Used 2003 Honda Civic Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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2.5 years of love for my ep3
My Civic Si looked new when I bought it 2.5 years ago with 55K (totally stock). It's now at 90K, and it's been really great. The handling is a dream, it's comfortable as can be up front, and I get 30MPG+ even while having some fun on the mountain roads I drive daily. Its quick enough to be fun, though there are *now* a lot of faster cars for everyday use. I had to replace an O2 sensor and a door lock actuator (both of which are relatively easy to do yourself, luckily, and thus done for < $300 total). The backseat is a bit tight, but much better than what many similar cars have. The biggest shortcoming of this car is the lack of a 6th gear. 5th at 75mph=3700rpm.
Buy it
Outstanding car. Plenty of power, great stiff ride, German feel, good fuel econ. about 27mpg avg. I have had this car since it was brand new, and I will drive it until the wheels fall off. Of the cars in this class, this is the best one. Hatch is handy. Deceptively roomy. Great seats and steering wheel. Brakes are better than average for Honda.
My two cents
This is my first Japanese car and my first manual shift car. I bought it used (31000 miles) from a private party because I was looking for a used 2-door hatch-back gas saver with low mileage and light color (very specific am I?). GTI and Civic Si were my only options. GTI lost out in fuel economy (heavier car) and was mostly sold by dealers. I got lucky to find this babe. 8 months later I can say that I made a great choice! The reasons: 1. fuel economy (not at Prius level but kind enough to my wallet) 2. you don't see many of them on the road, unlike the Civic 4-door sedan 3. smooth and fun to drive 4. hatch-back (why don't they make hatchback anymore?)
Love my EP3
I bought my Si in may 2012 with 140k and now it has 154k. This was the first car I've bought with my own money, and I am extremely satisfied. The 2.0L 4 has just enough hp to have fun but still is capable over over 30 mpg highway. The shifter is very easy to use and the handling is very responsive. Most of all, this car is extremely reliable. I have only needed brakes put on the car after purchasing, other than that no problems have surfaced. The best way to sum up this car is deceptively quick, deceptively room y (especially the rear seat), and deceptively reliable. I will definitely look at another Si when the time to get a new car comes, but for now I am extremely happy with my '03!
Almost didn't Buy...Thank goodness I did
I will be short with this review. Les is more sometimes. I bought this car with 104000 miles on it. Dealer made me pay 9000 for it. To me it was worth every penny. The car after four months of commuting 120 miles round trip is fantastic. It now has 120,000 miles on it and i am convinced it runs nearly as good as new.
Fun and Useful
I am very pleased with my Si so far! This car is fun to drive & actually useful (5 pass. w/ real back seat headroom & cargo-carrying ability). My '92 Civic experience was enough to convince me to go w/ Honda again even w/ stiff competition. I am surprised that Honda didn't put a 6-speed transmission or a higher-geared 5th gear. The engine runs very smoothly, but it bothers me to see the tach pushing 4,000 rpm on the interstate! Rearward visibility is somewhat restricted due to the back seat headrests & blindspots on each side of the back glass.
Little rocket - Silver Sadie
Love this car. Would never trade it for anything. If i need 4WD, then I will buy one. This is a keeper...........................
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Honda Civic Si
Well what can I say. It's a honda civic Si. So it's going to last forever and it's a fast for an economy car. It's not going to win any races with a Mustang or big V8 or V6. It's not built to do that. It is built to last, run with min maint and fuel eff. It provides both, most I should have to pay for repairs in a given year is $600- 700 and that is all the way up to 150,000 miles. It will more than easily make it there. I'm coming from a Honda Accord 2001 V6, 101000 miles. Now the 01' would beat my new civic. But the fun to drive factor can't be denied. The civic is a blast, not to mention when I'm running it up to the red line at 6800 rpm I'm still able to get 27-30 mpg.
Not just for kids
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.
fun car
This car is a blast to drive. It is not a sports car, but handles well and is a lot of fun.
03 civic Si
awesome car. fun to drive, handles great for a stock car. extremely happy with my purchase.
