Just wondering if there are any known caveats regarding the Civic DX model year 2000 Thanks...
------------------------ They're too expensive because they hold their value WAY too long, and they're worth buying even if the mileage seems high . . . and here's your caveatunless they were driven by a teenager who wears a Metallica T-shirt). 'Curly'
When mated with a 5spd tranny, it's the best Civic ever made. The automatic is 'too big' for the engine and guzzles gas (my wife's automatic returns 8.8L/100km while my 5spd returns 6.8L/100km). I tend to drive as if I'm on the race track and after 215,000km of abuse, the car still drives like new. The tranny has gotten noisier, but it'd require a sensitive ear to tell the difference. Exterior is excellent and no rust, but the driver's cockpit looks like it's gone through hell. The 3/9 o'clock hand position on steering wheel has worn through to the softer (but more grippy) core. All the rubber has been worn away from the clutch peddle to expose the metal underlay. The floor mat has a large hole from my heavy right foot. The left edge of the seat has worn through to expose it's spongy guts. The windshield is constantly dirty from the thousands of tinny stone chips. Even with all the hard driving, all the component in the engine is still original (except for spark plugs, timing belt and water pump). Tranny is also all original. Pars 98 DX Hatch (5spd) 2000 EX Sedan (Automatic)
really? just curious why youd say that. not that im disputing you- i have a 98CX, 5-spd. 48k miles and i could easily see myself keeping this car another 15-20 years. no matter how tempting the scion xA is to me! im a big fan of the 88-91 gen civic. always have been, although ive never owned one. i like the low cowl, wedgy profile, and that they offered up a really nice Si hatch. honda could have sold a lot more 96-00 hatches if theyd offered one with an EX or integra motor, maybe a few power amenities, like windows and locks... and a sunroof. but then whod want a integra?
If there are any problems I sure haven't run into them, my stock adult driven `00 has never let me down, nothing but routine maintenance needed, might be in the market to sell when the new & improved 2006 hybrid comes out ... -- Rob Fruth - Houston, Tx http://www.rfruth.net 1981 Raleigh for errands & fun ____ __o 1997 Trek 2300 for real fun ! ____ _ \ | _) 2000 DX 5 speed Civic hatchback (_)/ (_)
The 96-00 model is a perfection of design/specification that began in 1988. The previous Civic models had a weak chassis (not suspension) and a weak engine (ok, for normal driving but tended to fail from hard driving over the long term). In certain areas in Toronto, every other car is a Civic and I've yet to see a 96-00 (and up) spoiting blue smoke. Back in 2000, it was possible to obtain a double wishbone (front & back) for $14,000 (Canadian). Today, it will cost $25,000 (minimum) to obtained a car with the same suspension setup (in the form of an Accord or Mazda 6). The Accord and the Mazda 6 are the only mainstream front-drive to offer the double wishbone suspension in the front. When compared to other sedans, the Accord and Mazda 6 will always capture 1st and 2nd place. It doesn't make sense that a heavy weight like the Camry can get edged-out by a new comer (Mazda 6), unless you factoring in the capability of the suspension system. 5 years ago, it was possible to get the same kind of suspension for $14k. I've spent many hours in the 88-91 Si Hatch and raced against them countless time. At the time, I had a 90' Corsica V6, while one friend owned a 90 Si Automatic, and another friend owned a 91 Si 5spd. Surprisingly, the 91 Si Hatch was able to out perform my V6 Corisca from 0 - 180 km/hr (my cut off). I also, liked the wedgy looks and ability to look slightly down and see the road (instead of the instrument panel). I think the front double wishbone was becoming too expensive to make, for it's economy class. Honda needed to come up with a new mold that was less expensive to assemble. Also, the company made a huge mistake by putting inferior tires on the 96-00 Civic which hid the suspensions capability. Instead of getting top rankings in the comparisons test, the car ended up mid-pack. Pars
