Used 2008 Honda Civic Consumer Reviews
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This car is starting to fall apart.
I've owned this car for 7 months now. This car pretty much seemed problem free up until when the weather gets really hot. Squeaks and rattles appear to come alive throughout the interior and pinpointing the area is difficult. Both sun visors came apart in the heat and failed to stay up. A/C condensation spills into the passenger interior instead of outside. Interior is very easy to scrape/scratch/scuff. Interior fabric and door panels will start to fade in the Summer sun. As for the driving aspect, clutch squeak, gear shifting hits a wall (all gears) and a/c belt squeak is becoming a common recurrence. Pedestrians will get lost in the large blind spots and the throttle response lags.
Excellent car
I initially bought the hybrid to drive in the HOV lane to save time going to work. I got it just prior to gas prices going up so I paid invoice. This car has really impressed us on its ride and especially the mileage. I have gotten just over 40 mpg average since purchasing the vehicle 13,000 miles ago. I tried to be a miser on one tank and got 52 mpg. Handling is smooth and tight compared to the top heavy Prius. Great car, would buy another.
- LX SedanMSRP: $6,575148 mi away
- EX SedanMSRP: $4,81093 mi away
- EX-L SedanMSRP: $4,500179 mi away
gas guzzling civic
My 2008 Civic lx with 3500 miles is getting 25 mpg. My 2004 Odyssey gets 20 and 22 mpg. I do not like the 5 spd auto. It gets on my nerves shifting up and down. It replaced a 1994 escort that never got less than 29 mpg the entire time we had it. And the shifter doesn't stop till d3. I do love everything else about this car but I will never buy another Honda. We will trade this car as soon as we can afford to unless the mpg goes up to 30. Oh yeah, the paint will fade from the acid rain and for an extra $500 they will cover it for 5 years. I have been very happy with my salesman and service rep since 2004. But if I want new untested improvements that may or may not work I will get a Honda!
2008 Civic Gas Mileage
My 2008 Civic LX has 18K miles on it. Wintertime gas mileage around town is about 34, summertime 36-37. Today I filled up full and got 40.1 mpg with all around-town driving. With highway driving, using the cruise control and making sure that RPMs don't exceed 2,000 (so about 60 mph)I can regularly get 47+ mpg. If I increase speed to 65 mph, mileage drops to about 42 mpg, so I lose about 1 mpg for each mph over 60 mph I drive. I'm glad I didn't spend the extra money for a hybrid. This car is a gem.
I-VTECH do u?
Nice car, Bang for the buck. I love it and won't trade it in for anything. I love the ride except for creaking noise of the plastics when I drive at low speeds. Road noise is pretty high.
Impressed with civic exl
Just purchased a exl civi auto. This is a luxury compact car with room in it. Sweet engine, nice leather seating and most all the bells and whistles. Quiet, sporty, frugal, and good looking. Just loving it. With good gas mileage, an upscale interior, why pay more.
A stylish investment
I was considering the ever so popular Mazda3 in this class, but the 2008 Civic definitely met my expectations. Excellent performance driving for its engine power, stylish interior, one of the highest fuel economies for non-hybrids, and tons of extra features (EX model) has given me a smile every time. My advice for those stuck deciding between a Mazda3 and a Civic: there is a performance difference that Mazda3 wins only for its V6 model. The I4 engines for both give comparable performance but the Civic gives more MPG, legroom for rear passengers, and better quality interior. Save the money on gas to buy a sports car later, if you are in this bracket you shouldn't compromise!
Great Gas Saver
We sold out Mitsubishi Evolution in an effort to decrease our car payment and decrease our gas consumption. The civic seemed like the obvious winner in our minds. We wanted a bigger vehicle (Accord or Acura TL) but their real world gas mileage isn't that great. We settled with the smaller civic and are very happy. The leather is great and I'm sure the heated seats will be nice this winter. We started around 32-33 MPG and the last 2 tanks have been 35+. We drive 85% highway @ 80 MPH. The engine power isn't bad considering we live +7k feet elevation. It should be more than adequate everywhere else in the country. Maybe not as quick as the competitors (mazda3) but a great car!
