Civic hatchback or a Polo?

[Blunet600]

I've been looking for ages at cars, and i am still open to other cars but i seem to be focusing on either a Honda civic hatch 1.4 or the 1.5i or a polo 1.4.
What are peoples opinions of both cars? and does anyone own one that can either recommend or not recommend?
Thankyou.
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[Cigaro]

I have a 6n shape Polo and can recommend it.

Only problem I've had with it is the passenger electric window not working, common fault and is apparently caused by the regulator, i've just not round to replacing it yet.

Also had some problems with the brakes but they were caused by cheap pads, solved since I put the OEM pads in.

You might be better off with a Honda though.

[wizzzard]

Not sure what year your looking at but I had a 96 civic 1.5i and it was the most depressingly boring car I've ever had the misfortune to drive. We kept it a year and to be fair nothing at all went wrong with it and it was good on fuel but it just lacked any character at all.

I know you have a bike for excitement but still I spent every journey I had to take in it contemplating imaginitive ways to commit suicide and no car should be that bad.

I've driven a polo ( not for long I admit ) and out of the two I wouldn't think twice and go for the polo.
____________________
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[Dischord]

The Honda should be nice and reliable but rust might become an issue with a mid 90's Civic now, so if you get a Civic make sure it has a lengthy MOT or check it over properly.

I think the German cars cope with rust a little better, glavanised steel or something?

I'd take the Civic anyday, a Civic might be an old mans shopping car but a Polo is a little girls learner car
____________________
2012 KTM EXC 250

Check out my vids - https://www.youtube.com/user/KTMSparky/videos

[Bendy]

Civic.

They're both hateful, but the Civic is slightly better looking.

[Blunet600]

It seems neither are too popular...Would anyone recommend any other hatchbacks that will be relativlely cheap on insurance and good on fuel?
Cheers.
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[Misc]

How much are you looking to spend?

[Dom_]

I'd go with the civic.

[Cigaro]

Also, the 1.6 Polo (and some others) has problems with the gearbox where, at 80,000 miles, you lose all your gears.

So don't get the 1.6.

The 1.4 or the diesel is the best engine.

[Dischord]

Honda don't have the reputation for nothing, honestly. If people say the 1.4 is too bland and you can afford the insurance get a 1.6 VTi.

Nowt wrong with a Civic I rate them highly *waits for G*
____________________
2012 KTM EXC 250

Check out my vids - https://www.youtube.com/user/KTMSparky/videos

[WildGoose]

Point to remember with pre 2001 cars less than 1.5 is road tax is quite a bit cheaper.

I had a 1.4 civic, contrary to opinions above I quite liked it, but I am known to be Honda-centric especially with cars thanks to a family who has insisted upon them and nothing else for the past 20 years. I didn't find it boring, quite the opposite, it was revvy and made a lot of noise was good fun but not powerful enough to do yourself any harm, despite my best angry efforts. Had seen 110 on the clocks at points, and will comfortably cruise near the ton.

Mine was a 97, 3 door, electric sunroof. Reliability is up there, but by no means perfect. I didn't have a lot of issues when I had it, apart from an expensive major servicing bill that involved suspension bushes.

I havent driven a massive amount of cars, but it had the best, slickest gearbox of any car i've ever driven.

I passed it on to my brother and he had various issues with it, oil seal went at the back of engine, needed a new exhaust (consumable) and a new clutch. This could all be down to age, or perhaps the ownership There is some rust under the bonnet, and the rear window developed a leak.

If you havent driven a mid 90's civic before, its worth noting that the seats are very low to the ground compared to a lot of similar modern cars, this changed a bit with the later models (cant remember exact year 2001 possible). I liked the low to the ground feeling, but both me and brother have noted that its very hard to get comfortable in the seat on a long journey.

I think the quality is higher than the newer cars, little things like double wishbone suspension were replaced by macpherson strut on the newer models.

I moved house with it, (save the big stuff like white goods and sofa's) with the seats down you can fit a surprisingly large amount in the back for a small hatchback.

I've got a 04 1.6 Civic auto now, and its reliable, but i'd sooner drive the van, and I do.
____________________
So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[WildGoose]

[Dom_]

I agree with wildgoose, they are well specced as standard too, my '97 had leccy windows, mirrors, sunroof, air-con and remote locking.


My old 1.4 civic - 120 on the clock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jas6PTMfUf0

[Blunet600]

Im hoping to grab something for around £1500. Im trying to spend too much on the insurance, id rather save the pennies for my bike...
I could just about afford the 1.5 which i was quoted £1200 for!
The 1.4 i got quoted £980. What sort of mileage can the cars do? im looking at the older models (2000 and before) as they are cheaper than the newer ones. What ever car i get I will be hoping to have for a loooooooong time.
Ok note made 'stay away from the 1.6 polo'. I had been recommended the 1.4 by someone else but didnt realise the 1.6 had issues.
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[ButcherofBiel...]

