Honda Civic SE Executive - A granddads car?

[Kimo]

Hi fellow Hexus peeps. I currently have a new car dilemma that goes something like this:

I currently drive a pleasant enough x reg 1.0 Polo. Had this for a year, it gets me from A - B but I've just outgrown it now. I am looking to upgrade and the Civic has caught my eye. The Type-R is great, but way out of my budget. The sports models look and sound nice enough, but I just don't know if I could get over having 3 doors (Polo has 5). This led me onto the Executive, which has everything I could need, with a better spec of the sport, but unfortunately doesn't look the nicest of cars at the rear! It also seems to suffer somewhat with a reputation of a granddad car as some of my mates have labelled it. This really is my dilemma, I love the spec of the car and could get over the odd shaped rear, but would I forever be labelled a granddad?! I'm only 22 and think that title may be a bit premature As an example, you can get an 02 reg 50,000 miles with full leather interior, climate control, electric windows / sunroof, alloys etc for 5-6k. With Honda's reliability thats got to be a good buy!

Anyone got any thoughts / suggestions of an alternative perhaps? I have also been interested in the Accord (prefer way more than the Civic) but the insurance costs price it out of my budget, and I really like the Mazda6 (but again out of budget with insurance). As said above I'm 22, 1 years ncb and only been driving for a year. The Polo was insurance group 2 I think, with the Civic's being 6-7 depending on model.

I guess my requirements would be: Strong reliability (therefore something most likely Japanese), something with a few toys (electric windows, aircon, sunroof etc) and within a budget of around 6-7k. Help and thoughts are very much appreciated!

[herulach]

You havent mentioned what engine you need, or whether speed is important, a 1.8 accord shouldnt be too expensive. Have you seen the mitsubishi galant? The look the dogs, although you may deem them a bit big.

[nickp8]

We have two Hondas one a Honda Civic SE Executive 2002. They are nice cars. You get all the toys. Reliable. I would recommend it.

At 22 the insurance will be your main problem for anything sporty. Wait till your 25 and get something sporty then.

Nickp.

[Kimo]

To be honest, anything is an improvement engine wise! All the civic's are around 1.6. The Polo's lack of power can be quite scary at times, since you can't get out of danger quickly if required. Galants are nice, but insurance group 12+

nickp8, glad to hear of a satisfied executive owner! How have you found it image wise? I was surprised at the Civic Sport, as it is only insurance group 6.

[Howard]

I have an Accord "grandad car" and love it. As Herulach said the 1.8 shouldn't be too difficult to insure, my 2L is only group 10 I think, and it's a very nice car. I wouldn't hesisate to recommend the Civic either, both very good cars and will be super reliable

I don't care if my car is more of a grandad car than the 1.3 Fiestas and Escorts everyone else my age drives I know it's a better car, it has plenty of toys, looks nice and goes quite well

[Bunjiweb]

I wouldnt think of it as a grandad car, I think that whole thing is rubbish. You get a car because you like it and it doesnt really matter about anything else. If the Honda Civic Ex SE is the car for you then go for it! All I would say is get one of the larger engined vtecs and you will be happy for a while to come. Honda have built a gazillion vtec engines and I was told that they have never had an engine fault with any, only normal wear and tear like cam belts.

Good luck anyway!

[vrykyl]

Go for it - which would you rather be - 'trendy' with your young persons car that isnt as reliable and has less toys, or driving in comfort and reliability?
Says me who's been driving a Rover 600 2.0l since he was 18! lol

[Howard]

Go for it - which would you rather be - 'trendy' with your young persons car that isnt as reliable and has less toys, or driving in comfort and reliability?

Heh that's exactly what I'm saying

[nickp8]

How have you found it image wise?

I dont think it is a grandads car and I couldnt care less if other people do. I would rather drive something nice, comfortable, reliable than drive something just becuase other people think it is 'cool'. Maybe it is because I am a few years older!

Nickp.

[schmunk]

Just for the record, my wife's grandparents have a Honda Civic 1.6 Executive. So, to me it's a Grandad's car....


That said, I drive a Honda Civic with a bigger engine, and like it a lot, so I wouldn't say don't get it (in fact I would say do get it!).

[hitman67]

I spent quite a while driving a 54 plate Civic CDTi off work, great little car and the engine was first class. 1400revs and plant it the turbo just spun up and it shot off, handling was good, breaks great and I love the gearstick position, very close to the Landie if you measure it up but not quite the same swing.

Build quality was first rate. This one had 56k on the clock of employee's thrashing it and it still didn't have a squeak or rattle to talk about. Engine was just broken in as I got it and so went like hell, Would sit at 110 for fun and never miss a beat, still averaged about 55 to the gallon too.

CDTi's are quite rare as the diesel was introduced quite late into that generation Civic, but if you can get one they really will do you proud.

[arbitor]

Its a myth that you cant insure sports cars untill your 25 ofc you can, i do like this civic to an extent however what howard has with the sportier look is a very nice car tbh...

But as said do get the best engine you can insure because you will get bored of a 1.8 as tame as that very quickly..

[Bunjiweb]

Is my Celica a sports car? im only 22

[arbitor]

Just about

[Howard]

Japanese cars for the win.

[Kimo]

Go for it - which would you rather be - 'trendy' with your young persons car that isnt as reliable and has less toys, or driving in comfort and reliability?
Says me who's been driving a Rover 600 2.0l since he was 18! lol

and

Japanese cars for the win.

Say it all really

Thanks guys, helped clear things up in my mind. Time to do some hardcore autotrading now!