Honda Civic 1995 Problems

The Honda Civic offers buyers of used small cars a little more than the rest; it also has a reputation for quality and design innovation that sets it apart in the eyes of small car buyers.

The Civic quickly won a following after it was launched here in the early 1970s. It was stylish, economical, performed well, and was well built, the same qualities that drive Civic sales today.The Civic was never a cheap small car; those perceived qualities so loved by Australians came at a price. So much so that the Civic lost ground to its rivals as other carmakers, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, and Toyota closed the gap through the 1980s and early 1990s.In that crowded small car arena there wasn’t as much that made the Civic stand out as it had in past times. It was still stylish and well built, but its performance was lacklustre and it was no longer as economical when those were key qualities small car buyers wanted.Perhaps the thing that brought the Civic out of the doldrums it found itself in was the arrival of the VTEC engine. With its clever variable valve timing and lift system Honda could extract quite amazing performance from a small engine. With the VTEC engine under its bonnet the Civic, particularly the performance-oriented VTi, came to life.In the blink of an eye the well-built small car was transformed. There was good reason to buy the Civic again.MODEL WATCHThe heavily revised fifth generation Civic Honda launched late in 1991 wasn’t anything to write home about. It was a little larger than its predecessor, its styling was wishy-washy without being in any way offensive, its performance was breathless, but it handled well, and was well built.The new Civic range opened with the Breeze, a bright and bubbly three-door hatch with a 1.3-litre single overhead camshaft, carburettor fed four-cylinder engine that managed to produce 55 kW at 6300 revs. It had a five-speed manual gearbox and power steering was standard. The performance wasn’t great, but the economy was acceptable.The mid-range GL came in four-door sedan and three-door hatch forms. It had a 1.5-litre single overhead cam four cylinder engine with twin carburettors, which produced 74 kW at 6300 rpm.There was a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearboxes, and the list of standard equipment included power windows and mirrors, central locking, tachometer and an Alpine radio cassette system.This was a disappointing performer, and thirsty to boot.Top of the range at launch was the Si, which also came as a four-door sedan or three-door hatch. Power was from a 1.6-litre double overhead camshaft fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that boasted 96 kW.It too had a choice of manual or auto transmissions, along with four-wheel disc brakes, upgraded trim, and tilt adjustable steering wheel.The VTEC variable valve-timing engine made its first appearance in the four-door VEi sedan, which was released in 1993. It was a 1.5-litre single overhead cam engine configured for fuel economy. It produced 66 kW, and was offered with a five-speed manual trans only.Other standard features included a driver’s airbag, power steering, central locking, power windows and mirrors, tachometer, and cloth trim.As long as you weren’t expecting much get up and go the VEi was worth a look.In September 1993 the Civic came in for a much-needed mid-life makeover, with a raft of revisions, particularly to the engines offered.The Breeze got a new lease on life with a 1.5-litre single overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, which now had throttle body injection, and produced 67 kW.The GLi replaced the GL with a 1.5-litre multipoint fuel-injected single overhead cam four-cylinder engine that developed 74 kW.Fuel economy continued to be the main focus of the VEi with its 1.5-litre VTEC/E engine, which produced peak power of 66 kW.If economy was a priority for the VEi, the new VTi was a breath of fresh air with the emphasis on performance. Available as a sedan or hatch it was a taste of what was to come as Honda developed it system of variable valve timing and lift.The VTi had a 1.6-litre double overhead camshaft four cylinder engine with 96 kW on tap at 6600 revs. It had plenty of low down grunt as well as impressive top end zip, endowing the VTi Civic with impressive performance.Standard equipment on the VTi included four-wheel discs, electric sunroof, cloth trim, and four-speaker AM/FM cassette sound.Driver’s side airbags became standard across the Civic range in August 1994.IN THE SHOPGenerally the trade highly rates the Civics after the revised engines arrived late in 1992. Prior to that, they say, the engines were generally thirsty and lacked performance.The VTi is highly regarded and easily the pick of the bunch. It’s got good performance while still delivering impressive fuel consumption.Performance and economy issues apart, Honda engines, as well as gearboxes, drive lines and diffs are robust and give little trouble. Rear wheel bearings are a source of trouble.The problems are mostly related to ancillaries, like air-conditioning compressors, which are a known source of trouble.There are no real problems with the Civic body, they’re well built in the first instance and stand up well in service. Same goes for the paint, which continues to shine if maintained as it should be.Check for service