No idea about Polo's as only had Civics so far.

Got a 1995 Civic Lsi 1.5 3 door hatch.

Not had a major issue ever, starts 1st time and seems to use hardly any fuel and really fun to drive.

Group 12 insurance but cheap tax , loves the motorway as much as town , i've been looking at upgrading for months and simply can't find anything new or old that i'd sell it for with all things considered.

Before this i had a 3 door 1997 1.4 Tornado, was group 7 or 9 so yeah bit cheaper and again no issues with it, great on fuel etc.

The 96 onwards Civics have the coded key and Thatcham immobiliser factory fitted so can bring the insurance down more.

The 1.4 you will normally get no frills, i had Remote locking but no electrics or sunroof, the 1994/5 ones you normally got electrics and sunroof and r/c locking.If you get one with decent options your laughing, mine had the Honda security system so got alarm and internal immobiliser (not a coded key) so you might get lucky.

Look for rust on the rear arches/panels (they rust from the inside)and the boot/tailgate below numberplate (more cosmetic but use it to haggle, £10 filler/spray fix) as its a water trap on them all , mine has a small amount on arches but shouldn't ever be an MOT issue unless its totally rotten.

If the rust is really bad i'd walk away unless you can justify welding new arches which some do due to its other qualities.Mines just done 100k , if its serviced and looked after no problems, will do 200k easy.Loads about for around £1k , paid £600 for mine , so money you save pays the insurance.

[Blunet600]

I've just seen a 1997 Honda Civic 1.4 tornado for sale, its done 38,000 miles on the clock, and its up for £1,995. Is that a bit steep or a reasonable price to pay? Its a bit of a stretch from the 1500 i was aiming to spend but if its a worth while spend then i could stretch.
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[ButcherofBiel...]

Mine was on for 2k at a dealer last year , got it for 1850, it had 90,000 on it and few months MOT, general consensus is i overpaid by about 500 , and the market has dropped a bit since.

38,000 is a really low mileage though, so reflected in price, if it comes with full or near full MOT and is in good condition then its still a solid buy for around that price.

If its a Dealer they always add on a few hundred , and Civics are always more costly it seems than others so not a bad deal, offer £1750 and see what happens.

Doubt you'll get any real frills with it, but less to go wrong and you know it'll have the immobiliser and as my mechanic said they are bulletproof.

It should be Tahitian Green (turquoise)or Matador Red (Very dark Red) if its original as they only came in those colours , they were summer limited edition about 2k sold here .

Rust not such an issue with these as the 92-95 shape and the steering is fingertip light and you get a hydraulic clutch so the gearbox is a dream.The 1997 onwards engines were also more tuned by Honda.

For me it was a great car and i would never put anyone off getting one, cheapish insurance,low tax, uses little fuel and had decent pace so if thats what you want yes probably worth near the 2k asked.Just check the history as usual and get an insurance quote first just to be sure .

[Flip]

[Blunet600]

ok, i bought the civic. Its in great condition, looks and runs like id expect it to new! The guy wouldnt budge on the price, only knocked him down by £100. I managed to get cheaper insurance through direct line who take on the bikes no claims which dramatically knocked the price down. Got it home and found out there was near to nothing of coolant so had to top that up with half coolant half water.
Im just waiting for the log book so that i can tax it.
I cant find much information about the specific model on the internet which is annoying.
Compared to what i drove before this (daewoo matiz) this civic handles great! and feels more snug. I just need to adapt to the size of it, its alot bigger than me matiz.
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[G]

You can tax it with the green slip in a post office if you have the other docs.

[Blunet600]

I rung up and it said the slip was not enough and i needed the log book. I got the insurance today, so that would be enough to tax it at a post office?
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[WildGoose]

Whoever you spoke to on the phone was a muppet. G is right.

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_069680

[Blunet600]

Shit... i hope there isnt a leak, i'll be pissed if there is.
Where is the most likely place it might leak? i'll check the coolant when i get home, see if it has gone down.
Cheers guys with the information about tax, ill get to it first thing tomorrow. Id have ended up waiting for the log book...
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[mistergixer]

Definitely keep an eye on the coolant level - if it's still going down and you can't see any signs of a leak, then watch for signs that the head gasket may be failing: white smoke from the exhaust and signs of any creamy/soapy/mayonnaise-ey (?)scum or deposits in/on the expansion tank, rocker cover and dipstick.
____________________
Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[Blunet600]

How would i repair this?
Would a service sort it out?
The coolant i put in the other day hasnt gone down yet, so fingers crosses it doesnt.
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600