2005 Honda Civic LX review from North America

Nothing is wrong, not even a minor mechanical problem has bothered me thus far.

Despite having a small engine, the car accelerates very well with a manual transmission, particularly if the engine is revved to an optimum r.p.m. prior to shifting gears. The engine noise is a bit too high to my liking; the same is true of the 4-cylinder engines in vehicles of similar prices.

Beyond question, Honda makes the best manual transmission in the business and the 5-speed manual in my car is no exception. The short-throw shifter is quick, smooth, and certainly much better than those in all the vehicles I once owned.

Civic LX is not equipped with standard ABS. I always believe that a driver skilled in the threshold-braking and obstacle-avoidance techniques does not need ABS to stop quickly or steer safely a vehicle on an icy surface. What is needed is a set of good winter tires. I have fitted the car with Michelin Ice radials and winter driving is not an issue whatsoever.

Like other vehicles in its class, the paint of the car appears to peel off easily.

I had rented and test-driven a Toyota Corolla for a day before the purchase. In my opinion, the Civic offer a better value for the dollar than the Corolla. The shorter body of the Civic means easier and safer traffic merging, especially in tight conditions.

As expected, the car has required no more than regular maintenance for the first 50,000 km. I plan to keep it for at least 5 years.