Honda Civic petrol or vw tdi Passat 2008

byrnem31

Hi,

Need advice.
I would love another passat, currently have 2003.

2008 tdi highline model is the one i like but I've heard they can be troublesome.

My other option is a honda civic petrol 1.8, 2008. They are the two cars that I would like.

I average 15,000 miles per year and get paid mileage so the car will be well kept.

Is it mad to buy diesel now with the discussions going on about phasing them out ?

I do country road driving and I heard the civic can be a bit stiff on uneven roads.

Anyone got these cars ? A woman in work has 300k on her 2007 passat and it hasn't given her much trouble at all.

Any help would be appreciated.

colm_mcm

Those civics are unburstable but the comfort on the Passat is in a different league altogether.

The_Honeybadger

I have a Passat, very comfortable and economical and a nice place to be. I don’t know if I have been particularly unlucky but mine has absolutely broken my heart with silly repairs since I have had it. In the past 18 months I have had the EGR valve replaced, throttle unit replaced (can’t remember exact name), door locks failed on both the driver and passenger doors, window motor failed on passenger side, remote key failure, washer fluid reservoir leaking, and a plethora of other small stuff that I can’t think of, some of which was quite costly. The CEL light is now coming on intermittently / randomly for god knows what.

There are of course anecdotes of 10 year old Passats that have never given a moments trouble. I do think I have probably been exceptionally unlucky, but none of the above issues are very unusual on those Passat by all accounts, so beware.

I think the civic would be a much safer bet in terms of reliability as any 10 year old diesel will be a roll of the dice. The Passat is a nicer and more comfy car though as Colm pointed out so it depends on your priorities.

byrnem31

mickeyk wrote: »

I have a Passat, very comfortable and economical and a nice place to be. I don’t know if I have been particularly unlucky but mine has absolutely broken my heart with silly repairs since I have had it. In the past 18 months I have had the EGR valve replaced, throttle unit replaced (can’t remember exact name), door locks failed on both the driver and passenger doors, window motor failed on passenger side, remote key failure, washer fluid reservoir leaking, and a plethora of other small stuff that I can’t think of, some of which was quite costly. The CEL light is now coming on intermittently / randomly for god knows what.

There are of course anecdotes of 10 year old Passats that have never given a moments trouble. I do think I have probably been exceptionally unlucky, but none of the above issues are very unusual on those Passat by all accounts, so beware.

I think the civic would be a much safer bet in terms of reliability as any 10 year old diesel will be a roll of the dice. The Passat is a nicer and more comfy car though as Colm pointed out so it depends on your priorities.

Thanks for that. I have had a few similar issues with my current passat. Door locks, window regulators breaking, maf causing limp mode etc. Steering rack went, more limp mode, boost pressure sensor faulty, pulley alternator left me broke down in rush hour in naas.

I guess it's reliability over comfort. I'm 37 next week and will look like a pleb in a civic though. However, at least it will not be a money pit.

I've no interest in any other cars. Petrol Focus is another option but they are boring. I need at least a 1.6 petrol but 2 ltr petrol cost too much to run.

It's very hard trying to choose a particular car for what I need.

The_Honeybadger

Yeah, given my experience with the Passat if I was in your situation i would probably go with the civic. The cost of ownership in the long term will likely be lower. The inconvenience all of those repairs I listed as well would be a huge factor, it let me down at times when I really needed the car.

I don’t see anything wrong with driving a civic in your thirties as long as it isn’t done up with ridiculous looking boy racer kit.

Best of luck anyway whatever you go with

bazz26

Why only those two?

08/09 Mazda 6 petrol? Won't be as economical as a 1.8 Civic but will be more comfortable and probably more reliable than a Passat.

byrnem31

bazz26 wrote: »

Why only those two?

08/09 Mazda 6 petrol? Won't be as economical as a 1.8 Civic but will be more comfortable and probably more reliable than a Passat.

I've thought about them alright but they might be a bit heavy on petrol. My mate has a black one and its savage looking.

Are they as reliable as a honda though?

bazz26

I'd say Honda would be superior for reliability. Another one to look at would be a 1.8 Avensis. A 08 would be the model that was launched since 2003 so they are a bit dated these days but the 1.8 would be a bit lighter on fuel than a similar Mazda 6.

byrnem31

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd say Honda would be superior for reliability. Another one to look at would be a 1.8 Avensis. A 08 would be the model that was launched since 2003 so they are a bit dated these days but the 1.8 would be a bit lighter on fuel than a similar Mazda 6.

Ok thanks.