Best hatchback in the US
Civic Si drives like a go-cart, has great feel, is 1000 lbs lighter that VW Golf(power-weight ratio)and that you can feel. The exterior is very Euro, and I rarely see any others here in WI, so that's always a good thing, especially since it's a Honda and there is no shortage of non- hatches around. Overall, I still can't believe the amount of car I got for the money. Thanks to all the SUV suckers, us car buyers reap mucho savings.
THE NEW SI
This is a wonderful car. It is great to travel in due to it's compact design. It is easy to clean and keep up with also. The part that i love the most is that not to many people have them yet, so it makes you stand out some.
Fun and well priced. A drivers car.
I've had the privilidge of driving many cars from Geos to Ferraris and NSXs. The Si is hands down one of the most fun and solid-feeling cars I have driven. It feels like it's on rails. Picked mine up for $16k and would do it all over again if I had to. Its Reliability, fun factor, efficiency, and performance far overshadow its few shortcomings. After having had 4 other Hondas I considered other makes, but few lived up to my 98 Prelude that I was replacing. For anyone looking for a new car I would highly recommend you at least look at this car.
Can't beat a Honda
Never had a problem with the car. Gas mileage is great still get 29 on the highway. Never had it in for any work. I drive it a 100 miles a day and its just as fun to drive now as it was when I first bought it. I'll buy Hondas from now on.
Honda for the youth
This is one of the best vehicle that Honda has produce. It light with a strong engine. The Honda Civic Si is a superior vehicle compare to it competitor. This car has live up to what Honda known for performance and excellent handling. This car is fun to drive.
fun car
Bought this car brand new but the previous model year. It's been a great car so far although the side panels seem to get dinged very easily when people parked next to you open their doors and hit the car. I was also rear-ended by a large F-250 on the highway going about 5-10 mph and the bumper held up better than I could have imagined.. I was expecting the worst but all I saw was two small dents in the back bumper.. no damage underneath.
a LOT of car for the money
I don't mind that this car is not popular because I got mine for $15.6K ... nearly $4K off sticker. The engine is peppy , but could benefit from an extra 20 hp or so. The rally- style shifter, although weird initially, has become intuitive now. Close gear ratios make for fun driving, but a sixth gear is needed for highway crusing (4K rpm at 75 mph). This car is a blast to toss around, but the wheel/tire combination leaves much to be desired. Suspension is a bit bouncy, but well mannered when taking corners at speed. Aftermarket suspension and wheels/tires are a must, in my opinion. Also, the tranny doesn't like 1-2 shifts after a while.
2002 Si Hatchback
Performance,interior finish and build quality are the best yet.Much higher than other Civics. Outstanding seats. Driving it makes you go out of your way find to find challenging roads. When was the last time you went to work early? Compared to other Civics you will find it noisier, runs at 3500-5000 RPM VS 2000 and uses more gas. Do not underestimate these issues if you are buying. At 4500 Km, V-Rated tires have a vibration. Minor, but still there. Final opinion....always a blast to drive, every time I drive it. Buy one!
Honda Si's forever!
This is the third Civic Si and the 16th Honda (not including my Honda motorcycles) that I have owned. It may be viewed by some as a kid's car, but I am not a kid. To others, the exterior design may seem a little "funky" but I love it. Best of all, I really like the performance for the price in combination with decent fuel economy and the complete relability of a Honda. My last Si had 180,000 miles on it when it was "retired" by a careless driver. Otherwise, I would still be driving it! Dollar for dollar, you can't beat them!
I love my Si
I bought a brand new Civic Si in july of 2003 and have loved every day I drive it. I look a lot of times to go some where for fun just because I want to drive it. I would say that any one that wants a fun to drive car and one that is riliability is top notch this is the car for you.
Loveit
I love driving this car: It accelerates well, the shift is crisp, the ride is smooth (a bit bumpy at low speeds as the suspension is stiff), it corners unbelievably well and the steering is precise. The engine purrs quietly and yet is powerful and smooth. A fine machine!
Can't go wrong...
I looked around at many different cars and found that the Si was the way to go. I'm 6' and I'm comfortable in this car with plenty of room all around. Car isn't the quickest but has more than enough pick up to get you where you're going. If you choose there are plenty of modifications to add the extra H.P. if that's a problem. I have no complaints about this car.
civic si
Im very pleased with the honda civic hatchback si the quality of honda vehicles is so much better than anything in their class . I recommend a honda to anyone.
