Used 2005 Honda Civic Sedan Consumer Reviews
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@118,000 miles
Annoyances but not necessary to fix: brake pedal pops, creaking noise from transmission when clutch pressed (difficult to lubricate), drivers seat has a little play when rocked back and forth, brake pads shift in calipers and "pop" when braking forward after braking reverse. Major problems: Head gasket replaced at dealer for $950 @ around 115,000 miles. (If you heat goes out while idling and bubbles are coming from your coolant reservoir while idling you need a head gasket). Other things: Front pads at 90k, oxygen sensor around 90k, fluids, filters tires. The good: no electrical/accessory problems, drives pretty good and smooth with the manual. Solid and reliable despite head gasket.
Total dissapointment
I was expecting this car to last for many miles without major problems. It just recently reached 97,000 miles and the automatic transmission was making noise. It turns out the final drive (aka differential) bearings are shot. Since this is deep in the transmission, the transmission essentially will need to be rebuilt at a cost of approximately $2600 if the final drive itself is not damaged. This car was conservatively driven and maintained meticulously and it is really upsetting that it now needs a major repair like this at a relatively moderate mileage. There is no replaceable fluid filter in the transmission and therefore no way to give it proper maintenance short of changing the fluid. I feel this is a major flaw and is a guarantee for failure. There has been no help from the dealer nor Honda. The dealer and Honda refused to put in any effort to see if there is any remedy for me and gave me the impression they don't care. The other issue is the front brakes on this car do not last more than 12K miles. There is nothing apparently wrong with the braking system yet the brake pads wear out prematurely. This would be a great car if it would have lasted longer but it seems I could have done better with a less expensive car. Based on my experience, this model is highly overrated. I'll never buy another Honda again. I have since sold the car and have my sights set on a Toyota.
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- LX SedanMSRP: $4,90097 mi away
- EX CoupeMSRP: $5,999101 mi away
- Value Package CoupeMSRP: $5,989109 mi away
What causes the car to jerk
I love my Honda but recently it started jerking when driving between 20-40km/hour. Can anyone assist with an antidote to this problem?
Great Little Car!
I had this car from 82K to 135K miles. I had the stick shift model. I would have kept it too, but I got rear ended and they totaled the car out. I didn't do anything to the car besides a tune up and basic maintenance. I'm really happy with my experience with this car. The AC compressor started to go towards the end. I've only driven Hondas my whole life and I have had it happen a couple of times. I wish I didn't get hit, I'd still be driving this little car.
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Good value but some serious drawbacks
HEAT SUX (yes thermostat has been replaced with high temp). If you live in a cold climate avoid this car. This car is loud too, it picks up an unnecessary amount of road noise. Otherwise it's a great car with great mileage and very reliable. The interior is very loud t
38-40 MPG
Great MPG (38-40 consistently), seems to allow the driver and passengers to sit higher than in other cars, which, in addition to the large windows (something I did not appreciate until driving other cars) make the car comfortable and easy to drive.
Love this little car
My family has had this car since we bought it (almost) new in 2005. Since then, it has been nothing but good to us. We're not hard on the car by any means, but I definitely don't baby it. It's acceleration is as good as you could expect from a 13 yr old Honda (i.e. pretty bad), but it's not so slow that it's unsafe when you're trying to pass someone. The engine doesn't mind hitting the occasional 6k on the tachometer - Hondas are just build for that kind of thing. The gas mileage is incredible. Obviously when you buy a Honda you're not paying for its bells and whistles - you're paying for a good, reliable, and dependable vehicle. So as far as the quality of the interior/options go, it's not great. You could easily find a car in the same category as the civic with more options, but you'll usually compromise on reliability (not always, of course). However there is one thing I have seen frequently happen with these cars somewhere between 160k and 200k miles. The head gasket usually starts leaking/blows. If you have a honda with this generation of it's 1.7L inline 4 engine and you notice an oil leak as you get close to 200k miles, you should seriously consider getting the head gasket replaced (depending on how long you want to keep the car). Most people that I've seen who do this (including myself) can get their civic up into the 300k miles if they want. All in all, this car is great. I'm going to run the wheels off of this thing, which I know might take me a while - and I'm fine with that!
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This car will last a lifetime!
I bought this car with 106,000 Miles 3 years ago it now has 206,000 and haven't had one problem yet! I just drove it from Fl to Ma. A 1500 mile trip and got 42 mpg! My wife bought a 2003 civic brand new and has 137,000 miles on hers and hasn't been back to the dealer, EVER! The dumbest thing we did when we bought hers was buy an extended warranty. LOL I will buy these civics for the rest of my life. I am now looking for one for my mom.
DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE HONDA NAME! nothing but problems
My 05 civic has been NOTHING but problems! I got it at 90,000 miles and on my way home the thermostat went and the oil pan had to be replaced. Then something seemed wrong with the acceleration so I took it to my uncle who is a mechanic (aka I know he is not going to screw me) and I found out the timing belt had to be replaced, They all Do at 90,000 fyi. Then from there the front hub bearings had to be replaced because the sound was atrocious and grinding. THEN the OEM gas cap was faulty and the check engine light came on, so I bought a new one and found out that the check engine light was the alternator AND cat convertor needed to be replaced. HONDA RELIABILITY? Ill stick with Toyota!
Good, Fun
Well at 90K miles now with only new front brake pads and an oxygen sensor. Car still looks and feels new, no rattles, noting falling off. With the manual I can get all the power I need. Gas mileage is 35 mpg city.
4 Cylinders should be banned
Well, what can I say kids? It's definitely not an Accord, not in its/my wildest dreams. I drove an Accord EX for 6 years and never thought I liked the car all that much. As a matter of fact, I used to refer to it as the most boring car on the road. What I wouldn't give for an Accord EX now! The Civic EX is a fine car; but after driving a V6, I just can't get used to feeling like I'm driving the little engine that keeps telling itself, "I think I can, I think I can," at the slightest incline, during merging on to the highway, or changing lanes. I've put 5000 miles on my Civic since I bought it 2 months ago. I will not be driving this car 6 years from now like I did my 98 Accord EX.
Super reliable
High mileage vehicle, still running strong. Good take off and breaking systems. Just take care of the car and it'll take care of you !
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fun w/ 5spd but a dog on the HWY
Bought this car a year ago to replace an aging 1993 Accord ex. Loved the build quality, comfort, and the moonroof that the Accord had. Given my history with Honda, I wanted to stick with them. So far, the 05 Civic has been a great car. Higher than average gas mileage for its class, comfortable seats, fun to shift through the gears w/ the 5spd. However, on the highway the noise level gets a little tiring after an hour or so. Doesn't have much power on hills, but keep in mind it's no v6. Had no problems as far as maintenance goes. Just change the oil and go. Just do the normal 105,000 service and you're good for another 105!
Honda civics will rule the world
This car has so much power. I love it. I used to drive a minivan and thought changing into a car that is much lower would be horrible. It ended up being fantastic and I've never loved a car more.
Honda Civic
I love to drive this car. The ride is very good for a small car and the gas mileage is excellent, 32 in town and 38 miles to the gallon on the road. Also very little noise on the inside.
Lovin' My Civic
I needed better gas mileage yet I wanted something fun to drive and with good sporty looks. The Civic is it! The car is tight, quick enough to be safe and drives great. I get 30+ mpg around town with the air running all the time and I don't baby it. The interior room is more than ample with good comfort in the rear. I find the driver seating comfortable. The car is loaded with engineering you can't see and deserves more credit for that. The Honda engineers put a lot of thought and design into the drivetrain which is most important. I liken this car to my first Accord that I purchased in 1973. This is that car reborn in every way for fun, drive and economy. I plan on 200k miles.
Horrible unreliable car and dishonest dealers
Bought brand new in 2005. Dealer tried to sneak a car with a dent on the door and cracked instrument panel as brand new. I pointed out these problems, but the dealer gave me problems and back talk. Alignment was off from the start and could never be corrected. Car pulled to the right of going straight. At 58,000 miles, had a blown head gasket. Performed all required routine maintenance at dealer, then vastly superior independent mechanic. After three recalls on the defective airbags and airbag inflator, had to return to dealer for airbag work. Dealer gave a list of repairs exceeding the value of the car. One of the items was the water pump was leaking. I told the service advisor that was impossible, since I just changed the timing belt that required the water pump to be replaced. The service advisor was surprised that I knew what I was talking about. Within one month, I got rid of the Honda and bought a new Toyota Corolla Hatchback. By the way, the water pump was not leaking.
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Me and the little Civic have got you all beat!
