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2012 Honda Civic

221 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 3:28 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Car Buying, Hybrid Cars, Automotive News, Future Vehicle, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 23

#39 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [yysyys] by lcw1

Apr 21, 2011 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: yysyys (Apr 20, 2011 9:26 am)
Easy does it. There is no way this article can be viewed as objective. These are new cars and aside from the looks you can't predict their performance .
Besides, looks are subjective. I test drove the Elantra and the Civic but the test drive did not persuade me to choose one over the other. One can point out that the Honda is more expensive but it also comes with a spare tire and a remote key for the trunk not found in the Elantra. The name Honda is also more reassuring and for some that's priceless.
I decided to wait till next year to see which car holds up best. Maybe by then all the kinks are worked out and the cream rises to the top.

#40 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [lcw1] by targettuning

Apr 22, 2011 (6:39 am)

Replying to: lcw1 (Apr 21, 2011 4:51 pm)
I believe the Elantra has a spare tire (although it probably is the compact spare as is the Civic's). As for a "remote trunk key" I assume you mean a remote trunk release on the key fob? If so, well yes, the Civic does have a remote trunk release on the fob BUT, if I am not mistaken only the top line EX and above models have that feature. That was the case in 2006 when we bought ours (EX sedan) and having just looked at the Honda site I think it still is. Further, I would be most suprised if the Elantra didn't have it as well....just checked and both models have it. Yes the Civic is more expensive but has virtually nothing the Elantra doesn't except maybe the Honda name. Finally, why do you have to wait a year to see how they will hold up? The Civic is a barely refreshed 2006-2010 so there is a history (not all good) and the Elantra is all new but has a great history going back at least 10 years or more. Top picks in most comparison tests including Consumer Reports.

#41 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [targettuning] by backy

Apr 22, 2011 (8:43 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Apr 22, 2011 6:39 am)
The 2011 Elantra does not have a spare tire, but a pump and can of sealant. There's room under the trunk for a spare, but it would have to be purchased.

#42 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [targettuning] by lcw1

Apr 22, 2011 (9:37 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Apr 22, 2011 6:39 am)
Well you make some valid points but:
 
' The Civic is a barely refreshed 2006-2010 so there is a history (not all good) '
 
Over one million Civics are still on the road and they didn't sell because they are cheap. Maybe they had few issues over the years but those issues did not stop one million people from buying one.
 
The new civic has quite few changes over the old one. It is lighter, smaller on the outside but bigger in the inside, gives better gas mileage and is less noisy at least when new.
 
'the Elantra is all new but has a great history '
 
'All new' can't have great history
I am not bashing the new Elantra but I feel better if I wait one year to make a judgment.

#43 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [lcw1] by backy

Apr 22, 2011 (10:18 am)

Replying to: lcw1 (Apr 22, 2011 9:37 am)
Waiting a year on new models has a number of advantages. Not only can you see how they shake out, but prices tend to be higher when a new design is introduced (that is certainly true of the new Elantra). And in a year, you'll have even more choices, e.g. likely a new Sentra, an updated Mazda3 with reportedly higher fuel economy, and down a little in size, the new Versa, Accent, and Rio. And maybe others.

#44 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [lcw1] by targettuning

Apr 25, 2011 (4:40 am)

Replying to: lcw1 (Apr 22, 2011 9:37 am)
No, the 2012 Civic IS a refreshed 2006-11 model in that is has the exact same drivetrain (engine and transmission, a 5 speed auto. at that as others such as the Elantra have moved on to a 6 speed) as the prior generation. Many of the body panels were revised somewhat as were the grill and headlights. Same with the rear tailights and bumper. The interior was refreshed as well with an evolution of the radical dash/instrumentation introduced in 2006. Without looking I'd bet the interior/trunk space is the same, or slightly increased, as the previous generation as well. As far as the comment "a few issues over the years" you may not know about THE major potential issue (among several others )but I do because I own a 2006 EX sedan and have received the recalls and extended warranty information. What am I talking about? Well, it seems certain 2006, 2007, and even 2008 Civics experienced cracked engine blocks that required an engine replacement around $4500-5000. Early on before Honda was forced to acknowledge this fault, which by the way resulted from a casting flaw or engineering screw-up, owners were forced to pay out of pocket for an engine replacement, or depending on the dealership at least a portion of it. Finally, after this problem started to show up with more regularity on more than one model year Honda started to take notice. So, after 3 model years and 5 years after the 2006's were released I got an "extended" engine warranty in the mail late last year (2010). This among various other issues I have had and other potential issues I have been told to take the car in to have checked. Nope, I believe the Honda name is running on fumes. Just my opinion as a first (and last) time owner.

