1989 Honda Civic Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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There were few changes in the 1989 Honda Civic lineup. Perhaps the phrase, "why mess with a good thing," was ringing in the ears of the Honda executives.
One notable change was that the Civic Si hatchback was re-created and now came with a moon roof and the wicked CRX Si engine which this year was increased to 108 hp.
In fact, it's that engine that had people abuzz, and even Hot Rod magazine — of all places — carried a big piece about the '89 Civic, saying that it "combines the intimidation factor of a rusty Yugo with the styling flair of a rubber doorstop." Of course, they then went on to explain how the adapted 487 hp engine dropped in by racing legend, Larry Widmer.
It seemed that the Civics had certainly come of age, and were being modified by a loyal crowd of auto enthusiasts to become "stealth" muscle cars.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1989 Honda Civic
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by Rickey W
Jun 17, 2013
We purchased this car my Junior year (summer) of high school Georgia. I remember going to Po-boys every week getting parts and materials to improve my car all summer before school was back in session.
Who every thought that body work, brakes, cables, radio system, and belts would be so darn easy to repair at the age of 16.Jun 17, 2013
by Alfred L
Apr 11, 2013
Fun to drive, excellent gas mileage, surprising acceleration and handling great until one person driving a ford f-250 went to sleep at the wheel and crossed over lanes and continued off the road and ran over it with me as I pulled in the ditch to avoid him...Apr 11, 2013
by Bradford A
Oct 19, 2011
there really isnt anything i dislike about this car its fun to drive looks pretty good handles like a gocart small easy to drive when you get used to the clutch awesome sound system lowered nice rims and pretty loud but also sounds goodOct 19, 2011
User rating:
by Rickey W
Jun 17, 2013
We purchased this car my Junior year (summer) of high school Georgia. I remember going to Po-boys every week getting parts and materials to improve my car all summer before school was back in session.
Who every thought that body work, brakes, cables, radio system, and belts would be so darn easy to repair at the age of 16.Jun 17, 2013
by Alfred L
Apr 11, 2013
Fun to drive, excellent gas mileage, surprising acceleration and handling great until one person driving a ford f-250 went to sleep at the wheel and crossed over lanes and continued off the road and ran over it with me as I pulled in the ditch to avoid him...Apr 11, 2013
by Bradford A
Oct 19, 2011
there really isnt anything i dislike about this car its fun to drive looks pretty good handles like a gocart small easy to drive when you get used to the clutch awesome sound system lowered nice rims and pretty loud but also sounds goodOct 19, 2011
by Krissy W
Apr 20, 2011
I like it because it's a honda, but it has no power. It gets good gas mileage, but again has no power! You cant really go wrong with a honda. This car was in a front end accident before I got it, so it has a few problems, but I drive it everyday with barely any problems!Apr 20, 2011
by Tobias B
Dec 01, 2010
Styled with a full custom Rieger body kit, standart exaust along with a standart 1.4 engine.
5. gearbox and really nothing else.
What made that car beautiful was clearly the styling.
Very nice car to drive however lacks the acceleration. top speed around 160-170Dec 01, 2010
by Mike C
Sep 18, 2010
Acceleration 5.9sec
Top speed 150mph+
Built by myself
Carbon roof,hood,head line,dash,petrol cap
Mugen bodykit
skunk2 shocks
full dc2 recaro re-trim with rear seats to match
Buddyclub wheels
Vtec engine swap
Paint black with house of color violet pearl
Great car real classicSep 18, 2010
by Ryan J
Oct 15, 2009
Awsome reliable car, 192,000 on it. Still runs like a
charm, performs good, runs good, overall quality of
the car is good. Bought it for $750. Car is very fun to
drive. Looking to put in a stereo system very soon.Oct 15, 2009
by Darren R
Aug 05, 2009
very little maintenance required to operate. car will take one hell of a beating. car is a blast to drive, and handles exceptionally well given that its a 1.5 L. i quite like the square styling on the exterior. all in all I'd buy one again.Aug 05, 2009
by Radoslav S
Aug 01, 2009
This is my first Honda ever. I become i fan with this model, and now i drive not 1, but 2 Honda's. There is no other car to compare the fun, when i am driving it. I just love It! :)Aug 01, 2009
by Ham C
Jul 15, 2009
This car gets me from point A to point B only. It has great fuel economy. Built with quility matarials of its time unlike new plastic cars its tough and resisted its test against time. I drive it like a maniac and the overall weight of the car makes it fun to take on twisty roads.Jul 15, 2009
by Jason B
Jul 02, 2009
These cars a good in stock condition. But with a twin cam 1.8, stiffer suspension, sticker tires and four wheel disk brakes they are great. Quick, fun and amazing handling with few modifications, while still being decent on gas. My 89 civic hatch has held its own against brand new cars costing 10 times what I paid for it.Jul 02, 2009
by Derek H
Aug 27, 2008
perfermance wise it sucks ass. its got like no kick but whatever. breaks are good and handling is real phat, but acceleration could be better.
