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Last post on Jun 07, 2013 at 10:30 AM
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Honda Civic Forum.
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Honda Civic, Car Buying, Hybrid Cars, Automotive News, Future Vehicle, Coupe, Sedan
#106 of 222 Re: Elanta 2011 vs Civic 2012 [samnoe]
by faircomparo
May 13, 2011 (6:21 pm)
The 2012 Civic is a much quiter more refined driver than the 06-11 model. The road noise is more subdued and then wind noise is greatly reduced. We found driving at high speed relaxed and in line with the Focus and Cruze. But the Toyota 2012 Corolla seemed quieter at speed.
Ride quality also is up to par with the best in class Ford Focus and Mazda 3. Actually, the Civic can be driven just as fast and is a little more comfortable over the bumps and bad surfaces than the Focus. The suspension is softer but still provides ample control and grip. Some may complain about The electric steering, it's not as direct as the '11 model but I found it drove just as good ans was more composed over rough roads. On the freeway is was definitely way more relaxed to drive. Just drove straight and cornered with a new found ease. Didn't rail or wander like the '11 tended to want to do. But there is a little more body roll, but nothing bad or unnatural.
The sound system in the 2012 Civic EX is way better. There is a high fidelity to the sound. The Elantra's sounded flat. The 160w stereo was ample to provide clear highs and solid but not thumping bass.
#107 of 222 Re: 2012 LX sit test [faircomparo]
by backy
May 13, 2011 (7:19 pm)
By "extra inch of room", what do you mean? Do you mean space between knees and front seat back? That is immaterial to me, as long as the knees aren't hitting the seat. What is important is how far I can stretch my legs out, are my thighs fully supported, and is there enough toe space. The big difference I found between the Civic and Elantra in the rear is that there was enough stretch-out space in the Elantra so my thighs were supported, and my ankles weren't pressed into the front seat to do it. Maybe its rear seat is higher than the Civic's? Both had sufficient toe space and knee space.
Thanks for posting all the reviews. But in the Automobile Magazine comparo, I don't see where they score the Civic 2nd. I only see where they give their overall top pick, the Focus. It was probably the most useful review though... some of them seemed as if they didn't drive the car at all, or if so didn't say much about their experience.
I think the BusinessWeek review summed it up best:
The bottom line: Buying a Honda Civic used to be a no-brainer. These days it pays to comparison shop and do some test-drives before signing on the dotted line.
May 23, 2011 (5:21 pm)
I cannot understand why everybody is talking up Honda so much. I can tell, from being a soon to be ex-owner of a 7th Gen, 2003 LX, manual, there is much that stinks about Honda anymore.
First the new car. Why did they not tweak the engine for at least 10-15 HP and TQ?
Where is the 6 speed auto that Ford and Chevy now have?
Why is the interior even more plastic-laden then previously?
Its a dud. I don't care what they say about better MPG, my 2003 when brand new could easily do high 30's to low 40's going 65-80MPH. How have they improved on this? The leg room between my 7th Gen and the 8th Gen is not even close, I have more.
While the manual on the 8th Gen is quicker then mine, the auto is not. Yet if should be given that is has 5 forward gears, just like my manual, and 20 more horsepower. Why the hell can't Honda engineer an auto or a manual that does not constantly leave you flat footed when you need the power most, merging on the highway, or passing on a two lane road. The gear splits need to be closer and lower geared on each until overdrive. Whats the point of having a 5 speed automatic that does not have much better splits, such as 30 in first, 50 in second, 80 in third etc., etc. This would give the car so much better power in the passing and merging scenario. Rather its now 36 in 1st, like 67 in 2nd, 100 in 3rd, etc. Same with the manual BTW. A bunch of moronic engineers.
Also, any of you who might have owned a 7th Gen, they suck. They are full of problems. Transmission(Auto and Manual), Exhaust Manifold Cracking, easily warped front brake rotors. I can say that it still beats the new cars hands down for the quality of cloth on the seats and the slick dash, at least until the carpet on the doors falls off from inferior bonding agent.
I really think you all should think real hard before going with a Honda now. I am not joking by saying that it feels like these guys have been a 21st century hangover, and have no clue how to get out of it.
The 8th Gen is a buggy mess. With all the new electronics, the thing gives false readings all over the place, on the OBD 2 indicator. I really think it won the car of the year in 2006 only because everybody else had inferior vehicles in that year.
As for me, I am considering the new Focus, Elentra, not any GM stuff though. If you want a good Honda, buy a 2000 or before, they really do last a long time I have heard.
MRT
#109 of 222 Re: Why Civic? [mrtinspection]
by sivicman
May 24, 2011 (7:34 pm)
I have to agree with you on a lot of things. First where is the direct-injection engine? Second where is the 6-speed auto or manual. Honda use to be the fuel mileage king, but now they struggle to get 30's on the hwy. Why and the hell don't they offer that 2.2L diesel here that gets 65 mpg? Who cares if it don't meet California emissions, what about the rest of us in the other 49 states. Don't get me wrong I love Honda's and have been an avid fan since 1987 (my first) but they don't offer anything to get me in their showroom right now. Their prices continue to rise while decontenting continues to get worse.
#110 of 222 Re: Elanta 2011 vs Civic 2012 [isellhondas]
by targettuning
May 25, 2011 (8:02 am)
OK... the user name"isellhondas" is explaination enough for me. I know what I saw and nobody, even (especially!) a Honda salesman/person can convince me otherwise. There isn't a reason two cars so close together wouldn't experience the same amount of hail hitting each, neither was shielded, totally or partially, by a shrub, tree, or building overhang and the Honda got the worst of it and the only reason I can think of is sheetmetal thickness or lack thereof.
#111 of 222 Re: Elanta 2011 vs Civic 2012 [faircomparo]
by rustum
May 25, 2011 (2:29 pm)
Inside line did the comparison. They clear indicated Civic is still the best in terms of Engine and suspension. But Honda is falling behind price per content spec. I am kinda bit disappointed in Elantra in that comparison. It is time for Hyundai to get Engine and Suspension as good as Honda. Honda may be trying to compete with the price by cheapening interior.
#112 of 222 Re: Elanta 2011 vs Civic 2012 [rustum]
by backy
May 25, 2011 (3:46 pm)
How is 148 hp and 29/40 mpg from the same displacement as the Civic's engine inferior?
Cheapening of the Civic's interior has been going on for several generations. But it's not just Honda doing it. Unfortunately for Honda, several competitors such as Chevy, Ford, Mazda, and Hyundai have stepped up their game interior-wise while Honda has been cutting corners.
#113 of 222 Re: Elanta 2011 vs Civic 2012 [backy]
by rustum
May 25, 2011 (6:59 pm)
Hi Becky,
I do not know. That is what insideline comparison found out. They still rated Civic Engine and suspension better. I do not think so Elantra engine is inferior. I guess, they just liked rev happy Civic engine better. But Elantra is ahead of Civic when it comes to interior and features for less price.
#114 of 222 Re: Elanta 2011 vs Civic 2012 [backy]
by sivicman
May 26, 2011 (7:16 am)
"How is 148 hp and 29/40 mpg from the same displacement as the Civic's engine inferior?"
I've been reading some of the posts over on the Elantra forum and the owners aren't to happy with the 23-25 mpg in the city they have been getting in their 2011's. I would hope at some point Hyundai would put a direct-injection engine in the Elantra so those advertised mpg's were more obtainable.