Used 2008 Honda Civic Consumer Reviews
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A good decision
I recently traded in my 2005 Acura TL for a 2008 Honda Civic EX-L. I know, why would you do that? Well, I drive about 30K a year,my TL had 60K miles and it was time to either keep it till death or trade. I could have got another TL or similar car, but the premium gas and the mileage were starting to hurt. So I went hunting for something simpler and more economical. I considered a hybrid, but the numbers just don't work. The Civic is a good choice. It is peppy and fun to drive, it has everything you need. It's comfortable and very economical. I'm averaging 31+ mpg, I've had it 3 weeks and have over 1700 miles already. I added the leather, I think it brings the car to the next level.
Best car on the market
Drove both Civic Hybrid & Prius before buying. Civic is quieter; has fewer distractions for operator; and gets even better mileage than advertised. We have taken several 400 mile trips and find the Civic to be stable and effortless on the highway. We have discovered that keeping cruise speed below 68 mph increases gas mileage by nearly 6%. I utilize GPS on other vehicles and would prefer a more comprehensive data base on the Civic. We love the car and feel that we made the right choice.
- EX-L SedanMSRP: $4,59089 mi away
- LX SedanMSRP: N/A98 mi away
- EX-L CoupeMSRP: $9,995105 mi away
Fun car, but...
Not exactly the low-cost of ownership vehicle advertised. I just had to replace brake pads @ 9,900 miles to the tune of $270 out of pocket. I've owned many new cars in my lifetime and never replaced pads under 10k miles. This was a disappointing experience, so I have written a letter to American Honda. There are other similar complaint visible on the web. Honda needs to make improvements to the brake pad materials. Other than this, the car is comfortable, fun to drive and fuel efficient.
Good second car
I was looking for a second car to make our family less dependent on each other with commuting. This car is probably the best compromise between the price and quality for a compact sedan. I enjoy driving it every time
Great car
Great car and value.Engine is a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder,5 spd at.Model is a 2008 EX has sunroof,driving lights all the extras except gps.Engine performance equal to most v-6 motors.Emergency brake lever not in a good location touches knee,Honda needs to relocate next time around.I get approx.36 mpg mostly highway miles,driving 60 mile round trips to and from work. I expect this to improve slightly over time.No mechanical problems and don't expect any.I would recommend the Civic to all without hesitation.
Performance
This import is very fun to drive, especially at high speeds. It handles just like a sport car and feels like one. It is highly economical in terms of gas mileage.
Fit and finish
The Civics that are made in Canada has very poor fit and finish. The hood on the left and right fender would not be even, other panels on the car would be off on each side and also the bumper in the back. If they can't even make that right, just imagine the engine and the transmission components. Honda owner check your civics and you would be able to tell the difference on the body panels are not even on the right and left sides of the car. I asked the dealer sales people and their replied they dont know why. However the civic hybrids are made very well, those are made in Japan.
So very glad I bought this car!!!
Luckily my son totaled my 4-month-old Jeep Patriot (23 mpg - Yuck!). I was fortunate to find this hybrid on a local dealer lot and have been very happy thus far! I drive approximately 60 miles per day and this is just exactly the car I need. I have gotten 45.25 mpg and normally around 42 mpg with every tank. The extremely hot weather has drug it down a couple of mpg, but who can even complain with 40 mpg?!? (The onboard MPG gauge is always a couple of mpg less than if calculated manually.) I would DEFINITELY recommend a hybrid if you're a high-mileage driver like me! (Looked at the Prius, but the Civic looks much better and is around $5,000 cheaper!)
GREAT small car!
I have really bad car A.D.D., and have driven most mainstream cars that have come out in the past 15 or so years. Hondas and Toyota / Lexus are always my favorites (for the obvious reasons), and Honda has really upped their game even more with their new lineup. For the price (especially w / the great lease offers they have), the new Civic is a really smart option. Probably one of the best cars in this price range as far as curb appeal, build quality, gas mileage, and general "fun to drive" factors go. Definitely recommend it!
Great Car
This is my 7th Honda I have owned and already love it. I sold my 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5SL for this car. I was not happy with the Nissan and did not like the 28 MPG on a 4 cyl engine. The bottom line is Nisaan's are not Honda's.
