Used 2003 Honda Civic Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Real nice, but..........mileage.........
Handles good, everything ok, but I am not getting the gas mileage. I am averaging only 25-27 in combined city and highway. On highway only - 31.
Making The Case for the Canadian Civic
I have taken my 2002 Civic EX on six SFO/PDX trips (750 mi each way). Harsh potholes, sand, scratched the bottom hard, and routine 90-110 mph commute at 5am. Despite warnings about the Canadian-built Civics of 2001 & 2002, I remain impressed with how much abuse my Civic has taken. I drive it like a maniac with NO PROBLEMS whatsoever. Rattles are starting to surface after one year of abuse. Rides quiet like the old Accord. US-built tranny in my 2002 might be a problem in the future but so far so good. 2003 transmission is Japanese- built, car now made in Ohio, a good thing. overall, I suggest skipping Civic- get the Accord.
I'm wondering....
I like this car, but at 9000 miles, the front struts had to be replaced. At 18000 miles, the alignment is out and the front tire have to be replaced. I'm wondering if one has to do with the other.
Stickin' w/ the hondas
Ive owned an '87 prelude, '87 crx, '95 civic hatchback, '01 prelude and now a '03 civic ex sedan and honda continues to make cars that fit my needs. Ive owned my new civic for 6 months with 4400 miles. My wife was broadsided in it 3 months ago and the car flipped over. She walked away from the accident w/out injury. Caved in the entire passenger side, and flipped the car over onto the drivers side. Car did what it was supposed to do and protected my wife. Ill be stickin' w/the hondas. The car also handles good, and gives me great gas mileage and reliability. I dont need anything else. Thanks Honda.
Honda Civic
I really like how spacious my civic is. The back seats are great because there's no bump in the middle of the floor in the back, and there's tons of leg room even when the driver or passenger's seat is moved back. Also the trunk is awesome, it holds so much stuff, so much space. And if you need even more space, the back seats fold down very nice to make more room. Finally, this car drives like a dream. I've driven other small cars, and none of them are as smooth, or drive as easly as the Civic. This is an awesome car.
pocket rocket
My wife loves it, the kids love it, the dog thinks its the berries, what's not for me to love about it? It negotiates city traffic effortlessly, has excellent climate conditioning, a nice sound system, a cute little sun- roof, and ours is equipped with a silky smooth 5 speed gearbox that rewards the effort of shifting your own gears with lots of fun. Its practicle too, with 28+ city mpg, and room enough for my 6'3" self, 5'3" wife, 8yr old and 5yr old to take a weekend trip in. (31mpg) I have to admit though, next time it'll be the Suburban. I highly recommend this car if you're looking for a small sedan.
great value
Great car, good on gas, needed struts after only 40000 mi. Had brake shake in the front and grinding in the rear. Three year/36000 warranty isn't very good.
honda civic LX
just bought my honda and so far i love it. its just the right size and great on gas,however its not all that fun to drive. only bad things is the small engine and someone busted up my tail light
excellance
Best all a round car I ever owned
Moneysaver
This car is an amazing combination of economy and comfort. It has a huge interior given its exterior dimensions. It is a good interstate cruiser (on a round trip from upstate New York to Orlando I got 40-42 mpg despite sustained 70-75mph speeds!) and the driver's seat is outstanding given the car's price. There is passenger space and luggage room enough for four people on a long trip. Overall I definitely recommend this car. I'm originally from Sweden and have always driven German and French cars. This Civic beats them all, except the latest Peugeot 307 Diesel which is not offered here in the States.
Outstanding
Excellent car. Not the fastest thing in the world, but more than adequate for any legal speed. Excellent handling. Crappy dealership tires (Firestones)- should be replaced at purchase. Aamzing interior.
Good little car
Wife loves it. Great MPG. Surprising room for a tiny car.
My Civic
I really enjoy my Honda Civic. I had a 2001 Civic LX, but this time I bought an EX. Big difference in the engine, and performance of the EX.
I'm in Love with it!!
I much enjoy this vehicle. Not only is it a nice size with enough room but it also has a nice pick up and go power to it.
quints ex
flawless...yet lacks that distinct personality you find in the domestic makes that have suspect reliability and quality issues (I.E. ford,chrysler,gm) however over the year I've owned the honda its looks have grown on me...
Great car cheap reliable car
The car has served my family well. No problems we have had it for a year and were at 25,000 miles and no problems. The performance is nothing special, but ride an comfort is great. Gas mileage is a dream even with the gas prices were they are.
Hooked on Hondas
Exceptional value for price of the car. Very reliable and quality build. Fourth time Honda owner and will never leave the Honda Family. Love to drive and pass by gas stations. Got the 1.9 percent financing for 60 months. That was just icing on the cake for me. Had a wonderful experience with the dealership. Always recommend Hondas to friends and family. Never knew I would own a Civic after driving Preludes for many years. Drive 25 miles one way to work each day. Very impressed with this Civic.