record, and evidence of regular maintenance.OWNERS’ VIEWSKristen Jones has owned her 1993 Honda Civic Breeze for four years, and says it has been very cheap to run, and easy to drive and park. She has had no problems with it and would happily recommend it.Debbie Williamson bought her 1993 Civic GL new, and has now done 210,000 km. She says it is reliable, comfortable, economical, attractive, and roomy, is easy to drive and to this point has had nothing go wrong.Jim Liaskos has owned his 1994 Honda Civic manual GLi for 10 years. It has now done 240,000 km, and he says it handles well and is very economical. Apart from normal service items, he has replaced the front wheel bearings, the clutch master cylinder, noisy gearbox bearings, thermostat, and the brake master cylinder.LOOK FOR• good build quality• robust and reliable mechanicals• poor performance and fuel economy prior to 1991 engine upgrade• noisy rear wheel bearingsTHE BOTTOM LINEThe Civic was struggling to live up to its reputation before the revised engine range arrived in late 1991, and improved both its performance and economy.RATINGPre-1993 – 60/100; Post-1993 – 75/100

The Honda Civic stood apart from the rest of the small car crowd from the moment it hit our shores in the early 1970s. It was the small car for buyers who could afford a little more than was being offered by other carmakers.Honda was quickly able to establish a reputation for quality and design innovation that set it apart in the eyes of small car buyers.With each new generation Honda was able to build on the reputation established by pervious models.Every new generation offered an attractive blend of quality, style, packaging and price, and the sixth generation that arrived here in the mid-1990s was no different.MODEL WATCHThe Civic that hit our shores late in 1995 was the sixth generation of the small Honda, and took it to a whole new level of quality, refinement and performance.The fifth generation, while maintaining the things that made the Civic so appealing was criticized for its packaging, noise level and ride. It was even rated below rivals like the cheaper Toyota Corolla. Clearly Honda had some ground to recover with the sixth generation.Honda had obviously heard the criticisms and answered most of them with the new car. The style and build quality that was so well liked was carried through, but with much improved packaging and refinement. The interior noise levels in particular were much lower than those of the earlier model.There were three body styles in the new Civic range. There was the Japanese-sourced three-door hatch and four-door sedan and a coupe that came from America.All three were based on a modified version of the previous model sedan’s platform, which retained the sedan’s longer wheelbase.That meant the hatch grew in wheelbase by 50 mm, which resulted in rear legroom and much needed passenger comfort. It was also higher and that also made it a more comfortable place to be.The sedan body was also reworked, but in a less obvious way. It was 55 mm longer than the previous sedan, 38 mm of which was used to increase rear legroom, with five mm added to the legroom in the front.Under the bonnet the sixth generation Civic had a choice of three 1.6-litre four-cylinder engines and all delivered better performance than those in the earlier model.They started with a single overhead camshaft unit that punched out 88 kW at 6400 revs and 144 Nm at 5000 revs in the CXi and GLi models.There was also a choice of two VTEC variable valve-timing engines. The opener was a single overhead camshaft unit that gave similar performance to the base 1.6-litre, but was configured to work with Honda’s the new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and optimize fuel consumption.The ultimate performance engine was the double overhead camshaft VTEC engine that thumped out 118 kW at 7600 revs and 148 Nm at 7000 revs. The notable thing about this engine was that it delivered 100 horsepower per litre, a benchmark for engine performance.Honda offered three transmissions in the Civic, the CVT, a regular four-speed auto and a five-speed. The CVT was available in the VTi, the auto in the CXi and GLi, and the manual in the CXi, GLi, VTi and VTi-R.The three-door hatch was offered in CXi, GLi and potent VTi-R models, while the sedan came in GLi and VTi variants.IN THE SHOPMechanics hate Hondas. Not because they’re a bad car, but because they don’t break down. It’s hard to make a living when the cars you’ve chosen to specialize in rarely arrive on the back of a tow truck.Honda engines are generally bulletproof, but look for a service record showing they’ve seen the inside of a service shop as required. Regular oil changes are necessary to avoid the expensive build-up of sludge that can cause the demise of any engine, but Honda engines in particular.Likewise the gearboxes, which stand up well, but the auto likes the Honda-recommended oil. Straying from the Honda oil may save a few bucks, but it can lead to troubles down the road.Bodywise the Civic copes well. It’s a solid little car that generally stays rattle free as the kays mount. Obviously look closely for the telltale signs of a bingle; mismatched paint, sagging doors, boot lids or hatches.The Civic interior also copes quite well with our harsh sun. The general fit and finish is of a high quality, the parts are durable, and the trim seems