Checking out some of the mazda 6s there on done deal. The driver seats don't seem to be made of good material as the cars have low mileage yet are badly worn.
Either that or they're clocked.

antiskeptic

mickeyk wrote: »

I have a Passat, very comfortable and economical and a nice place to be. I don’t know if I have been particularly unlucky but mine has absolutely broken my heart with silly repairs since I have had it. In the past 18 months I have had the EGR valve replaced, throttle unit replaced (can’t remember exact name), door locks failed on both the driver and passenger doors, window motor failed on passenger side, remote key failure, washer fluid reservoir leaking, and a plethora of other small stuff that I can’t think of, some of which was quite costly. The CEL light is now coming on intermittently / randomly for god knows what.

There are of course anecdotes of 10 year old Passats that have never given a moments trouble. I do think I have probably been exceptionally unlucky, but none of the above issues are very unusual on those Passat by all accounts, so beware.

I think the civic would be a much safer bet in terms of reliability as any 10 year old diesel will be a roll of the dice. The Passat is a nicer and more comfy car though as Colm pointed out so it depends on your priorities.

Neighbour's compact coupe (09) similarily heartbreaking, albeit a diesel. I couldn't help admiring it every time I reversed into my space. Nice looking with leather. Until I got talking to him and he started totting up the repairs ... many thousands of € and frequent trouble.

Dunno if an 07 Passat would be better. I replaced my 03 Audi A4 1.8T with an 07 version of the same thing. From reading around, it seems reliability problems came in with the 08 version, the 07 being the last of the older generation and presumably well sorted (as well as having extra whistles and bells). I'd little trouble with my 03 Audi buying it around 100K miles and racking up another 90K in 6 years. It informed my decision to go with the same, if facelifted version

Is the 08 Passat similar to the Audi: a new version, subject to version 1.0 problems?

Although the tax higher on an 07 A4, the buying price appears to be substantially less by way of compensation vs. an 08 (by any number of 000's of €). The 1.8T is a nice enough engine too if you want a bit of poke and not diesel

greasepalm

I would be choosing the honda for reliability as seen too many diesel cars with so many issues and the look on their faces when they say not more money to be spent and needing motorway driving which the cars never get.

Cee-Jay-Cee

byrnem31 wrote: »

I guess it's reliability over comfort. I'm 37 next week and will look like a pleb in a civic though. However, at least it will not be a money pit

The Civic saloon is certainly no boy racers car so I wouldn’t worry too much about looking to old for one or do you mean your too young for one?

I would go for the Civic over the Passat, ultra reliable, economical and no slouch with 140bhp either.

byrnem31

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

The Civic saloon is certainly no boy racers car so I wouldn’t worry too much about looking to old for one or do you mean your too young for one?

I would go for the Civic over the Passat, ultra reliable, economical and no slouch with 140bhp either.

Too old for a civic I meant.
I think I'll just bite the bullet and get one. I miss the reliability of petrol.

As much as my 2003 passat has broke my heart though, I still love it.
Very comfortable car that you can sit in for hours.

colm_mcm

byrnem31 wrote: »

Very comfortable car that you can sit in for hours.

Civics don't do that though, saloon or hatch.

GustavoFring

For the sake of a few quid on maintenance I’d take the 6 over the civic for comfort a hundred times. The civic is way more rattly and harsh.

bluelamp

GustavoFring wrote: »

For the sake of a few quid on maintenance I’d take the 6 over the civic for comfort a hundred times. The civic is way more rattly and harsh.

I'd agree. Go test drive a Civic and see what you think. Great car in terms of reliability and fuel economy, but you'll be seriously disappointed in terms of comfort if you are coming from a passat.

LD

byrnem31 wrote: »

Ok thanks.

Checking out some of the mazda 6s there on done deal. The driver seats don't seem to be made of good material as the cars have low mileage yet are badly worn.
Either that or they're clocked.

I'd say clocked, mine has 138,000 km on it but looks absolutely brand new. Honda's reliability is legendary, so they're never going to be as good as that, but they're still very reliable and probably quite a clockable car. Also they're good value second hand as Mazda aren't as popular a brand in Ireland as some of the big names. I went with mine for long drives down the country and took the hit on mpg, so far no regrets.

TooObvious

I've a 2008 Civic and I don't find it particularly uncomfortable. Granted it doesn't have a magic carpet ride, it does have great seats though, and I never had any issues with long drives without stoppages.

It's a very reliable motor with great fuel economy for a petrol, 1 day I averaged 47mpg over 540km, including rural, motorway, city and "spirited" driving.

byrnem31

TooObvious wrote: »

I've a 2008 Civic and I don't find it particularly uncomfortable. Granted it doesn't have a magic carpet ride, it does have great seats though, and I never had any issues with long drives without stoppages.

It's a very reliable motor with great fuel economy for a petrol, 1 day I averaged 47mpg over 540km, including rural, motorway, city and "spirited" driving.

Thanks for that. The problem is I'm going from a passat to a civic. Passats eat motorways but also your wallet.