2008 Honda Civic LX
I paid $16,840 plus tax, a good deal with 4.5 % financing/3-yrs. Peppy car with 140 hp, smooth shifting, great service hours at Honda dealership, car has great looks! Rides quieter than reviews suggested. Trunk spacious. Hybrid model does not allow rear seat fold down.
BUY ONE
I have had a Pontiac Formula, Chevy Cavalier, Acura 3.0 CL and now the royal blue Honda Civic! Beats all of the others. I test drove others but was SO impressed with it I had to take it. I got the car out the door for 20k. Although I miss a v6, the engine is peppy. Drove it from DC to SC within the first week! 37 MPG averaging 70+ mph and sunroof/windows open most of the way. Handled great and study. reliability cannot be beat. Get the leather...seat heaters are great and the car comes with a bunch of standard features...stereo isn't bad either. I would highly suggest! Car shifts with ease too...really an all around great car. Actually roomy too...size of older accords.
my civic
I love my civic. It has a very smooth ride, I don't feel no bumps when I'm driving. I also love the way its built its just perfect in every way.
Happy So Far
Bought this car used and have put a few thousand miles on it so far. Gas mileage is great in and out of town. EX trim is very nice and I get many compliments. Accelerates and handles exceptionally well. Interior is fairly nice, but dials for climate and audio feel cheap. Long trips get a little uncomfortable, but I bought it as a commuter car, so I knew what I was getting. No major problems yet and looking forward to having this car a long time.
A nice car
Been driving this for less than a month now, it has 1200 miles on it. So far it absolutely amazing. It's really fun to drive, Great care for a good deal. You can always buy more comfortable seat add-ons. Blind spot can be easily fixed. Just adjust mirror to see more of the next lane, so all you have to do is turn head once and look at in mirror. Parking is not an issue, can always reverse and re-park. Kinda huge, but its fine.
Impressed
I was absolutely amazed with the quality of my 2008 honda civic ex-l navi! Its fun to drive, it has GREAT fuel economy and its just a well designed vehicle. The navigation with voice commands is so advanced and easy to use! I would recommend this vehicle to ANY and EVERY interested car buyer, and friend of mine! Take a look at it, its reasonably priced and worth every penny!
Nice, economical car
I bought my LX Sedan about a month ago and really like it. I put a pair of wrist (sweat) bands around the emergency brake. The brake hurt my leg due to its placement but now it's fine with the pad. I live in a very cold environment which kills MPG but I am getting 30 MPG Combined City/Hwy. The motor is new, and I'm sure MPG will improve when it's breken in and the weather warms up. It has plenty of power, I have owned vettes and trans ams, and I'm happy with the acceleration of my new Honda. It's not noisy on the highway like some have reported. It is a small car and you do hear the road a little, and you feel all the bumps, but as I pass the gas stations ($3.39 a gallon) I am smiling!
I have a bad feeling about this
Ever do something then get the feeling you just did something really bad? This is a basic LX, I've only had it 3 weeks so far, but am finding things out I hate. When you open the rear windows it creates a horrible loud noise that almost caused me to wreck. It hurts our ears so badly. I asked my dealer about it and 7 people jumped up really working me over saying ALL Honda's do it and so do all other vehicles. They are aware of the defect and have a bulletin about the buffeting noise. I'm telling you, the Sonata didn't do it and neither did my 626. The interior is cheap. If you get scratches you're just out of luck. Mine came with them on the steering column. Really poor stereo.
Car for future teen driver??
With gas prices rising I knew it was time to trade in the F-150 King Ranch. I test drove hybrids and did the math. This car made the most sense to me. I drive 50/50 city/hwy. Right now I have less than 1,000 miles on the motor, waiting to see if the mpg meets my expectations. Also read the "cost to operate"...Civic looked good! This is a cheap car and so you get what you pay for. If you have champagne taste, this is not the car for you. Have your list of extras that you like, and find the Honda that fits you. Don't complain later! You're suppose to be an adult.
Fun all around
I have had this car for 8 months now and I love it. I never had a fun car that I didn't have to pour gas in. I love the fact you can be lazy and ask yourself "should I stop and get gas today?" lol. The fact that oil changes are not needed until 5000 miles blew me away. The dash is fun and it has lots of contour lines for chrome. The hpp 17" aluminum rims are a nice touch. I have heard many good things about Honda and they are all true. I wish I never spent so much on Chevy's and Fords in the past.
