Honda Civic 1.6L Vs Honda Civic Import Auto 1.5

kravmaga

Which of the below 2004 Honda Civic's would you choose to buy?

One is an Auto import from Japan with a 1.5L engine.
Dealer has promised European tyres to pass NCT.
Also he will replace battery and put in a new RDS CD/MP3/RADIO.
No alloys wheels though.
3 months warranty offered.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/1.5-AUTO/201006196871253/advert?channel=CARS

The other is an Irish registered with a 1.6L engine.
41k
NCT until 2012
3 Months warranty offered.
Full service history.
Valeted and just serviced.
Alloy wheels.

djimi

Personally Id pick manual over automatic any day of the week. Then again Id probably pick import over Irish too so its a tricky one! Id still go with the manual if it were me.

kravmaga

Thanks for the feedback DJimi,

Would there be an issue with parts for the Jap auto import?
Is there an issue with the automatic or is it sluggish?

johnos1984

I've heard people have been refused insurance as their cars were imports others have had their premiums rise for the same reason

Check before you buy

djimi

Insurance will always be an issue for imports. Depends on the car obviously but you shouldnt get refused (unless its a car that the insurance company doesnt like) but it might cost more. Some online quoting systems will kick up a fuss about it being an import, but if you ring the company theyll usually be more accomodating.

Of course, take nothing for granted when it comes to Irish insurance companies, as my experience has told me that generally speaking they make up the rules to suit themselves. Be fully sure you can get cover before buying the car. If its got letters like SiR then they will not be impressed.

I cant speak for parts for an auto, but in general I havent had any issues with getting parts for my ITR.

Also cant speak for auto Civics as Ive never driven one but I just dont like automatics in general!!!

johnos1984

I've driven the auto version and far preferred the manual.

Unless you need an auto I'd avoid as it just felt like a granny car to me

crotalus667

Auto is going to drink fuel compaired to the manual

Atomic Pineapple

Is the Irish 1.6 a S sport?

Saab Ed

God why would you want either!!!!

In fairness I know that nice auto's in this category of car are hard enough to come by but those Civics were gash. Sure it'll last forever but so does spent uranium and I dont much want that around me either. Noisy, bland, poor equipment , bad ride , bad handling and not even that spacious as family cars go. There must be something else out there to buy instead!

For example....


http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-LX-4/201013197442806/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/Automati/201025198501662/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/Life/201024198468079/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-5/LINEAR-S/201025198488473/advert?channel=CARS

Tea 1000

Saab Ed wrote: »

God why would you want either!!!!

In fairness I know that nice auto's in this category of car are hard enough to come by but those Civics were gash. Sure it'll last forever but so does spent uranium and I dont much want that around me either. Noisy, bland, poor equipment , bad ride , bad handling and not even that spacious as family cars go. There must be something else out there to buy instead!

For example....


http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-LX-4/201013197442806/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/Automati/201025198501662/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/Life/201024198468079/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-5/LINEAR-S/201025198488473/advert?channel=CARS

It's as spacious as a Focus or Astra really, and they're not bad handling, they're fine, certainly no worse than a Saab 9-5.
My issue with the above would be the place where the Auto is being sold from. Wouldn't buy anything from there. Based on that alone, go with the Irish manual.

JHMEG

Would depend on the condition and spec of both. Without the auction sheet it's hard to prove the mileage on the Jap version and clocking is widespread.

Saab Ed wrote: »

Noisy, bland, poor equipment , bad ride , bad handling and not even that spacious as family cars go. There must be something else out there to buy instead!

Not quiet, but mine has leather, full auto climate, electric everything, heated everything, fully independent suspension with double wishbones at the back, and better rear legroom than a 3-series, and has a completely flat floor in the back.

bazz26

Saab Ed wrote: »

God why would you want either!!!!

In fairness I know that nice auto's in this category of car are hard enough to come by but those Civics were gash. Sure it'll last forever but so does spent uranium and I dont much want that around me either. Noisy, bland, poor equipment , bad ride , bad handling and not even that spacious as family cars go. There must be something else out there to buy instead!

For example....


http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-LX-4/201013197442806/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/Automati/201025198501662/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/Life/201024198468079/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-5/LINEAR-S/201025198488473/advert?channel=CARS

Imo none of the cars suggested there are any better at what you describe than the Civic bar the Ford's handling which is probably not on the OP's wish list. The Saab looks a bit tired, doesn't really fit with what the OP is looking at and the Astra auto is really terrible (had one as a rental once). 95% of these small family cars are sold in manual form so usually the auto versions are the runt of the litter. I really do not see the Civic as being any worse than the others to be honest.

Of the two Civics I would go for the 1.6 simply because it may be easier to source spare parts over the 1.5 litre which was never offically sold in Europe. Almost €6k for a 6 year old one is steep though.

Myself I would probably try and find a VAG with the DSG box which is quite good and probably the best auto box in this size of car. Something like this:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201023198319591

kravmaga

draffodx wrote: »

Is the Irish 1.6 a S sport?

No.

kravmaga

Tea 1000 wrote: »

It's as spacious as a Focus or Astra really, and they're not bad handling, they're fine, certainly no worse than a Saab 9-5.
My issue with the above would be the place where the Auto is being sold from. Wouldn't buy anything from there. Based on that alone, go with the Irish manual.

Yes I have decided to go with the Irish manual.

Funny thing is I have emailed the sales rep twice and made one call to him today after I looked at the Irish manual yesterday.

No reply to my emails and when I got through to the sales guy today he cut me short mid sentence and said he would ring me baack.

6 hours laters he still has not called back.

Jesus I thought there was a recession on and any dealer would be glad of a potential sale , even if it is small money??

So maybe buying neither...