisy but not crazy wither

Very reliable and great car to drive and parts can be got cheap without going near Mercedes

pablo128

It is mainly older Civic and Jap import ones. Jap imports don't come with an immobiliser as standard so are far easier to steal. If yours is an Irish or UK model, it caanot be started without the key.

CiniO

pablo128 wrote: »

It is mainly older Civic and Jap import ones. Jap imports don't come with an immobiliser as standard so are far easier to steal. If yours is an Irish or UK model, it caanot be started without the key.

Everything can be started without the key.

kev250

A 1.4 coupe would not be of interest to car thief's.

pablo128

CiniO wrote: »

Everything can be started without the key.

Ok, well if someone has the technology to go around starting cars to steal them, no car is safe. So in that case, park beside something more desireable then.

porsche959

KwackerJack wrote: »

Ah why didn't you say you were down sizing................here is a small car



Keep the Verso for the kids

I think you are taking the piss.




Everyone knows the Porsche 911, with its small but functional rear seats, is the sensible option here.

MortGoldman

You're only driving down the road...why not buy an interesting car?

Chris_Heilong

Those Civics are fine and not sought after any more than any other modern car. If you bought one you would be fine.

Pipmae

Pipmae wrote: »

Kwackerjack.

We're trying to downsize a Toyota Rav4 (petrol - 2006) while still find a car we both like. The Accord, S80 or E class wouldn't tick the downsize box. It's mainly the tax and running costs ie petrol we're trying to downsize.

I drive a return journey of 6 miles a day (house to train station) and the hubbie drives a return journey of 12 miles a day (house to office) so we're not heavy on mileage. We have to get rid of the Rav4 - it makes no sense to keep it. When it's time for the other car to go (Corolla Verso) we'll look at bigger cars.

2006 rav 4 to a 2010 civic cost to change is ?
Annual savings due to downsize?

I think it might make lots of sense to keep it.

Pipmae

Augeo wrote: »

2006 rav 4 to a 2010 civic cost to change is ?
Annual savings due to downsize?

I think it might make lots of sense to keep it.

Yeah you're probably right. We're torn to be honest. We love the Rav4 - we're very attached to it as we've owned it from new and it's a nice car to drive. The €710 annual tax is a killer and it's not light on petrol. In a couple of years it will be worth next to nothing and with the €710 tax it will be even harder to shift it on. However it's never given any trouble and other than usual wear and tear (service, tyres) it hasn't cost us an extra cent. So for that reason alone it could make sense to hold onto it for now.

The tax is due now so a decision needs to be made. Head is wrecked - I hate car shopping.:mad: Well I'd love it if I was rich - Audi Q7 in white.:D

djimi

How much petrol do you expect to save when you drive less than 100 miles per week? You're basically spending a few grand to save a few hundred quid a year in tax. Fair enough if you want a newer car, but if this is a money saving exercise then I think you need to do the math again.

Pipmae

Annual mileage in the Rav4 would be 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres. The distances quoted earlier covered home to work and didn't take into account other mileage.

Irishcrx

The older Type R's maybe but I don't think as much , not too many around anymore all probably been crashed or ruined. The newer one's aren't really that desirable no.

skyhighflyer

Mad to get rid of the RAV4 IMO. Presumably it's a reliable car, you've owned it since new so you know it's history and it's already done pretty much all the depreciating it's going to do. Your point that 'it won't be worth much in a couple of years' doesn't really make sense - all cars will lose value but a 2010 Civic will lose lots more than your 2006 RAV.

I get that €710 tax is a killer but otherwise you're in a sweet spot with the RAV now in terms of running costs as the car is practically depreciation-free. Also, I just did a quick back of an envelope calculation and the difference between 100 miles a week @ 30mpg (RAV) and @ 40 mpg (Civic) is only about €7

By all means go for the Civic if that's what you want, they're a fine car - but financially I can't see the sense personally.

projectgtr

Definitely the older ones, that model wouldnt attract the same attention at all. Lets just say if you had one of the older ones and you lost your keys at said station i could start it for you in less than a min with no damage. Thats the problem lads spend money on these cars and dont bother with security. First thing i bought for mine after i paid the VRT was a top of the line (at the time) Clifford alarm, anyone who doesnt is a fool.

