2003 Honda Civic DX review from North America

Windshield started cracking at 25,000 Ks. It has now an enormous crack across the bottom end. Honda won't fix it, because they said it is from a rock chip. However, I couldn't find a bump anywhere myself.

Paint is peeling all along the back and the sides.

Cheap seats with only a thin layer of foam, very uncomfortable.

The reason I bought this car was the good comments and reports I read on Consumer Reports and Lemon Aid guides. My friends had good memories from Civics of the past and the whole thing seemed like the perfect choice to me. Well, I have been through hell since I got it...

The car is extremely uncomfortable to drive and noisy as hell. When it idles, it runs so rough that can drive me to the end of my wits during commuting and heavy traffic. The kids are cramped in the back and they are dying to get out of it (to tell the truth, so am I). This car looks like a great family car when you first look at it, but it is not what it seems on a first impression. We are not "sporty" people, so we decided that we did not mind the 115 or so horsepower engine, it was OK to be passed even by WV Beetles on the highway. But we understoond the limitations on our first long trip: this car is a hell of a back breaker on the highway, long trips are no fun, believe you me. If you want to get your kids to school and back, it is fine, but if you want something more, like the camping trip or a trip across the border, forget it! and why, then, pay the extra price for it, if you cannot have any fun driving about? I really regret having bought a Toyota Camry or even a Corolla on the first place. They are cheaper, more reliable and really fun to drive.

Cars of this price range has a few more standard featues than the ones you get with the DX.

Oh, did I mention insurance costs? Civics are REALLY expensive to insure. I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone, despite what is written around. Spend the extra money and get something better, you will really regret you bought this baby as reality settles in and you commute back and forth to work sitting on a low floor with A LOT of road feel (bumps and jolts and cracks and everything!)

Test drive it for a day or two before you buy it!