hard wearing.IN A CRASHRigid bodies provide a stable platform, on which Honda built a car that was agile and responsive, which enhanced primary safety when it came to avoiding a crash,Only the VTi sedan and VTi-R hatch had the protection of anti-lock brakes.Driver airbags were standard across the range, with the VTi and VTi-R also boasting a front passenger airbag.OWNERS SAYMarilyn Gardiner intended to keep her 1999 Civic GLI sedan for three years, but it is so stylish and has been so reliable in 106,000 km she hasn’t been able to part with it. Unlike the 1989 Holden Astra she owned before the Civic, which was called the mystery car because she never knew when or where it would let her down, the Civic has been totally reliable. The Civic lacks the zip of her Astra, but doesn’t cost much to run. Her only criticism is of the Honda colours, which she says are boring.The CXi three-door hatch Geoff McDonald bought new in 1997 is still his prime mode of transport. Honda dealers have regularly serviced it and the only expense he’s incurred other than filters and plugs in 10 years and 115,000 km is a replacement light bulb costing $5. The car is as good as new in terms of performance and consumption, the body is perfect, and the paintwork is excellent. The McDonald family has collectively owned six Hondas and all have been equally reliable and trouble free.LOOK FOR• chunky styling• decent interior roominess• agile and responsive handling• standard drivers airbag for safety• zippy VTi-R hatch• low fuel consumptionTHE BOTTOM LINEWell-built, good-looking small car that shows no signs of ageing with the passing years.RATING85/100

The Civic quickly won a following in the early 1970s. It was stylish, economical, performed well and was well built, the same qualities that drive Civic sales today. The Civic was never a cheap small car and lost ground to rivals such as Mazda, Subaru, Nissan and Toyota which closed the gap through the 1980s.  It was still stylish and well built, but its performance was lacklustre. Perhaps the thing that brought the Civic out of the doldrums was the arrival of the VTEC engine.The heavily revised fifth-generation Civic launched late in 1991 wasn't anything special.  The new range opened with the Breeze, a bright three-door hatch with a 1.3-litre engine that produced 55kW at 6300 revs.It had a five-speed manual gearbox and power steering was standard.  The mid-range GL, a four-door sedan or three-door hatch, had a 1.5-litre engine with twin carburettors which produced 74kW at 6300 revs.This was a disappointing per former, and thirsty to boot.  Top of the range was the Si, as a four-door sedan or three-door hatch. It had a 1.6-litre, double overhead camshaft, fuel-injected engine which boasted 96kW.It had four-wheel disc brakes, upgraded trim and tilt adjustable steering wheel.  The VTEC variable valve timing engine made its first appearance in the four-door VEi sedan which was released in February 1993. It was a 1.5-litre engine configured for fuel economy. It produced 66kW, and was offered only as a five-speed manual.  Other standard features included a driver's airbag, power steering, central locking, power windows and mirrors, tachometer, and cloth trim.In September 1993 the Civic came in for a mid-life makeover, with a raft of revisions, particularly to the engines offered.  The Breeze got a 1.5-litre engine which now had throttle body injection and 67kW.  The GL was replaced by the GLi with a 1.5-litre engine which developed 74kW.  Fuel economy continued to be the main focus of the VEi with its 1.5-litre VTEC/E engine which produced peak power of 66kW.If economy was a priority for the VEi, the new VTi was a breath of fresh air, with the emphasis on performance.  The VTi had a 1.6-litre double overhead camshaft, four-cylinder engine with 96kW on tap at 6600 revs. Standard equipment on the VTi included an electric sunroof.  Driver's side airbags became standard across the Civic range in August 1994.The trade likes the Civics after the revised engines arrived late in 1992. Before that, they say, the engines were generally thirsty and lacked performance.  Performance and economy issues apart, Honda engines -- as well as gearboxes, drive lines and diffs -- are robust and give little concern.  Rear wheel bearings are a source of trouble.The problems are mostly related to ancillaries such as airconditioning compressors, which are a known source of trouble.  There are no real problems with the Civic body. They're well built in the first instance and stand up well in service.  Check for service record, and evidence of regular maintenance.Kristen Jones has owned her 1993 Breeze for four years, and says it has been cheap to run, and easy to drive and park. She has had no problems with it and would happily recommend it.Debbie Williamson bought her 1993 Civic GL new, and has now done 210,000km. She says it is reliable, comfortable, economical, attractive, roomy, easy to drive and to this point has had nothing go wrong.Jim Liaskos has owned his 1994 Honda Civic manual GLi for 10 years. It has now done 240,000 km, and he says it handles well and is economical.  Apart from normal service items, he has replaced the front wheel bearings, the clutch master cylinder, noisy gearbox bearings, thermostat and the brake master cylinder.The Civic was struggling to live up to its reputation before the revised engine range arrived in late 1991, and improved both its performance and economy.Good build qualityRobust and reliable mechanicalsPoor performance and fuel economy prior to 1991 engine upgradeNoisy rear wheel bearings

