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Honda Civic vs Volkswagen Jetta

498 messages,  Last post on Mar 11, 2013 at 12:20 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Sedan

Messages Page 42 of 51

#403 of 498 Re: MSN [defreitasm] by thegraduate

Jan 28, 2007 (12:08 am)

Replying to: defreitasm (Jan 27, 2007 11:48 pm)
Civics and Jettas shouldn't even be a comparison.
 
Well, when prices and size classes overlap, it's hard not to compare. They are very different machines, I'll give you that. The Civic has EXCELLENT fuel economy (30/40) with good power (7.7 sec for Manual Transmission LX Sedan per Motor Trend) and handling, while the Jetta has iffy fuel economy (22/30) with good power (8.3 sec 0-60 per Car and Driver, I think) and EXCELLENT handling. The Civic has the nicer-sounding and higher revving engine, while the Jetta has more low-end pull and a less refined engine note.
 
I feel like the Jetta is the car for people that want to get in on the "German" bandwagon, and the Civic is more of a practical piece. To each his own - people have these choices for a reason.
 
The Jetta can be optioned to over $30,000 though; more than an Accord with the 244 horsepower V6 and Navigation with a larger interior. Lots of features for $30k on both vehicles.
 
Reliability still scares me on VW - too many people getting burned just after their warranties are expiring, and unlike Honda, they don't have a good Customer Service department from what I've heard and witnessed.
 
Sure the Civic is more reliable but I hate the way it drives. I test drove one back in 2000
 
Remember, that 2000 model Civic debuted in 1996 - hardly comparable to anything of today (11 years later).
 
I wish you and your Jetta the best; sounds like yours may be a winner!
 
BTW, what model Jetta do you have?

#404 of 498 Re: MSN [thegraduate] by ruking1

Jan 31, 2007 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 28, 2007 12:08 am)
..."Civics and Jettas shouldn't even be a comparison."...
 
I say why not!?? Indeed, I live with both side by side.
 
For example, if one has a need/want for a specific purpose driven task, i.e., 54 mile R/T commute and weekend run about. The majority of days (5/7=) 71.4% and miles (14256/18222 per year=)78.2% are in a TOUGH commute. By getting a Civic vs a VW Jetta (TDI in my case) there is a savings of $5436. in acquisition costs. Over 250,000 miles (38/50 mpg 2.39/2.60 per gal)there is a difference of 6579/5000 gals =1579 gals MORE (x 2.39= -$3,774. or $1,662.00 total saved.

#405 of 498 Re: MSN [ruking1] by thegraduate

Jan 31, 2007 (9:51 pm)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 31, 2007 3:30 pm)
Sorry, that statement you took as my quote was something I quoted from someone else. It wasn't my original statement. I forgot to make it in bold, and it can't be changed now!

#406 of 498 Re: MSN [thegraduate] by ruking1

Jan 31, 2007 (10:12 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 31, 2007 9:51 pm)
Well hopefully no harm no foul? Just maybe a continuation of the discussion.

#407 of 498 Re: MSN [ruking1] by thegraduate

Feb 01, 2007 (8:21 am)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 31, 2007 10:12 pm)
Certainly, just clarifying my stance.
 
This forum got quiet lately, I guess everyone's out driving in the snow!

#408 of 498 Comparing the two by erickpl

Mar 06, 2007 (6:50 am)

My daughter had a 2004 Civic. She loved it - until the day she got t-boned. Her Civic's doors, if they had beams in them, failed and her passenger door was on top of her center console, which led to a concussion and gash on her head. My 99 Civic was no different as far as the strength of the door was concerned.
 
When looking for a replacement, we put safety and structural integrity on top, and IMO, no Japanese car in this segment has the structural strength of a German car. This is my opinion based on my searching and looking at the new Civics, Mazdas, Acuras, Mitsus, and Subarus. Nothing inspired confidence for her safety.
 
Then we looked at the Germans. We looked at BMW, Audi, and VW. Audi's were nice, but I didn't want to contend with MMI and she didn't want a hatch. BMW's are wonderful cars, but I didn't want her in a new 3 Series as we prefer the E46's from the previous generation. Pricing was still kinda high for what we were wanting.
 
So we looked at VW. She fell in love with the Jetta. Doors - solid as a rock. Suspension, a bit soft, but you can fix that with some aftermarket shocks/springs, but it still handled well. Braking - VERY nice. The 2.0T engine with a 6 speed manual was her dream come true (she likes to row her own gears). The features and interior quality convinced her and my wife that VW was what was going to be sitting next to my Jeep in the driveway. Neither one wanted to even CONSIDER VW, but I insisted and told them they might be surprised.
 
We pick up her 2007 Jetta GLI today.
 
Honda's are great cars for what they are (I'll leave it to you to determine what that may be ). After owning a 99 and an 04, I just am NOT convinced safety and strength are two of Honda's stronger suits. You can argue till you're blue in the face about it, but I've got my daughter's Honda in a junkyard telling me something entirely different - that for her to feel safe, a Honda will NOT be our driveway.
 
-Paul

#409 of 498 Re: Comparing the two [erickpl] by targettuning

Mar 06, 2007 (7:18 am)

Replying to: erickpl (Mar 06, 2007 6:50 am)
No argument from me but you will soon get replies informing you that the 2006 Civic is a "gold" pick from the IIHS after its testing including off set front, rear and side impact. Although I own a 2006 Civic I am not a Honda fan...just imparting information. Further, Subaru has a very good IIHS score also I believe.

#410 of 498 Re: Comparing the two [erickpl] by ruking1

Mar 06, 2007 (7:46 am)

Replying to: erickpl (Mar 06, 2007 6:50 am)
While this is not germane to the main point of your post, the suspension is actually a very calibrated and precise system. The struts and shocks are made by SACHS, and they are extremely well built. Bottom line: do not "fix" it. Longer term use has shown the springs good to 250,000 miles. Unless you experience fluid leakage, your shocks and struts are easily good to 150,000 miles with a very normal pretty slow gradual aging (believe it or not it is a synthetic vs conventional oil debate, in the strut/shock fluid.

#411 of 498 Re: Comparing the two [ruking1] by ruking1

Mar 06, 2007 (9:04 am)

Replying to: ruking1 (Mar 06, 2007 7:46 am)
To my sotp experiences, the Civic has a much more "nervous" ride compared to the Jetta. I would ask why would I want that type of nervousness? Or what is the utility of that nervousness? Indeed if you are "set" on the firmer ride, the Koni Yellows/Reds might be the ticket in that they're adjustable.
 
On the other hand I say this with 75,000 miles on a Z06. Again you will never guess who oem's the shocks on this!? YUP, SACHS.

#412 of 498 Re: Comparing the two [targettuning] by erickpl

Mar 06, 2007 (9:39 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 06, 2007 7:18 am)
Yeah I know about the Civic's rating, as well as Subaru's, but when I can open/close a door and have it warp as I'm closing it (they seemed to twist at the hinges a bit), that tells me I don't feel comfortable with it.
 
She was hit hard in that Civic. I don't blame her one bit for not wanting another. And I know her Civic is the gen prior to the current one and I'm sure the new ones are MUCH better, but still, if she isn't comfortable in it, she isn't driving it.
 
-Paul

Messages Page 42 of 51

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