My First Honda
I can honestly say that I was very unhappy when my fiancee decided he wanted to trade both of our higher end vehicles in on a new Honda Civic. He had owned a 2000 Civic and loved that car. He kept telling me that I would love the new one more every day. I was skeptical, but he was right. I love this car! The interior is much more comfortable than I expected and a lot bigger too. I love the fact that I can hook my iPod right into it. The exterior is just the right amount of sporty for me. I thought the 4 cyclinder engine would be a problem but it has plenty of get up and go and a very quiet and smooth ride. The best thing, the two-tiered dash with the blue lights. I love that!
Think twice
I am already making plans to get rid of this car. Think twice before buying if your 5'4" or under. I have adjusted this car nonstop since I got it and can't find a comfortable fit. The head rest juts out into the seating area so if you're short, your head hits it nonstop. I finally pulled the headrest off. Now its comfortable but I don't feel safe. This is my fourth Honda Civic and the only one I wouldn't recommend.
Great car
It handles like a 5-series BMW, but gets twice the gas mileage. The steering is very quick- something new this year is that the steering is only 2.6 turns lock to lock, so it is very sensitive especially at highway speeds.
My first honda and stick.
Bought the EX on the 31st of last month. I looked at everything Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru. This car had everything I wanted in a smaller car. Gas mileage is nice, performance is acceptable for what it has, braking and ride comfort is amazing for a small car. My previous car was an AT 95 Concorde, this thing quite a change of pace from that huge car. It feels very planted while driving, and this also being my first stick was fairly easy to learn on I think. I am finding excuses to drive it.
6 month update 08 civic lx 2dr coupe
I purchased this car mainly for the good gas mileage and reliability but it has turned into so much more. This car handles like a go-cart, and is very fun to drive. It really is a sports car with great reliability and fuel consumption. The ac blows very cold and the stereo is great. I owned a BMW 3 series car about 5 years ago and this Civic's handling is so much better at half the cost of the BMW...
I love this car!
This car has been wonderful. It is very fun to drive and feels sporty. It passes very well on the freeway too. I was hit by a semi truck 3 months after getting it on I-5 on ice. He ripped off the whole right side. I was amazed how well the car handled during the crash and afterwords. I managed on ice w/o chains to not crash into the left wall. I think this is an amazing car and is perfect for family, or a young person like me for safety and sport. It gets fantastic mpg to. I recommend it to anyone.
Honda Civic Hybrid Review
What an outstanding car. It's quick, quiet and very well equipped. Very fun to drive. I prefered the Civic over the Prius because it is not quasi-futuristic like the Prius. It has a regular key and regular displays. Conversely the Prius display is extremely busy. Plus going from a Jeep Wrangler to a HCH I went from 18 mpg to 43 mpg - quite a savings. BTW - That was my real world mpg after my first tank.
Fun fun fun
I just picked it up last night, but it has been nothing but fun since then. This is my second SI, the first being a 1990 model when I was younger. I never owned a vehicle since then that had so much fun character to it, till now. Anyway, it has a great sound from the exhaust and is a blast to drive. I have not quite gotten the sound system adjusted, but I am coming from a BOSE system in the vehicle I have passed to my wife, so it may never sound that good. All I want to do today is drive drive drive!
Good choice
I commute 160 miles round trip to work every day and have 48,000 miles on this one year old LX 4 door. Reliability has been great. I have gotten up to 42 miles per gallon on the interstate and it's not a hybrid. Cruise control is used and speed is usually around 70 mph. Visibility is good. The car is a 'quiet rider'. Passing power is adequate but there are some strange transmission noises which I'm told is normal. The OEM Goodyear Eagle tires are not wearing well, 40,000 mile are getting noisy and not holding up too well and will be replaced. Overall the car is great and looks good too.
Brakes don't work - I just crashed it
I just bought this car. The only problem is that the brakes don't work. Maybe Honda doesn't see the brake system as something really necessary. It happened with me twice and with my wife three times today. She crashed the car and destroyed the driver door. The car was three days ago in the dealer to be fixed. They said that is a normal problem because is an automatic and it takes 1 or 2 minutes for the brakes to start working. Can you believe? If they don't fix everything I will go to court.
