Used 2009 Honda Civic Consumer Reviews
Used Civic for sale
Not as good as previous generations of Honda
Ken C, 01/03/2019
updated 01/06/2021
2009 Honda Civic LX 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
This was the first time in my life that I bought a car brand new from the dealer. Previously I had owned an 88 Accord and a 96 Civic EX which I loved. So when the 96 wore out, I went to Honda and let high pressure sales and price influenced me to buy this car, which cost less than what my daughter paid over 10 years earlier for a Civic DX, which is a lower level of economy. However, over the past few years I've realized how that was possible: 1) Cheaper quality materials on the interior. The level of plastic is almost 100% with quality I would compare to a milk jug. 2) Cheaper engine compartment. More plastic parts than ever, including the radiator and valve cover. 3) Cheaper quality exterior, mainly a skin of metal that is paper-thin, and dents and dings and scratches very easily, plus pinholes appear when you try to push them out. There is also a lot of plastic on the body including the wraparound bumper, and the paint starts peeling off these parts after about 5 years. The paint on my 94 Ford Ranger has held up better, and it's 15 years older. This is one way Honda was able to offer a much larger cabin space but keep the weight down and fuel economy up. 4) Less sound-deadening. You hear more road noise than previous generations and the cheap OEM tires start howling like bad wheel bearings after about 30-40k miles. 5) The brakes wear out prematurely. I think I had to redo mine at less than 40k miles. I just passed 100k, and the motor still doesn't burn any oil. That's the only thing that keeps this car from being a total flop. Last but not least, the plastic strip on both sides of the roof is all one piece with the trim around the windshield, which is shot on every Civic at about the 7 year mark. Honda wants about $320 for the pair which is an amazing price gouge for something that shouldn't cost more than $60. So far there is no aftermarket replacement, so you're screwed unless you drive around like me and leave the windshield trim exposed and ugly. I wish I'd bought a Chevy Cobalt, it's a better car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Gee, ours does 43 mpg!
theczech52, 08/19/2014
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Hi, I don't understand all the Civic hybrid bashing. Our '09 battery has never gone bad, and in FACT our second reserve car is an '05 Civic Hybrid at 148,000 on its original hybrid battery and averages 40 mpg! We don't garage either car here in upstate N.Y. Why are all of you having so many problems? Neighbors comment how good these cars look in our carport!
2009 Honda Civic for sale near you
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- LX SedanMSRP: $5,90014 mi away
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Our worst (and last) Honda ever
Disappointed in PA, 06/10/2010
2009 Honda Civic LX-S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Honda owners since 99. That all changed about 3 wks ago when my wife was driving our 2 daughters to dance recital about 10 mi from our house. 2-3 mi before arriving, my wife began hearing a terrible grinding noise from the front- end. It sounded like something was dragging. It turned out to be metal on metal front brakes. No warning sign that we were in need of brakes before that night. When she arrived the wheels were too hot to touch. Next day Honda service said we needed front brakes. Duh. They said exp brake life was 15- 20k! Our 04 Pilot weighs 2x as much and we went 50k before needing brakes. Do your research on Honda Civic brake problems. We are picking up Mazda3 today. Honda lost a customer forever.
Replacement for my Clunker
bjstrahm, 08/26/2009
2009 Honda Civic Si 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Thank you, taxpayers; my old Mercury Villager is no more! Being a college student, I needed a more reliable form of transportation, and that's exactly what I got. I looked at a few competitors as well as the Accord, but the Civic fit what I needed best. The Si badging added a little something something to the personal enjoyment factor. So far, I love my Civic. It has been impeccable in both build quality, initial reliability, and ownership satisfaction. Having never driven manual before and it being a new car, I was expecting some low MPGs on the first tanks. However, in my 2500 miles of driving, my lowest tank has been 28 and my best slightly above 33. Keep this car on your short list!
A great car
Gregg, 12/14/2008
2009 Honda Civic DX-VP 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My wife and I just purchased our Civic DX-VP yesterday. I had looked at a Toyota Yaris as my commuter car, but was able to buy the Civic for just $25/month more than the subcompact Yaris (comparing 60 month loans), and the Civic is a MUCH better car. The DX-VP does not have power locks, but it does have air conditioning and a good sound system, as well as power windows. This car is all Honda. Great styling, great engine, great historic reliability for the Civic sedans. I expect to be driving this car 15 years from now.