Well, at least I think. I read through most of the reviews and the highest total mileage I came across was about 200k miles. I bought this car with 105k miles and now I'm getting close to 255k. Not too bad considering what work I've put into it: 1. Power steering pump (I did) 2. Power steering rack ( a friend who teaches a shop class did) 3. Alternator (me) 4. Starter (me) 5. One tune up (me) 6. Oil changes every 5k miles (Walmart for about $20 bucks. It costs me almost that much for the materials). 7. A few sets of tires (Walmart) 8. Valve cover gasket and timing chain (shop class) That's it. I suppose the only real gripe I have is the Vehicle alert light caused by emission controls. I tried to trouble shoot it until a Honda dealer repair person said even their trained experts cannot always figure out the emission systems faults. It doesn't effect the vehicle so I ignore it. The two best things about this car are the reliability I've had and the fuel economy. I've never had it fail on me in the 8 years I've owned it, never stranded even once. I've regularly achieved high 20s in town and high 30s on the open road. Sometimes well over 40 when the weather is warm. As a matter of interest I've never had a car that had so much fuel consumption fluctuation with changing temperatures. Probably the best story I have is the car has a K and N air filter that someone had rigged to scoop up air close to the ground. I was tired of cleaning it as the thing was always getting clogged so I moved it up to the top without any significant change in power by the way. Anyway, when I was moving the aluminum air pipe I accidently shorted out the battery to the engine. Sparks flew everywhere and the pipe actually welded itself to the engine block! I was sure the electronics were fried but it was perfectly normal after I cleaned up the mess. Ironically I'm now trying to trade it in as for the first time in its life I'm starting to notice significant oil use (2 quarts last 5k). I feel almost like I'm betraying it.
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Great little car
best value EVER
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My Civic and More!
I drive 40 miles one way to work and needed a car with good gas mileage. Also a care that was fun to drive at a great price. I found all of this in my Civic EX. I have over 8,000 miles on my Civic and it's still tight, no rattles or other noises. The instrument panel is easy on the eyes with great gauges. The trunk is very roomy and love the fold down back seat which adds to extra trunk room. The engineers designed a great car that rides smooth and looks great too. There are 3 things that is a must when I'm looking for a new car, 1 good reliability, 2 A/C & heating and 3 a great sound system. My Civic EX has it all and more!
Best compact car
When I was shopping for a car I test drove the Mazda 3s and the Honda Civic EX. I found that the Mazda 3 was not as comfortable or as refined as the Honda Civic. After test driving both cars I priced them. They were roughly about the same price. Therefore, the Honda Civic Ex was my decision due to many factors such as resale price and Honda's build quality. I have experienced that my Honda Civic is fun to drive and is a nice looking car. Another benefit of this car is the air conditioning because it gets cold right away but the Mazda 3s took the whole test drive for it to get comfortable inside of the cabin. Overall, this is a great car and I will continue to purchase from Honda.
Reliable and Inexpensive Transportation
I have owned the 2005 Civic EX for about 3 years now, and it has been a great car for me. I am over six feet tall, but the car has plenty of headroom. I replaced the normal parts in a 14 year old vehicle - alternator, spark plugs, timing belt and water pump, transmission fluid, tires, and brake pads. I fixed most of these things myself, as it is somewhat easy to work on yourself. Despite the small repair expenses, the joy from driving a problem-free car has been wonderful. I would do it again in a heartbeat - cheap to buy and maintain, good reliability, good gas mileage.
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Wouldn't buy another one .. ever
The drivers seat is very uncomfortable, they totally missed on the design and I am a normal size man.Trunk lid leaked from day one due to poor workmanship. The power window on the passeger's side didn't work properly and I had to take it to the dealer twice. In general, just very poor construction of an automobile.
Overheating problems
I use to love driving my civic. It handled well and is suppose to be a safe car. The first four years I had the car I was very happy with it. Just over 100k miles while driving my daughter and my two young grandchildren from Fl to Pa it overheated on Interstate 95 at night. that was three years ago. Since, I haven't been able to travel farther than 50 miles from home. We have had the car to many shops and they can't find the problem. You name it we replaced it. Still overheating! If you go to hondatech.com you will find this is a common problem with Honda. So next we will have the head gasket repair which may run as high as $1,500. I'm not happy with Honda and would never buy another.
Hondas are the best
I have two '05 Civics, one a 5 speed manual, the other is an auto. The 5 speed has never has any mechanical problems except the clear coat started to peel off the rear bumper after a visit to the car wash. Honda fixed it under warranty and I never had another problem. That car has 70K on it. The auto has 32K. Although they are slugs power wise, I am getting high 30's in the winter and low 40's in the warm weather. Driving a stick can be a pain in traffic, but it consistently gets better mileage than the automatic trans. The Honda's feel like they have been gone over by engineers until they have it right. Drive the car gingerly and don't beat it, get the maintenance done and they will hold up
2005 civic dx
Bought this car just over a year ago with 90000km on it. Now has 120000km mostly highway gets around 43 mpg. It's just a base model with 5spd stick. Work really good. Had to timing chain replaced at 95k as well as serpentine belts should be replaced every 100k. Have also replace break lines and Oil pan at Around 110k. Also just replace alternator witch is a common thing for Honda. Changed out spark plugs And oil every 5k. Over all this car is a good reliable car no complaints mechanical wise runs like a top . As far as the interior seats are alittle stiff but are manageable. It's a fun little car and with today's gas prices I would recommend anyone of this car.
