Civic driver's seat height

knipex

I had a drive in a 2015 honda civic yesterday. Never owned a honda but am a big fan of their engineering.

It was a 1.6 diesel, which impressed me (felt quicker and more free revving than the VW equivalent), nicely specked, looks surprisingly well, interior is good even is finished and surfaces are not the best but overall a nice car..

EXCEPT

The drivers seat is way up in the air.. All the seats are but its the drivers one that concerns me most. Even with it lowered as far as it woudl go I had to lie the seat back. I'm no giant, about 6'2" (but with longer body and shorter legs) but I even with the seat down and leaning back it annoying. Whats worse is that lying the seat back so far meant not enough room behind me for a 12 year old..

I cannot believe I am the only one who has this problem.. I currently drive a golf, seat down and I have enough room to wear a hat if I want.

Have driven the Mazda 3. Banged my head on all the passenger doors but drivers is fine once I dropped the seat (very comfortable actually).

My wife has an Astra, I have driven the Focus, the Octavia and Leon.. No problem with any of them..

Just the civic.

Cee-Jay-Cee

If you have the seat as low as the adjusters allow then your out of luck unless you can find lowered seat rails which were available for previous Type R civic models but unlikely for a regular model.

colm_mcm

Petrol tank is under the seats.

5500

It's even the same in the Type R, its one of my criticisms of the car that you feel a bit on a perch in the driver's seat. The newer 10th gen seating position lower and is much better. Tank is on the rear of those though so you loose out on the magic seat's in the rear, but personally I'd take the lower position over the fold up rears.

knipex

colm_mcm wrote: »

Petrol tank is under the seats.

Well that explains that..

Pitty I liked the car and would have bought it.

Must have another look at the Mazda 3 saloon.. that 2.2d engine is sweet.

colm_mcm

It's more that the roof is low than anything else. I found it odd at first but 5 years later it's no bother.

gctest50

5500 wrote: »

......

the magic seat's in the rear,

.........

You mean the seat for your least favourite child ?

wotzgoingon

gctest50 wrote: »

You mean the seat for your least favourite child ?

I'm not sure if your trolling or taking the piss.

KFed

I had the same experience with that generation civic. Im 6 3 and basically couldnt get into the drivers seat. So, that was the end of buying a civic for the oh.

Im in a bmw e92 coupe and manage ok for headroom but its not great at the same time. Had a mk iv golf before and that was brilliant, could also wear a top hat with the seat dropped down.

Oh went with a crv in the end. Also grand for headroom but i struggle in the front pax seat. Headroom ok but the footwell isnt long or deep enough for me so basically i drive my oh everywhere if we go out together. My alcohol consumption is well down.

zilog_jones

knipex wrote: »

Must have another look at the Mazda 3 saloon.. that 2.2d engine is sweet.

I've heard many cases of problems with oil contamination (diesel getting into the oil) with these engines due to failed DPF regeneration cycles. I think they are best avoided.

knipex

zilog_jones wrote: »

I've heard many cases of problems with oil contamination (diesel getting into the oil) with these engines due to failed DPF regeneration cycles. I think they are best avoided.

To be honest DPF's scares \ problems don't worry me. I could be wrong but I hear too may scare stories to.

I have 1.6 VAG engine with 270k on it. its had service items, front disks and front shocks. Driving perfect.. zero smoke, DPF was at 3% when last checked and never even looked at the ERG valve..

95% of problems with diesel engines, particularly with DPF, DMF and ERG are down to incorrect driving styles or lack of oil changes..

drive them as they are meant to be driven, change the oil and filter every 10 to 15K and they tend to be reliable units..

zilog_jones

I think you've been lucky.

I'd be particularly concerned with the Skyactiv-D 2.2 engines though, as this oil contamination problem can be catastrophic (compared to typical DPF issues). Sure you may know about this stuff, but when buying used there's the risk the previous owner was clueless and may have already caused damage by not allowing DPF regen to work properly.

knipex

zilog_jones wrote: »

I think you've been lucky.

probably 800,000 to a 1,000,000 km in diesel cars and never had a DPF, Clutch or ERG valve issue.. Opels (insignia) and various VAG engines mainly.

zilog_jones wrote: »

I'd be particularly concerned with the Skyactiv-D 2.2 engines though, as this oil contamination problem can be catastrophic (compared to typical DPF issues). Sure you may know about this stuff, but when buying used there's the risk the previous owner was clueless and may have already caused damage by not allowing DPF regen to work properly.

I agree you need to be very very very careful buying low mileage diesels. BUT with care, a little research and a little knowledge..

I am aware of the oil contamination issue. Also of the "pickup filter" issue in the sump.

Virtually all the cars were low mileage, short trips and shall we say "extended" oil change periods..

Buy the car, drop the sump, clean (or replace) pickup filter, new sump gasket.

All in, new oil included, less than €100. Be mad not to do it.. But then I always do an oil change when a buy a car, even if its just off a dealer forecourt with a service receipt.

If I didn't put it in, or see it go in, then I cannot be 100% sure its was done and with the correct oil..

knipex

Well made the decision, did the deal and bought a 151 Mazda 3 Executive SE in 2.2D fastback (Saloon) Lovely car, 30K km, few tasty upgrades, in soul red. Plus I fit (seat down as low as it will go which is normal for me)

They serviced the car today, agreed to let me in while they dropped the sump. Pickup pipe clean as a whistle..

Guy offered me a two year warranty in writing without me having to ask.

It is begin valeted and having new front tyres fitted as I type.. 2 minor niggles I want looked at before I collect it but all going well I should be picking it up tomorrow.

JohnBoy26

Best of luck with the car but dpf issues on these is a lot worse than any vag. I hope you are lucky with yours