- None so far, it's a Honda...shouldn't have anything wrong.
One would expect Honda and Toyota to be the benchmark cars in reliability. The praise for both manufacturers is well deserved after all since finding 1989 cars for either manufacturer on the road is very easy and they still sell even as used cars.
This 2006 Civic is Honda's attempt to appeal to the younger generation and from there I can see why many would love this car just for looks. It definitely is a lot more sporty than Toyota's Corolla. Inside it has a lot of digital equipment like the speedometer, placed in an excellent position. The interior is pretty cool. There's a few oddities in the placement of certain buttons, but that part is really a matter of getting used to since they aren't in truly bizarre places although you may not know where some buttons are like hazard lights since they get blocked by the rather big steering wheel.
As for the drive itself. This is a very cheap car to maintain, I don't have any doubt that it will be a reliable car. Its driving it where I start finding problems. The rear window first off is pretty darn small, visibility isn't as good. The steering is way too sensitive. I couldn't stand the steering, its just terrible, I never get the sense its steering. The gas pedal is way too light, its too easy to rev the engine with a simple touch. Even the brakes are way too sensitive giving a not so smooth ride unless your foot is featherweight. There are even more sensitive things about the Civic which annoyed me. The Civic is also a noisy car, I've been in old Toyotas and they aren't noisy like this, Honda needs to fix that. As a car to drive, due to its sensitive controls you could very well be driving aggressively yet not know it.
As for true speed... you can accelerate quite fast with little effort... but going to highway speeds is something this car starts struggling. 0-70 or 80 km/h is easy, going to 100 is less so.
The Civic is not a good beginner's car. Its sensitivity will give a new driver more problems than its worth. This car doesn't relax, that's what irks me the most as you cannot enjoy driving it. You'll be too worried going over the limit, stopping too quickly, turning too hard, cutting off people, the lot. The noise from the engine always intruding doesn't help. As soon as you jump into another car the controls of that car will be more tame than this Civic.
Buy a Toyota Corolla it may be slower, but its less of an animal or buy a Mazda 3 since that's very easy to drive. The Civic needs to work on driver friendliness, it may look better than its rivals, but it doesn't drive very well. That said I'll be looking for an old Toyota to replace this car which I can't live with anymore.
As the owner of a 2006 Honda Civic EX Coupe, I feel compelled to respond!
Having had mine for 5k miles, including one long trip, not all his complaints are valid.
The steering wheel is small and the steering is extremely responsive, but you get used to use it, and appreciate the fast response and the total lack of necessity to take your hands off the steering wheel.
The brakes are perfectly balanced unless you slam your foot down and then the ABS kicks in.
The interior controls are innovative and intuitive, and make perfect sense. Your eyes never have to leave the road to look at speed or fuel.
The viewer is right on some points.
It can be a noisy car, but so what.
The acceleration could be better, but this is an economy car that gets 32-35 mpg all the time.
If the reviewer wants a car with better sound insulation and better performance, he or she should step up to something bigger and more expensive that uses more petrol.
As for visibility, the easy solution is to attach some spot mirrors on the side mirrors. It eliminates all blind spots.
I must also respond as well, owning a 2006 Civic LX with over 13,000 miles on July 21, 2006 (owned since late February of this year).
The rear window is not that bad. I've not had any visibility problems with the rear at all.
Steering is more sensitive, but that's typical Honda. The original poster may not like it, but I have no problems with it at all (and, personally, I find the better response preferable over cars requiring more turns on the wheel to go a certain direction). The car has excellent road feel and handles very nimbly and predictably. Again, just try to get used to it. It will be different from the old car that the original poster owned.
As for touchy brakes and accelerator, get used to it. There are also other cars that can have touchy pedals, and it becomes more pronounced if you are used to other cars where it may not have been as sensitivite.
As for acceleration to highway speeds, I highly beg to differ. This car is a very capable highway cruiser and able to accelerate to highway speed very well for a compact car. This car also has decent passing power. And, despite this power, it also delivers superior fuel economy. I've been averaging in the mid 30s with mainly highway driving approaching 40 MPG.
As for cabin noise, that is the only detractor I have for this car as it does have pronounced tire noise. But, it's nothing that really bugs me since the rest of the driving experience has been beyond reproach. It handles well, it accelerates confidently, and it rides smoothly and comfortably.
As for it being a good beginner's car? I will say that it is an excellent choice for that purpose. It's very safe (earning excellent crash test scores from the NHTSA and BEST PICK designation from the IIHS), it's actually quite forgiving to the inexperienced driver, it's reliable, it's comfortable, it's practical, it's economical, and, for once, it's a compact car that actually looks decent compared to the overly silly lines of most other cars in the same class, particularly the Toyota Corolla.
In summary, I completely disagree with the original reviewer's contention about this car. I also feel that the reviewer will be wasting a fantastic ownership experience when the reviewer tries to trade in a 2006 Civic for something that is, quite simply, less due to the reviewer's refusal to adapt to something different. - Reinhart.
So what you are saying is that I should get used to it?