Everything I expected
I've had my civic for ~5 months now, and put over 9,000 miles on it. It's been fantastic, and I've only had to get an oil change once (because of the new more aerodynamic design, according to my dealership). It's a solid car, that I am very happy with. I did a lot of background research before I made the purchase, and it definitely stood far out beyond the other cars of its class. It's got a slightly sporty interior, that honestly feels luxurious. My only real complaint is that I've been getting approx. 30 mpg highway. I was expecting much higher, but considering I don't exactly drive in a way conducive to ideal gas mileage.
Fantastic Car
I came to the Civic from a '99 Caddy STS. While it isn't as comfortable as the Caddy and lacks the 300hp engine, It still boasts some very impressive features. For instance, I typically get about 30-35 mpg city and about 40-45 mpg highway. The car is very fun to drive (I love the manual transmission). The ride is pretty smooth. I'm a pretty big guy (6'1, 280 lbs) and I fit just fine. There's plenty of legroom (I don't even put the seat all the way back!). However, I wouldn't recommend the coupe to anyone planning to move 4 adults. The back seat is way to small for most adults. My 17 lb dog seems pretty comfortable back there, but I can't imagine any more substantial creature would be.
It's a Great Car!
I love everything about my Civic, the styling, the fuel economy, the handling, the performance, and it is very quiet and comfortable for its size. Best of all is its quality, though. From the fit and finish to the feel of it's switches, this car oozes quality. Having driven Japanese cars for 20 years, I think I'm hard to impress, too. This is my first Honda, but it won't be my last.
Love this Civic
I've owned 6 Hondas since 1980 and "fell off the wagon" with a V6 Jetta purchase several years ago. Am I ever glad to be back. Looked at the '08 Accord and Camery, but the milage and the EX-L/Navi option sold me on the Civic. I'm getting 28 city over first 3 fill ups. With the mileage, navi, and XM, I can't wait to take it on an extended highway trip. Drove it through an inch ice storm and 7 inch snow fall last week with no problems at all.
Good car but could be better
Downsized from a Prius, payment too high. Leasing Civic for $199.00 per/mth. Civic an adequate replacement. Not the same mileage, but close. Civics sticker about $8,000 less than the Prius. Prius mpg 47-51 mpg. Civic is 29-41. Civics positives: great fuel economy 31-32 suburban, 38-41 on highway. Nice styling outside. Civic negatives: Roofline too low, hard to get in & out of and I'm short. The seats are as hard as a park bench, most uncomfortable seats of any car I ever owned. Civic AC in Arizona summers sucks. AC cuts out by design during acceleration to save gas. Ride is too firm for my tastes.
your Civic responsibility
I have been a sports car guy - until $4.00 gas. I traded my 04 Accord V6 M6 on a new Hybrid. You have to learn a new driving skill - slow and steady vs. pushing apex turns. Have been rewarded with combined mileage 43.8 and Highway is 55.6. There is a lot of no a/c use to get this. Wind drag at speed over 50 mph kills mileage. I'm staying at 58 mph on I-95 (dangerous but economical). You need to squeeze the pedal gently and learn to coast a lot. I have enjoyed the smooth driving style that results in top mpg. No rushing, no frantic lane changing - slow and steady wins the race. In this era of energy crisis I felt led to do something to do my part - Civic Hybrid is my statement.
Civic Si is too much fun
Bought this Si about a week ago and have had a hard time leaving it parked. This car brought the biggest smile to my face that any car has given. Not only do you get amazing performance, but going down the highway I averaged 33 mpg. I haven't had it for very long, but this car is one of the best deals I have ever gotten on a car and it is by far the most fun I have had in one.