Honda Civic began as a small car but increased in size over the years to become a small-medium by the period we are considering here.Because of the expansion in body size Honda also imports a smaller model, the Honda Jazz. Those who loved the smaller Civics of old may care to check out the Jazz. The Honda Civic has long had a reputation for build quality and reliability and this has lifted it a notch or two in the image stakes in Australia.Civic is a Japanese design in sedan format, with a fair bit of European input in the hatchback. The latter is built in England, the sedans in Japan or Thailand, the Civic petrol-electric hybrids are all made in Japan.Build quality doesn’t appear to be dependent on the country the Civic is manufactured in because the Japanese head office keeps a tight rein on the output of the factories. Interior room in the Honda Civic is good without being outstanding. There is space for four adults but in reality the rear seat is probably best left to children.Boot space is fine. Sedans are longer than hatches and most of this extra body size is put into a larger luggage area. There is some loss of boot space in the hybrid due to the installation of a large battery, but it’s better than many hybrids in this area.The Honda Civic is easy to drive and park thanks to light controls and good feel for the driver. These cars are popular with suburban users, but can be used on the open road, although bumpy secondary roads in the bush can cause a rough ride at times in older Civics as they have relatively short-travel in their suspension. Later models, from 2006, are better than the older ones.On smooth and moderate roads the Civic offers the sort of relaxed noise and vibration levels that are generally only found in cars from the next size class upwards. Engine sizes in the standard Civics are 1.6 litres and 1.7 litres in the older models; rising to 1.8 and even 2.0 litres in the current versions, introduced in 2012. The 2.0-litre engines are fitted to the sportier Civics and give plenty of performance.The semi-race Civic VTi-R, sold from 1996 until 1999, is very quick and is a delightful hot four. However, its engine only has a capacity of 1.6 litres and you have to work vigorously at the gearbox to keep it high in the rev range. If you’re not a keen driver you may find it frustrating and should perhaps avoid it. But if you do love pushing a car hard all the time then a VTi-R should definitely be on your short list.Five-speed manual gearboxes are standard in most models. Four-speed automatic transmissions are offered in all except the sporting Civic VTi-R. A five-speed auto is used in the eighth-generation Civics, launched at the start of 2006.The Civic Hybrid was introduced to Australia in early 2004 and is less extreme than previous Honda hybrids. As a result it’s more favourably priced. It has significantly lower pollutants from the exhaust as it runs a small 1.3-litre petrol engine, as well as an electric motor.The automatic fitted to the Civic Hybrid is a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Repairs and servicing can be relatively expensive. Spare parts also used to fall into that category, but Honda has worked hard with its parts network in recent years and things have improved considerably on the later Civics.Civic is reasonably simple mechanically so a good amateur mechanics can do a fair bit of the work themselves. Having a workshop manual at hand makes a lot of sense. Don’t attempt to carry out repairs to safety related items unless you have top class experience.Insurance costs are generally reasonable, with few companies making any real differentiation for the sportier versions of the Civic. Which is a surprise for such a little hotshot, it probably hasn’t sold in sufficient numbers to have come up on the radar of the insurance guys, let's hope it stays that way.Bodywork should be undamaged and free from rust. A Civic that has been poorly repaired after a smash may turn rusty later. Make sure the engine starts promptly and responds quickly and positively to the throttle. If possible arrange to start it when it’s cold after an overnight stop. Any engine that hesitates when revved suddenly should be treated with suspicion.A worn engine will smoke from the exhaust when it is driven hard after a period of idling. A conventional automatic transmission should be crisp in its changes and not hold onto any gear for too long. A continuously variable automatic transmission feels different in its operation so have an expert drive it if you are not confident it’s working correctly.The clutch pedal should be smooth in its operation. All manual gear changes should be light, positive and quiet. Problems will show up first on fast down changes, usually when going from third to second. Make sure the brakes pull the car up without any pulling to one side and that no one wheel locks while the others are still rolling freely.Look for Civics with a full service history as many belong to people who are very fussy about their cars.

When the fifth-generation Honda Civic hit the road in the early 1990s, it was still years away when Australians abandon their big-car for something smaller.