Tail Docker

Pipmae wrote: »

2010 or thereabouts. Something like this: -

http://www.carsireland.ie/1099960

Safe as houses. The boys want EK and EG civics. The new ones are dull.

JohnBoy26

projectgtr wrote: »

Definitely the older ones, that model wouldnt attract the same attention at all. Lets just say if you had one of the older ones and you lost your keys at said station i could start it for you in less than a min with no damage. Thats the problem lads spend money on these cars and dont bother with security. First thing i bought for mine after i paid the VRT was a top of the line (at the time) Clifford alarm, anyone who doesnt is a fool.

Any EU spec ej/ek Civic from around 1996 up had a factory fitted immobilizer. Jap imports on the otherhand usually didn't have one fitted.

projectgtr

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Any EU spec ej/ek Civic from around 1996 up had a factory fitted immobilizer. Jap imports on the otherhand usually didn't have one fitted.

your 100% right , still simple enough to take, not as easy as an import but still easy enough.

Lurching

kev250 wrote: »

A 1.4 coupe would not be of interest to car thief's.

And just about everyone else.

mirrorwall14

Have a 01 civic 1.4, has been parked all over and never stolen. However its a saloon not a hatchback so that may be a contributing factor

5500

FWIW Any JDM Honda since 2003 has come with a chipped key immobilizer, ege CL7s, FD2s, s2k's ect. In saying that I'd still have an aftermarket alarm on one, blakjax ftw!

johndaman66

projectgtr wrote: »

Lets just say if you had one of the older ones and you lost your keys at said station i could start it for you in less than a min with no damage. .

I wouldn't doubt that you could get it started but less than a minute without doing damage I dont believe that. Sure would it not take a minute to screw off the steering cowl alone.

A lot of the problem with older Japenese care is not only are they tempting to tea leaves but they are so damn easy to steal especially as they get older and the locks wear in em. There was an ould 93 Sunny in this household up until a few years back - In the end you could start it pretty much any key at all

projectgtr

johndaman66 wrote: »

I wouldn't doubt that you could get it started but less than a minute without doing damage I dont believe that. Sure would it not take a minute to screw off the steering cowl alone.

A lot of the problem with older Japenese care is not only are they tempting to tea leaves but they are so damn easy to steal especially as they get older and the locks wear in em. There was an ould 93 Sunny in this household up until a few years back - In the end you could start it pretty much any key at all

about 2-3 screws on the cowling , 2 screws on the ignition barrel , turn and your off. Stupid design only reason i know is from having mine attempted and having to put it back together and also out of necessity by misplacing a set of keys but having a spare alarm fob and being in a hurry. Seriously anyone who has one of these models without an alarm is an idiot

johndaman66

projectgtr wrote: »

about 2-3 screws on the cowling , 2 screws on the ignition barrel , turn and your off. Stupid design only reason i know is from having mine attempted and having to put it back together and also out of necessity by misplacing a set of keys but having a spare alarm fob and being in a hurry. Seriously anyone who has one of these models without an alarm is an idiot

Fair enough projectgtr not disputing that they would be easy to start but a minute? In reality would we be talking nearer 5 min? Also steering wheel lock?

pablo128

johndaman66 wrote: »

Fair enough projectgtr not disputing that they would be easy to start but a minute? In reality would we be talking nearer 5 min? Also steering wheel lock?

There are quicker methods than projectgtr's method. In fact, you mentioned it in your post before the one above.

johndaman66

pablo128 wrote: »

There are quicker methods than projectgtr's method. In fact, you mentioned it in your post before the one above.

now now pablo dont be giving away the trade secrets but yeah I would think that its well known that 80's and earlier 90's Japanese cars in particular are pretty easy to carry especially as they get older and the locks wear in em.

pablo128

johndaman66 wrote: »

now now pablo dont be giving away the trade secrets but yeah I would think that its well known that 80's and earlier 90's Japanese cars in particular are pretty easy to carry especially as they get older and the locks wear in em.

Trust me, there are easy ways to get past the immobilisers on the Euro spec models too.