1.6 vs 2.0 civic engine reliability.

[Torquey]

Hi. Sorry if this is a tedious thread to start but i'm looking for a new car. A 2004/2005 Civic. Probably a 1.6 sport, if not a 2.0 type S.

It will mainly be used by the other half so the biggest importance is reliability, and then looks, but not so bothered about speed (dont tell anyone I said that ).

Does anyone have anything to say about these 2 cars?
Any known problems with either of them?
Which would you choose: the better looking 1.6 or the slightly more bland 2.0??

I'm put off the Type R because of insurance and fear of buying one that has been screwed.

Thanks very much.

[Sim89]

Torquey said:

Hi. Sorry if this is a tedious thread to start but i'm looking for a new car. A 2004/2005 Civic. Probably a 1.6 sport, if not a 2.0 type S.

It will mainly be used by the other half so the biggest importance is reliability, and then looks, but not so bothered about speed (dont tell anyone I said that ).

Does anyone have anything to say about these 2 cars?
Any known problems with either of them?
Which would you choose: the better looking 1.6 or the slightly more bland 2.0??

I'm put off the Type R because of insurance and fear of buying one that has been screwed.

Thanks very much.

Both bombproof cars. Can't speak so much for the 1.6 or 2.0 type s as i dont know them intimately enough.

At the end of the day, Type R's are bought (largely) to be driven hard, they are built for it. The k20a2 is a superb engine, with a good history I wouldn't be put off. Know of plenty on 130k with no problems, driven like they are intended for too.

[Glosphil]

I have owned a September 2005 Type-S since Sept. 2006. Bought at 10K and has now covered 53K. Not a single fault. Always starts first time even after being outside in snow/ice for 8 days without being used.

Reasonable performance from 160hp 2-litre but poor fuel consumption - I have averaged 32½mpg over the last 3½ years. Best was 38mph on a 1100 mile journey across France and back. Car is rather low-geared considering its power and weight. Plenty of room for rear passengers and decent sized rear doors (I have an 88-year-old mother and father-in-law).

I would thoroughly recommend the Type-S. Insurance is group 12 and costs me less than £200/year. The 5-door (Type-S) is slightly longer than the 3-door and has more rear leg and head room plus a slightly larger boot.

It is my car but the wives of two my friends have Type-S Civics. As far as I know neither had had any problems and one has covered over 90K in 5 years (the wife runs her own business). The other is a 2003 bought new and now has over 50K on the clock.

Edited by Glosphil on Thursday 6th May 01:09

[GingerWizard]

I have a EP3 Type R 05'. Engine and car is utterly bomb proof. Pay attention to oil levels and make sure its got FHS, that is all. Honestly, nothing on mine has gone wrong other then a brake light bulb. £5.00 from halfrauds.

I know its a different car but the 2.0 S is primarly the same. Firm believer in Honda realiabilty, have them at work so i get a bit of seat time. Nothing but good reports.

Comparativly to other cars i can think in that simalar catorgory, streets ahead... i mean the clio's.... god where to start...

Gwiz

[Jayho]

I think i'm right in saying the Type R and Type S ultimately have the same engine but is slightly different tune?

If you dont really care about the speed then the 1.6 is probably the way to go... The 3 doors version is very nice looking and not too shabby for a 1.6.

[jay85]

I am looking to buy a 1.6 sport at the moment but I have read horror stories of the gearbox bearings going at around 50k

[minisloth]

I have a 1.6 Civic and apart from needing a new alternator at 104k its done 115 thousand miles trouble free.

[b16a2_VTi]

i have a 3 door civic 1.6 sport (2002) currently has 146,000 miles, i get around 40mpg + around 460miles to a tank im sure i can get near to the 500 mark on a clean run.

Had no problems apart from a new battery and rear brake pads (must stress this is more wear and tear)

great car, mine had full dealer history and managed to source the model with heated seats. if you look around they can be had for around 2k!

[minisloth]

minisloth said:

I have a 1.6 Civic and apart from needing a new alternator at 104k its done 115 thousand miles trouble free.

It would seem I may have tempted fate by saying my car was trouble free. Nine hours it took to get from Swansea to Peterborough yesterday. Seven of which were spent either waiting for, or being towed by the AA. Still not a clue what's wrong with it either

[matt21]

My friend has a 1999 Civic Coupe 1.6 with approaching 300k on the clock.

Says it all imo.

[itsnotarace]

Jayho said:

I think i'm right in saying the Type R and Type S ultimately have the same engine but is slightly different tune?

The Type S has the K20A3. The Type R has the K20A2. The difference is that the Type R has VTEC on both the intake and exhaust cams, the Type S has it on the intake cam only. This loses approx 40bhp top end power and a load more in the midrange.

Either get the Type R or the 1.6 sport. The Type S doesn't give good performance, nor is it economical

[Glosphil]

itsnotarace said:

Jayho said:

I think i'm right in saying the Type R and Type S ultimately have the same engine but is slightly different tune?

The Type S has the K20A3. The Type R has the K20A2. The difference is that the Type R has VTEC on both the intake and exhaust cams, the Type S has it on the intake cam only. This loses approx 40bhp top end power and a load more in the midrange.

Either get the Type R or the 1.6 sport. The Type S doesn't give good performance, nor is it economical

The 2-litre Type-S may be well behind the Type-R in performance but it much better than a 1.6 Sport. However, I agree that the Type-S has poor economy - mine has averaged less than 32½mpg over the last 43K miles. For me 5 doors are essential so the Type-R and Sport were out.

[Torquey]

Thanks for all the replies. Some interesting stuff.

Ended up getting a lovely 2005 1.6 sport, 38k. Very impressed with it. Streets ahead of the 1.6 focus I had for similar money/age and in fact anything else I've driven in that price range.


Bit worrying about those gearbox bearing stories though - had spotted a few stories from google. Anyone had this problem?

[itsnotarace]

Glosphil said:

However, I agree that the Type-S has poor economy - mine has averaged less than 32½mpg over the last 43K miles.

I can get more than that out of my Type R Not around town though

[Glosphil]

itsnotarace said:

Glosphil said:

However, I agree that the Type-S has poor economy - mine has averaged less than 32½mpg over the last 43K miles.

I can get more than that out of my Type R Not around town though

I can get more than that as well, but I quoted an overall average. On a 1500 trip in France I reached the high 30s. On a 70 drive on quiet roads in Wales, enjoying myself, I was down to 27.