Used 1990 Honda Civic Hatchback Consumer Reviews

1990 civic hatch

LOVE this car!! ive had it for 4 years, and have loved every bit of it. this has been a great car for me, ive put 80k on it, and it now has 270xxx on it. i put the 5 speed trans in it, rear disc brakes, si seats, hx gold wheels, and tons of other little stuff here and there. over all this is a great little car, and is more fun to drive than you would think for 70 hp.

Over 400,00k and still kicking strong

This is my 3rd civic this generation and I have to tell you they are one of the best Honda's come out with. The body and paint are in excellent shape, nothing's wrong with it, pass smog all day long. You can beat the hell out of them and they still keep coming back for some more miles.

Keeps going, and going, and going...

Bought a 1990 Civic to save gas. this car has 170,000 miles on it and still runs great! I'm very pleased with the durability. It has survived many years of northern Minnesota weather but continues to run like a new car.

Today is a sad day....

I have been driving my civic since it was brand new on the dealers lot 13years ago. It has been the best and most reliable car I've ever owned. I see new vehicles on the side of the road with car trouble all the time and my civic drives on. Excellent in all weather conditions including below zero temps.. she starts up every morning and keeps going and going. Today I sold my beautiful civic for $1700 in order to upgrade to a 4door. I sure hope my new 4door CRV can give me 13 years..

Old Faithful

We've owned this car since it had 15 miles on it and still love it. We have had a string of ignition system failures (burned distributors), but I think this is behind us. We also had a vexing clutch chatter problem that Honda couldn't fix, but our local garage finally figured out. Found that if the sun roof leaks, getting the drains cleaned fixes the problem. We've had Bridgestones, Goodyears and Michelins on the car. Michelins are best.

It's a workhorse

This car has been great for us. I'm sorry to be giving it up as we bought a minivan. It's great for getting around town. But, in the land of the mondo-sized SUV, I don't feel that it's safe driving this car with the kids in it. But, I'm thinking I'll keep driving it to work as it still gets 30+mpg even after all these years.

My View

This is bar-none, one of the best cars I've ever owned. Nothing major has gone wrong with it that I didn't do, and yes, this car has been through a lot, but it keeps going and going. I must also say, for as old as the body design is, it still looks competitive on the street. It gets great gas mileage, considering todays gas prices. Rust? What rust? Even the smallest amount of maintainence will prevent any of that from happening on this car, and we are talking about an all minnesota car here, where rust is commonplace. I would recommend anyone to buy a civic, its one of the most reliable cars out there.

You can't complain with 267,000 miles

I had this car as a gift from my Uncle. He had been using this to drive to work 120 miles a day until I had it 10 years ago where I drove 110 miles a day. Never had any major problems. Engine is phenomenal - never been repaired since we got it. On top of that, the engine still sounds like brand new, very quiet. Only bad experience with this car was when I had to push it from a freeway to an exit for a gas, it was my fault though - I ran out of gas. However, at an average of 38 miles per gallon with today's gas prices - you'll definitely will try looking for this COLLECTIBLE piece of treasure. I love this car!

Why can,'t they all be '90 Civics?

I bought this car from my brother-in-law with 75,000 miles. It has been a great car. In summer I get 40+ mpg although I do mostly highway miles. No gizmos just basic transportation. The mileage is comparable to hybrids but this vehicle was built 18 years ago. I wish Honda would offer an updated version of the '90 Civic with simplicity, convenience, and quality in mind. This is probably the best car I ever owned.

Poor man's prius

I bought this car because I live in California, the state with the highest gas prices in the continental U.S. I would recommend this car for gas mileage only. No appreciable luxury. Dated styling, unless you put a body kit on it. O.K. performance if you are willing to push the motor to the max, which is very unwise if you want an old car to last!

My beater

I have had this car for 6 yrs now. Still running strong. I have replaced many part on it my self. The clutch was the hardest thing to do. Other then that afew things here and there and mostly for under $100. I have stripped the car inside and out many times. I love this car. I get around 32-38 mpg but thats after taking the ac and dash out. Next will be turning it in to a mini truck. Hope to get even better mpg. All in all a great little car. Easy to work on.

