ALT-1 2009 Honda Civic
(Starting at $15,455)Why is the Honda Civic so perennially popular even when it takes on bizarre styling cues like the latest version with its digital/analogue dashboard? That thing looks like the giant alien eye from War of the Worlds. Was Honda looking to scare children with that dashboard? But then, as you sit in the driver's seat you realize every control and function is right where you can touch it or see it. Don't you hate when Honda is right? Because they are always right.The reason go to their Honda dealers year after year is that buying this car is a no-brainer. It has everything you need and nothing that you don't. It's fuel efficient even in rip-snorting Si guise and in the latest generation it has also managed a rare feat for a Civic. Both the coupe and sedan looked really, really good.You can tell other people must agree as the latest Civic has been selling like hotcakes for the last few years. For a month or two there during the gas crisis it even managed to unseat the Ford F-150 as the best-selling vehicle in this country. It was quite the homerun as few people remembered a time when cars outsold trucks, much less Japanese cars outselling American trucks. (Not that the Civic is all that Japanese. It is built in Ohio and has many American sourced parts.)The 140 horsepower 1.8 liter engine that comes standard in all Civics bar the hybrid and Si is a true, free revving gem. The shifter is perfectly linked to this engine which was designed with super long term durability in mind. So much so that Honda figured out clever ways to minimize the use of moving parts as these are the ones that most often need replacement.While you can pimp out your Civic with leather and built in navigation (with hard drive), that all seems silly at this price point. This makes the around $19,000 EX versions your best bet when it comes to resale and personal enjoyment. Plus the EX comes with a cranking 360 watt stereo as standard. Just tell that to the LX buyer who just dropped 2 grand at the local stereo shop.In addition to the manual transmission, there is also a five speed automatic on hand that shifts smoothly but does blunt the power somewhat. EPA mileage ratings for the Civic are 25 city/36 highway. Those are impressive numbers making a Civic the perfect ride for a weekend road trip. Heck, why not drive cross country? It is a Civic Nation, according to Honda's marketing people.
(Starting at $15,455)
Why is the Honda Civic so perennially popular even when it takes on bizarre styling cues like the latest version with its digital/analogue dashboard? That thing looks like the giant alien eye from War of the Worlds. Was Honda looking to scare children with that dashboard? But then, as you sit in the driver's seat you realize every control and function is right where you can touch it or see it. Don't you hate when Honda is right? Because they are always right.
The reason go to their Honda dealers year after year is that buying this car is a no-brainer. It has everything you need and nothing that you don't. It's fuel efficient even in rip-snorting Si guise and in the latest generation it has also managed a rare feat for a Civic. Both the coupe and sedan looked really, really good.
You can tell other people must agree as the latest Civic has been selling like hotcakes for the last few years. For a month or two there during the gas crisis it even managed to unseat the Ford F-150 as the best-selling vehicle in this country. It was quite the homerun as few people remembered a time when cars outsold trucks, much less Japanese cars outselling American trucks. (Not that the Civic is all that Japanese. It is built in Ohio and has many American sourced parts.)
The 140 horsepower 1.8 liter engine that comes standard in all Civics bar the hybrid and Si is a true, free revving gem. The shifter is perfectly linked to this engine which was designed with super long term durability in mind. So much so that Honda figured out clever ways to minimize the use of moving parts as these are the ones that most often need replacement.
While you can pimp out your Civic with leather and built in navigation (with hard drive), that all seems silly at this price point. This makes the around $19,000 EX versions your best bet when it comes to resale and personal enjoyment. Plus the EX comes with a cranking 360 watt stereo as standard. Just tell that to the LX buyer who just dropped 2 grand at the local stereo shop.
In addition to the manual transmission, there is also a five speed automatic on hand that shifts smoothly but does blunt the power somewhat. EPA mileage ratings for the Civic are 25 city/36 highway. Those are impressive numbers making a Civic the perfect ride for a weekend road trip. Heck, why not drive cross country? It is a Civic Nation, according to Honda's marketing people.