I had forgotten driving could be fun!
I have wanted to purchase a Honda for a long time & always ended up buying something else because you could get more "amenities" for the money. Then I bought a Volkswagon Jetta VR6 & got a LEMON! Forget about amenities! This car is awesome. I was worried about driving a car with a manual transmission after driving automatics for 10+ years. No problem, this car makes it fun.
Getting used to my new car
I have had this car for a week now. Am sure I will get used to this vehicle soon, which is why I wanted to write before getting too accustomed to it. Was driving a Chrysler Sebring Convertible before this (a great guy magnet) but owned many Hondas previous to that, including the Accord, Odyssey and a CRV. Seats are very uncomfortable. Back seat was exceptionally uncomfortable for three passengers. Hondas used to have nearly flawless, logical interior design but the company just went too cheap on this model. Sun visor cannot even be quickly pulled down because roof indentation is on right-hand side of visor. Car is noisy too, including whistling windshield noise of unidentifiable origin.
Worth it!
Best car I've ever owned. Don't dislike anything. Have to beg the wife to drive it to work. Getting about 35- 40 mpg depending on how much highway. Fits the three boys (12,9,7) just fine, lots of room. Don't like automatics, that's why I gave it an 8 on performance. But it shifts smoothly. I'm thinking of buying a second one for myself.
2008 Civic Si
I have a recently purchased Civic Si Sedan and hav a little over five hundred miles on it. Overall it's a great little car that's practical. It seats my wife and I plus our two small kids well, with room to spare in tthe trunk. I handles great especially with the summer tires. My only couple of beefs with the car is the first 5 minutes of warm up, It wants to buck in first or second gears until it warms up. It just annoying, you would have thought Honda could have reprogrammed the ECM to fix this. I've heard from other message boards this was due to something emissions rated, whatever it is very annoying. My other beef is the auto door locking function.
Great car so far
I bought this car after reviewing and driving all the cars in this class and this was the best value for me. I was just looking for good gas mileage and good reliability. I love driving this car and it gets good gas mileage, so hopefully the reliability will be there over time(because it's a Honda). I'm not quite sure about the stereo built into the dash yet because if I want to upgrade to an aftermarket stereo, it will be almost impossible. The stereo sounds fine though, so an upgrade might not be necessary. The seats are a little uncomfortable, but they seem the same as other sporty cars - it doesn't bother me. Overall, I'm very pleased with my purchase.
After Three Months
After 3 months of driving, I've settled in. The car is very fun to drive. Handling and braking: Superb. I am 5'6" and seating: Fine. Acceleration: very adequate. Stick shift: easy. Road noise: Not absent but certainly tolerable for conversations. Stereo is v.good and controls on the steering wheel are very handy. Plenty of storage in main compartment and trunk. The instrument panel takes very little to get used to. Panel can be adjusted for trip odometer (up to 2 trips), total mileage, outside temperature-nice. City/Hwy Mileage has been 31 steady. Hwy = 37/38. Moonroof is a must-fun! Only problem: Headlights needed adjustment (too low).
Best yet!
I just got my civic and I love everything about it. It's excellent unless you're looking for horse power. With gas prices this high everyone should be trying to reduce consumption of gas.
great car
i just sold my honda civic and i have been looking at new cars and i cant find anything i like as much as my honda. The car worked great even after falling asleep at the wheel and driving off into a field. i owned the car for 9 years and drive almost an hour everywhere i go. this is a great car my only complaint in the air, which i never got checked out but would randomly quit working during long drives in the last year of having my car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent buy
I've owned my Civic for about a month and am extremely satisfied with my purchase. I test drove a Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, but the Civic was a better sized car for me and still has the features I love.
Love my civic
I bought my Civic in December after my last car died. I have to say I have been impressed from day one. I was looking for a good fuel efficient car with decent look and en even better price. Honda has impressed me all the may. The gas mileage is great particularly in the stop and go rush hour traffic. The interior is roomy and comfortable with plenty of leg room. I have not heard the loud road noise that some reviewers complain about. This is my first Honda but I know it won't be my last.