This car dependable and affordable
Great gas mileage. roomy and comfortable.
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Reliable But Poor Creature Comforts
I purchased my EX 5 years ago and am replacing it with an Altima. Like all Hondas, it is cheap to operate, averaged 30 MPG, car looks good. But my back gets beat up in this car, so trips that exceed 30 minutes are painful, you feel every bump in the road and the road noise is so loud, you have to speak up on the phone or with passengers.
Reliable? Don't believe the hype
Just back from my fourth visit to the dealer and $1800 poorer so far. Had to replace the crankshaft sensor and harness. Doesn't include the $1000 for the timing belt and maintenance they talked me into on the 1st visit. We bought into the Honda is the most reliable car on the road fantasy, 500k miles and nothing but an oil change blah blah... Ours is only at 99K. Always did all the scheduled maintenance. I almost stalled out on the highway. Try seeing how happy other drivers are when you're driving 20 mph on the 101 (for you socal drivers) Looks like the same trap we had with Ford and GM. Thing just starts falling apart at 100k/10 yr. The civic didn't even make it that far.
Best small car ever owned
Bought the car for the obvious reasons,Honda reputation and great gas mileage. I was a little hesitant because this was the first Japanese car I ever bought but I guess it's hard to tell these day's with parts of the car coming from everywhere including the u.s. and it being assembled in canada. This car is everything I hoped it would be and more. We get consistintly in the high 30's on mostly country back roads and hwy's and on a recent mostly hwy trip we got 45 mpg. I do run synthetic oil and make sure the tires are properly inflated to optimize gas mileage. We have 26k on the car now and have had no problems whatsoever. We plan on trying to get 300k out of it and it looks good so far!
Love my Civic!
We bought our car new almost 4 years ago and we love the vehicle. Good gas mileage, very reliable (such a pleasure after the horror we previously drove), good looks, no rust, interior is larger than it appears from the outside. My only gripe is that the top of the foot space for the front passenger is very low and this can be uncomfortable, especially if you're a woman wearing higher heels. Apart from that, nothing but praise for the Civic.
Beware of the lemon
If you are thinking of buying a Honda beware, I bought a Honda thinking that it would be a great investment and that it would be worry free. Two weeks later, my A/C did not work properly. Two weeks after I had it repaired, it failed to start. I took it back to the dealership and they could not find a problem and I still have this issue. I have called Honda and they are not concerned with having a defective product. As soon as I can I will get rid of this vehicle. The myth that imports are better vehicles are just that myths. There is a lot of noise in the vehicle my 05 will rattle down the interstate, I hear a clicking everytime the windshield wipers come on, and won't start everytime
Love this car
Never had a problem in 3 years. Started without any problems every time. Only complaint is there is not enough room for front passenger's feet with legs stretched forward and I'm short. Minor shortcoming however and would definitely recommend. Sat in back seat a few times and was surprised how roomy it was.
Car for the Mature
I'm 22 years old, I feel that cars these days rely on looks and dynamics. The Honda Civc 2005 LX, 4-door sedan is something where reliabilty is more focused than style of looks. This car is general purpose for familes, single, and pretty much any reason. My CO even has this car. The smooth riding is unlike anything for it's price. If you want to spend more money I would reccomend the Accord 04+. Yet compared to other cars for the price of this car, bar none.
Best for the price
Did a lot of research and wanted something RELIABLE. Everything else was not a big deal. My definition of reliable was: asking mechanics, owners, reading reviews, and just looking at the road; how many old Civics are still on the road compared to the other makes.
Extremely Reliable, Very Boring
My parents got me this car pre-owned certified right when I got my license a year before I headed off to college. This was perfect for my use. It's safe, doesn't waste gas, and is completely adequate from getting from point A to point B. I love how its small enough to zip in and out of lanes without causing a problem, and its roomy up front. That being said, it is a really boring car. It's also incredibly noisy on the highway and the brakes are extremely sensitive. However, it's economical, environmentally friendly, and since I got it in 2008 I haven't had a single problem with it. Just regular servicing, and its good to go. Great car for college students or new drivers.
great
great i love this car, its perfect for just about anything, it is very reliable and applicable to just about any type of person.
