1990 Honda Civic GL from UK and Ireland - Comments

Radiator replaced due to leak about 3 months after purchase.

Rear suspension bush replaced and rear brakes stripped and cleaned for first MOT (Oct 2003).

Battery replaced at about 76000 miles (it was original).

Offside outer CV boot replaced at about 76500 miles.

Timing belt and crank woodruff key replaced at about 76500 miles.

Exhaust blowing due to corrosion at rear flange, where the back box joins the center section, despite the rest of the system being in good condition. Sealed with Gun Gum for MOT.

Rear trailing arm bush, brakes lines, front disks and pads replaced, and both sills completely replaced due to rust at current MOT (77000 miles) costing me nearly £600 - Ouch!!

Still needs a new clutch, new nearside CV joint, and an engine rebuild when I can afford it!

Please note that my negative comments are not a reflection on all 4th generation Civic GL's, I was unfortunate in that I bought a complete lemon!

BODY - Rust is the keyword here, and it seems to be common on these cars. The side rubbing strips are fastened to the car by plastic plugs inserted into the panels. These holes are not water tight, so moisture gets inside the car and gathers in the sills. That is why these cars rot from the inside out, along the sills and rear arches. I urge anyone who buys one to immediately strip out the interior and inject Wax Oil into the bodywork, and fill any visible holes that Honda stupidly left (you will see what I mean)!

Despite this complaint, I do love the design of the 4th generation Civic, with only the tail light design keeping it planted in the late 80's/early 90's.

INTERIOR - Hmmm, what can I say? How about CHEAP PLASTIC! Yes, it is fairly roomy and comfortable, and the general layout is quite good, but you are surrounded by acres of the cheapest looking plastic. And with only 77000 miles, my car has twice as many rattles and squeaks as my previous 205 Gti (which isn't good when you consider the reputation of French car interiors!), but this could be due to the abysmal roads in Edinburgh.

I also disagree with other comments about the racy 'bucket' seats - yes they do have quite good side bolsters, but the base has hardly any bolstering, giving poor lateral support.

Despite the standard tape deck having rear speaker outputs, there are no rear speakers. I don't know if they were an option, but there does not seem to be any where to fit speakers other than the parcel shelf. Unfortunately, the parcel shelf folds in the middle. I decided to fit an MDF panel under the shelf (ala Stealth Shelf) but drilling holes in the front edge of the parcel shelf is a nightmare due to a metal panel under the material - took ages to drill through with a cheap drill!

PERFORMANCE - This is a touchy area due to my engine being knackered (I think the previous owner thrashed it), but fortunately I can use my mates GL (good condition and full service history) as comparison.

I can confirm that a standard GL will hit 60 in about 10 seconds, but after that they get a little bit gutless. I don't know what the top end is because mine struggles to get past 105mph. I find claims of 120mph very dubious though, as my modified 205 1600 Gti could only hit 126 (without rev limiter).

With regards to the handling, I can't believe other owners have described it as 'fun'. My suspension is generally fine, and I have 15-inch alloys with good tyres, but the car wallows around corners, and I have no desire to try and push it to the limits. Whilst Honda gave the GL a relatively lively engine, it did not bestow it with any handling dynamics at all.

For any boy racers looking for a car to modify, don't bother with the GL, go for the 1.6i or above. Aftermarket parts are thin on the ground. For instance, the only aftermarket air filter available is a Green Filters replacement element. You would have to spend serious money just to achieve 115bhp, which would be a complete waste of time. The 1.6i DOHC Civic has 130bhp.

COSTS - Insurance is not as cheap as people claim, I think people are being fooled because it is only a 1.4 and a GL. Honda's are expensive to repair, relatively unsafe in a crash, and were fast by the standards of the time, and the insurance reflects this. When I changed to my GL, my insurance went down by £30 - this was from a modified 205 1600 Gti! And it was with one of the most competitive specialist insurers in the country.

Honda parts are also pretty expensive so I avoid the main dealers. It cost £175 to replace the timing belt. I got a quote of £275 for a new clutch (fitted) or £400 from the dealer!

Fuel consumption is pitiful on the motorway, probably because my engine is underpowered so it must struggle to maintain 70-80 mph. In town, I just got 27 mpg using BP Ultimate, driving like a pensioner! On standard unleaded I get about 23mpg in town. I think my mate used to get about 25-30 mpg with a heavy right foot.

OVERALL - I still love the 4th generation Civic, and would love to have a Vti, but on my budget I would have to think hard about buying another. The majority of them seem to have rust problems (and those that don't look rusty on the outside are probably rotting away from the inside), and when things do go wrong the parts are extortionate. The insurance costs do not reflect the performance you get and the GL is a nippy car with sloppy handling. I would only buy another if it was absolutely mint.

I've had a '89 Civic hatch 1.4 16v GL for a coupla months now, getting 38mpg whether I thrash it or not, and its done 110,000 miles :-)

Just thought id say that I've had my 1.4 16v (non vtech) gl off the clock the needle on the spedo was having a fit it went right passed 120 the guy behind me in a fto couldnt keep up great little car. Adam

I agree about parts to modify these cars. They are very rare to come by. However my GL easily hits 115mph and handles quite well. I've had mine for around a year and still love it.

I've been searching ages on the net for a decent website which could give me an idea of what universal filter to install on my (1990) civic gl 16 valve... I came across this.

I would be grateful if somebody can recommend me a website where I can find a quick cheap universal filter so that the engine sounds a lot beefy.

I have already got a back box with a new exhaust system (direct from a sub-dealer) which cost me my soul. Now all I need to complete the equation is to remove the old cheap "max power" induction kit from Argos with something more beefy well anything other than max power induction kits sounds beefy.

It has to be universal so I can install it into another car which will be my family car then I will go back to the sub dealer I mentioned and get a custom made induction kit which will make scooby imprezas sound like a whimpering puss-filled grammer schoolboys in a dark damp corner of an unlit empty classroom.

For me modifying the fourth gen car is totally worth it because it has been with me for the last decade and I've had so many repairs done towards the car (major and minor) that it has become a part of me now.

I've spent nearly 20 grand plus on this car since day one. It will stay with me till I die hopefully pass it onto my son as his first car later in life.

If you love your GL go to www.4guk.co.uk it is a forum dedicated to 4th gen civics with a really great bunch of guys more than willing to help you with anything you need.