Honda Car Forum

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.

In article <1154779883.434392.327540@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups .com>,
"mrmatrix" <thewebbfam1@msn.com> wrote:

> 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?

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.

mrmatrix wrote:

> 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.

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.


"mrmatrix" <thewebbfam1@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1154779883.434392.327540@b28g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> 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.
>

mrmatrix wrote:
>
> 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!

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.

In article <1154779883.434392.327540@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups .com>,
mrmatrix <thewebbfam1@msn.com> wrote:
>Could 2 normal sized adults fit in
>the back of the new civic with a small child seat in the middle?

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

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Lee
Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

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.
Timothy J. Lee wrote:
> In article <1154779883.434392.327540@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups .com>,
> mrmatrix <thewebbfam1@msn.com> wrote:
> >Could 2 normal sized adults fit in
> >the back of the new civic with a small child seat in the middle?
>
> Bring the two adults and the child seat to a Honda dealer for a test
> fitting.
>
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Timothy J. Lee
> Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
> No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

Wow, glad I got mine...

Earle

"mrmatrix" <thewebbfam1@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1155773655.457190.326480@m79g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
> 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.
> Timothy J. Lee wrote:
> > In article <1154779883.434392.327540@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups .com>,
> > mrmatrix <thewebbfam1@msn.com> wrote:
> > >Could 2 normal sized adults fit in
> > >the back of the new civic with a small child seat in the middle?
> >
> > Bring the two adults and the child seat to a Honda dealer for a test
> > fitting.
> >
> > --
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Timothy J. Lee
> > Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
> > No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.
>