is it just me, or does this look like every other boring honda?

i guess a cheap car shouldn't look too good :)

Haha, you said cheap and forgot to add the best damn cars in the world.

It really does look like all the other Honda's. The are reliable cars, but boring as well (...and usually a tad overpriced).

Uhhh, what re-style? The new Sonata was re-styled more than this.

omg...best...car...ever...

LSD as standard on the SI model...nice

I LOVE WHINING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

even when there's nothing to whine about.

Let me start by saying "I like the look of the Civic". I think the coupe looks like a little spaceship.

I don't see any significant changes from the current model to the one pictured here.

@ Ryan (...and usually a tad overpriced)-

Sure, they maybe $500-1,000 more than a comparable Toyota or Nissan, but their resale is much better (usually outweighing the small price premium).

I personally think the 2008 looks better. This 2009 is adopting the Acura "chrome strip" grill which I find very unattractive.

I also think the Civic Si is the best sporty car in it's $20-21k price bracket. A friend has an 2007 Si sedan and it's a great little car. Great mileage when cruising, 197hp / 8000rpm redline / 6-spd helical LSD and a tight suspension setup.

anyone drive the HCH [hybrid version of this car]? my boss has one and it drove like a log. it was absolutely horrid... the brakes were hard, the steering was so loose it had no feel, and the glazing setup leaves much to be desired [especially with those little triangular windows and intermediate brace].

i assume the normal gasoline versions are better [i would hope at least]

i dunno, i like the new front bumper, but that FCX shaped grille isn't working for the car imo - i dont like how it extends so far down. Nevertheless, I still think it looks a lot better than the old one - the front of the sedan was so boring, even on the Si and even though the only difference between a regular civic and an Si is a little badge, the new one really does look better

I don't see much difference either, and is that a bad thing? I mean, they are selling well, right?

I drove a 2008 Civic 2 door not to long ago it had very little sound insulation you could hear all the wind noise on the hwy and when you let the windows down the entire door would shutter when you put it down. Also the doors were completely hollow and there were close to 10 1 cm panel gaps. So much for fit and finish. I totally would not pay 17k for a 2 door civic. for 15k you can get a nice used 50k miles 4 door 2005 Jag X-type. A saturn ion with a 2.2 liter 4 door is a much better deal and it gets a few mpg better and faster to 60.

hondas are decent cars but like others have said it seems to be a bit overpriced. I mean 17k for a small 2door car is expensive when you can buy a corolla which gets just as good mpg a good resale for 13k or even if your feeling up to it a ford focus which is like 12k and a bad resale. Ive been in a 2006 car and it wasnt anything to right home about and my friends 00 which has some suspension work on it again isnt all that much to write home about. To me it looks like nothing had been done to it but as far as looks go to each his own. I wouldnt say that si version is the best sporty version of the small car braket because the cobalt ss and mini cooper s both dominate this car in every conceivable aspect except for fuel economy.

haters

They better change a few things because when the new Focus gets to the U.S. Honda and Toyota is going to have a serious fight on their hands.

that tailpipe has my name written all over it

"They better change a few things because when the new Focus gets to the U.S. Honda and Toyota is going to have a serious fight on their hands."

That is funny. Unfortunately the Focus is made by Ford and regardless of a name change is still a POS Escort!

The ad looks like a cell phone ad or some Starburst candy comercial. I guess you have to pull out all the stops when you are trying to sell something that hasn't really changed and looks bland, Japanes, conservative, and cheap.

Not a bad bad car though. Probably best in their class though the Corola is an excellent car too.

@ Bobo Bohannon

Are you that out of touch or just ignorant? The Focus is not an Escort, it doesn't even share anything with an Escort. The Euro Focus that will be brought to the U.S. in 2010 is widely popular in Europe and there is a big reason why it is, because it's not bland and it's handling and power is top notch for its class. Google does wonders, you should try it.

"They better change a few things because when the new Focus gets to the U.S. Honda and Toyota is going to have a serious fight on their hands."

Eh, wrong answer - try pinching yourself out of your dream bud.

@87REDBMW:

I don't have a Civic and will likely never own one, but my office is full of people who own them. They are what they are, excellent appliance cars and a decent value if you avoid the option list.

But the NVH complaint is the only legit one you really have going for you. The rest is just borderline silly.

10 >1cm panel gaps? Was the Civic you were in just in a wreck?

Comparing an '05 50k mile Jag? What? You like sitting in the dealer service area?

Ions are ridiculous cars. You can't complain about fit/finish and NVH and then refer to an Ion.

Don't take this wrong, I'm not a big fan of the Civic, but I understand it's place and it's popularity is well earned. People who buy it want an inexpensive, reliable, and fuel-efficient appliance. They don't cross shop used jags or BMW's, and are probably either rightfully jaded against GM or just don't care to gamble again.

---------------------------------

87REDBMW said:

I drove a 2008 Civic 2 door not to long ago it had very little sound insulation you could hear all the wind noise on the hwy and when you let the windows down the entire door would shutter when you put it down. Also the doors were completely hollow and there were close to 10 1 cm panel gaps. So much for fit and finish. I totally would not pay 17k for a 2 door civic. for 15k you can get a nice used 50k miles 4 door 2005 Jag X-type. A saturn ion with a 2.2 liter 4 door is a much better deal and it gets a few mpg better and faster to 60.

i like it, it looks a bit like a honda with a bit of Nissan and Toyota. I like it.

i agree on a guy there. in our country, a honda is a bit more expensive than a toyota, but with more equipment or better functionality, also has tighter tolerances on gaps between exterior parts.
yet a toyota is more reliable and has a cheaper cost of ownership/to operate, making the brand highest on resale value.

