New shape Civic 2.2 [138] diesel...
Discussion
138hp sounds underpowered for a 2.2 Derv, Mazda offer 180 in the Mazda 3, Ford have 200hp in the Mondeo and 140/160 (iirc) in their 2litre for the focus.
From what I've read: it doesn't handle as well as the previous gen car due to simplified (read as: cheaper) rear suspension, interior is nice but gets feels old fairly quickly, rear visibility is obviously compromised over it's competitors.
As always, test drive one and get the one you prefer if you're in the market, as what I've listed up is just what I've picked up from here and there, which might not be an issue for you.
From what I've read: it doesn't handle as well as the previous gen car due to simplified (read as: cheaper) rear suspension, interior is nice but gets feels old fairly quickly, rear visibility is obviously compromised over it's competitors.
As always, test drive one and get the one you prefer if you're in the market, as what I've listed up is just what I've picked up from here and there, which might not be an issue for you.
Has been discussed in the Honda section. Try a Search (it sometimes works!)
I drove one at the launch of the latest Astra when other cars were provided for comparision drives. The Honda 2.2 140 diesel was much smoother than the Vauxhall 2.0 170 diesel and the Civic didn't seem any slower. However, there are a number of things that I don't like about the latest Civic and I haven't 'upgraded' from my 2005 Civic.
I drove one at the launch of the latest Astra when other cars were provided for comparision drives. The Honda 2.2 140 diesel was much smoother than the Vauxhall 2.0 170 diesel and the Civic didn't seem any slower. However, there are a number of things that I don't like about the latest Civic and I haven't 'upgraded' from my 2005 Civic.
Suspension is a bit crashy over bumps but otherwise it's a nice car - I have one in EX trim to hack about in.
ETA: Bought at 18 months old with 50k on the clock. Had it just over two years and now has 75k on the clock. All that's been spent on it has been one service (next is due soon), rear brake pads (£30 DIY), sat nav went down (£175) and front fog light (£50 DIY).
If you get one with folding mirrors get over to civinfo and buy a module that folds them in when you lock the car - very cool.
Also - the sat nav stopped working on mine. I found out that Alpine make them for Honda and you can send the unit back to them for a fixed price repair of £175.
ETA: Bought at 18 months old with 50k on the clock. Had it just over two years and now has 75k on the clock. All that's been spent on it has been one service (next is due soon), rear brake pads (£30 DIY), sat nav went down (£175) and front fog light (£50 DIY).
If you get one with folding mirrors get over to civinfo and buy a module that folds them in when you lock the car - very cool.
Also - the sat nav stopped working on mine. I found out that Alpine make them for Honda and you can send the unit back to them for a fixed price repair of £175.
Edited by voicey on Thursday 2nd June 11:37
I havent driven the civic but the engine is a gem. I did quite a few miles in an accord with than engine, and it drove very nicely (for a diesel !) the accord was a big old lump so i imagine the civic is only going to be better.
Plenty of torque from very low down unlike some of the higher output diesels that can be more peaky.
I may be wrong but I dont believe that the Honda engine has as many reliability issues as some of its ford / vauxhall / renault equivalents.
Plenty of torque from very low down unlike some of the higher output diesels that can be more peaky.
I may be wrong but I dont believe that the Honda engine has as many reliability issues as some of its ford / vauxhall / renault equivalents.
I had one for 2 years and 40000 miles.
Engine is very good although I struggled to get more than 45mpg but then I did spend a fair amount of time on the motorway at "cruising" speed. On the motorway it is quite a noisy place to be and the suspension is quite hard. If I was having another one, I wouldn't have the 18 inch wheels. Satnav/ICE integration is good.
Interior is a bit plasticky, but the interior space is very good and the lifting rear seats are genius.
I would want a quieter car if I was spending that amount of time on the motorway again.
Engine is very good although I struggled to get more than 45mpg but then I did spend a fair amount of time on the motorway at "cruising" speed. On the motorway it is quite a noisy place to be and the suspension is quite hard. If I was having another one, I wouldn't have the 18 inch wheels. Satnav/ICE integration is good.
Interior is a bit plasticky, but the interior space is very good and the lifting rear seats are genius.
I would want a quieter car if I was spending that amount of time on the motorway again.
GlenMH said:
I had one for 2 years and 40000 miles.
Engine is very good although I struggled to get more than 45mpg but then I did spend a fair amount of time on the motorway at "cruising" speed. On the motorway it is quite a noisy place to be and the suspension is quite hard. If I was having another one, I wouldn't have the 18 inch wheels. Satnav/ICE integration is good.
