Category: Honda

2003 Honda Civic Review

The Honda Civic is one of the best selling cars in the United States. This is not only due to the price but also because it has a diverse selection of models to choose from. The most popular model is the hatchback which most people are accustomed to, but it also comes in a four-door sedan and a two door coupe. The Civic was redesigned in 2001 as Honda looked to increase the already strong sales of its most reliable model.

The 2003 Civic comes in the aforementioned 3 versions and the coupe and sedans range from the DX, LX and EX. The DX and LX have a 115 horsepower 1.7 liter four cylinder engine, while the EX is powered by a 127-horsepower 1.7 liter engine but also has the VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Control) system, giving it an extra boost in power. A five-speed manual transmission comes as standard but a four-speed automatic is available for all models if desired.

The hatchbacks have their own specifications; the Civic Si has a 160 horsepower 2.0-liter i-VTEX engine and is only available with a five-speed manual transmission. This model is also the most costly of the three versions. And still there are specialty Civics available. There is the Coupe HC, which offers an fantastic 44 MPG, a 117 horsepower lean burn engine which is teamed with a five-speed manual transmission. In addition, there is also a Civic hybrid for the environmentally conscious, which reaches 50 MPG.

For a compact car the inside is noticeably roomy, partially because of the compact engine bay, at least in the front seats. The extra space lends itself to a feeling of openness, easy entrance and exit from the car and excellent visibility, which is also assisted by a low hood line. The downside is the backseat accommodation, which is not nearly as comfortable as the front seating. Although they allow for more legroom than before the revamp in 2001, it isn’t very comfortable on long rides.

On the road, the Civic handles itself well, although not quite as quiet as one would like it to be but at the same time, it is not the loudest compact in the marketplace. As previously stated, it is excellent with gas and the different models each offer their own pluses especially the EX and Si. The EX’s acceleration is top notch, throttle response is excellent and shifting is seamless. And the Si is the most fun to drive around town. With its size and engine, it can whip around corners and responds very well. In fact, it probably performs at a higher level than any of the Civic models.

For the most part, the 2003 Civic is a conservative looking car that offers contemporary polish. And then there is the hatchback, which creates opinions on both sides of the fence. Some think it’s a cute design that stands out on the road and others simply think the car is unattractive, perhaps even ugly. But no one can deny that this is certainly a reliable automobile, no matter which model they choose.

About the Author

This 2003 Honda Civic review can also be read on helium.com as it was originally submitted there to build up a more diverse author portfolio.

Feb 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

2005 Honda Civic Review

The 2005 Civic looks to continue its hold in the compact car market and it doesn’t seem that there’s anything in this model that suggests it will do otherwise. Not only does the Civic have a reputation as a reliable and dependable vehicle, the cost has always been something that appeals to many people shopping for cars. Because the Civic has been around since 1973, there has been a lot of fine tuning so not a lot needs to be added from year to year.

As in previous years, there are three models, the sedan, coupe, and hatchback, and within those, there are different versions; the DX, only available in a sedan, the Value Package (VP), only available for a coupe, then the LX and EX. The DX really offers no perks besides a radio and the Value Package upgrades the radio to a CD player and adds air conditioning. The LX is the true minimum choice; it comes with most of the features many have become accustomed to – power locks, windows and mirrors, key-less entry and cruise control. The EX has all the goodies, which includes ABS, alloy wheels, variable windshield wipers and a moonroof, among others.

Then there are the specialty models. The HX is like the DX and the SE is similar to the LX, the difference being a better stereo and a sportier design. The Si is the hatchback and has a sport tuned suspension, sport seats, and rear disk brakes. The Hybrid, for those concerned about the environment, not only has a electric/gas engine, but is similar to the EX in terms of features except for the moonroof.

The Hybrid has the least horsepower at 93, with a 1.3 liter gas/electric powertrain but also has the best MPG at 45 in the city and 51 on the highway. DX, VP, and LX all have a 115 horsepower, 1.7 liter four cylinder engine, while the EX is powered by a 127 horsepower engine. The HX has a 117 horsepower engine but its lean burn engine allows it to have better gas mileage.

The inside of the front seats are spacious because of the compact engine design and for the price, it’s hard to beat. The materials of the interior are of high quality but there will probably always be the issue of back seat space. The Civic best fits two people but is capable of transporting up to five, although if the buyer is a family of five looking to frequently travel, there may be better options. However, in terms of trunk space, the Si is a very good choice.

The 2005 Civic has received a rating of five out of five stars in frontal impact collisions. The sedan also gets five stars when installed with side airbags while the sedan gets four stars in any case. The Civic also gets a “good” rating from the IIHS for its results in frontal offset crashes. The greatest negative about the 2005 Civic is that anti lock breaks (ABS) are not offered with the DX, VP, HX, or LX. Some may consider that a reason to bypass the Civic all together.

A person could make a much worse choice than the 2005 Civic. There is no reason to believe that sales of Civics are going to decrease because of what the car offers. The 2005 Honda Civic is an economical choice of car and some options have all the extras people have come to love over the years. Overall, it looks as if the 2005 model will continue to do well for Honda and continue to please loyal customers with its economic performance and competitive pricing.