BAD gas mileage
I bought this car for one thing gas mileage. I am so upset, I do all city driving (actual city not town) and get 17-18mpg!!! Why in the heck did I buy a Honda to get 17-18 MPG??? I am so upset, it also has a knocking noise in the front but really I can put up with almost anything but 17mpg?? Highway I get 35-38 mpg
2008 Honda Civic LX
I drive carpool on the highway everyday (a little tight inside, but oh well) and not so much city anymore. I've only gotten below 30 mpg in the city once, and have gotten over 38 on the highway. My usually get around 34-35 combined. I opted not to get a hybrid as it was not going to be as cost efficient for me as the regular Civic. It's not the best accelerator when pulling onto the highway, but then again I traded in my Odyssey (which I loved but could no longer afford to feed) and I smile every time I stop at the gas station.
Ok so far
We picked up our new civic yesterday. I checked the mileage on the 141 mile trip home averaging 40.9 mpg driving at variable speeds from 50 to 75 mph on the freeway RPM under 3000. Are we happy? Yes! I like the gas mileage but it isn't a Camry in comfort and ride, but didn't expect it to be. The bad: we noticed a small ding on the truck lid, however very faint and we asked for a hundred off and got it so I shouldn't complain since I made the deal. I did noticed that the trunk lid isn't exactly centered. The door jams were dirty, and grease on the carpet mat that I ask the dealer to clean and they did. Other than than so far so good.
Great car at low price
I bought this car to replace my truck due to gas prices. I did not even test drive it, just got into after I signed the paperwork and I don't regret it. I just drove about 10 hours in the car, only had to fill up once from MS to SC about 37 MPG. The only things I found wrong is if you smoke like I do when it is raining the water will come in the front window and there is no ash tray in the car. Also there is not any cup holders in the rear.
What a Car, Beep, Beep
I am so happy that I purchased this wonder of silver. The gas mileage is awesome. The interior is beautiful. I looked at Corolla(to tight), Sentra (ugly build) Mazda3 (doesn't compare in gas nor reliability). Civic was the overall winner. Very impressed with something new everyday. Awesome Stereo. Driving Dynamics are great. The two tiered visual is futuristic and cool. Can't say enough great things about the gas. The leather for the first time really adds to the value and overall enjoyment of this car. I am glad Honda cares about their cars. Has all the amenities one can ask for. Steering wheel radio control and sunroof all for around 20K. Cant beat it. Thanks Civic
Not happy
We purchased the Honda Civic Hybrid four weeks ago. We have 860 miles on it and are frustrated and very unhappy with the performance of the car. The average mpg we are getting is 31.5 which is totally unsatisfactory. We are so upset I have complained to Honda of Superstition Springs and was told to contact American Honda Motor Co. needless to say they have not helped. Is there no one in this world that has any integrity left ?
Great Car
I like this car. It is my 5th Honda. I previously had a prelude. My only issue with the civic is that is doesn't ride as smooth as my prelude. It is a little higher up, so doesn't hug the road as well. All in all I am happy with the car, its very sporty looking.
Good Car
I've had this car for a few months. It's fun to drive, is cute & has a nice looking interior. I got it mainly as a commute car and it seems to get around 35 mpg, since I do mostly freeway driving. The only thing that I would change would be the seats and the headrests (although I was told the headrests were designed for safety and all cars have them now). My commute takes me a solid hour to get to and from work and the seat can get uncomfortable at times. I find myself trying to adjust into a comfortable position while driving. I didn't have a "seat problem" with my other cars. With the headrest, it feels like it is nudging your head constantly. Other than that, I would recommend this car.
Love It
So far I love my Honda! I am a big guy and have always drove Taurus's. I was a Ford man. But no more! The Civic has great room and gets great mileage. Very fun to drive. I look forward going to work now!!!
Great Car
Great car for the money. Not sure why some people aren't getting good fuel economy. My driving is about 2/3 highway and 1/3 city, and my worst tank in 6 months of ownership has been 33.5 mpg. I average 34.5 - 35.0 mpg, with spirited driving. My best tank was 37 mpg while I tried to baby it.
