Honda Car Forum

My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the car I'm
looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in apparently
reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500. Looks don't
matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage would be a plus.

I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you experts:

Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing and say,
You bought a WHAT!!!?

Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I spend
less?

Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break point
with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go away?

Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?

I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.

Thank you --

Pete (from Poughquag)

Peter Adler wrote:
> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the car I'm
> looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in apparently
> reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500. Looks don't
> matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage would be a plus.
>
> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you experts:
>
> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing and say,
> You bought a WHAT!!!?
>
> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I spend
> less?
>
> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break point
> with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go away?
>
> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>
> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>
> Thank you --
>
> Pete (from Poughquag)


hx auto is cvt - continuously variable transmission. some people hate
it because it doesn't have a notchy shift like a traditional auto -
rpm's stay "stuck" but the car just goes faster. however it gets you up
to 50mpg, so there are benefits is you can handle the "weirdness". only
concern there would be transmission parts, but i've never seen anybody
on this group complain about lack of longevity. and honda still support
it. most hondas will get you 300k without too much problem.

other routine stuff would be making sure the plastic radiator gets
replaced in the not too distant. once cracked, you'll obviously lose
coolant and overheat the motor, and when you do that, the head gasket
starts to slowly leak. replacements are relatively cheap and will last
you another 10 years. other than that, a thoroughly boringly reliable
car.

one last thing: if you visit the city, be careful where you park. the
8-spoke alloys on the hx happen to be the lightest 14" wheels honda
used. they consequently tend to be somewhat sought after by some of the
fringe 2ner crowd and therefore stolen. [wheel "locks" are ineffective.]

Jim - thank you!

A device that transmits power via a metal belt rubbing on metal cones sounds
a little scratchy. Is wear a major issue with these gadgets? If you do a lot
of steady highway driving, do the cones tend to wear just in one place? If
so, does it produce a notchy effect?

Plastic radiators are also a Volvo curse. Replacement is a reflex.

"Boringly reliable" is exactly what I'm looking for, and if that includes
its behavior in rain or snow I'd be deleriously happy. My other main concern
is getting from A to B and back without lining the pockets of Bush's buddies
more than I absolutely have to. The HX is beginning to sound ideal.

Again, thank you --

Pete (fP)

"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:vOWdnfFdJJjhqA3bnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> Peter Adler wrote:
>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the car
>> I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>> would be a plus.
>>
>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>> experts:
>>
>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing and
>> say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>
>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>> spend less?
>>
>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>> away?
>>
>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>
>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>
>> Thank you --
>>
>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>
>
> hx auto is cvt - continuously variable transmission. some people hate it
> because it doesn't have a notchy shift like a traditional auto - rpm's
> stay "stuck" but the car just goes faster. however it gets you up to
> 50mpg, so there are benefits is you can handle the "weirdness". only
> concern there would be transmission parts, but i've never seen anybody on
> this group complain about lack of longevity. and honda still support it.
> most hondas will get you 300k without too much problem.
>
> other routine stuff would be making sure the plastic radiator gets
> replaced in the not too distant. once cracked, you'll obviously lose
> coolant and overheat the motor, and when you do that, the head gasket
> starts to slowly leak. replacements are relatively cheap and will last
> you another 10 years. other than that, a thoroughly boringly reliable
> car.
>
> one last thing: if you visit the city, be careful where you park. the
> 8-spoke alloys on the hx happen to be the lightest 14" wheels honda used.
> they consequently tend to be somewhat sought after by some of the fringe
> 2ner crowd and therefore stolen. [wheel "locks" are ineffective.]

Peter Adler wrote:

> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
> news:vOWdnfFdJJjhqA3bnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Peter Adler wrote:
>>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the car
>>> I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>> would be a plus.
>>>
>>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>> experts:
>>>
>>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing and
>>> say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>
>>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>> spend less?
>>>
>>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>>> away?
>>>
>>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>
>>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>
>>> Thank you --
>>>
>>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>
>> hx auto is cvt - continuously variable transmission. some people hate it
>> because it doesn't have a notchy shift like a traditional auto - rpm's
>> stay "stuck" but the car just goes faster. however it gets you up to
>> 50mpg, so there are benefits is you can handle the "weirdness". only
>> concern there would be transmission parts, but i've never seen anybody on
>> this group complain about lack of longevity. and honda still support it.
>> most hondas will get you 300k without too much problem.
>>
>> other routine stuff would be making sure the plastic radiator gets
>> replaced in the not too distant. once cracked, you'll obviously lose
>> coolant and overheat the motor, and when you do that, the head gasket
>> starts to slowly leak. replacements are relatively cheap and will last
>> you another 10 years. other than that, a thoroughly boringly reliable
>> car.
>>
>> one last thing: if you visit the city, be careful where you park. the
>> 8-spoke alloys on the hx happen to be the lightest 14" wheels honda used.
>> they consequently tend to be somewhat sought after by some of the fringe
>> 2ner crowd and therefore stolen. [wheel "locks" are ineffective.]
>
>
> Jim - thank you!
>
> A device that transmits power via a metal belt rubbing on metal cones
sounds
> a little scratchy.

well, it /is/ bathed in atf...

