Civic, Car of the year?

General Chat

Q:

it must be a slow year in the auto industry:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/11/22/honda_civic_motortrend/index.html
It seems that a lowly civic was chosen car of the year at motor trend because of "significance, superiority and value". I can see a value, but significance and superiority?
79 280ZX -The best selling sports car of all time
A:

The average age at Motor Trend must be 17
78 P79
A:

are they talking about the '06? the '06 Civic is the freakin ugliest car they've made yet.
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1985 300ZX n/a
A:

i drive a 00 civic with 75k on it right now....awesome car....very solid....not one problem ever with this car and it gets 30mpg. i get in a lot of cars and they feel like junk...doors feel real light, interior rattles, steering clunks...the civic doors shut firm, steering has good feel, interior is nice and solid, more than i can say for many new cars. the honds civic IS a very good car...and the dx i have came in at ~$13,000. so a car that looks pretty good, performs pretty good, rock solid reliability and priced (dx starting at 15k) so that anyone could afford one...and you're surprised it gets car of the year?
Post Edited (Nov 22, 10:08am)
A:

Well look who got truck of the year

Nissan Xterra
1990 RS Camao (Ya i know im getting a Z but i still love my Camaro!)
2002 Z28 LS1 T56 yes its fast no you cant drive it!
A:

I have a lot of respect for the Civic and I really like the new model but I don't think it qualifies as car of the year.
78 P79
Post Edited (Nov 22, 10:12am)
A:

I disagree, why is the Civic not worthy of car of the year? The point of this award is not just to give the award to the most awesome car built that costs more than a house.
The civic is a very well built car for its class. Reliability, resale, and durability are excellent. Have you checked out the specs on the SI? 200hp, LSD, 6 speed, 350 watt stereo with sub, power moonroof, 6 airbags, 17" wheels etc...for $20 grand (USD)! And its got honda reliability and quality to boot. I can't wait to drive one. I drove a Cobalt SS supercharged, and other than its powerful (and unrefined) engine, it felt like a total POS on so many levels.
It is also important because the Civic will be a car that many will buy, unlike cars like the Z06 etc.
If any of you feel that there is a new car for 2006 that offers more FOR ITS COST/CLASS, please share.
A:

The Civic is a point A to point B auto..... Hit the key, flip on the AC, and ride in relative comfort and economy. Tires worn out? $250 will re-shoe your Honda with top of the line tires, and $20 in gas will take you all over, then back again for another round.
Looks? Who the hell cares!!!! It's transportation for heavens sake! Designed to get you where you need to go minus the glam. Perfect.
My old Honda Accord was at 250K when the ex crashed it. My only repair? A valve cover gasket, which should have been replaced by the mechanic who installed the timing belt when I bought it. 30 MPG and it started the same whether it was 100 degrees or 20 degrees.
So, yeah, sign me up for another one.......any day. Honda makes great cars. Give me a choice between a 4 cylinder Nissan econo box or a Honda, I'll take the Honda every time.
Ken
'82ZX n/a 2+2
'02 Sportster XL1200C
A:

Many good points, Matt. I guess there isn't anything out there that compares for the value.
It just seems wrong that we are now paying 20K for a loaded Civic. Darn inflation! I remember in 84 when a loaded 300zx cost 20k - seemed like a better deal but I'm biased.
78 P79
A:

to me it seems like the "car of the year" award to the civic is like giving an oscar to Susan Lucci. it's not the best, pretiest, fastest, or innovative car this year at all, it's just been around so long that it deservers something for the effort.
A:

