I am in the market for a Civic also and have decided on the LX instead of
the HX. Fuel economy is important to me, but I came to the conclusion
(probably too fast) that much of the good gas mileage that the HX has is
because it does not come with an airconditioner listed as standard. Which
means they got to test it without the airconditioner and the other ones had
to be tested with an aircon because they are listed as standard. Since I
would buy an HX with an airconditioner this would take away some of the good
gas mileage it gets. I also believe there are other factors for its better
gas mileage such as, smaller tires, VTEC cam, and it weighs less (might be
because no aircon and smaller tires is standard) but it being tested without
an airconditioner might have inflated its gas mileage stats. I wonder if I
put smaller tires on an LX and took out the aircon if I would get close to
the same gas mileage.
Can anybody throw hot water on my theory? Maybe I should consider the HX?
> Hello,
>
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> elbert.clarke@**us.army.mil
> remove the ** to email
Eric - 13 Oct 2004 01:49 GMT
> I am in the market for a Civic also and have decided on the LX instead of
> the HX. Fuel economy is important to me, but I came to the conclusion
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>
> Can anybody throw hot water on my theory? Maybe I should consider the HX?
I don't have much experience with newer HX Civics, however in the old days,
there were many differences between the HX models and other Civics. For
example, there was less sound insulation and several engine components such,
as the air cleaner, and body components, such as the wheels, were made from
lighter materials to reduce the overall weight of the car. With regards to
your comments, narrower tires will have a smaller contact patch and
therefore less friction with the road. This might have a noticeable impact
on fuel mileage. It will also have a noticeable impact on the car's
handling. For example, in winter with rain and snow the traction should be
improved since the tires will have a lower tendency to hydroplane and will
tend to bite into snow rather than pontoon on top of the snow. However,
handling on dry pavement might be negatively impacted.
Eric
Elbert - 13 Oct 2004 03:42 GMT
You know I overlooked the part about the A/C being optional. I just
assumed it was standard but I just checked the web site and you are
correct. Hell I live in the South and there's no way I'm going to buy
a car without A/C. I'm not into A/C systems that are aftermarket or
diealer installed items. i may need to revise my search for one of the
other civic models. Just looked on the web site and A/C is listed as
a $1,200 option. I don't know if this is a dealer installed option (I
assume it is). so you would have to tack on some additional money
to get the system installed...I'm not going down that road.
>I am in the market for a Civic also and have decided on the LX instead of
>the HX. Fuel economy is important to me, but I came to the conclusion
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>> elbert.clarke@**us.army.mil
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