Used 1996 Honda Civic Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Best overall car for the money
TheOldRanger, 09/22/2022
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My experience is a bit different. I bought my 96 hatchback new. It is now 2022 and it still runs like a new car. I've taken care of it, regular maintenance, kept it in the garage, and people are amazed it is 26 years old. I still get 38-40 miles per gallon, and I live in the hills of central Arkansas (purchased it in Texas). We moved from Texas to Ohio for family reasons (up there for 7 years) and it did fine in all the cold and the snow. I love driving it where we now live, and usually I get comments from people when I am filling with gas about how I must like the gas mileage and then they are surprised it is an old car. I have been asked if I want to sell it, and I told them not until I'm on my deathbed.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Good reliable car
bnguy15, 01/23/2009
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have the midori green hatchback dx model. The car isn't fast by any means but it's really reliable. I like the storage capacity of the hatchback. It's a simple car and because of that simple maintenance will keep this car running for a very long time.
Great Lil Car
eb_thatsme, 02/23/2010
1996 Honda Civic CX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Im in the military, and im a single mother. I got this car during the winter and was surprised as to how well it did on the roads in Italy [im in Pisa]. My daughters car seat actually fits quite well behind me while i drive and i drive comfortably.. [mind u im also 5'6] Its a great lil work car, i get awesome gas mileage [i only put about euro 40 in every two weeks]. This is just an awesome lil car. I do have dash problems, as in the display doesn't work, but all in all, great lil car. And amazing space!
Champion
dago travers, 09/07/2010
1996 Honda Civic CX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I'm 66 and this car has been the most cost effective vehicle I've owned including motorcycles and as old as it is now I still consider it a beautiful frog and believe it will last as long as I. Thanks Honda
Very well designed
MR, 07/02/2003
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Never had a single problem in 2 years. Love the utility, reliability and looks. Plenty of room to haul stuff (if you need to). Not sure why so many people feel they need an SUV.
Beloved Honda
Nimble Simba, 08/19/2003
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just sold it after 7 1/2 years. Will miss it a lot. Hardly any trouble at all; very quick, reliable. Only reason to sell was I wanted an Outback Sport. But can't recommend the Honda Civic hatchback highly enough.
10 years still going strong
Smoke_Jaguar4, 03/25/2006
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new. Since then I've driven it cross-country 3 times (fully loaded with stuff), through every possible climate and condition you can imagine. 10 years, 115K miles, it has never let me down once. All it needs is oil changes every 3K and regular service every 15K miles. Avg 38 MPG, quick around town, can haul more than some SUVs. The only downside is interior noise is a bit loud and the seats are not the most supportive. Only now am I seriously considering buying an other car (Honda Fit?) since this one has performed admirably.
Great car
Aquafina, 06/01/2004
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car. Gets great mileage even when I beat on it. Took out the rear interior and ran a 17.4 on bald street tires at Bristol Motor Dragway. Paint was crappy from previous owner but it was repainted after hail damage and looks great.
best purchase ever
econgenius, 03/30/2003
1996 Honda Civic CX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
How can you go wrong with one of these? I've had this car from day 1, and all i have spent money on is preventative maintnance. It's not going to out-pace a corvette, but it is a car you can count on to get you where u need to go. I've got 141,000 miles and i'm running it till the wheels fall off.
awesome little car
Pheng, 05/16/2003
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i motor swapped this baby in a H22a engine and its jux a blast to see this hatchback run high 13's!!! wow, what an awesome timing for me
Happy Honda Owner
honda owner, 01/29/2003
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a very good car. It's reliable and fun to drive. I initially purchased the car for my daughter. She drove it for the first 20,000 miles. I took it over after two years. I have been driving the car for 80,000 miles. I have not had any problems. The car is ready for its 100,000 mile service and I look forward to the next 100,000 miles.
Happy Honda Owner
Honda Owner, 01/29/2003
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a very good car. It's reliable and fun to drive. I initially purchased the car for my daughter. She drove it for the first 20,000 miles. I took it over after two years. I have been driving the car for 80,000 miles. I have not had any problems. The car is ready for its 100,000 mile service and I look forward to the next 100,000 miles.
DRIVE ME HARD
roadwarrior, 03/28/2002
1996 Honda Civic CX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
1st owner. 80K mi. I push the car to the red line nearly every shift to get the power that I like, and the car seems to like the abuse. Oil changes and one a/c fix have been the extent of the repairs. Avg mpg=36. Predictable and fun to drive when the snow flies, as long as you put better tires on it. Stable and purring at 100mph, but engine unlikely to go over 105. Be ready to rev on uphill climbs.
Great potential
KJ, 01/26/2021
1996 Honda Civic CX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Honda Civics from 1996-2000 are the best! My 1999 DX hatchback was stolen with over 411,000 original miles. I just kept it maintained and replaced parts according to recommendations. The clutch lasted 398,000 miles. I bought a used 1996 CX that had two previous owners. It wasn't as well cared for as mine, but my mechanic is getting me caught up on overdue maintenance. There are lots of these cars still running and available, but they sell quickly. They are also easily stolen--I will need to get theft protection on the new car. I love driving this car. It's fun, it corners well, it's stable, it has good visibility, it has great gas mileage, and it's reliable.
still works
Mark, 08/23/2024
updated 02/25/2025
1996 Honda Civic CX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Dependable, but 340k miles,manual steering,and has a cracked windshield.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
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Bad Quality
A bad car, 03/09/2003
1996 Honda Civic DX 2dr Hatchback
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
In 2nd month, window got stuck after paying toll on NJ Turnpike, had to drive the next 90 miles in freezing cold with wide open window. Afterwards, there was a big wind noise on the driver side window. The hatchback rattled all the time. Everytime the car went in for an oil change, I had service guy check it out. Every time he claimed it was fixed. It came back again. The AC broke down in the first summer. With skinny tires, the car changed lanes on its own whenever there's strong cross wind. Little power. Dealer ate the new car survey. Sold it after 3 years. Would never buy another Civic.