1989 Honda Civic GL from UK and Ireland - Comments

Body work a little patchy (mostly due to neglect).

Drivers seat has a hole in it (made worse by family dog!) and tends to drop back if sat on too hard.

Clutch has been replaced (no necessary, but needed it eventually).

A few rattles in the interior (some caused by the dog chewing seals).

Car has 16 valves, twin carburettors, power steering, electric windows, mirrors and sunroof, wishbone suspension and runs on unleaded petrol.

This was a family car passed on to me quite recently, so has previously been incredibly well serviced and not thrashed at all, thus the engine is in impeccable working order. Still gets great fuel economy about 45mpg max with sensible driving, 35+ with thrashing.

Now I've got my hands on it I can finally see what it does. Hit 120mph in it without too much complaint and I do wonder if it will go further, but I am too scared to test it with all the speed cameras on our roads these days. Acceleration is impressive, generally pulls as good as most "hot hatches" out there, but you do have to know how to push it and how to handle it to get the best out of it (I am still learning with it, but at times it really does throw you back in your seat).

Handling wise it feels like a sports car. The low nature of it as standard coupled with the bucket-like seats make the driving position quite exhilarating and comfortable at the same time. Its very easy to push round corners at high speeds and holds the road really well. I feel very confident in its ability cornering and don't feel the need to pull off the gas in case it slips.

The cabin is comfortable for driver and front passenger, back seats are a little squashed due to my long legs and the far back driving position I like, and they only have lap belts. No airbags anywhere to be seen (but on a car that old what do you expect!). Radio is still original and is really starting to show its age. Install speakers aren't much to shout about either.

Dealerships tend to be expansive, but you get what you pay for and they are very professional and thorough and do all work to the highest standards. Have generally had the car self serviced over the years (hence the neglect to bodywork) but have had cause to go to the dealers.

Generally, 13 years down the line and 134,000 miles later the engine is in perfect working order and will keep going for years (and miles) to come. Comfortable driving position and great acceleration with a top speed suited to legal limits, it's a great car suitable for petrol head and families alike.

I have the same car as you? what 0-60mph time do you get?

I got my civic up to 125 mph at about 6000rpm. Handling is good, but I live in Cornwall so got a lot of tight corners so when out and got a full apex lowering kit and and a strut brace just waiting to get in garage and fit it all. Now saving up for a lightened and balanced flywheel to get the acceleration up.

Never measured my 0-60, must get round to that.

Undecided whether to mod or not, its pretty good as standard and could save the money for a newer civic (or a type-r mmmmmmm)

Interesting to hear what other people are doing with theirs.

Some info from my may 1988 wheels magazine where the civic GL was compared against 4 other cars (it came equal first btw).

0-100 kph in 10.1

400 meters (bit over a 1/4 mile) in 17.1.

I've got same model same year, except mines auto, sometimes you put your foot down and nothing happens, then it does, sort of like turbo lag, but if you get it right, ie, not press to hard, like sort of near to the floor not right on the floor, then this car flies!, I believe this car is 0-60 in about 7.5 seconds!, its the ugliest car in the world, but its so CHEAP, RELIABLE, PRACTICAL. MPG is good, about 40mph on a higher than average drive. This car has had everything replaced, but it just goes on and on and on and on, I don't think this car will ever die, its done 140,000, and the engine is fine, sounds like new, I can't believe all the punishments just get brushed off its shoulders, if you want it to go fast, just before you go, I've noticed if you pull the choke right out that gives much better acceleration :) on the whole, but beware the car lurches when you go 2 fast down hills or round corners, and sidewinds make driving it abit scarey. On the whole this is an amazing car

I have an auto as well I find the car goes very well for what it is. I find if you leave it in d4 and floor it, it actually goes quite well, but then lags a lot till it finds higher revs in 2nd gear.

I've never had mine past 160km/h, but think it has a lot more in it, but I ran out of road. the car likes being reved quite high, in d4 my car gets to about 43 km/h then I drop it into d2 and get it up to 115km/h then change into d3 to 160km/h.

It drags most hatches well, handles well around corners and has a good pick up.

Only problems I have with it is, the lag in the gear changes. can be made into a very good sports car...

I have a manual, my mum has an automatic, and believe me the auto is not a patch on the manual. There has been talk of these cars giving GTi's and such cars a run for their money and some have laughed at this. I can tell you now, if these cars are in good nick they are capable of blowing a lot of hot hatches into the weeds, especially Saxo's and Corsa's. With some simple modifications these cars can also beat Golf GTi's and such. I know for a fact that mine is quicker than a Subaru Impreza Sport (non-turbo).