2001 Honda Civic LX review from North America

The control arms were replaced by the dealership when I got the car because an accident caused one to bend and the bushings on the other one were worn.-$350 paid by dealership.

End-links were clunking so I replaced them with low quality replacements (first mistake), and then they kept breaking over and over till I got the right ones-$60.

When I first got the car they told me I should replace the brakes. Drove it hard for a year, and am just about to replace my pads sometime before next inspection.-$100 (anticipated cost)

Nailed a pothole at 70mph and bent one of my after-market rims, but the suspension sustained NO damage whatsoever.- lost a set of rims.

Replaced front outer tie rod ends at 110k miles because boots were torn and leaking.-$90 (replaced with Moog ends)

Clutch might need replacement soon, but its still the original clutch that has held up to 112k miles. This is really something only Honda can do.

Headliner in the rear is coming off a bit.

Cloth trim on the inside of the door panels is coming off a bit as well.

Glove-box rattles at times (such as Philadelphia's cobblestone roads in old city)

Other than that its just 30+MPG, and oil changes with spirited driving.

The car stock is nothing special, especially with the 115 horsepower non-VTEC motor, but a few modifications made it fun to drive around town. I have added.

Revo short shifter-$100

AEM cold air intake-$80 (used)

Tokico struts-$323

Neuspeed sport springs-$45 (used)

SPC camber kit-$59 (used)

20% window tint-$180 Llumar tint

17 inch wheels with 205 40 17 kuhmco ecsta supra tires-$800

Custom side-exit exhaust-$70

Progress 27mm front sway bar-$150

Progress 22mm rear sway bar-$150

Progress rear sway bar adapter kit with tie bar-$185

Rear strut bar-$50

Python HP640 alarm-$200 installed

Sony XD310 cd/MP3 deck-$160 installed

Sylvania Silverstar 9003/H4 bulbs-$40

Energy Suspension motor mount inserts-$40.

There are probbably more things there that I already forgot about, but the point is the car is very cheap to maintain, reliable as a wood burning stove, and sips gas, even under heavy driving, and constant downshifts. It is by no means the best honda platform to modify, but it certainly gives me great joy every time I get behind the wheel knowing that I can carve the offramp at 80mph with very little understeer. Now to the car itself, and away from the modifications.

The car, as any honda will last forever, but the actual running characteristics are great. The car is very smooth on the road, and feels very safe and solid (partly due to my modifications). There are a few interior flaws such as the rattling glovebox and the cloth trim on the inside door panels coming off, as well as the headliner in the rear starting to peel at the edge, but these are all very minor imperfections. The interior has very small gaps, which make it seem a lot nicer than a civic interior, and all of the controls are well placed. I give this car an 8 simply because I got the LX model that doesn't have Honda's VTEC camshaft profiling changeover, and this makes it a bit slower than I would have liked. Great as a daily driven car, good handling with aftermarket suspension, but I really do believe the motor is un-workable, and those who seek speed and not handling to seek elsewhere. If you are looking for reliable transportation, this is the car for you.