Run, don't walk
Get this automobile soon as possible. I recently received mine and I'm absolutely thrilled! I never write reviews for anything but this car is very impressive. Fuel economy is an important part of the story, but just getting more for your money in every way is the overall benefit. My Taffeta white coupe just keeps me staring at it when parked!! Do your due diligence with similar models, you will come back to this Honda for sure as I did.
satisfiled owner of civic
Overall satisfied with the purchase of my 2008 Civic LX. Got four quotes from the dealers using edmunds.com. The price range varied about $1000 from the lowest to highest. Obviously I went with the lowest quote and closest dealer to my home. Happy with the overall quality, style and price.
Love It
I am 6'2 185, fit in the car perfect no problem with leg or head room the seats hug you firmly which is nice. No sliding when turning or leaning. The dash is perfect placement and dims nicely at night when you turn on the lights. Got 45 miles to the gallon highway to Missouri from Connecticut doing 60 with a full trunk back seat and a passenger and is extremely quiet. AC perfect in 90 degree weather and the heat is fantastic now, a very insulated car, is still warm after an hour of sitting. Only complaint is the placement of the hand brake pressing against my knee, other than that the car is perfect..
Wish I Bought One Sooner!
I've been driving Ford SUVs for over 20 years and with the crazy fuel prices I decided to go back to driving a car. After getting in the driver's seat, I wish I had made my decision to buy sooner! Once seated, you feel like you're in a sports car, the seat fits just right and the tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjusts perfectly! On the road the Civic is responsive and is very nimble in its handling. Having the audio and cruise controls on the wheel is great, everything is at hand and in sight. Speaking of sight, the instrument panel is in plain view, nothing is obstructed. My combined MPG is 34 and climbing. IMO Honda has done an outstanding job w/ quality and ergonomics. GREAT JOB HONDA!!
Spend lots of time test driving
My wife, mom, brother, and friend all have Civics. They all praise how great they are. So, after almost 10 years of driving my Dodge Neon (which had been great, but didn't want to push my luck and needed a change), I decided to get a Civic. I love the styling inside and out. So, my heart was set on a Civic, but I wish I test drove the one I bought a little more. Overall, I still like it, but I've had it in the shop a couple times due to strong pulling to the right. It's better, but still seems very sensitive to the road. Neon went straight forever. Also, there's a slight throttle hesitation when you take off from an (almost) stop. Otherwise, drive is smooth, avg 35 mpg, now @ 2000 mi.
Traded in a Focus
I traded in a 2007 Ford Focus. The interior quality as compared to the Focus is way better. The car is very quiet with the exception of some wind noise. I like the two-tier gauge design, although it took a few days to get used to. I also like the fact that there is no radio antenna sticking up anywhere. The daytime running lights saved me on insurance. There are lots of little features that are cool; such as the automatic door locking/unlocking feature, telescoping steering wheel, etc. My mileage is 37 MPG with 80 percent highway driving. I gave it a slight deduction on exterior design for the lack of a rear spoiler and fog lights.
Well rounded sport sedan
After test driving and getting prices on the new Saturn Astra, VW GTI 5- door, and Mazda3 5-door, this Civic just is a better overall package and has the bullet proof Honda reliability to boot. I've owned the car for about two weeks now, but put 2,000 miles on it already. My wife and I took it two days after buying it on our vacation from Ohio to North and South Carolina. The performance and specifically the handling on this car are outstanding. Snicky 6-speed manual, point and shoot steering, and good throttle response make the Si a wonderful road car. The four door practicality means our two kids ride along in comfort too. Just watch out for the front buckets on long trips. Ouch.
Perfect balance
This car has no defects, it is innovative, reasonably performaning for normal needs (speed limit is 100 km per hour) while allowing a superior fuel economy. The exterior design is remarkable and will stand the test of time while inside is made with high quality material and also really optimized and fun. Seats are comfortable. I like to find a reason to move out and drive the car. Going to work never was so funny.
