2003 Honda Civic Consumer Reviews Page 4

Hybrid - great car

Written by: G. Gagnon on 06/01/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is a great car - 45-52 mpg - original owner and I am very pleased. The downfall is the noise level, especially in the back seat. Seats could be a bit more plush also.

Favorite Features

Reliability, durability and handling

Suggested Improvements

Cut the noise level down and improve the seats - sore bottom at the end of a trip!

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I love this Car

Written by: melmar07 on 05/31/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I really love this car! I t is not good on Gas, it is Excellent! Better than non Hybrid Models. Those who saying about Hybrid Models, take it from me who owns one, THOSE ARE NOT TRUE!!! They just can't afford it or they just owned a hybrid lemon

Favorite Features

Auto Stop, Leather seats (mine has one)

Suggested Improvements

Trunk Pass Thru, Sunroof

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Beware CVT Transmission

Written by: hybrider on 04/30/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car gets good gas mileage (43-45 mpg actual) but suffers from several flaws I see as related to being the first model year of a unique (hybrid) car. Recalls on the exhaust system software (that led to me having 2 catalytic converters replaced before corrected) and the transmission (CVT failed at 102k before Honda extended the warranty to 100k - gee, thanks for the $3800 bill-NOT) have shaken my confidence in Honda quality. My hybrid now has 130k miles and runs well with its new transmission, but I would by the Prius if I had it to do all over again. Acceleration is lacking, to the point of dangerous with 4 riders at highway speed, and overall rattles etc. are disappointing.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, roomy trunk.

Suggested Improvements

Add cassette (not just CD), offer leather seats, improve acceleration, add more color choices for the hybrid, massively improve build quality. Add lifetime warranty on hybrid batteries.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Honda rating

Written by: Honda Puss Man on 04/22/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic EX 2dr Coupe (1.7L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Great mileage, great looks, reliable as all hell. Best car I have ever owned.

Favorite Features

38 mpg Highway, 32 city. Moonroof, mag wheels, all over styling

Suggested Improvements

Better radio - that's about it!!!

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Heavenly Hybrid

Written by: Kim on 04/05/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car, primarily for the "Green Factor," but I have been amazed how reliable it has been. Even now, I still get about 50 MPG on the highway, and I will never commute in anything else. Here in Virginia, hybrids bought before 2006 are allowed on the HOV lanes, which is an extra bonus. I will be driving this car until it will no longer run, which seems likely to be many years from now. Aside from a rattle in the dash that comes and goes, this car is quiet, smooth, and makes me feel a little like a race car driver with its quick shift 5-speed manual transmission. I love this car!

Favorite Features

High gas mileage (I always feel like I am sticking it to OPEC every time I drive it). Gorgeous silver-blue paint. Great handling and roomy interior. Huge trunk for such a small vehicle. Four doors are oh, so convenient. Comfortable seats. Great sound and air conditioning and heater.

Suggested Improvements

Lacks pick up in the mountains. Intermittent rattle in the dash is annoying.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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4 Transmissions to date!!!!

Written by: Steve on 04/04/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We bought our 03 Hybrid Civic new; we currently have put 105,XXX miles on it. The transmission "judder" started at 22,XXX miles, had that trans replaced (w/a rebuilt one) at 25,XXX miles, then that was replaced at 35,XXX (w/a new one) & received a extended warranty for 75,XXX miles for that one. Now we have just got the car back with a remanufactured Trans at 105,XXX miles. We are not able to get any help from American Honda The current "Case Carrier" is a snide, rude, arrogant. The dealer is going to do his best to help. If anyone has a similar story or good contacts to help please let us know, to ALL who read Honda "reputation for reliability" is GONE!!

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, that's it!

Suggested Improvements

Transmissions that last at least as long as you are making the payments. Even a average person should expect to have transmission problems once in awhile (every 100,000 mile or so) but not every 20-30,000 thousand!!!

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Very Reliable For Me

Written by: GBradburn on 04/02/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic LX 4dr Sedan (1.7L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Have had the car now for over 5 years; over 80K miles. No mechanical problems at all and fairly good gas mileage. I bought this car for the gas mileage, easy to park/maneuver in city traffic, and it's reliability. All three held true. Needs just a little bit more room for those drivers over 6 feet tall.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, exterior look, and performance.

Suggested Improvements

A little bit more leg room for the driver... otherwise not much else.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Problems with Hybrid

Written by: scomom on 03/17/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Having gone from a Jeep Wrangler to this car, I was not impressed w/the drive. Just very plain. It did get great mileage, but there are issues w/this car that are hard to find. The CVT transmission is bad and Honda avoided a recall by doing an extended warranty. It will not apply, however, if you have a salvage title like me. But apart from the $3100 transmission at 87k miles, the commutation sensor went out in about 4 months...$1300! My advice is to avoid the hybrids. What you save in gas you spend on costly repairs.

Favorite Features

Mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Stand behind you vehicle...even w/a salvage title...when it is clear you have used a faulty product, i.e. the CVT transmission.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Little Car

Written by: luvmycivic on 03/15/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car has lived up to its reputation. I have been averaging 43 mpg driving to and from work. You can't beat that!

Favorite Features

Gas Mileage

Suggested Improvements

The seats could be a little plusher, have more than one outlet for power and cup holders in the back. But, for the price, it's a really decent car that is inexpensive to operate.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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This is my civic 2003

Written by: Superino on 02/09/2008

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic LX 4dr Sedan (1.7L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car in November 2006 having 14000 miles, now after 15 months I have almost 28000 miles. Since I have the car I'm obsessed by the road noise. I put a blanket in the trunk and I changed the Dunlop sp20 fe tires with Michelin x-radial dt, big improvement, tires are not so noisy anymore and don't squeal on turns. Still if I ran more than 65 mph (sometimes less) I can hear the wind, if it rained I have the sensation that I have the doors open and I hear all the noise, when the water is splashing under the car it's unbelievable how clear you can hear it. The doors starts to shake when listening music with heavy bass. The car starts to shake when the AC is on. Noisy engine.

Favorite Features

I like the steering wheel look, compared with older Honda models, could be smaller though.

Suggested Improvements

Stop the noise. Wider tires. Put more gears on automatic.

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

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