Interior is a bit plasticky, but the interior space is very good and the lifting rear seats are genius.
I would want a quieter car if I was spending that amount of time on the motorway again.
I don't have that much of an issue with motorway driving but agree with the choice of wheel size. I have 17" rims for the summer and 16" for the winter - the drop in 1" improves the ride no end.Engine is very good although I struggled to get more than 45mpg but then I did spend a fair amount of time on the motorway at "cruising" speed. On the motorway it is quite a noisy place to be and the suspension is quite hard. If I was having another one, I wouldn't have the 18 inch wheels. Satnav/ICE integration is good.
Interior is a bit plasticky, but the interior space is very good and the lifting rear seats are genius.
I would want a quieter car if I was spending that amount of time on the motorway again.
I've owned a 2.2 Civic and now a 2.2 Accord. Both are very nice but the engine is far quieter in the Accord. If I drive like a saint i.e. 65mph I can get 55mpg but otherwise 45mpg is standard. The thing I like about the Honda 2.2 is that it revs very freely and does not have a huge torque splurge like most others. Power delivery is very progressive if you want it but pleasantly forceful if necessary.
Recently I had a 2.0 Leon TDi for a couple of days and I was very impressed (good for a VAG hater
). As nice as it was to drive it reinforced my view that Honda do things very, very differently. First gear was crap so a very quick change into 2nd was mandatory. Acceleration was too aggressive for me and it was also very noisy (almost tractor like by comparison). Economy wise I struggled to get anything better than 40mpg but I was driving at 70(ish!) on the motorway.
To compare the two cars I'd still go for the Civic despite the superior handling of the Leon. I can suffer a bit of handling for 100% better design, which is what the Civic offers in all respects.
Recently I had a 2.0 Leon TDi for a couple of days and I was very impressed (good for a VAG hater
). As nice as it was to drive it reinforced my view that Honda do things very, very differently. First gear was crap so a very quick change into 2nd was mandatory. Acceleration was too aggressive for me and it was also very noisy (almost tractor like by comparison). Economy wise I struggled to get anything better than 40mpg but I was driving at 70(ish!) on the motorway.To compare the two cars I'd still go for the Civic despite the superior handling of the Leon. I can suffer a bit of handling for 100% better design, which is what the Civic offers in all respects.
It is hard to choose a 50mpg diesel for about 7k - the choice is kind of big!
I really want the Alfa 147, but could reliability be an issue? The Focus looks dull as hell. I like the idea of an Ibiza Cupra TDi [160] but it appears they are quite a rare car. The 130 VAG cars might not have enough power [though could remap of course]...
Speaking of which - anyone tuning the Civic engine? Obviously all the VAG diesels love a remap and a local Alfa specialist near me does a 185bhp remap for the 147.
I really want the Alfa 147, but could reliability be an issue? The Focus looks dull as hell. I like the idea of an Ibiza Cupra TDi [160] but it appears they are quite a rare car. The 130 VAG cars might not have enough power [though could remap of course]...
Speaking of which - anyone tuning the Civic engine? Obviously all the VAG diesels love a remap and a local Alfa specialist near me does a 185bhp remap for the 147.
The engine is sweet and way brisker than 138bhp hints at.
I'm about to replace my company civic and would not consider another Civic.
Mostly I'm bored with it but Don't rate it after 4 years.
Suspension way too hard (I'm on 17 inch wheels). Crashes and knocks - garage never find anything wrong.
But the clutch is the reason I wouldn't touch one with my own money. The latest cars apparently have a suitable clutch but google 'Honda civic diesel clutch' or pop over to the civinfo website and you might think twice about buying a 2nd hand one.
I'm about to replace my company civic and would not consider another Civic.
Mostly I'm bored with it but Don't rate it after 4 years.
Suspension way too hard (I'm on 17 inch wheels). Crashes and knocks - garage never find anything wrong.
But the clutch is the reason I wouldn't touch one with my own money. The latest cars apparently have a suitable clutch but google 'Honda civic diesel clutch' or pop over to the civinfo website and you might think twice about buying a 2nd hand one.
To be fair, that does apply to any diesel car with a dual mass flywheel. The snag is that owners gently lift the clutch when in traffic and use the idle governer to drift forward. I used to - and managed it all the way up to 4th gear.... 
- and this kills the DMF.
Bit of a shame that I didn't know that at the time.
- and this kills the DMF.Bit of a shame that I didn't know that at the time.
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