A very nice alternative
This Civic replaced my 04 Jetta wagon, which was a very nice car as far as amenities were concerned, but was otherwise a piece of junk. In the last two years I owned it, I had to pay $1000 each year just to pass inspection. Things broke that just shouldn't on a relatively new car. My new Civic is just like the '98 I had before the VW. It looks different, but is just as fun, just as reliable, just as economical. The new one is more powerful. I feel at home in this new Civic and plan on keeping it for a very long time. at 160,000 miles, I drove my old Civic 3000 miles cross country to sell to a friend, not a single problem. I expect this new one to be just as good, maybe better.
Everything I expected
I got this car after 5 years in a Dodge Caravan, so I had to get used to driving so low to the ground. I liked the look of the 2 door, but I didn't like the blind spots, so I went with a 4 door. Overall, I am very satisfied with the car. I get between 33-38 MPG, and after one trip across the state and back, I got almost 40 MPG. I got into the Honda for the reliability factor, but I love the look, especially the color (dark blue) and the digital speedometer. It was a little uncomfortable during the long trip; I had to shift around to stay comfortable, but some of that may have been because I was still adjusting from my Caravan (where my legs went down, instead of out.)
Be Careful of Manufactures defects
I know Honda is a great car, however, I am now on my 3rd replacement of the drives side door panel. There are blemishes and white spots along with over-spray on the bottom of the rear bumper panel. I have 3200 miles on the car and so far I have no complaints as far as any performance issues. I suggest when you buy any car to go over it with a very good eye. The dealership promises you the world before you purchase it as any car salesman would do to get your money. It's a great car however, look over it closely before you buy it for nicks and an body discrepancies.
Good Car
I have had this car for 4 months and so far I am still enjoying driving it. It has plenty of room inside, good pick up, quiet ride (even on the highways). Overall I still feel good about the purchase.
I'm Cooking with Gas
I just got my Honda a few days ago and it definitely looks superb in terms of driving fun & reliability. I myself highly appreciate Toyota and the same goes to Honda features. What a gas mileage and smooth tranny in comparison to my previous 2000 Honda CR-V . The exterior design's just marvelous and it really satisfies you in roomy Interior as well. Honda got that little bit extra. C'mon. Come ride with us.
Wish I had bought one sooner
The coupe is a fantastic vehicle. On the first tank of gas I got 7.5 more mpg than my previous car. The ride is extremely comfortable, it rides like a car that costs much more. Having the controls on the steering wheel is an added bonus of the EX that I enjoy. I don't have to take my eyes off the road or my hands off the wheel to change the volume or station.
Much improved over 05 Honda Hybrid
I owned a 2005 Honda Hybrid and drove it for 35,000 miles and loved the car. I could get 50 MPG if I was really careful and did not use the A/C. My overall MPG was about 4 5MPG. My son now owns the car and I shipped it out to him from Florida to California. He is getting 38 to 42 MPG. I purchased a new 08 Honda and we are getting 50 MPG using the A/C. The new car is much improved over the 05 Honda in every way. Honda has managed to make a great little car even better. I even love the two tiered dashboard. I only have one minor complaint. I wish Honda would reposition the hand brake.
Love It
My parents helped me with this car for a graduation present and I love it. It's fun to drive, great on gas and is very stylish inside. I've gotten nothing but compliments on it and I love it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a reliable coupe.
Civic Hybrid - Awesome MPG!
I bought my Civic Hybrid about two months ago and have put over 5000 miles on it already. I live out in the country and do a lot of highway miles but also work in the city. For my last 150 miles (which was almost all highway) I got ~57 mpg. Over all for the ~5200 miles I've driven, I'm getting 48 mpg! I've had no issues at all and the Civic has enough pep for getting on the highway, or climbing hills. The mileage started (during the first few weeks) around 43-44 mpg, but has continued to improve. As a driver with a hybrid, you can become more concerned with mpg than mph. I've learned to drive slower to enhance my gas mileage.