Get the wrong Passat and you'll know all about it.Happened to me. I got a dickhead of a mechanic to check it before I bought it and the car was full of issues after him telling me it was fine.

TBi

Any interest in the Honda Accord? Those should have comfort on par with the Passat.

TooObvious

If it's primarily motorway driving you're doing the Civic will be grand. Get the ES, lovely interior in them and acres of space in the back and the boot.

byrnem31

TBi wrote: »

Any interest in the Honda Accord? Those should have comfort on par with the Passat.

I've thought about them alright but the petrols are thirsty.

The diesels are 2.2 and also average about 40mpg. I'm a bit wary buying another diesel with all the talk about phasing them out also.

I would like a smaller car though as it's only for me really. The wife has a 2 ltr jeep for the kids.

I love cruising the motorways in my Passat though.

TBi

byrnem31 wrote: »

I've thought about them alright but the petrols are thirsty.

In my view you either pay for repairs (on a diesel) or you pay for petrol. All works out the same in the end (unless you do MAD mileage). Plus you get the benefit of driving a petrol which is nicer.

Cee-Jay-Cee

byrnem31 wrote: »

I've thought about them alright but the petrols are thirsty.

The diesels are 2.2 and also average about 40mpg. I'm a bit wary buying another diesel with all the talk about phasing them out also.

But your talking about buying a near 10 year old car, it’s not like youlll still have it when Ireland finally join the rest of Europe and start phasing out Diesel engines! There will be no change in this country for at least 10 years and even then it will apply to new cars and not cars already on the road.

Diesel engine cars will continue to be the dominant seller here for at least another 5 years and I’d say the transition to petrol or EV/hybrid will be very slow as the government have put absolutely zero effort into it so far.

Toyotafanboi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Civics don't do that though, saloon or hatch.

Do you think they're that bad? I certainly wouldn't say it's notably worse than an 08 Passat.

The Civics ride is a bit firm, definitely firmer than the VW but the seats are nice and supportive and it's very ergonomic inside, mine has never left me with an ache or pain after a long drive and I used to frequently do 200km a day in it.

I am used to driving boy racer scrap historically though so maybe im just not a great judge of these things.

The_Honeybadger

OP you could also consider a Mitsubishi Lancer, the 1.5 petrol or 1.8 diesel are both reliable and efficient. They are an underrated car IMO and are great value for money

JohnBoy26

mickeyk wrote: »

OP you could also consider a Mitsubishi Lancer, the 1.5 petrol or 1.8 diesel are both reliable and efficient. They are an underrated car IMO and are great value for money

Not near a civic for quality

JohnBoy26

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Do you think they're that bad? I certainly wouldn't say it's notably worse than an 08 Passat.

The Civics ride is a bit firm, definitely firmer than the VW but the seats are nice and supportive and it's very ergonomic inside, mine has never left me with an ache or pain after a long drive and I used to frequently do 200km a day in it.

I am used to driving boy racer scrap historically though so maybe im just not a great judge of these things.

The saloon civic is comfortable enough. The hatch is firm but I don't know if id call it uncomfortable.

The_Honeybadger

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Not near a civic for quality

Definitely not, but the price reflects that, and they give very little trouble in my experience.

colm_mcm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The saloon civic is comfortable enough. The hatch is firm but I don't know if id call it uncomfortable.

They're about the same. Neither are that comfortable in relative terms. Seat bases are small so no support for legs, no lumbar support, seat angle adjustment is restrictive.

The suspension itself doesn't make the car uncomfortable, but the seats could be a lot better. That's from having one 6 years and driving and being a passenger my friends saloon version for the last 3 years.

byrnem31

mickeyk wrote: »

OP you could also consider a Mitsubishi Lancer, the 1.5 petrol or 1.8 diesel are both reliable and efficient. They are an underrated car IMO and are great value for money

Not too mad about them to be honest. A very basic car and boring.

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

They're about the same. Neither are that comfortable in relative terms. Seat bases are small so no support for legs, no lumbar support, seat angle adjustment is restrictive.

The suspension itself doesn't make the car uncomfortable, but the seats could be a lot better. That's from having one 6 years and driving and being a passenger my friends saloon version for the last 3 years.

The seats in the type s are decent but the ride is still firm. The saloon is definitely more comfortable over a rough surface but on regular roads there isn't much between them

JohnBoy26

byrnem31 wrote: »

Not too mad about them to be honest. A very basic car and boring.

A passat is too though to be fair.

colm_mcm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The seats in the type s are decent but the ride is still firm. The saloon is definitely more comfortable over a rough surface but on regular roads there isn't much between them

I'm comparing a saloon and hatch both on 16s.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

A passat is too though to be fair.

The Lancer is cheap and nasty inside though, to be fair to the Passat, it just feels and looks solid inside in a way that cars in the same class as it don't, nevermind ones from the sector below.

