- coupe 179,301
- 4,975 overpriced
- Bend, OR
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- autoshopper.com
1999 honda civic review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Restyled, it remains america's favorite small car. introductionfor the past two years, the honda civic has dominated the small-car sales charts. That makes it not only a prime candidate for new customers, but also a well-defined target for every carmaker playing in the same league. For honda, the civic is a trademark car with a successful track record extending back more than 30 years. And the latest line of civics seem poised to continue the winning streak. how can this phenomenon be explained? For starters, clever engineering, good assembly quality and a comprehensive menu of standard and optional features create an entry-level car that provides more than basic transportation. The expected virtues -- primarily fuel economy and small exterior dimensions -- are there, but good looks, comfort and better-than-average driving pleasure are also integral parts of the civic driving experience. Better yet, these attributes apply to all civics, regardless of equipment level. but there is another element that keeps the civic on top. The small honda is not one car, but several. In sedan form, it is a family hauler. But in hatchback or coupe trim it's a sporty runabout. It still is. walkaroundhonda is not a company to make changes arbitrarily. A minor freshening of front and rear shapes this year gives honda salespeople something to talk about, but makes no significant difference to the overall appearance. three body styles are offered. All three use identical sheet metal from front bumper to windshield. All adhere to popular styling themes, having a distinct wedge profile rising from front to rear with large headlights and taillights. Careful detailing lends character to what is overall a simple form. some of the details that make the civic appealing are also functional. The low cowl and hood line combine with generous glass area to provide exceptional visibility for driver and passengers. All three civics have large doors, and offer handy access to well-shaped stowage spaces in back. the least expensive member of the family is the plain cx hatchback. Even a basic radio costs extra here, though a split/folding rear seat, tinted glass and a rear-window defroster are included. Regardless of body style, the basic dx trim level includes dual outside mirrors, an am/fm radio and adjustable steering column. All sedans and automatic transmission-equipped coupes and hatchbacks come with power steering. mid-grade lx sedans add air conditioning, power windows and door locks and cruise control. Ex sedans and coupes come with just about everything, including a more powerful engine, a power moonroof and antilock brakes. interiorcivic interiors are well-designed, neatly executed and more functional than ostentatious. Interior materials seem to have been selected with durability rather than maximum eye appeal in mind. Civics offer 12 cubic feet of luggage space and that can be augmented by folding down the rear seats. A base civic has but three gauges--speedometer, fuel level and coolant temperature--while up-level models add a tachometer. These are lightweight cars, so even the base 106-bhp engine is more than sufficient. The uplevel choices are rated at 115 and 127 horsepower. All civic engines use 4-valve-per-cylinder technology (16v) for maximum efficiency. In fact, all are mechanically identical with the exception of those used in ex sedans and coupes and hx coupes. These add a variable valve timing system (called vtec by honda) that makes them extraordinarily responsive at any speed. Regardless of output, civic powerplants are exceptionally smooth and economical. a 5-speed manual transmission -- one of the easiest-shifting gearboxes on the market -- is standard for all civics. The optional 4-speed automatic uses electronic controls to minimize unnecessary shifting when driving up or down hills. Both transmissions are excellent and suit the high-revving characteristics of all three engines. worth mentioning is the hx coupe's optional continuously variable belt-drive transmission (cvt). It is a fascinating device controlled by what looks like a normal automatic shift lever with three forward ranges, though only drive is necessary in everyday use. Pull away from a stop and the engine revs faster than the car accelerates. The cvt seems a novelty at first, but after a few miles one begins to wonder why it hasn't replaced the automatic option in all civics. there's nothing lacking in the remainder of the civic's mechanical hardware either. It was comfortable at cruising speeds, boasting a ride that was smooth yet well enough controlled to fend off most pavement irregularities. Road and engine noise are always present, but only become obtrusive during hard acceleration. the driving pleasure really begins when the civic is urged through corners. Especially noteworthy is the power steering. Unlike some systems, the civic's steering does not isolate the driver from the road. Body roll is held to a minimum (the front stabilizer bar fitted to uplevel coupes and sedans really does help). The civic shines in these conditions. All civics are compact, with the largest sedan being just over 14 feet long. If economy is the primary motivator, any will do, with top honors going to the base coupe. Luxury, in a relative sense, is available as well, though the price for a full load of amenities puts the civic up against base versions of larger, more substantial cars. the easy part is deciding to make the civic a primary candidate while small-car shopping. Anti-lock Brakes✔ Tachometer✔ Power Windows✔ AM/FM✔ Air Conditioning✔ Cruise Control✔ Sunroof/Moonroof
4,975 Bend, ORBend, OR at autoshopper.com