Hey Civic fans.Here's what.I had a '95 accord V-6.No problems.I simply sold it and bought a '96 VW Passat GLX.I am basically happy with the VW.However,I miss the Honda reliability! I am seriously considering a Civic. I have heard very bad stories about the Civic's air condition systems. As I am in NY and may move soon to Florida,AC is a HUGE concern for me. I have also read on Edmunds.com that the Civic engine is "peppy??" It is only a V-4 127hp.How "peppy" can it be? Please educate me and don't hold back!Thanks.

 

It's and L4 not a V4, and yes, they can get quite "peppy" if you've got the right motor. For even more "peppiness" engine mods add a lot to the "peppy" factor.

 

with a few hundred bucks in bolt-on parts, it will vastly out pep your v-6 accord. and the AC systems havent given me too much trouble. get a lower mileage one and it shouldnt be a problem for quite some time.

 

Okay...you guys are car savy and I am not at all.I intend to buy an off the line Civic EX and leave it that way.Will it still be "peppy?"I just hate when I can't pull onto a highway fast enough or weak passing power.Would you say a regular Civic has sufficient power for this?

 

Thanks,

What do you mean by "not too much trouble?" I heard the Honda AC systems are weak particularly when it is extremely hot/humid out?? True? I would like to think that in typical Honda style,the AC could run all day every day with no problems.That'show the engines run.Why not the AC?

 

The AC unit for the civic is somewhat faulty as in it takes a bit of time to kick in. i got a 96' Civic LX sedan and i love the AC unit man. so freaking cold during summer time and I live in Texas! As for the "engine" for Civics I have to agree that Civics were built for reliability and not so much power. 127 horses for an EX model doesn't even cut it. I mean it would be sufficient on downhills and straightaways but uphill damn it's slow. Also consider getting a 5 spd. if u get an auto it will be a bad choice especially with a civic. happy civic hunting.

-B

 

get an si and youll be happy. As for the A/C, I've never had any problems with mine. Although I never use it cuz i drive with the windows down.

 

the only problem with the AC might be the stupid R-134a refrigerant the government has us using now. chemically, its no good past 105 ambiant air temperature. so you will have about the same effectiveness from any modern car. and a stock ex is no beast, but it will get you on the freeway nicely.

 

I have a 94 Civic EX. It has a 1.6L SOHC VTEC which the EX shares with the SI. It actually is pretty fast, I was suprised! The reason for that is mainly that the car is lightweight. As for me, my car has 209,000 miles on it and the A/C still works awesome! I think it's just a matter of some work and some don't work right. The reason for this is back then the A/C systems on them were dealer installed, not from the factory. Basically, you get some random guy in there who doesn't know what he's doing and you have bad A/C

 

I have a 94 Ex and so far i have no problem with the ac. And i agree that civic were built for economy and reliablity not hp. If you want to get on the highway fast you should get a 5spd then.