1987 Honda Civic Wagovan from North America - Comments

Alternator

Rear Defogger- half of the lines done defog

Horn stopped working

Heater fan switch - 2 lower speeds don't work

Seized break caliper

4 way flasher switch stopped working

Slight pull to the left.

This is an old car.

It doesn't have things that are common in most cars today like fuel injection or 3 point seatbelts in the back.

Bought it for $800 off of someone I knew because it was cheap and I was planning on getting some sort of wagon anyways (for putting baby strollers in).

The base of the seat also flips up so you can store things under it and the seat back folds down so you end up with a completely flat cargo area. I carried a fully assembled barbecue and a dishwasher (not at the same time) with plenty of space left.

When the engine is cold, it has NO POWER. Not surprising since it's carburetted. It's not bad when warmed up, but I still won't be winning any races.

The seats aren't very comfortable and in my opinion, the car looks ugly both on the inside and outside.

Repairs are quite reasonable, but finding parts isn't that easy in some cases if the part is specific to the wagon/wagovan model.

I'm probably going to keep this car at least until the end of the year (when it's due for an emissions test), but possibly as long as 3-5 years.

Just to update my review...

I didn't mention that the original dealer-installed junky radio/tape player had a broken display and the tape player doesn't work.

I just fixed that by replacing it with a very good Panasonic stereo (the cheapest model they have that can play MP3 and WMA files). That cost me about can$190 from www.futureshop.ca.

I teamed this up by replacing the garbage factory 4.5" speakers with Sony Xplode 260W 6x9 speakers for can$80 also from Future Shop. Needed to buy a rotary tool and cut out the doors and add a 2" spacer and had to cut off a bit of the dashboard so that the speakers would fit when I close the door. The install looks good... if slightly ridiculous (who the hell puts 6x9 speakers in the FRONT DOORS? I do because I need the space in the back for baby strollers, grocery shopping, etc.)

Now I've got a system that sounds very nice and can be turned up fairly loud and the bass is very good considering it's just a 2 speaker setup and no subwoofer. And if I add a 300W amp (which the speakers should easily handle), then I'll be able to turn it up REALLY loud.

I've also decided to try using the Amsoil 25,000 mile/1 year Synthetic motor oil. Just did the change in May 2004. Changed the air filter at the same time. With this oil, you just need to change the oil filter twice a year and the oil once a year, unless I drive more than 25000 miles - which I don't. I'll post a comment in the future letting everyone know if this blows up my engine. Since I only do 20,000 Km (not miles) a year, I think it will be fine.

It seems to me that these Hondas are a little sensitive to have dirty oil and dirty air filters because after changing both, there is a noticable improvement in power at higher RPMs.

The car is now at 275,000 KM.

Another update...

The pipe that goes from the engine to the Catalytic converter rusted out. Total cost installed and after tax is CAN$300.

This brings the total money spent on repairs, maintenance and upgrades since Nov 2002 to CAN$4200 (around US$2800).

The car is at 276900KM now.

Another update...

Now at 281,500 KM and the battery needed to be replaced. Also had to do an emissions test and it passed - so I'll likely keep this car for at least another 2 years unless something major goes.

This brings my total cost for repairs, maintenance and upgrades to about CAN$4300.

Also, the exhaust has started to rattle around the muffler. Not going to bother fixing that until it rusts out - which I'm betting will happen within the next 1-2 years.

Due for a full tune up... spent $60 on plugs, wires, distributor and rotor... will be installing soon.

That brings costs up to $4360.

Oh yeah, had to spend $150 to reregister my plates for 2 years... ouch - but the only way to avoid that is to not have a car...

Mileage stands at 286,000KM.

Muffler rusted out. Got a new high performance exhaust installed from the Cat-converter to the end tip for CAN$350. That brings me up to $4710 in maintenance, repairs and upgrades. Now my Honda feels noticeably more powerful above 5000RPM and in terms of acceleration, it's actually worthwhile now to rev it to 7000rpm. The car is quite a bit noisier now... may have to install a silencer in the exhaust tip/muffler... either that or I'll add a 2nd resonator.

Update:

Now at 292,000KM.

Just rotated tires, did my annual oil change (I use Amsoil 100% synthetic 25,000 mile oil), replaced air filter, replaced coil wire. Also finally got around to installing the cap and rotor I bought back in February.

Total cost of all this was about $100 in Canadian funds.

That brings my total cost to $4810... or a monthly average of $160 at the moment. With gas and insurance, my cost is $350 a month.

Update:

Mileage at 292,500.

In an effort to fix a stalling problem where it would suddenly lose power, even when in gear at highway speeds, I replaced the ignition coil (cost CAN$80). This didn't fix the problem.

What fixed the problem was replacing the ignition switch (CAN$85).

I installed both parts myself. The ignition coil is easier than changing a tire. The ignition switch isn't too hard as long as you have the right tools.

This brings up my repairs/maintenance/upgrades cost to $4975 in Canadian funds.

Update:

Mileage now at 297,500km.

Had to replace the belt that drives the alternator, replace the horn, patch a slow leaking tire and replace a light bulb.

This brings my cost of repairs, maintenance and upgrades to about $5150, which works out to about $156 on a monthly basis.

Update:

Currently at 303500KM.

Recently changed oil filter and topped up oil (using Amsoil 25000 mile oil).

Had a problem where one of the 3 wires from the ignition coil came off which caused a no-start situation. Before I realized this, I wasted $50 on new plug wires and a new distributor cap and rotor. Plugged wire in and it started right up.

Also recently replaced a headlight bulb.

This brings my totals repairs/maintenance/upgrade cost to $5240 in Canadian funds.

Update:

At about 310,400km now.

Recently changed oil, oil filter and air filter. Just ordered a new starter (CAN$25 for the part, $25 for shipping, plus 15% tax) as the existing one is starting to go. Will probably install myself.

Total repair/maint/upgrade costs now stand at $5390, or a monthly cost of $125.

Well this is it. I have purchased a 1995 Ford Escort Wagon, which will replace my 1987 Honda Civic Wagovan.

The car is at about 317,200KM.

The exhaust just went and the car is LOUD. Other issues that would have needed addressing (if I wasn't replacing this car) :

-due for a timing belt in 3000km

-need new tires

-would need brake service soon

-needs new windshield

-horn stopped working (I have a new one, but haven't gotten around to installing it)

-Coolant overflow bottle has a leak

-has a small oil leak

-the spring for the windshield wiper arm (on the right side of the steering column) is broken and is being held up by a crumpled piece of paper

-the rust is getting worse

-the engine ticks (possibly a burnt valve)

-some of the lines of the rear defogger don't work

-adjuster arm for left rear view mirror is broken

-centre rear view mirror doesn't stay in place very well.

The most critical things (Tires, brakes, exhaust) would have cost at least $1100 to take care of.

So instead of addressing some or all of these issues, I opted to buy a 1995 Ford Escort Wagon for $1150, safety certified and emissions tested. Same fuel economy, more power, more space, less mileage, much less rust, no immediate issues that need attention... except maybe for the stereo (no CD or MP3 capability).

This is my last update on this vehicle. It has served me fairly well in the (almost) 4 years I have owned it.

I owned a 87 Civic Hatchback for 19 Years. It was the best car I ever owned. Got 240,000 miles out of it with 5000 mile oil changes. Rarely was in the shop except for brakes and exhaust parts, which went bad as a normal course of age. I traded it in on a Subaru, which has not been anywhere near as reliable and much more expensive to own and maintain. If you want a car that will pay for itself in 5 years, then get a new or pre-owned Honda Civic by all means!