buying a civic or accord?

Hello all, we currently have a highlander for our "family car", V6 and
AWD, which means about 18.5 -19 mpg mpg for us (UGGH)......well, gas
prices have us reconsidering its legitimacy. We are thinking about
getting either a new Civic EX, Accord LX, SE or EX 4 cyl, or new Camry
LE or SE 4 cylinder. (I don't like the Corolla)

Specifically, will the civic be suitable for use as a primary "family"
car. We have one child (no more planned, trust me!). I know it is a
"step down" from the highlander, but we really like the looks of the
civic, and we LOVE the MPG it gets! Could 2 normal sized adults fit in
the back of the new civic with a small child seat in the middle? This
is an occasional, although rare, situation for us. This would be one
of the reasons I may reconsider and get an Accord or Camry 4 cyl
instead.

Also, are there any major issues with the new civic with it being a
redesign and all? Thanks for any and all comments.

 

I think you'd struggle.

A 4 cylinder, manual transmission Accord gets astounding gas mileage and
performance--and not only can it fit the people you want, it's
bulletproof.

(I had a 2000 Accord that got 35mpg going through the mountains in
summer with the AC on.)

Probably the same goes for a Camry.

A Civic is two steps down from you, size wise. That's a long way. The
Accord/Camry is one step down, and will be easier to take.

 

See my response to this same question in alt.autos.honda.

 

Maybe look for a left over Accord Hybrid. They are made in Japan so they
are still the best built out there and they are not selling well. Will get
a real 25 to 30 miles per gallon in our experience even with an automatic.
Worried about repairs.... get a Honda care 8 year zero deductible warranty
for 120k miles for around $1100. It will be more comfortable than the Civic
and the prices they are charging for the new Civic are ridiculous.

 

I gotta agree with Elmo, the Civic is too small for a primary family
vehicle in the USA. Americans tend to take a lot of stuff on our
vacations and visits to Grandma's house. Besides, once you put your
family into a Civic it won't get the advertised mpg. Either a 4
cylinder Accord or Camry will serve you better, IMHO. I found the Civic
more expensive to insure than Accord/Camry. Check with your agent.

 

Bring the two adults and the child seat to a Honda dealer for a test
fitting.

 

actaully we did this past saturday, and they only had accords, we are
not going to buy a civic because they are in such demand, the
dealerships are unreasonalble.

 

Wow, glad I got mine...

Earle