I want to buy a used Civic, around $5K to $7K price range.I'm a very good shopper. It needs to be 4 doors but I'm undecided on auto or manual.Anyone have thoughts on best years for reliability and gas mileage? What highway mileage should I expect? Is one tranny better than the other? Thanks in advance.

 

you planning on modding it? or just driving it

 

Strictly a driver. Might put Koni's and good tires on it, that's about it.

 

I'd suggest a 99/00 civic lx sedan, they have plenty of room. Buy a manual because it will be alot more fun to drive and you will get better milage plus with it being that year if you do choose to mod it in the future it is easy and cheap. The reason I say lx vs dx is because you will get better standard features like power windows, power locks, keyless entry and the reason I say to get it over a ex is because if your not going to mod it the non-vtec single cam engines tend to have a slightly better tq curve so it will have slightly better power down low for city driving.

 

Always always buy manual if you have the choice. Manual is a lot cheaper to fix if anything goes wrong and of course it's a lot more fun.

99-00 Civic LX is also my choice.