About the Author

This 2005 Honda Civic review can also be read on helium.com as it was originally submitted there to build up a more diverse author portfolio.

Feb 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Cutting Edge Diesel Emissions Control from Honda

In 2009 Honda plans to introduce passenger vehicles simultaneously in Japan and the United States that will employ a highly advanced diesel engine technology designed to fulfill U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards in all 50 states. Initially, a diesel Honda Accord will be offered, with the CR-V likely to be the second Honda vehicle to receive the engine. Future plans call for a diesel version of the Maxima, a planned cooperative venture with Renault. The stand-out feature of the Honda technology is that these engines, unlike products by competitors, do not require the addition of urea to function.

Honda first announced the diesel Accord at the Tokyo auto show in 2007. The vehicle features an aluminum 2.2-liter engine producing 150 horsepower with 260 lb. ft. of torque. Unlike similar diesels made by companies like Mercedes and Volkswagen, the Honda engines will not require replenishment with AdBlue urea liquid to ensure system function and efficient emissions control. The new engines have a NOx converter that, through a chemical reaction, produces its own ammonia while giving off nothing more than harmless nitrogen and water.

The NOx converter consists of two substrate layers on its honeycombed matrix. The outer layer functions to store the NOx while the secondary, lower layer, composed of platinum particles, principally reacts with the exhaust. It is this reaction that, during rich combustion, makes the ammonia. The ammonia, in turn, reacts with the stored NOx and results in the by-products nitrogen and water. According to statements by Honda, this technology was developed in-house and has a scalable capacity that will allow it to be used in a variety of vehicle configurations.

Since 2006, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) has been the standard in both Europe and North America with new, aggressively high emissions standards in place in the United States since the 2007 model year. The use of this cleaner burning variant of the diesel fuel has driven the development of innovative emissions control technologies that have in turn revived the diesel genre, once seen as the exclusive purview of smelly, dirty, heavy duty trucks. Diesel vehicles do have much higher levels of nitrogen oxide in their exhaust that have, until recently, made automakers wary of exploring such products as a way to meet higher fuel economy standards mandated by Congress.

The balance between meeting clean standards versus economy standards was, in the opinion of most car makers, too tricky and too expensive. Rapid advances in emissions technology, however, are changing the outcome of that equation. This new, urea-free technology from Honda clearly pushes the envelope in diesel emissions controls and serves to further drive the development of a whole spate of new diesels that will begin to appear on showroom floors late in 2008 and in 2009 from a variety of automakers.

About the Author

With so many choices on the market showcasing technologies under the hood and inside the cabin, savvy shoppers look for comprehensive car reviews. Have you done your homework?

Feb 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Honda CR-V Review by TheNewDriversSeat

A review of the Honda CR-V includes mention of performance in the wet as well as in dry conditions. The CR-V is a compact SUV with over 2.5million sold worldwide.

Safety features mention the standard measures incorporated by Honda and highlights the fact Honda omitted a third row of seating compared to other car models in a similar class.

Some nice features including the focus on fuel economy compared to cars in the same class making it one of the better choices for people who want an SUV and who want to be Green.

The video is quite professional and gives a good general overall review of the Honda CR-V. Enjoy.

About the Author

Another video brought to you by Car Vids.

Feb 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Getting a Good Price on Your Honda

There are many ways that you can get a good price on your new Honda car. You just have to know what questions to ask and what to do to get the price just right.

What to Ask

When you get ready to go find your perfect Honda car or truck, you should look for the final price on the vehicle. Many dealers will not include the price of the vehicle that you are interested in on the windshield of the vehicle like they will with the payments. Honda dealers are not the only ones that may try to sidestep you when you are trying to find out what the full price is on the vehicle before you start into the purchasing process. You also should ask about the interest rate that may be applied to the loan. If it’s too high then even the best priced Honda car will still be high for an average customer. If the dealer is reluctant to tell you what the price will be for the vehicle, then it’s best to keep looking for a different place to get your Honda car. First instincts will tell you a lot about the payments and if the dealer seems to be a little off.

What Will Affect Your Price?

There are a few things that will make your payments more or will help you to get the best rates and prices. Your credit is a big factor when it comes to getting a good deal. This is because you will pay a higher interest rate if your credit is not as good as it could be. If you have no down payment, then it will also be higher for you to pay each month and be a higher price in the long run. You need to figure what your full price will be after the vehicle is paid for at the full term so that you know what you will end up paying in the long run for the vehicle. Honda cars are known for being very affordable for the average person. You still need to be aware of the full price including the interest payment that you may have to pay in the end.

Many people will jump right in to buying their new Honda car because they feel that the price is right and that they may have found a great deal. You should understand what you need to know before starting your search because you want to get the best deal for you and you want to get a great car for yourself as well. You may need to look at a few different dealers to find the right deal and the right price for you to be able to afford. Remember that when you finance a car, you will most likely get a better price then if you finance a truck. Take the time to look for the best deal and you will be more likely to get it.

About the Author

The Author Paul Rushton writes articles on honda dealer manchester. More articles written by the author related to new honda cars, used honda cars and honda dealer lancashire which can be found on the web. Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_524613_31.html

Feb 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post