I have an 06 and drive a lot - 13000 miles since January. No problems at all. Before you buy a car they offer this thing called a TEST DRIVE. In a test drive you can feel things such as touchy steering, button convenience, blind spots etc. If you don't like what you see / feel etc after the test drive - you don't have to BUY THE CAR. At least that is the way it is in Ohio.
I can't begin to describe how pleased I am with this car. It's fast, economical 38mpg - 40mpg (95% highway) and out performed the Mustang GT in maneuverability (it really did look it up!) 6 speaker stereo MP3, power sunroof, cruise, steering wheel radio controls, power mirrors / windows, keyless entry with trunk release on and on etc.
This is a superbly designed car with options found on more expensive cars. It is not a cookie cutter automobile like the Corolla.
I also have a 2006 Civic sedan LX. The comments by the first poster are way off base. Probably a Toyota salesman losing sales to the new Civic.
Someone had asked whether they should get used to it.
YES.
If the only reason why the car is not liked is simply because of the fact that it feels more sensitive than the other car before it, then you should make an effort to get used to it.
No two models will drive completely alike. A Toyota Corolla will drive differently compared to a Honda Civic. They are both different cars with different characteristics. If you are used to one, then it's easy to understand how something different will feel just that: different. And, there will be people who will like the change right from the get-go along with people who may oppose the change and must take time to adapt. - Reinhart.
Has anyone had any problems with a knocking noise coming from the engine? I really like the car, but this noise is beginning to worry me. I took it to the dealer and they said that it was normal for the '06. Comments?
A knocking noise from the motor is never normal. Get yourself to the dealer and force them to do something about it.
Just finishing my first tank of gas. The only nit picking complaint I have is that there is a little to much "hunting" for the right gear while in stop and go driving. I might have chosen the manual if I had detected it during the test drive. In all other respects this car is fabulous. I like the sensitive steering and small steering wheel. The 4 disc braking is top notch. Adjustable steering wheel is perfect. A little more bolster in the seats would have been nice, but who knew the car would have such a great sporty feel so as to need an upgraded seat? Great car. No regrets.
The original review is yet another example of people who, for some unknown reason, buy a car without test driving it. Every "complaint" would have been self evident in a 10 minute test drive, even with the dealer along for the ride.
High noise at speed is probably attributed to the larger (and "sportier") tires equipped with the Civic. This is not necessarily an economy car problem as I test drove a $45K Infiniti M35 and it was roaring at speed.
I took my car to the dealer and on the 3rd trip/attempt the techs noticed the knocking noise. It was the belt tensioner which they replaced. Now that I have been driving the car for a few weeks here are my comments. I love how it handles. Not really sure about the mpg since I sit in traffic a lot and I'm only getting 26-27mpg. The ride is good aside from the rode noise. Cabin storage is excellent. The tranny does hunt for gears sometimes, but that's the car's problem not mine, meaning it doesn't bother me. The seat support is terrible. My back has been bothering me, but that's only b/c I had lumbar in my mini cooper. The front pillars can sometime get in the way of your visibility, but those little windows do surpisingly help out. Also, the interior plastic seems to scratch very easily and doesn't seem to be made very well, but this might just be a color specific issue. (I have gray) One major issue I have with this car is the glare on the windshield from it being so long and slanted. You can see the dash clearly on the windshield while driving. Has anyone else had that problem? Will tinting the windows and adding a windshield strip help?
Mine has tinted windows, but no band on the front windshield and I get no glare on the windshield. Also to improve visibility, attach some 3 inch spot mirrors to the side mirrors. It helps visibility immensely.
Definitely a good car, I was in love with my weakass 2001 Camry 4 banger, test drove this and was impressed with handling and acceleration, and esp gas mileage. Loud on freeway, esp roughly finished concrete. Speakers suck, getting replaced with some bostons. There is definitely hunting in the gears, mostly at sub 50mph speeds, sometimes a snap if you don't stop all the way and get back on the gas. I also would have gotten a manual, kinda pissed honestly. 2000K in 14 days, I must say that I have had plenty of time to experience acceleration, handling, mpg, design. I have spoiler in the back, shrinks view more. Thought the side view mirrors could have been bigger a bit. The window angles really work well with rain-x. I have (ducks head) stopped using my wipers at times because the two complement each other so well. Yeah and I wish my donut handle grabbed the rears a little better :)
Could the hunting for gears hurt the tranny in the long run? Did other civic's have the same issue? Has anyone had problems with the seat fabric coming off of the front seats, beneath and under the thigh support?
Yeah this car certainly has touchy controls, but after driving it for a while one can get used to it. I own a 06 civic LX manual. Having driven a 16 yr old piece of crap for 2 years before this I really did have to work on the controls. This car is awesome except for nasty chatters that come out of certain places like front right wheel, inside the cabin from rear and the first time I pull my car out after parking for 4, 5 hours a strange knock comes off from under the hood. Then its fine until I park it again. This is definitly associated with the steering wheel. Sound appears to be increasing during winter. Also when stop my car a strange rolling sound comes from deep rear. Initially thought it was my glass cleaner bottle, but later on discovered it the car. Need to go to dealer again. Any of you guys experiencing these problems.