#45 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [targettuning] by targettuning

Apr 25, 2011 (6:33 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Apr 25, 2011 4:40 am)
After further research I have determined that the 2012 Civic interior appears to be significantly larger in several key dimensions (compared to the 06-10) as is the trunk. The passenger volume is larger at 94.6 (cu. ft.) verses 83. something for the 06-10 models. However the Elantra still has a larger passenger volume but not by much 95.6 cu. ft. BUT the cargo volume (trunk) is much larger 14.8 cu. ft. verses 12.5 cu. ft. so if I spoke out of a lack of research this should correct any mis-statements I made about the 12 Civic not having increased interior/trunk space

#46 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [targettuning] by backy

Apr 25, 2011 (8:16 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Apr 25, 2011 6:33 am)
While you're making corrections, note that the 2012 Civic's powertrain can't be exactly like 2006-11, or the FE numbers wouldn't be any better than for 2011. But they are. So Honda must have tweaked the powertrain for 2012 even if the engine size, HP, and number of cogs in the tranny are the same.

#47 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [backy] by targettuning

Apr 26, 2011 (3:45 am)

Replying to: backy (Apr 25, 2011 8:16 am)
OK, going back to the Honda site I have found that it is the same size (1.8 liter), has the same horsepower (140) and torque (128 lb-ft) the same configuration (SOHC i-VTEC) BUT the site states it has "many friction reducing and airflow improvements" so maybe not totally the same but...close enough! Honda credits improvements in fuel economy to "Weight-saving technologies, improved aerodynamics and engine modifications result in a new Civic with some impressive new EPA ratings" In any case I'd bet it drives the same as mine as far as engine performance so in my book that make it the same.

#48 of 221 Re: Elantra 2011 vs Civic 2012 [backy] by isellhondas

Apr 26, 2011 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: backy (Apr 22, 2011 10:18 am)
Since I pushed the retirement button last year I have no "skin in the game" so please don't jump back at me for being a Honda person.
 
Today I was in my old store having my oil changed and one of my buddies handed me the keys to a 2012 Civic LX and said " let's go!"
 
And so we did. I didn't see any of the cheapness someone mentioned about the interior. It looked just fine to me.
 
The first thing I noticed was the fact that finally they have taken great strides in getting rid of the road noise that Hondas have always been critized for. A remarkable change. They car was also much stiffer. It felt more like an Accord than a Civic.
 
The engine had more pep and around corners, it seemed even more nimble than before.
 
Looking at the car from the side it looked about the same as the 2006-2011's but the front and rear looked better...I know...my opinion.
 
I'm the first to admit that Hyundai has made great strides. They are still, however, Korean cars that carry the Korean stigma. This may go away someday but as used cars, they do not sell well either on the lot or in the auctions. I realize this could change in the future but for the time being it is what it is. Dismal resale value compared to Honda or Toyota.
 
They have a longer powertrain warranty which in my book is no big deal. They were forced to go to that given the problematic cars they initially brought to market. It is doubtful anyone would need that warranty on any modern car. Sound good though, and that's the flag they wave.
 
I think Honda should simply raise their prices a bit and match that warranty since some "warranty people" no doubt buy cars simply because of that.
 
All in all, nothing earthshaking, just some nice refinement on what was already a great car!

Messages Page 5 of 23

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