Excellent Honda
Given the time I've had this car, I have had no problems or issues with it. It is a honda. For gas mileage see around 30 now, but only will see greater numbers after 10k miles, proven industry fact. Sporty in manners, corners like a slot car, and driven correctly, will accelerate quickly. Tight as a drum. Excellent package for the money. If you want more, buy an accord, for more $$$.
First Impressions
This is my first non-performance driven car and I am impressed with this 1.8L engine.(To give some background, I have had a 305 V8 and turbos on a small V6) It can get the job done. I test drove many other cars in this class and most felt like they would fall apart in 2 years. The Civic feels solid but only time will tell. The only big problem I have with this car is the road noise! I can be aweful at times! Need a premium radio just to drown out the noise! I am looking at options like dynamat and quitcar to help with the noise.
2008 Civic EX-L Nav
There are a few things I would like to see better on this car, One is the noise level of the road is load, Also the Sound System is one of the worst I have ever heard, Also No Bluetooth, What is with that? I will be changing Speakers ASAP, and put Dyno matt down under the Carpet! This will help a lot! Overall I like the car.
Good Car, but Pricey
I just purchased my Civic EX-L two weeks ago. My previous car was a Maxima so this is very different. The Civic is no longer a cheap car to buy. The final price was over 22K. It is probably worth it though. The coupe is fun to drive and handles the road well. The car gets around 26 miles to the gallon so far in city driving using regular grade gas. Most of the controls are easy to use. The steering wheel is in the way of the tachometer (located on the lower tier of the dashboard). I don't need to see it anyway. The only problems so far are a dashboard rattle and the driver's side door handle keeps loosening. There is also a big blind spot in the coupe.
Fun to Drive and Overall a Good Value.
Fun to drive? That's Because my Civic is averaging 32-35 mpg, now I can actually afford to drive. I drive approximately 70% highway and 30% city and back roads. Our highways are hilly here in West Virginia and my city driving includes many steep hills. In flatter terrain it should approach 40 mpg. The Civic is sporty / fun to drive and handles most driving conditions well. I actually look forward to driving it. Value: Hey, I did the comparisons too, it has one of the highest MSRP's in its class. Check the private party sale value of a 2006 Civic LX AT with 60K miles. The true market value of $12K is more than the asking price of new 2008 models in this segment less the Corolla.
Excellent car overall
I have only driven the car a few thousand miles, but enough to know what a wonderful car it is! When I traded, my car payment increased approx. $50.00, however I have saved over $100.00 in gas each of the past 2 months. The ride is very pleasant and the overall workmanship of the car is great. There a few minor irritations, however I would definitely choose this vehicle again. I do wish that I would have gotten an EX-L with Navigation.
Kudos to Honda!
This si sedan is almost everything I hoped it would be. It's dangerously fun to drive (got pulled over day after I picked it up...be careful!). It handles better than some cars way out of it's price range. rRdes a bit stiff, but that's expected from a performance suspension. I love the exhaust note at pretty much any engine speed. It sounds menacing. But the best part about driving this car is the instant thrust and hieghtened exhaust note that you feel and hear at 6000+rpm. It's like somebody let a mad dog out. Pure adrenaline!
Modern, Economic, Fun to Drive, Comfort
These are still my first month with my Honda Civic and I am just so happy to drive it. It's quiet on the highway and very comfortable. It's also fuel efficient at this point.
Drive Fast or Slow? Can't Decide...
Leased for my commute to work, but knew this would be a fantastic weekend car. Whether to tackle everyday tasks or to have a nice Sunday drive to the beach, the smooth shifting 6-Spd is a pleasure to drive. The clutch is quite an upgrade from the DX, LX, and EX trim. Happy about the performance, comfort, looks, reliability, and handling. Interior is eye catching, and the mp3 capability is welcomed. A/C vents need to be moved as they are behind the steering wheel. The black cloth seats with red stitching are extremely comfortable, but impossible to keep clean since every piece of lint or dog hair shows. Leather should have been an option. Need to fix creak on windshield/dash!
Expected Better Gas Mileage
I absolutely love the way the car handles. It feels like a sports car. At first glance, I did not like the new dash, however, it really grows on you. The only item I was disappointed in was fuel mileage. I was expecting at least 30 to 31 mpg in city/highway driving, but I am only averaging 27/28 mpg. I do drive for fuel economy; so hopefully when the car is broken in more, the mileage will improve.