2003 Honda Civic Consumer Reviews Page 8

Honda Civic Hybrid Transmission Failure

Written by: Dorado on 03/21/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought this car second hand from a buick dealer and car checked out as being clean. I spent a premium price for a hybrid versus a Civic of comparable age. At 44,000 miles the trnsmission failed and I face a $3,500 bill for a refurbished transmission since I was told they do not make new transmissions for this car. Question is whether the original transmission was deficient to begin with. Fuel economy just OK at 42 mpg which includes hyway and local driving in last 4,000 miles. I know it was not an economic decission to buy a hybrid but to add the cost of a new transmission at only 44,000 miles really makes me wonder if I will ever buy a hybrid again.

Favorite Features

Decent mileage. Easy to handle.

Suggested Improvements

Transmission quality.

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I love my hybrid!

Written by: mjoann on 02/23/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

We put over 35,000 miles a year on this car, and are absolutely delighted with our gas mileage and fuel savings. We love the color, a pearlized blue that only comes on the hybrids, and we love the cute style. Most of all, we love helping the environment with a fuel responsible vehicle.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage! Also, the gauge that shows our current and overall MPG is nice.

Suggested Improvements

The only drawback, is the slightly limited carrying capacity. If you wanted to take four adults and full camping gear as well as two weeks worth of luggage, you'd go over the weight limit.

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Wonderful Car

Written by: scarhill on 02/21/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

I purchased the Honda EX Coupe in Feb 2003. Had it on a lease for three years and 40,000 miles. Never the slightest problem with the vehicle. Decided not to purchase as I have two other newer vehicles, one a Honda and one a Toyota, and I no longer need a third vehicle. I have had my share of American nameplates over the years. Most of which I didn't want after a couple of years. On the other hand, it was a sad day when I turned in my Civic. Based on my experience with the 2003 Civic, I will, without a doubt, point my daughters to a Civic when the time comes for them to buy a vehicle.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy and reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing of significance. Would be nice to have a remote hood release and steering wheel audio controls.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love it!

Written by: Kat on 02/11/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

This is my very first car as I am a new driver. I've been driving it for a month now and I love everything about it except for the tires. The EX model is equipped with cheap firestone tires that don't do well in snow. I recomend it to other young drivers especially because it's easy to drive, comfortable, great gas mileage, and quiet.

Favorite Features

Standard sunroof with EX, trunk access from behind back seats, and sound system

Suggested Improvements

Better tires

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Honda Civic Hybrid '03

Written by: JohnC. on 01/31/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

My wife and I really like this car,with 50000 miles and still going. I took a 300 mile trip, not on the interstate highway and got 56.3 miles per gallon driving a couple of miles over the posted speed. Driving 75 MPH on the interstate drops the MPG to around 42MPG. I also get around 50MPG around town.

Favorite Features

Continuously Variable Transmission

Suggested Improvements

Better Cupholders

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I love this car

Written by: Patti on 12/05/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

Over the past 3 years, we've never had any problems with this car. Haven't had any repairs done, just the regular maintenance. When I drive the car, it consistently gets 45-52 mpg (depending on whether its highway or city; summer or winter and whether the bike rack is on the roof); my husband gets a little lower--probably 42-51. Driving styles will definitely impact the mileage. As a short person, I love that I can see out of the car and the blind spots are minimal. Only having to get gas once every 4-6 weeks is a major plus; and we've driven the car from Chicago to Syracuse, NY on more than one occasion (a 12 hour drive), using just one tank of gas.

Favorite Features

Fantastic gas mileage. Ability to see out of the car / lack of blind spots. Ease with which we can install car seats and get my daughter in and out of the car. It looks like a "normal" car. I like being able to watch when the battery is assisting the gas as well as the instantaneous gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

A folding rear seat would be great--but with the location of the battery, I don't know if that's possible. Daytime running lights would also be a plus (we just turn on the headlights, though). Back seats, in particular, are a bit stiff (doesn't seem to be a lot of padding).

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Better-than-EPA-mileage

Written by: Paula Kelly on 11/11/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

My civic replaced my 13-year-old 1989 Mazda. Six months after I got this car, my mom became ill and spent two years in a nursing facility 65 miles from home. For 104 weeks, I made the round trip at least four times a week. In the winter, with four snows, I averaged 46-50 mpg. With regular tires, 50 mpg was the minimum; I often got 54- 57 mpg. My round trip between Albany (NY) and Saugerties (NY) took about TWO GALLONS of gas. I would get slightly better mileage when I didn't use cruise control. I had to rally search for my standard-and I love it. The HVAC could be better. Suburban driving less than 20 miles a day gets 38-43 mpg. The car needs better colors.

Favorite Features

Great clutch; shifts easily. The seats are comfortable and the mirrors are good. It's very reliable. It has decent acceleration - I've gotten two speeding tickets. The mileage is SUPERB!!!

Suggested Improvements

The color choices are too limited; I could have tan or tan (no matter what it's called, it's tan). The heat and the air are good but the defrosters, not so much. How about a sun or a moon roof? Maybe a bigger glove box? A power socket you can use at the same time you use both cup holders?

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Problems Honda Civic Transmissions

Written by: b2cmu on 11/08/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

My 2003 Honda Civic LX was a great car until 60,000 miles. It began to shake as if riding on rumple strip before toll booth. I took it into dealer, who said could find nothing. I took it in a second time when they heard problem and changed transmission fluid. I have now been told there is a honda advisory about transmission problems on all Civics which is coming to light and of great concern as they have no fix. I finally got dealer to admit to problem, still in the shop

Favorite Features

Zippy, low maintenance until now

Suggested Improvements

Bette Design, better gas mileage

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Great Car

Written by: HondaCiv on 11/02/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

I got this car used, to replace my '97 Accord. I really like this car. it has about 25k miles on without even the hint of a problem. Ironically enough I was rear ended (correction- Plowed through) 4 days after I bought the car. I was rear ended at about 30 mph by a brand new Chevy Malibu. Her car was totalled. Mine had 7k worth of damage. I am very impressed at how well my Civic stood up in that accident for being such a small car. Anyways, it took them about 3 weeks to fix my car and its as good as new. If your looking for a semi-inexpensive car that has very low operating cost, high reliability and is also fun then go with a Civic. You just can't go wrong with a Honda

Favorite Features

Gas mileage. Fun to drive, very "sturdy" low operating costs

Suggested Improvements

A little more horses, but the new ones have 140, so i guess honda got the message.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Not just for kids

Written by: skrause on 10/21/2005

Vehicle

2003 Honda Civic Si 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I admit, I'm not that young anymore, but I still like economical, fun-to-drive cars that will last. I have owned my Si new just over 2 years and have 57,000 miles on it. It is by far the most comfortable long-distance car I have driven. The handling is superb, the seats are comfortable yet sporty, the ergonomics are excellent. I average 30 MPG and my experience with dealerships has been very good. I think the leg room in the rear is better than the Jetta, and the utility of the hatch is terrific. The overall feel of this car is far better the price I paid for it. This is definitely an overlooked value.

Favorite Features

Interior comfort and feel, shifter, handling, utility, storage, value, uniqueness.

Suggested Improvements

Anti-pinch sunroof requires you to release and reengage the switch twice while closing. Adjustable intermittent wiper delay. Less pessimistic fuel guage. Seat tilt (seat pan). Better stereo (mp3 capability/satellite radio).

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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