Economy Car
I'm a little let down by this car. It's the first Honda I've owned. I bought it for its fuel efficiency to replace my F-150. I really expected more. It gets the same mileage as my old 2003 Camry 4cyl which had 150,000 km. This isn't bad, but I expected better even when new. I really hope it improves with time. However I don't think I will ever see those EPA numbers. The car rattles so much it is embarrassing - especially when cold, this car was not made for Canadian winters! The plastics scratch really easily. The door where your finger nails sometimes touch is the worst!!! The car does drive very well. I constantly have to remind myself this is not a luxury car by any means.
Where is the quality?
I have been in the automotive business for 15 years. I have owned or leased almost every make vehicle including Toyota, Ford, GM and Honda. This Honda Civic is my 3rd Honda. Of all the vehicles I have owned, by far I have had the most problems with Honda's. The engine and transmission may be smooth and reliable, but the little annoying problems like the constant flickering of the check engine lights (all 3 have had this problem). Very disappointed and frustrating. I've had less problems on my GM owned vehicles - far less! These vehicles are riding on the reputation of Honda's many years ago. Believe it or not, many American vehicles have surpassed the so called Honda quality. DISAPPOINT
2008 Civic Hybrid
15,000 miles and no problem what so ever. Gas mileage is very good, at $4.00 per gallon it's worth it. Handling is crisp but steering is a little too sensitive at highway speeds. Performance is all I expected, now if the front seats weren't so hard and the road noise as loud I couldn't find anything to fault.
All Around Winner!
I've had this car now for 1 month and 1300 miles, and I'm loving it. You won't find a better combination of acceleration, handling, looks, reliability, and practicality at the 20k price point. I always look forward to driving it. For a 2.0 L 4cyl with only a rated 139 lb-ft of torque, the pull even from low rpm in any of the first 4 gears is surprisingly strong. Wind it out to 7-8k rpm and you feel like your driving a F1 race car! This car is every bit as quick and much more nimble than the V6 '02 Maxima it replaced. I've experienced 28-29 mpg thus far, which I feel is plenty decent given the performance this car delivers. I'd recommend it to anyone!
Comparing to a Prius
My wife has a Prius and I have the Civic. The Civic's gas engine runs more than the Prius' so it's not as fuel efficient but still VERY good at 44 mpg 90% city driving. The Prius shuts off its gas engine whenever it has an opportunity but the Civic does it only when the car is stopped at "D" or at VERY light throttle. If the car is in "Park", the gas engine will keep running, unlike the Prius. It's much more fun-to-drive than the Prius thanks to its sportier ride and handling. It doesn't have as many gadgets to play with but it has all the essentials. If your only concern is fuel economy, buy a Prius. If you want more fun while saving gas, get a Civic Hybrid.. shorter wait, too! 6wks vs 8+ wks
Disappointed
Buyer beware. I am very disappointed. The most troublesome problem with the car is that there is a significant, and very distracting, vibration in the steering wheel, drivers seat, and middle console when the car is at a resting idle. This alone makes me dislike this car. The car has been in for service 3 times. American Honda Corps position on the problem is that it is within manufacturing standards. There is also a significant vibration in the steering wheel and roughness at highway speeds. The road noise is loud. This car does NOT get 34 mpg, 30 at best. I would not buy this car again. I would recommend you test drive multiple cars and read many customer reviews.
Problem starting
This is a brand-new 2008 Civic, only 4 months old, 10k-km (6k miles) yet it has more problems starting than my 15 year old Chrysler. As soon as the cool weather hit - bam, ran into trouble. You have to crank and crank and crank it before it finally starts and then it runs roughly before finally idling. Sometimes I crank it and just stop and wait before trying again. Today it was -15C (5F) and the engine would not even turn over. I turned the key all the way to "start" - nothing. Engine would not even respond. I am very disappointed in this car. If I can't depend on it to start in the cold weather, what else can go wrong?
GreatDeal
Never thought a small car could be as comfortable and fun to drive as this one. Whenever someone drives the car they are impressed by the power and handling of the car. My husband will purchase one in Feb. of 2009 he likes it so much, unless something better comes along.