1988 Honda Civic LX review from North America

Replaced clutch at around 150k.

Replaced radiator at around 175k.

Replaced suspension bushings at least twice between 150k and 200k.

Very reliable car.

It lacks low end and mid range power, but still manages to be fun to drive being fairly light. Pulling into traffic and merging onto highways can take planning. To get up to speed, the car can be very noisy.

Has decent handling, but not very sporty or tight.

Gas mileage is wonderful, and can get in the mid 30's on the highway.

This car has never stranded me.

It was driven hard at times, and handled being driven all day as a pizza delivery car very well.

The springs were in poor condition, especially on the front when I got the car. The car would develop a creaking sound when going over bumps, and the bushings were replaced to remedy the problem, but it only seemed to be a temporary fix. It was only a minor problem considering that the motor and transmission still worked very well.

The seats were also broken down, and the drivers seat had a tear with metal and foam sticking out. The seats were not comfortable in the condition they were in, but were bearable.

This car would have lasted me longer if it were not totalled at about 200k. The car was hit in the front left corner when someone taking a left going the opposite direction in front of me failed to yield to oncoming traffic. Their car was a newish 2002 or 2003 Civic, and their whole front end was smashed in. The only damage I had on my car was leaking windshield wiper fluid and a busted left turn signal, with maybe a small fender dent. The car still drove fine, but was technically totalled, and we received about $1400 for it. That was the worst decision I had ever made taking the money. I would have been much better off keeping it. This is one of those cars you will probably miss when you lose it.

Note to anyone considering this car: the transmission and motor on this car are not made for performance at all, and you will wear them out very quickly if you are always racing people and doing burnouts. Don't even do one burnout. This is a reliable means of transportation and can be fun to drive, but is NOT by any means a sports car!