1997 Honda Civic Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Car is built real solid and well, I was not a huge fan of Honda cars, but came across a deal I could not refuse and bought it, I started being skeptical but all that went away after 3 months then I really started to like it, I can honestly say now I wouldn't mind buying another Honda Civic and probably will have one to replace this one when I am done with it. I really like the simplicity and how well it has held up and the repairs have not been to bad would recomend the same car to anyone thinking of buying.Aug 08, 2013

I guess I'm spoiled by my gas-eating Silverado. I guess this really is about the bigger choice-buy a V8, pay the gas, or by the 4-cyl and visit the mechanic frequently. The litany of problems I've encountered with this car will bore you. I bought it old and high-mileage, so I guess there is our answer. But I really expected more, or I should say, less, problems from this car. It is consistently highly-rated, but it is also consistently in the shop. They are not high-dollar (over $500) fixes, but require visits nonetheless. The visits have gone from annual to semi-annual. The most troubling part? You're going to save money, but not headaches, by going this route vs the V8. I'm at the breaking point with headaches. Good chance newer versions of all makes are better, but I've a friend with the same make with pricier problems. But of course, if you don't care about the paint, leaking, radiator, door function, axles, manifold, brake light/brake fluid cap, window washer motor, window function and have a mechanic you love/trust within 10 miles of your home you should buy this car for $3000 or less. The engine will last you 300k or better and the ac probably will also. Unfortunately, in the day/age of $4/g gas, you pretty much are forced to pick your poison, but my bottle this time won't come with a square H. The math on a new V8 pickup is pretty ugly over a decade. Slingblade from Illinois removed this from my garage recently. Hung a left in front of me with a truck behind him. Total loss. So let me comment on the handling. I put this car in the only spot it could be put at 60mph so things didn't get REALLY ugly with him and the trailing truck (so close the trailing truck driver had to get out and make sure he wasn't hit). The car was fun to drive, terrible acceleration, but after that, I can tell you looking back that I now felt COMPLETELY safe and IN UTTER CONTROL driving it. I put that car 2" behind slingblade's back tire and less than a foot from the oncoming truck. I probably owe that car my life because it went EXACTLY where I wanted it to go. RIP 97 Civic, better you than me. Changing recommendation to yes. But be ready for problems, have a good mechanic.Jan 20, 2012

slow accel (SOHC 1.6L). and so-so handling. nothing mechanically wrong. just put in a new clutch, differential, and trans. minor dents and scratches. nothing too serious. i find it a little ugly some other people think differently amazing mpgs. usually around 300 miles on the 10 gallon tank. little maintenance required. rough to drive- no power steering...Jul 26, 2010

Proud owner of a ´97 CGM EJ9 iS Shortshift. EJ9 means it was an EDM-spec car powered by Hondas D14A4-engine. Performance: 1.4 @ 90hk ment that my car was not a sports car nor was it a snail. My engine loved revs over 4500. In that zone it went like a bullet. Build Quality: Superb Honda Quality. No rattling noices. Everything just works. Apperance: 6th Gen Civics has a very good apperance. They just looks good! Cost of Ownership: Because the Civic is very popular with the young people its insurance is a bit high. On the contrary serviceing is cheap, because it never breaks down. I just changed my frond brake pads under a five year long ownership... the 1.5 VTEC engine is more economical than the 1.4 but its down to 0.5 liter in AVG. mine got me about 550 km on 40 liter of gas. Fun Factor: The Civic is a very stable yet entertaing car to drive... quite sporty almost firm handling. Cut corner like a GO-KART. I can recomend you a 6th Gen CIvic 100%Dec 15, 2009

Performance - 1.6 vtec 118kw (STD) Build quality - Solid mac build, few rattles due to sound Apperance - full trim leather interior, 2 door coupe hatch, lowered suspension , 17'' mags Cost of ownership - fuel eco is not bad 700km to a full tank driving norm/ maintenance is abit pricey Fun factor - wait for 5500rpm and watch the acceleration Oct 13, 2009

107hp is really not enough, but an econobox is supposed to be efficient. brakes are decent, I would have wished for rear discs stock. handles alright, it is the size of a golf cart. the exterior is not very appealing to me, the whole rounded hatch idea never caught on with me. stock wheels are decent, interior is bearable but not attractive. overall fun to drive Aug 24, 2008

I have owned this car for a little over a year, and it is perhaps the best car I ever drivin since everything is perfect! I only have MINOR things break (parts under $60) and you can easily go 2,000 miles over on an oil change befor realizing you need it changed, EXCELENT Gas millage and the stock clutch is pretty lightweight but I would recommend a replacement at 120,000 miles for an Excedy (or somthing close) but over all it is an excelent car!and easily customizable! (yet you need to make shure the parts are for the Hatchback Model!) Apr 30, 2008

Okay, so I'm not wowed by this car, but it is easy to drive and reliable, comfortable, roomy in front and back (even if you're tall), good trunk space, fair gas mileage (not as good as I had expected: it gets around 26 mpg freeway, less than my Accord LXI with more power (which tends to affect mpg in the negative, but that car at over 15 years old avg'd 30 mpg.Nov 19, 2007