umm well its an 89 so yeah its probly needed repairs from its use. its got over 300k on the engine so whatevs. also got new clutch.
appearance is deece i guess. its got some chips. bumper is cracked too.
i got the car for 800 bucks so i cant complain, and its really good on gas.
yeah the car is pretty fun to drive, its a five speed and sounds real gnarly so yeah its good, its good
yeah id recomend this car for a first car. first car is never perfect so what ever you know. yeah its a good little carAug 27, 2008
by Garrett E
Jul 14, 2008
love my hatch, good quailty cuz its honda, it has a five speed, needs a little work but i can do most of it. its red. with Si interior and thats about it, fun to drive.Jul 14, 2008
by Todd M
Jun 06, 2008
A real exotic!!! (You'll understand when you see my previous cars). Wonderfully efficient in all ways, could stuff my bike in the back, would go 100mph eventually, a delightful little carJun 06, 2008
by Kristofer S
May 21, 2008
Overall this is a great car that gives no major problems and is easy to work on and modify.May 21, 2008
by William B
Apr 27, 2008
Car is solid, holding up great, very little rust.
Gonna rebuild almost everything on it.
Will post new pics and updates when progress begins this summer.Apr 27, 2008
by Arda N
Apr 17, 2008
Was a good first car with very solid build qualityApr 17, 2008
by Joseph G
Apr 08, 2008
great on gas mileage but no powerApr 08, 2008
by Erick R
Apr 03, 2008
It was fun to drive, like a go-cart, and got great gas mileage. Handled very well at high speeds on the freeway, no steering wheel shaking.Apr 03, 2008
by Victor C
Mar 15, 2008
This car is fun to drive, even though the hp is low, but it's a everyday car, so low hp = save gasMar 15, 2008
by Ben H
Mar 09, 2008
The first 4-door sedan Civic (I'm mostly sure) and it drives almost exactly like the CRX, but with 4-doors and seats 4.5 people with a trunk. Even better, in 1991, the first Civic EX was sold (very limited numbers) and the only Honda of the same era to match its fun was the CRX Si.Mar 09, 2008
by Jack M
Feb 28, 2008
Yes, I have a Honda Civic. Most people don't know about it because I haven't driven it in a couple of years, since the engine block is cracked (with ~230,000 miles). I bought it for $100 from an acquaintance and fixed the transmission; it ran great for a summer and autumn before dying on me. I had some great memories with that car: my fiance (at the time brand new girlfriend) cut the exhaust off of it with a kitchen knife when the muffler fell off, leaving the rest hanging over the rear axle; my brother and I experienced the (second) hood flying open at full speed, shattering the windshield and making the five mile drive home scary as hell; driving with said broken windshield to Lapeer to get a new one installed, with bits of glass hitting my face along the way. Needless to say, I want to fix this car, if only because I had a lot of fun in six months.Feb 28, 2008
by Pantho H
Jan 07, 2008
very quiet car, too soft for me but miss the fuel economy and reliabilityJan 07, 2008
by Tia J
Jan 06, 2008
As a first car it was amazing. Took a lot of my money and never seemed happy, but was a joy to drive and play with. Definatly a really great learning expirence. Jan 06, 2008
1989 Honda Civic Pricing
Original MSRP
$6,615 to $12,440Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