422,000 km and still running

Bought my Civic Si brand new in 1990, added A/C in 92 when the new gen came out and dealer installed unit for half price. I went to Ziebart for rustproofing and undercoating in the first month, the car is only showing small rust spot on the left rear fender. Very reliable and surprisingly roomy

1990 Honda Hatch Civic

Ive had my Civic for at least mths and I love it. I have modded it some, far has halo projector headlight, smoked turn signals, fog lights, intake n such. I have maintained it extremely well. I love it, the car is fun to drive, easy to park, the carb will play with ya sometimes far as power but overall the car is wonderful. I will prob keep it long as it runs and then get a small rebuild kit and drive it some more!

Hate to sell it!

When I bought this Honda from a private party two years ago, it had 183,000 miles. He had taken excellent care of it and I took the chance. Now it has 217,000 and is still going strong. I have had to replace the brakes, radiator, master cylinder, the AC and tires but I don't consider those major expenses, just regular wear and tear. I put it up for sale for $2000 today and so far people who have called seem interested in paying that price for it. Overall, I love my Honda and I hate to see it go. I'll get another though, definitely!

Honda has a life long customer in me!

I bought my little Honda almost exactly a year ago and I was very impressed, both with its performance and the rock solid build quality. The owner before me installed a newer stronger motor before they traded it into the dealership. I still have the stock 4 spd manual and the car can give MANY cars a BIG surprise. I have showed many cars with V8's and Powerful V6's what these Hondas are truly made of. The build quality is flawless and I trust that my Honda will never leave me stranded.

Loopy

Extremely well made car

My Second Skin

Except for a couple of years during which I traveled long distance between LA and Chicago, I mainly drive around in circles on a little island. This car behaves like it's a part of me -- just point it and go! Unfortunately, after seeing an increasing number of truck and SUV tires breathing down my face at stoplights, I'm also beginning to imagine one of these automotive Neanderthals losing control and squashing me and my SI like a bug.

Surprising

I went from an 88 Iroc-Z, to this 90 Si, and surprisingly, I still had fun. I bought it because I wanted something more reliable, with better gas mileage that was still fun to drive. The handling was wonderful. The combination of double-wishbone suspension and the lack of power steering made you feel like you were connected with the road. And because it was so light, it really didn't need power steering all that badly. But then she bent a rod... I lost respect for my Si, along with some money, but no hard feelings. Pay attention to the belts and you won't have any problems.

MY CIVIC

i just got the car a little bit ago but i like it. for having limited hp its got some go, not to mention you can find anything performace for it in the future mines getting a ground effect kit and a system

Wonderful Little Car

My husband and I bought our Honda Civic brand new in 1990 when our kids were small. It was great to drive around town and I loved the way that I could squeeze into small spaces. We took trips from Georgia to Ohio in it and never had no problems. We have had to have minor repairs on the car, but nothing real serious. Even though the inside of the car doesn't look so good anymore, it stills runs great. My husband drives it to work as it is so good on gas mileage. My daughter which is now 16 years old would love to have and drive it, but unfortunately she does not know how to drive a stick shift yet. Who knows, she may get it when she learns.

Honda worksmanship

Had this car for 13 years. Never sat on the side of the road. Start up everyday in Minnesota winter. No major problems. Just purchased a new 2002 civic coupe. Another 13 years? Sure hope so...

The Best Car Ever Made

I love my hatchback!!!!!!!!!! She is the best car ever made. I would never sell her!! She is realiable, She looks SEXY!!!!!!!!!! Perfect for the shorter people....

Best Honda in the World

I think is the best car i have ever got nice strong engine. Fule economy. its just the best

Best car ever!!!!

This car is so much fun to drive. You feel as if you are connected to the road. The motor is strong and with 134,000 miles it has no problems. The car feels tight and shifts great. I love the styling, people are always staring at the car. Deffiently a recomended purchase.

1990 Civic SI

Bought this unit from my Mom when I was 19 years old and drove for 8 years with few problems. Great car to get through college as it looked good for its time, could get up and go and was still cheap to run and had good fuel economy. Finally sold with 209,000 miles as it was going to need its third clutch and possibly new valve guides and still got $2300 for it and upgraded to a 1998 Prelude. These cars are very popular to tuners and fetch strong money consider new it was around $10,000 new 11 years earlier.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

While there are good to great things about this car, unfortunately it has had enough problems that I wonder whether I got a lemon. Many repairs needed, including a front axle replacement (under extended warranty, good thing I purchased it), a front windshield which cracked on its own from a defect, CV boot issues and the rear windshield when it shattered while parked, no outside cause found, an oil- burning issue never properly explained. It's also one of the most "user-surly" cars to service that I have seen so far. I still think enough of the overall design that I would purchase another one, just to see if my problems were unique.

best car ever made

I love my Ruby Reliable. She now has 240,000 miles, is going strong, has almost no rust, and burns no oil. I'm still passing most cars even going up hills. I had to write a review, because she deserves all the praise a car can receive.