> Is wear a major issue with these gadgets?

not that i've heard of. you can be pretty sure all the honda forums
would be full of it if it were.

> If you do a lot
> of steady highway driving, do the cones tend to wear just in one
place? If
> so, does it produce a notchy effect?

see above.


>
> Plastic radiators are also a Volvo curse. Replacement is a reflex.
>
> "Boringly reliable" is exactly what I'm looking for, and if that
includes
> its behavior in rain or snow I'd be deleriously happy. My other main
concern
> is getting from A to B and back without lining the pockets of Bush's
buddies
> more than I absolutely have to. The HX is beginning to sound ideal.
>
> Again, thank you --
>
> Pete (fP)
>

Peter Adler wrote:

> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the car I'm
> looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in apparently
> reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500. Looks don't
> matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage would be a plus.
>
> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you experts:
>
> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing and say,
> You bought a WHAT!!!?
>
> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I spend
> less?
>
> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break point
> with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go away?
>
> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>
> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>
> Thank you --
>
> Pete (from Poughquag)
>


I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used,
in good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to* be
an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so bloody
high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to have two
overdrives...

mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote:
> Peter Adler wrote:
>
>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the
>> car I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>> would be a plus.
>>
>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>> experts:
>>
>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing
>> and say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>
>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>> spend less?
>>
>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>> away?
>>
>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>
>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>
>> Thank you --
>>
>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>
>
>
> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used,
> in good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
> models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to* be
> an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so bloody
> high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to have two
> overdrives...

what rpm's at 70mph?

I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There are a
few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already sold, or
the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking for a while.
Anyone know of anything in NE US?

Pete (fP)


"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
> Peter Adler wrote:
>
>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the car
>> I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>> would be a plus.
>>
>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>> experts:
>>
>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing and
>> say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>
>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>> spend less?
>>
>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>> away?
>>
>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>
>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>
>> Thank you --
>>
>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>
>
>
> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used, in
> good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic models
> seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to* be an HX. I
> got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so bloody high it
> *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to have two
> overdrives...

Peter Adler wrote:
> I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
> dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There are a
> few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already sold, or
> the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking for a while.
> Anyone know of anything in NE US?
>
> Pete (fP)


Sorry, no. I just searched Craigslist for you here. How about a nice
'86 CIvic Si? One owner, 38 mpg... ;-)


>
>
> "mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
> news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
>
>>Peter Adler wrote:
>>
>>
>>>My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the car
>>>I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>>>apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>>>Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>>would be a plus.
>>>
>>>I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>>experts:
>>>
>>>Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing and
>>>say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>
>>>Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>>spend less?
>>>
>>>Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>>point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>>>away?
>>>
>>>Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>
>>>I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>
>>>Thank you --
>>>
>>>Pete (from Poughquag)
>>>
>>
>>
>> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used, in
>>good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic models
>>seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to* be an HX. I
>>got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so bloody high it
>>*should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to have two
>>overdrives...
>
>
>

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:30:09 -0400, Peter Adler wrote:

> I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
> dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There are
> a few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already
> sold, or the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking for
> a while. Anyone know of anything in NE US?
>
> Pete (fP)


Where are you? I think there's one in Leverrett, MA, 160,000 miles IIRC,
and asking $1950

I'm not *sure* it's an HX...

>
>
> "mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
> news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
>> Peter Adler wrote:
>>
>>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the
>>> car I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>> would be a plus.
>>>
>>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>> experts:
>>>
>>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing
>>> and say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>
>>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>> spend less?
>>>
>>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>>> away?
>>>
>>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>
>>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>
>>> Thank you --
>>>
>>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used,
>> in
>> good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
>> models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to*
>> be an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so
>> bloody high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to
>> have two overdrives...

That could have been nice! I just closed on a '97 HX with 140K for $3000.
But it looks pretty and the owner seems to have treated it kindly.

And, shortly after I closed, I came across a review of the same year model
by an owner who claims that the transmission is failure-prone and very
expensive to repair. Expensive I can understand, but failure-prone?

Hey, guys, say it ain't so ...!

Pete (fP)


"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
newss8li.10877$ZO4.7773@trndny05...
> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:30:09 -0400, Peter Adler wrote:
>
>> I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
>> dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There are
>> a few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already
>> sold, or the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking for
>> a while. Anyone know of anything in NE US?
>>
>> Pete (fP)
>
>
> Where are you? I think there's one in Leverrett, MA, 160,000 miles IIRC,
> and asking $1950
>
> I'm not *sure* it's an HX...
>
>>
>>
>> "mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
>> news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
>>> Peter Adler wrote:
>>>
>>>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the
>>>> car I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>>>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>>>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>>> would be a plus.
>>>>
>>>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>>> experts:
>>>>
>>>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing
>>>> and say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>>
>>>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>>> spend less?
>>>>
>>>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>>>> away?
>>>>
>>>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>>
>>>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you --
>>>>
>>>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used,
>>> in
>>> good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
>>> models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to*
>>> be an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so
>>> bloody high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to
>>> have two overdrives...
>