What a Find!
Many have likely overlooked the Civic Si, what with the SVT Focus, Mini Cooper S, Mazdaspeed Protege and the like. Mistake! It has all the typical Honda niceties, such as terrific build quality, great instrumentation, superb materials and a sweet shifter. More than these, though, the Si has torque, seats, space, a nice stereo, a great steering wheel, and you don't see them all over. The torque is a welcome upgrade from my old Miata - at 60 MPH on the highway in 5th you can just accelerate. In the Miata, dropping down to 4th was a must, if not 3rd! And the engine is so smooth that it must be felt to be believed.
WOW!
After so many cars that were fine in what they did I gave myself a treat and put all the fun back into the driving experience!Not since I was first licensed have I had such a silly grin when I'm behind the wheel driving for driving sake, not just to ferry kids arround!
Civic SI
I love my civic si, although it was recently totalled. But it held up very well! I am extremely impressed and cannot wait to get my new si once their insurance company pays for the old one.
fun fun fun fun
Great car, everything is in its right place, sporty but streetable, great handling, decent power, great suede seats (recaro) :) , everything comes standard---------> Awsome car!
Never a Dull Moment
I recentley purchased a new 02 Civic Si for under $16K. Many local delears in the Atlanta area had a few 02's left so I got one while they were on offer. The Si is made in the UK, my homeland, and its a shame we do not get the Type-R here in the US, now that looks hot. 200 BHP and a 146 mph top speed. I am happy so far with the 160 BHP machine and the car has a great level of equipment for the money. I like the handling and the motor which is smooth and pulls well at all speeds. A great car for the money.
Tickled
After MUCH research, I bought a 2003 Civic Si a few weeks ago and couldn't be more tickled. "Pearl" seems to read my mind. I can only liken driving this car to riding a good horse -- we seem to read each other and become one. I haven't gotten used to the funky exterior styling (at 39, I'm a bit older than most purchasers of this vehicle) but it still gets plenty of looks and the inside makes me feel like I'm in an expensive sports car. I'm getting in the low 20's for mpg, but that's with my foot in it -- a lot. Handles like a dream. I like that there aren't a zillion of them on the road. This is my third Civic. Guess I'm a lifer. Two thumbs up, Honda.
Great Car
After six months I can say I made no mistake buying this car. Lots of fun, not too childish, reliable, and a looker.
03 CIVIC Si
I looked at many cars on the market. Honda has a reputation for reliability. Even though this car may have ~10HP less then some of it's competitors, I belive that the car is a better overall package then the competition. You can easily make 10 more HP out of this motor with a few cheap mods. If you want fast straightline accelerating car, then this car is quick. But I have driven faster 4cyl. The overall package (interior, handling, performance, and reliability) plus the fun factor made this an easy choice for me. I have over 4,000 miles and am even happier with it then the day I bought it...
A lot of car for the money
It's a better car than many journalists have suggested. It isn't quite as quick as some of its competition, but that's mostly do to an overly conservative rev limiter that forces the use of third gear to get to 60. What reviewers haven't mentioned enough is that this car exudes quality. It is very well made. Sure, it's funky looking, but very functional, and still fun. Engine is strong and smooth. The car does everything well. 6 footers can sit in the back seat. Very good crash test scores. Can be had for very good prices.
SI
Underrated. Fun to drive and reliable compared to its competitors
03 civic si
great style and proud to have a traditional si
2003 Civic Si
I like this little car. I had a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3, although the Focus felt like it pulled a little harder, I feel that The Civic Si is much more in control. The vehicle is very smooth and comfortable. The shifter location looks awkward, but I assure you it feels like it was put in the right place. The fit and finish, performance and stability is typical for Honda. This is my third Honda, I currently also own a 2002 Honda Odyssey. Improvements that should be made is an addition of an arm rest and larger wheels.
Well screwed together
Bought this car because I started a new job and had to commute. My previous car was a 2002 Altima 3.5 which I really enjoyed driving especially from the acceleration point of view. Had many fit/finish and quality problems with the Altima, but not the Honda. Its completely reliable and everything fits together as it should. Gas mileage is excellent.Its a lot of fun to drive, but could definately do with another 20 horses under the hood to make passing more relaxing. Amazed at how high the engine revs and how quiet it is at such high revs. Definately a car thats more in touch with the road and as a result can be tiring to drive over long hauls.