Nice car but a bit pricey for a compact
We really like the car, but think that we paid more for the Honda name than what it's worth. We also just had a problem with the transmission. Apparently the 03's had a bulletin for transmission problems. We plan on driving the car for some time and now wish we had more than a 3 year warranty.
Quick and tight, but needs refinement
I bought my 01 Civic EX sedan 20 months ago and it is my daily driver. It took some getting used to, coming from a car with almost 100 more horsepower, but it is a very spirited little car. It's got great road feel and a great suspension. Interior design is sofisticated, but the exterior, specifically the rear view, needs some work. Seats are adequate, but don't plan on taking this car on long trips. The stereo is above average for factory. The Automatic transmission is sloppy, especially going into second.
So Far So Good
Just got the EX 5Sp this weekend. I'm happy with it so far. Got it for about $15800. I suggest you contact the "Internet Department" at your dealer for the best "deal". Tempe Honda will get my referrals, everyone was helpful, no pushy salesman, and they were concerned about getting me out of there fast. Plus I got 1.9% for 60Months
Best car for college students
Handle is great, economic (For surviving full time student), Very comfortable, all around the love of my life(keeping in mind its JUST a car)
Good car
I like the fact that this vehicle is small yet the interior is so roomy! Its a great car, I have no major complaints. I would definitely suggest this car to anyone. Its safety and reliability ratings are excellent. It holds up its value well. Smart buy for anyone who is value consious and cares about safety
troubles
bought new in 2002, some major problems...paint, vibration that were not addressed by dealership. Comsumer Reports must be on the take from Honda, Toyota etc. Would much rather have a Ford focus, at least its fun to drive and Ford acknowlodges mfg. defects. Honda is just in denial
I know you will LOVE it.
I decided I needed to get a car that was 100% reliable, had good gas, and affordable. I looked and compared for a LONG time. I ended up buying a 2003 Honda Civic. I am in LOVE with it. Save your time looking at other vehicles. I get great gas mileage, and everyone compliments me on how they love my car. The inside is really neat, the dashboard lights up orange and purple. I was surprised how much room there was. All of my passengers have plenty of leg room. I feel very safe driving my Honda.
Love it!
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.
civic2003
a great car in all aspects.gives excellent fuel mileage and superb handling.nice interiors and styling. gives you value for money.
Love It!!!
i love my Honda its great on gas and its nice for long trips.
New owner but thoroughly tested
This car handles quite well, rides smoothly and is very quiet. Sporty, fun to drive, better overall feel than a Cavalier. No frills. There are some annoyances -- one delay wiper setting, how the door locks work, cramped drivers quarters because of a large door storage space that digs into your knee. Brakes are not responsive; you have to mash them to the floor to stop. Shifter does not stop you from shifting through Drive or bumping it out of Drive into gear 2 or 3. The speedometer is difficult to read because the lines that show odd numbered speeds (like 30 MPH) are too short to differentiate. Hard to tell these things on one test drive!
FIRST HONDA EVER!
I HAVE HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS THAT DRIVE THEM BUT WE NEVER OWNED ONE UNTIL NOW.AS A THIRD CAR(WE ALREADY OWN A QX4 AND NISSIAN FRONTIER CREW CAB) THE 2003 CIVIC THAT WE BOUGHT IS A GREAT LITTLE CAR.WE GOT THE 1.9% DEAL FROM HMC AND FREE OIL CHANGES FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR.HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS,I SPOKE TO THE TECH AND HE TOLD ME IT HAD A BAD WIRE MODULE FROM THE FACTORY.OTHER THAN THAT I WOULD SAY TO ANYBODY WITH CONVICTION BUY THIS CAR!!!!
2003 Honda Civic EX 4-dr.
I love my civic. Like all others it lacks it's "get up and go". But I know that it is very reliable and dependable and it's a great value. It's an overall winner.
A good car ,and fun to drive
My last car was 1999 Pontiac GrandAm. This car is twice the car , and a lot less money . An fun fun to drive I'm happy .
Best Little Car On the road
One of the best compact cars w/ a 4- cylinder engine that I have ever driven. It is so quiet that you really can not even here it when it's running. I switched to this from 1996 Pontiac Firebird because of the Fuel Economy that you get with Civic. I really can not tell a difference between my old car and this one it is definitely an all around better car. I would have to say that it beats the competition hands down no contest.
Lease turn in
Almost immediately upon delivery, I noticed I would get shocked when I would put the key in the door or touch the car. It was serviced under warranty twice; the shocks continued for the duration of my four year lease. I experienced no mechanical problems. But I did have to replace the original tires at 17,200 miles for wear. This was unexpected and costly! I drive less than 10,000 miles annually. My Civic was a comfortable drive even on long trips. It was roomy and had plenty of cargo space. It could have done better on gas in city driving. My only criticism, other than the tires, was that body was easily dented by shopping carts and I cracked the rear bumper on an snow bank.