I think the car of the year award should go to "real" cars. I'm going to be buying my first new daily driver next spring, and this is the class I'm looking into. My Z is my fun, sunny day rocket. But I need a car that I don't have to worry about all the time, can actually fit stuff into, will run for years without any major attention, can drive in the snow, and doesn't drink 94 octane like its going out of style.
Sure, there are lots of new cars out there that are fantastic..the BMW M5, Z06, etc, but these cars are either very expensive, very impractical, or both.
So, unless the new 2007 Volvo C30 or Sentra Spec V (if it even comes to market next year) can offer me more car for the money, I will most likely be buying the new SI.
On another note, I bet there are plenty of Z's here that people have $20k into that couldn't keep up with an SI at the track.
A:

the new si is bad ass.....
73' 240z: F54 4.2L, OS Giken LY DOHC Crossflow head, 17:3comp.ratio, N33, Tripple SU's, T10 Hybrid Draw-Through TT @ 47pds, Roots&Centrifugal Type supercharger, 3-2-1 headers, Centerforce 4 clutch, 6oz flywheel, R300 differential, Super-Hicas
A:

17" wheels?!
(shakes head)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1976 Datsun 280Z 2+2:
-'81 L28ET with 1984 Z31 ECCS
-'81 Turbo snowflakes
-205/60/15 BFG G-Force Sports
-Tokico springs and HP shocks
A:

Cars look cheap with small wheels, Z's included.
A:

rear disc brakes only in the 20 thou model, bastards tactics!(still works I guess..)
Have you shared the left lane today?
A:

I think the new Civic is a fine choice. No I don't really like the way they look, and no I probably wouldn't buy one, but every review I've read about them is sparkling and you can't deny the cars previous success. Honda has always been known for putting a sporty suspension on everything they build. I even know a guy that has a Honda Minivan and he wont stop raving about how well it handles compared to his old BMW! The new Civic is supposed to take the suspension refinement to the next level, provide economy, power, quality, as well as value. Doesn't make it cool though, and that is what they need to fix in the future!
'73 Turbo, not much stock. Sold now... :-(
A:

Cars look weird with huge akward wheels, especially Zs! Not every car needs big heavy "dubs", you know!
The S30's zero offset looks odd with rubberband tires and whirling eye-catchers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1976 Datsun 280Z 2+2:
-'81 L28ET with 1984 Z31 ECCS
-'81 Turbo snowflakes
-205/60/15 BFG G-Force Sports
-Tokico springs and HP shocks
A:

I agree,
This:
http://www.zcar.com/images/month/2005/01/ed4_big.jpg
gives the car a much more high performance stance
Than this:
http://www.zcar.com/images/month/2005/10/1_big.jpg
14" wheels with 70 series tires really make a car look like a high performance machine!
Agree to disagree.....
A:

love that orange car.
If all were equal, none would be strong.
Ballistic,Ruler of Interstates
Stage XX+ 1993 Z32 NA
"SoulTaker"
A:

I agree with 280z Driver. I would love my 14's even more if it weren't for the fact that I can't find a good tire in that size anymore. 14's and 15's just look right on a Z. Thanks to the growing popularity of putting big ass rims on cars these days you can't find any decent tires unless you are running a 16 or bigger. Soon enough we'll be ridding on 30's and looking like a big foot.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:

I don't know about new ones, but I inherited my dad's Civic and it was the best car he ever had.
Lets see 1950 Chevy, 60 VW, 63 Impala, 64 VW, 73 VW, something Toyota wagon the Honda. From the 1950's to 1992 the cars that I knew of.
He talked about a V16 Packard 1930's model limo he used as a band bus during WWII - some story about driving 400 or more miles to Atlanta, Ga. not knowing only 8 cylinders were working. But that was before my time.
The Impala and the VW's and that Packard I'd love to have back as collectors, but for everyday driving, practicality, parking, gas mileage, groceries and reasonable hauling - - -
the Honda Civic was the best car he ever bought. And it was used then, I drove 10 years and gave it to #1 son who finally killed the engine and we put another one in (at laest he never riced it) and then traded it for - whatever that didn't last.
Just my opinion.
Ed and Jeanne's
ZXelda 1981 280 ZXT: ZXena 1990 300 ZX
1941 Buick Special Sedanette (Betty)
1956 Dodge Royal (Dorothy)
1971 Buick Riviera (Rita)
1975 Ford F-150 Stepside (Fiona)
1992 Firebird (Frieda)
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