I really like my own car, but it definitely has its shortcomings.

byrnem31

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

A passat is too though to be fair.

Highline passats are well equipped. You can get them in cream leather heated seats and lots of other spec.
Mahogany dash etc. They look the mutts nuts inside. The baisic models are horrendous inside.

I'm definitely going for a civic now. Mind is made up.
Called two dealers today and they were sold already. They don't stay around.

Rumple Stillson

We have a 1.4 turbo Passat and a 1.8 Mazda 6. Certainly the engine in the Passat is much more economical than the Mazda and more gutsy also. Both are on a par comfort wise but the Passat is a much nicer place to be. Mazda handles a lot better mind you.

Toyed with the idea of getting a Civic prior to picking up the Mazda but happy in the end. Mazda is very comfortable and a good looking car to boot though I wish I had a bit more oomph than you get from the 1.8 petrol engine in it.

marklazarcovic

ive a 08 civic 1.8 hb petrol, do about 25-30k per year, got fed up buying 7-10 yr old diesels and forking out heaps for replacement bits,went back to petrol and despite lower mpg im happier. the car is trustworthy,im 43 and its comfortable for me,do 100km per day min during week. i cruise speeds in it,but if on a motorway and you want it to go it can. most of my driving is back rural roads.

byrnem31

marklazarcovic wrote: »

ive a 08 civic 1.8 hb petrol, do about 25-30k per year, got fed up buying 7-10 yr old diesels and forking out heaps for replacement bits,went back to petrol and despite lower mpg im happier. the car is trustworthy,im 43 and its comfortable for me,do 100km per day min during week. i cruise speeds in it,but if on a motorway and you want it to go it can. most of my driving is back rural roads.

I was in a civic hatch the weekend for the 1st time. Loved it. Loads of spec and the dashboard had all the gadgets. Very impressed.

marklazarcovic

Also,the boot is absolutely fantastic,folds flat,fully flat with two pulls of the levers,best I've seen in any hb, I've had 3 full sized pallets in there no problem.

Stacked


Edit. Mines full leather which might add to comfort, fitted a Bluetooth mp3 device for Spotify fairly easily too,requires removing some daunty trim but I'm no expert and it was no hassle.

zweton

byrnem31 wrote: »

I was in a civic hatch the weekend for the 1st time. Loved it. Loads of spec and the dashboard had all the gadgets. Very impressed.

Bar bluetooth and aux, its a shame.

colm_mcm

marklazarcovic wrote: »

Also,the boot is absolutely fantastic,folds flat,fully flat with two pulls of the levers,best I've seen in any hb, I've had 3 full sized pallets in there no problem.

Stacked


Edit. Mines full leather which might add to comfort, fitted a Bluetooth mp3 device for Spotify fairly easily too,requires removing some daunty trim but I'm no expert and it was no hassle.

Yep, I've gotten a dishwasher and a washing machine in together.

Toyotafanboi

Amateurs lads, amateurs!

Toyotafanboi wrote:

The remaining contents of our 1 bed cottage.

Endless bags of clothing, tv, boxes of ornaments and junk belonging to mrs. Fanoboi, a bathroom cabinet, more bags of clothing, all kitchen stuff, kettle, toaster, iron, more bags of clothing, foor puff, dog bed, more clothing, draught excluder, canvases and all the other ****e ou cacumilate...



Absolutely no ****ing no problem what so ****ing ever!


No wonder it was Irish car of the year 2007 :pac:

marklazarcovic

Reading that was like listening to the prize list on a 80s gameshow lol

Toyotafanboi

There was no cuddly toy!

We should actually have an 8th gen Civic appreciation thread at this stage.

Phil.x

zweton wrote: »

Bar bluetooth and aux, its a shame.

I've connected a logitech Bluetooth device to the rear of the CD player and have it in the centre arm rest. Great for using spotify on my phone.

JohnBoy26

marklazarcovic wrote: »

Reading that was like listening to the prize list on a 80s gameshow lol

colm_mcm

Phil.x wrote: »

I've connected a logitech Bluetooth device to the rear of the CD player and have it in the centre arm rest. Great for using spotify on my phone.

Dies this use the antenna or the cd changer port?

Phil.x

colm_mcm wrote: »

Dies this use the antenna or the cd changer port?

It's the optional multi CD changer input.

colm_mcm

Phil.x wrote: »

It's the optional multi CD changer input.

Hadn't come across it before, do you remember how much it costs?

marklazarcovic

Have a look for the yatour kit,that's what I put in, Bluetooth,aux,USB,handsfree..

You can just get the Bluetooth I think too , cheaper

Phil.x

colm_mcm wrote: »

Hadn't come across it before, do you remember how much it costs?

I have to use a device called "connect2" then the logistics Bluetooth.

Here's a link.
http://www.civinfo.com/#/topics/242825?page=1