Honda Civic Hatchback (2006 - 2011) 2.2 i-CTDi ES 5d (2006/06) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
-
Summary
What does this car say about you?
Probably that I'm practical and a bit dull (but Honda is beginning to shift its "old person's" image I think).
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
I'd say neither overwhelmed nor unimpressed.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes I would, and it's been very practical. But I'd have to have a head vs heart battle. I really miss my Alfa 156!
What are you likely to buy next?
Might consider the new Civic, but a pretty big part of me wants another Alfa (probably a 159 diesel Sportwagon).
-
Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Didn't buy from a dealer
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£5,000
When did you buy the car?
April 2011
Did you get a good deal and why?
Yes - bought at auction, late in the day when lots of the traders had gone home. Risk of auction buying was offset by the £1,000 below market value price paid.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
What was the dealer like?
N/a
-
Driving it
What's it like to drive?
It's easy to drive and feels responsive. The 2.2-litre engine makes it reasonably fast. The only minor niggle is that it feels like visibility is restricted both in the rear, with the odd back window (the solid line of dark glass where the brake light is tends to obscure the view of cars behind) and the front pillars seem to take up more of your view than in other cars. You get used to it, but it's a bit disconcerting at first.
What's it like to park?
Easy as pie.
-
Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Nothing major. It does 30k miles per year and services and MOTs haven't cost more than a few hundred pounds at any time. Mostly, for tyres and general wear and tear.
What's most practical about your car?
The reliability and fuel consumption. Most of the miles are on the motorway, but it also does the school run and a bit of town driving when close to my place of work. It still has returned 55mpg since the day I bought it.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
The storage options. Folding seats, hidden compartment in the boot (where you'd expect to find a spare wheel), space under the back seats to store items without having to reconfigure anything.
