1984 Honda Civic Sedan review from North America
"The last of the forgotten Civics, remembered by few and praised by those few"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Head gasket blew once after about thirty thousand miles of REALLY hard driving.
Blew again two years later, also after REALLY hard driving.
Had to replace most components in cooling system.
Have problems with front suspension every few years.
Had one incident where the alternator went bad (probably due to heavy power consumption from 600-watt amplifier).
WAY too many vacuum lines, so keep hose clamps handy.
General comments?
This car is generally reliable, as long as you take care of it (much as I didn't). Faults lie in cooling system, vacuum system, and front suspension.
It lacks a great deal in performance. The five-speed gives reasonable pep around town, while the three speed is utterly useless in that regard. Highway travel is surprisingly easy on the engine and the car feels like it comes out of its shell here.
Hard suspension without the performance that usually comes with that. Bumps and alignment problems are transmitted strongly through the thin steering wheel (at least with the non-power steering versions).
The car will comfortably accomodate four people with very little ammenities. It has been a challenge for me to add some of these ammenities (such as drink holders). Good size trunk space as well.
I have seen many of the faults in the cars design and have begun to improve my car with the following additions:
-Added 6x9 spacers to accomodate 6x9 speakers.
-Replaced stock stereo and front speakers.
-Built custom center console (empty space between dash and floor!).
-Added drinkholders and armrest for this console.
-Added thicker steering wheel (I think it was from a newer Integra, anywhere from 86-93).
-Added shift boot, cut the shifter down, and added new shift knob to hide the disgusting automatic shifter.
-Added newer Civic floormats (the ones that say Civic).
-Added drink holders to rear extension of center console.
-Added 16" QT wheels + 40 series tires.
-Lowered car 3" front (adjusted torsion bars), 2.5" rear (cut springs).
-Added front lip to bumper (from 86 Integra).
-Added sideskirts (from older Grand Am).
-Tinted the windows to 20%.
-Gutted air conditioning system, including air conditioning radiator which blocks main radiator.
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| Outstanding! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.5 Manual |
| Performance marks | 6/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 175000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 225000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 2nd April, 2003 |