Best car ever built?

90 si still drives like a car with 60,000 miles. One thing it needs for sure is wheel alignments. The suspensions on these arn't the best (due to weak components), but considering this car does not have power steering it handles really well. I am 23 years old and i drive this car always revving to redline before shifting, driving at 120mph and it still drives awesome. Other than oil changes every 5000km's and wheel alignments every 40000km's I haven't done much on this vehicle. And i have owned it since it had 66,000 miles, it's at 245,000miles. Timing belt, and normal tune up needs to be done every 60000miles. USE 185 65 14'

300,000 and going

My civic has 300,000 and its still running. Doesn't burn a single drop of oil. AC works yes I am ready for summer. Just changed the brakes will need a paint job soon. Muffler has cracked but still passed CA emissions :). I love this thing I am sure It will be a classic soon. The sunroof is nice. Put some rims and lower the car with better shocks and you got urself a very good car. Keeping it gangstar. Hella room for everything. I have the 89 civic si red like the picture. No rust so I am luckly. Its a great little car..I love it couldn't have asked for another car did I say it has 300,000 miles and still running..:)..

damn good cars

I've owned my civic for almost 8 years now and have had few problems. I do all the work myself and its very easy to maintain and parts availability is good. the only weakness I've experienced up to date is cv axles, upon which I've replaced both sides the one side twice. I also did my head gasket and brakes. I don't know what causes head gaskets to blow but it was an easy repiar. By doing it myself I saved over $800.00. She runs as good as when I purchased it about 130,000 kms ago. I would recommend this car for anybody looking for a cheap reliable car.

LOVE MY CAR

We bought this car new. That means I've been driving this car for 17 years now and I'm not ready to give it up. Other than needing a new muffler every couple years or so it hasn't need major money output to maintain. I am only just now having the brakes done for the second time. Mileage is wonderful, I still get between 32 and 36 mpg. The head gasket has a tiny crack but leak is all but unnoticeable. I just check my oil level and keep it up. It's a manual and I live in Michigan, I have never had major problems driving in winter conditions. The road clearance is very low so I do have to be careful about bottoming out in some situations (it usually gets the muffler.)

Great car

My car is great it has had a few problems but nothing i couldn't fix myself and for only 5 or ten bucks the car had 200k miles on it when i got now its up to 213k and still running strong it has the original motor in it everything but the seat belts are original its a great car to drive and is very fun

Loved it !

I loved the 90 hatchback that I had. Unfortunately had to sell it in order to make room for the 90 accord I am getting. Something about those old hondas really appeals to me.

Easily the greatest vehicle there will ever be.

Excellent gas mileage. Peppy 1.5L engine. Double wishbone suspension makes it wonderful around corners. Reliability to the max. Chicks dig it (At least the ones you should be into do).

Family car since July of 1990.

My car has gone through 3 family owners and has been reliable for every single one of them. My grandma bought this car in July of 1990 with 16 miles on the odometer, and gave the car to my mother in 2007 with 31,000mi shown. My mother put 200,000mi on the car with basic maintenance (besides a radiator and alternator, which I did.) I got the car in 2018 with 250,000mi on it and I have now 7 years later gotten it to 320,000mi. Had to put a distributor coil, main relay, radiator, clutch, and alternator in it but this car is on its 4th timing belt and shows no sign of stoppage. Burns a quart of oil every ~1,500 miles? But the accessories all still functioning fine and no leaks… I put 1999 Civic Si wheels to replace the older bent steel ones. Wonderful car. I love my “Lucy”!!!!

316K miles

Great used car, could use more legroom!

Great car but made for short people and I'm a tall person. Six foot 1.75 inch people like me really lack in the leg room when driving but it is a nice car. Like the look of the next generation civic more though.

Love my DX

Got it earlier this year. I love this little car. I have rebuilt the 1.5L motor and but the B16 head on it so I could wire in VTEC. Have K&N Cool air intake. Love the 5 spd tranny. Repainted the car SI blue and added keyless entry and alarm system. Gets amazing gas mileage, right at 38 highway. Wish that interior had cup holders but thats it. Love the vinyl headliner. Has a a lot of room despite its size. Love how low it sits. It's a real head turner. I would never own anything other than a civic dx hatch again.

1990 honda civic

Small car, great gas mileage, dependable