My "Bad " Little Car
I use the word "bad" in the title as many young people use the word - "Bad" is good and my 2002 Civic is just that - Good! Good gas mileage (36 per gallon on the road) Good in that I can use regular gas as opposed to Premium, good in that it is easy on my pocketbook to maintain, good to look at and easy on the eyes. Good in that it maintains its value and has little depreciation. Good relationship with my dealer. Good continuing contact with the salesman who sold me the car, Good, good, good. My "Bad" Little car is GOOD.
Great Car...but what's with the radio.
We bought the EX, top of the line. It's a great car. But you would think they would put in an audio system that you could tune without taking your eyes off the rode. The buttons are so small I am contantly hitting two at a time. And don't even think of trying to play some old tapes, only comes with a CD. Again, with the EX you think Honda would of had a CD/Tape combo.
economy car
We wanted an affordable car that would last and be reliable. This car has been. I personally prefer toyotas, my corolla got better gas mileage and was funner to drive. I don't like the heavy feel that hondas have but some people do. I am tall and don't have a lot of leg room and the seats aren't comfortable for me. I was content with it until we had our second child, with two car seats in the back and a stroller in the trunk theres no extra room. I'd recommend this car to somebody who just wants a reliable commuter car.
Honda Civic LX 2002
Hondas have been a part of my family from the day I was born, this was a natural choice for the purchase of my first car. The Civic has come along way since my father first purchase his first Civic in 1979. The Honda now has all safety and reliability of the old Honda, but the added improvements of style (its a car you wont be embarassed driving) and upgraded features.
Great Car But...
WE bought a Civic knowing that in 5 years it will be paid off and ready to go to college with my daughter. But I love it so much I may keep it for myself.
Honda Civic - From a Toyota Lover
Bought the Brand new Civic on March 26th. Great in gas. Overall handling is good. The car needed wheel alignment in the first week itself. Ride is bumpy.
WE LOVE OUR HONDA
WE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED OUR FIRST HONDA AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. IT IS EXTREMELY FUN TO DRIVE. IT HAS UNEXPECTED PEP AND HANDLES BEAUTIFULLY. I AM 6'0'' TALL AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERIOR COMFORT. WE LOVE THE CAR SO MUCH THAT WE WILL BE PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THANK YOU HONDA!!!!!
Very Happy with my 2002 CIVIC
I am very happy with my civic. Excelent in gasoline, reliable, comfort. I highly recommended.
Excellent commuter car!
I own/have owned various cars and this is the best commuter car in my experience. Very nice, comfy and easy ride for an 'economy' car. The EX has great head room and the seats are adequate - typical in Hondas. The ergonomic controls are excellent. And you can't beat the gas mileage.
Transmission Overhaul Needed at 78k
I haven't had any problems with this car until last month. The automatic transmission started slipping from 3rd to 4th gear and needs a complete overhaul. My car only has 78k miles on it. There is no way it should need a new transmission. The estimate I got from the dealership was around $3000. Stay away from the 2003 Civic! From what I've read, this isn't an isolated incident.
Great small car for the familiy
I have owned this car since Feb 2003. I currently have about 99,300 miles on the car and it is still running strong. Things I like about the car: peppy 4 cylinder with great fuel economy (I am getting about 32 mpg city/35 mpg hwy), plenty of room for a family of 4, low maintenance costs (I change the oil myself every 5,000 miles and take the car in for service every 15,000), and go cart handling. Things that need improvement: Paint scratches easy and seat's a little hard and short on leg support. I have noticed slight hesitation in the transmission, but only on cool mornings and only for the first few minutes (I guess the fluid needs to be warmed up).
2003 Civic LX
Finally Honda improves fit, finish, and build quality closer to new VW Jetta and Passat. The 96-2001 Civics felt cheap, and had poor build quality. Ever had to replace a 5spd transmition in a 97 Honda Civic? I did. Only gripes I have after 3000 new miles on the 2003 is that the power steering to heavy/muted. Honda listen up..... No car of this price or quality should be without ABS. In short much better than the previous model, however Honda still needs to sit the Civic and the Accord for that matter next to a VW Jetta or Passat and compare every detail. Recomended if money is an issue.
luv my civic
this is my second honda, my first i drove for 13 years so it was no surprise that my next car would be a honda. smooth ride, love the features this car has for the price. i would highly recommend it
In love with my civic :)
I LOVE this car. I am 19 and a student, so low gas intake is a big plus, and I feel safe in this car at all times, in addition, its adorable! :)
My Canadian Honda Civic
I was not offered or even aware of driver side air bags. I already own a civic 2dr hatchback 96 and LOVE it for its reliability. I decided, why try and find a better car? The civic is the car!!!
great car
great starter car for my daughter...she loves it and so do I
Eight is NOT enough
There are 8 Hondas (from Del Sols to Accord V6s with leather in our (extended) family and we're all very pleased.