Most UNRELIABLE car ever owned
After owning many Hondas since 1983, buying a 2004 Civic EX was not questioned. It has proved to be nothing but a headache with techncians unable to find the problem. It has a continuing refusal to start probem. Tech says it's a quirk that we'll just have to live with. Been at dealership several times since 6/04. They don't pick it up (they'd too busy) then say they can't find the problem because it's been jump started. Two complaints have been filed with Honda North America. Both times promised a response within 2 business days. No response to either complaint. Service techs are useless; customer service is nonexistent. Honda is not the quality car it once was.
loved the car
I bought this car because I was looking for something reliable, economical, and with good value. I found the perfect purchase in this civic, and loved every minute of driving it. I got into a pretty bad head-on collision after having the car for about 5 months, and walked out with minor bruises and injuries. The crumple zones were designed flawlessly and even though my car was totaled it protected me perfectly. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone.
rollback
I bought my Honda because everyone told me how great Honda's are and Edmunds gave it a great rating. I have only had it 6 months and already traded it in. DO NOT LIKE THE ROLLBACK FEATURE. If you are stopped on an incline as soon as you take your foot off the brake the car rolls back. My understanding is all Honda's since 1999 do that. I wish that would have been mentioned in the literature I read. It is a safety problem for me especially when I have children in the back seat. I couldn't drive it with that problem and nothing could be done to fix it.
2005 Honda LX
Vehicle is excellent on gas compared to old suburban I was driving. Would not consider for my college bound daughter though. Was disappointed to find out that the Civic had no daytime running lights(available on Canadian models though?) nor do the doors lock automatically upon driving vehicle. During this time and age you almost consider this to be part of the package, I'd rather get running lights or auto door locks over mud flaps...or pin striping
Bought Civic Ex SE
Chose this vehicle for its economy over my Chevy Monte Carlo. Need a family friendly vehicle that got better gas milage as I travel sometimes 40 miles one way to work. Chose this vehicle over the Corolla because it is more comfortable.
Excellent
I drove this car for three years before I traded for a Honda Civic 2008. Worst decision I ever made. I wish I have my car back. The Civic 2005 is an excellent car, I never had a problem with it.
Mixed ratings
My honda has turned out better than i expected. I drive about 120 miles back and forth to work daily. It keeps up with traffic on the highway once you get up to highway speeds.
Happy Honda Customer
I bought this car in Dec. 2004. I was glad I made the purchase. This car has been very good to me. I kept up with the oil changes and the 30, 60, 90,000 mile service. I know have about 90,000 miles on it and I plan to keep it until I can't drive it anymore. The engine seems to have a high noise. The fuel economy isn't as good as it used to be probable because of the ethanol they are putting in the gas nowadays. I used to get on average 36 miles to the gallon now I get about 30 mpg. Could have better pick up in first gear. The throttle response is a little low. It kinda lags. However passing other cars is a breeze. Has some rattling hear and there.
Honda Civic LXSE
I traded in my Accord for this. And enjoy it so much more. Despite the loss of horsepower between the two, it's a much smoother, more enjoyable ride. And the SE package is enough to make it sporty while allowing me the motherly benefits that are a necessity. It's the best of both worlds for me.
My first brand new car.
So far so good. A fun to drive, sporty, sexy car. Great handling, smooth shifting, stylish machine and you cant beat the gas mileage or the preformance of the four- cylinder engine. Excelent enginering!
2005 Civic EX Special Edition Sedan
Honda has done a number on the interior of the Special Edition--very interesting to look at. Stereo looks like a higher-end after-market (6-disc-- great bass, clear treble, multiple graphic display). Magnesium metallic with graphite heated leather upgrade is a beautiful combination. The only problem I have is the lack of legroom in the front, and I'm only 5'10"! Perfect car for small to medium sized people. Will be driven for many years to come. If you are looking to buy a regualar EX, DON'T! SE comes standard with leather-wrapped steering wheel, better radio, spoiler, alloy wheels, etc. Overall paid $17,400 (sticker $19,175).
Excellent car but overhyped with Honda quality
Excellent car. I got is second hand in pritty good shape. A/C took $800 from me in repairs. Few other repairs that are normal for older car. Drives very good, fuel economy is excellent for old car. If you get one in good shape and the right price, it defenetely worth it.
Honda Civic
I love my new Honda Civic Special Edition. I am a young mother of a small child and not only is the Civic sporty and fun, but it also serves its purpose for being a family car.