I now own a 2008 Honda civic ES coupe, loaded. I also owned a 2004 Saturn Ion Coupe, loaded. I can honestly compare them together if your interested.

The Honda is noisy, period. Very noisy, and on rough roads surfaces you can't carry a normal conversation without raising your voice to yell over it. I believe this is caused by poor insulation (very poor) and noisy tires. The ION was way better, too bad the nice stereo in the Honda was not in the ION so you could hear it..

When you roll down the electric windows in the Honda, the door panel bows inward about 1/4 inch from the force of the mechanics. The ION felt solid. The ION dent-free panels were a great idea, loved them. Fully loaded, both cars were almost equal in options, however, the ION had auto-dim mirrors. The Honda has a space-ship dash that is rather fun, the ION was center mount like the Yaris.

Interior quality is Honda's strength, although I've had some issues. Honda plastic scuffs easy and many pieces are just as boring and cheap looking as the ION's are. The Honda driver side rear seat does not fold down quickly due to the seat belt system, always a pain to go back and forth between the trunk and the interior to get the seat down. There is no outside trunk key requiring a key remote. The seat belt alarm is absolutely loud, cheap sounding and annoying! I can hear the automatic transmission working constantly, until over 40 mpg where the road noise takes over. Good knee room and better seats than the ION. The ION's rear clam shell doors completely out performs the Honda's rear seat access. The air conditioning in the Honda doesn't work well with outside temperatures above 95, blows warm air until moving where the ION was still cool.

Reliability in my experience is equal, both were great - not perfect, but close. The Honda has a studder issue, almost like the engine almost dies then jumps alive when downshifting and in stop and go. We tested several Honda's, they all seem to have it. Other issues are minor, but not perfect. The ION's major problem was a rubber mount on the radiator causing a rattle - a quick fix. Between the two cars, the ION seemed to spank the Civic in performance, but the Civic spanked the ION's handling mostly due to the steering and braking. I believe the ION Red Line turbo would competely outperform the Civic SE, but not the SI.

Between the dealerships, the Honda dealer(s) were exteremly poor. In fact, we have to travel between 5 dealerships in two states to get the Honda without paying for bogus markups.. Several dealerships lied about the price, gave false information about options, had markups that could not be justified, and when we arrived to pick up the car - they didn't have the car they quoted on the lot. One Honda dealership was charging over $700 for 'interior guard' and 'paint protection', and another $250 for dealer documentation. When we finally found a dealership that had the car they promised, I paid cash and bought the car with the outside and inside shipping plastic still on it - and guess what? There was the same sticker showing all these 'extra' protection costs. The dealer said, they all have that, he confessed it's a rip off to get the customers to pay for it. That includes the so called 'documentation' fee. My advise to you is to check out the internet carefully, stick with your price, arrive with cash or check. ANd be prepared to walk away from the Honda dealers at the first sign of bait-and-switch.

The saturn dealer was excellent, a perfect experience. No pressure, no gimmicks, no surprises. Wow..

Last thing, the quote from the Honda dealership that makes me laugh in their face. I asked if they had road side assistance as part of their warrentee. The Honda dealer said no, they don't need to with Honda quality. Really I said? So guess what, I had a flat and I'm out on the side of the freeway in a brand new Honda. Although the Saturn never needed roadside assistance, I felt that it is a great option to have from previous experience. I hope that I don't lock the keys in the trunk like I did with my Ford years ago, but wait - they had road side assistance and they were there to help!

I hope this Honda improves on the model, mostly noise.

@Sparky:

It's nice to see a honest comparison of two competing cars. The problems you mentioned are also one's that my friends have brought up when I asked them. Both people I know that have new Civics are dying this summer with 100+ weather for like 50 days so far, unless they are cruising. Seems Honda undersized the condenser or something on the Civic. My Integra also has the same issues with road noise and flexing panels on the doors too.

I don't know anyone with an Ion though so I couldn't see if anyone had the same complaints.

Which is it ? Restyled or refreshed ? I'm going with refreshed since it's closer to the truth.

The rear of the car looks more like the last gen Accord than a Civic now. Granted, i like the overall looks of this Civic more than the last gen or two, but maybe it's time to diversify the bland brand a bit more. The front end seems OK. Looks good in a couple shots, and funky it others.

Fleet identity isn't working for Mopar, and will hurt any brand eventually. While this Civic isn't offensive, it also feels too familiar already. Kind of like GM over exposing the new Camaro for so long.

@ Stevens

So I see you two have joined the blind club.

@ Noya
I know this will fall on deaf ears, since you're blindly swearing by Acura/Honda, however Chevy Cobalt SS Turbocharged is the fastest factor FWD car around the Nurburgring, has 63 more horses and 100 of ft/lbs of torque more and even manages to get better gas mileage... not to mention that cool no-lift shifting... ummm suck it?
yes i know about the "american build quality" you're going to mention, the reliability (2.0T powertrain is unfortunately little too young to make any long-term judgments) also i realize the resale is not as attractive... but than again why would you want to sell a car faster and more fuel-efficient than competition...

@SVT:

The 2.0T is actually from a joint partnership of Hyundai, Mitsu, GM, and maybe Chrysler. I'm pretty sure it will have good longevity as it's built to hold up to Evo type power without flinching. I'm pretty sure the factory specs call for forged internals on the boosted verions so it should be a stout little engine. With the number of cars using it though (Sky, Cobalt, Genesis, Lancer) even if something does break it should be easy and cheap enough to find parts for it down the line. Not to mention how many aftermarket parts will be available...