Civic Si- mini Zoom Zoom car
I was somewhat skeptical of stepping down from Honda Prelude 2000 to Honda Civic Si, however I am pleased to say it handles and it is just as much fun to drive. One drawback is the claim it is fast, by no means is it a rocket yet it does the job and gets pretty decent gas mileage. Handling is terrific and the stiff shocks make it a blast particularly on corners. Overall I like my new Honda Civic Si, although next model I would boost up the power.
SI and I
Enjoying the car. It is a unique driving experience. It is practical and sporty, refined and squirrelly. The car is not that common in the Monterey / SF Bay areas and gets noticed. It gets good gas mileage - is a low emission vehicle - and gets front wheel scratch. Steering is tight, the stick is trick, engine will pull, and it fits 4 adults comfortably for city rides.
great car
Great car! Great styling, fun to drive, practical and reliable.
Long live the si
This car has been great! I've driven it for a few years now and I'm ready to buy a new one. The handling is great on cornering with the right tires. Acceleration isn't amazing, but hey it's a 4 banger. The only complaint is the cost to repair. Nobody has parts and most people don't even know what kind of car it is. If you're a young kid and you want something with low maintenance and fun to drive this is it. Or if you live in a city it's so easy to park. Great little car! Owning this car has made my wife and I Honda enthusiasts.
love this car
I love hondas, but this one takes the cake
FYI
For all those "up NORTH" There is a way to disable the A/C when you turn on defrost.Turn all dials(3) all the way to the left press and hold in A/C and recirculate buttons at the same time switch on ignition and wait for light on button to start blinking...there you go all set!A/C free defrosting!
new si
Thsi is fun to drive(feels like a race car)that brings me to issue #1 the steering is fine at low speeds but way to heavy at highway speed -an adjustment of the variable power steering unit will be something I may undertake.
civic SI
car is NICE, very fast, very silent, fun to drive. although is very well built, some of the interior moldings and panels come loos or dont fit perfectly. i am not sure if it is only my car, or an engineering flaw. otherwise, i have no complaints on this car.
I love this Civic
Whenever I go through drive through restaurants, people ask me about this car. What gets them talking initially is that the gear shift doesn't rise from the floor but from out of the dashboard. This car's got so much pickup -- owing to the V-TEC engine and the relatively light weight. I owned another Honda Civic Hatchback for about 10 years prior to buying this one.
this is an economy car?
800 miles on the odometer and I am still smiling everytime I drive this car. The suspension is a bit harsh on NYC streets, but then again what suspension isn't in this city? I'm really impressed with how the car feels so connected to the road. I've driven other econoboxes before (Corolla, Impreza) and none of them have the same "feel". The front seats are second only to the ones found in more expensive German models.
I just like hachbacks
I started out convinced that i'd never like a japanese car. I was in the market for a sub-compact hachback, so i gave it a test drive. My whole outlook on japanese cars changed that day. The Civic SiR (Civic Si in america) hase a very nice short throw "raly style" shifter and exelent throtle response. It corners as if on rails and sports some of the best front seats in any car. The sterio is quite impresive for a facory unit, the rear seat is surprisingly roomy. All in all: this is one sweet ride.
Canada SIR
I'm from Canada and bought Canada version of si hatch. Bought the car in August of 07, it's an 03. Nice car with lots of room had 3 people and snowboards inside. Would definitely recommend. Horn cut out about a month ago along with Cruise control. Brakes are great and so is handling. Stock rims could be bigger/nicer, I got aftermarket rubber and rims. Ground fx package is nice. Drives good in all weather, sunroof is good. Recommend winter tires. This is a great car with sporty handling, keep revs high and car is plenty fast. Great on gas and sound system is great for stock. Don't think I will ever buy anything other then a Honda. Car takes real
Still figuring it out
The car is a fun car to drive. i test drove all similar cars on themarket and this was by far the best. Comparisons, RSX, GTI. This car has all the features you need. Great city car.