Question about Power in a CIVIC Automatic

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Paul - 02 Dec 2005 15:32 GMT

I'm shopping for a used Civic for my son. Most of them for sale are
automatics. We have had many 4 cylinder Honda's but they have all been
sticks. I would prefer a stick but there are not many for sale.

I'm wondering if there are any Civic Automatic owners on this newsgroup who
can tell me how the power is in their cars.

Thanks.

Paul

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James - 02 Dec 2005 17:14 GMT

depends on what year/model your looking for, the HP could be between 115 and
200hp

> I'm shopping for a used Civic for my son. Most of them for sale are
> automatics. We have had many 4 cylinder Honda's but they have all been
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Paul

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hondaman - 03 Dec 2005 00:36 GMT

the automatics r just as poweful as the stick shifts. i've had both and they
seem about the same. get one thats been well maintained and you should be
happy with it. the trans fluid is very simple to change also.

-jeff

> depends on what year/model your looking for, the HP could be between 115
> and 200hp
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>> Paul

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flobert - 03 Dec 2005 01:27 GMT

>I'm shopping for a used Civic for my son. Most of them for sale are
>automatics. We have had many 4 cylinder Honda's but they have all been
>sticks. I would prefer a stick but there are not many for sale.
>
>I'm wondering if there are any Civic Automatic owners on this newsgroup who
>can tell me how the power is in their cars.

I've got an 88 dx, with the slushbox.

Runs great, shifts are still sharp, just the engine isn't hugely well
suited for a slushbox (not tuned for low-end torque) so there's a fair
bit of kickdown needed. Newer ones might be different. I've had no
problems with mine though, except the insides have come off the D's on
the shift indication (didn't mind when it was the d3, as i could then
tell from the corner of my eye which i was in - yes i'm one that
prefers to use the shifter to kickdown, rather than the throttle,
found it gives a smother and sharper change if timed right)

>Thanks.
>
>Paul

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JXStern - 03 Dec 2005 05:00 GMT

Compared to buying a small car twenty years ago, most every Honda sold
has more than adequate power, and with modern computer-controlled
engines you might as well go with the auto anyway, I don't think there
is such a thing anymore as down-tuning the engine to spare the auto,
as was done once upon a time. Maybe the auto ups the price a couple
of hundred bucks, but if that's all you find, I guess you just have to
cope.

It's very hard to find modern stick Accords, I thought a fair number
of Civics still went with sticks, but maybe the owners tend to drive
them into the ground instead of selling them!

J.

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mopa - 03 Dec 2005 16:20 GMT

Paul,

I know what you mean. Well, it maybe a great idea to look at other
sources for cars that are sale. Try using autotrader.com, ebay, and
your local news paper (which I know you would have looked in) sometimes
it is best to wait. I notice more people start selling their cars in
the summer, so you may even want to wait till then.

I live in Georgia, and could not find a decent manual myself, so I
bought mine through eBay from a women who just had twins, and the
family had to sell it, because they needed more room. Anyways, they
bought a new dodge, and sold the car to me for cheap. I paid just 1800
for a 93 Civic LX with 158k miles, now this year I will have had it two
years, and only put in about $400 worth of new parts, and it runs like
perfect. Now with the older civics they do have lots of road noise,
etc... however, it is very reasonable when it comes to repairs, great
on insurance, and has impeccable gas mileage. These are all things your
son will need. So, do not give up on your search.

Good luck in your search.

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jim beam - 03 Dec 2005 18:55 GMT

> I'm shopping for a used Civic for my son. Most of them for sale are
> automatics. We have had many 4 cylinder Honda's but they have all been
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Paul

the power on honda automatics is just fine. no real difference compared
to the sticks. only thing different is shift point choice, but even
then, the modern autos whose shift pattern is entirely electronic, are
just fine. and the older ones with a kickdown valve can be made fine if
adjusted correctly.

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Michael Pardee - 04 Dec 2005 18:27 GMT

> I'm shopping for a used Civic for my son. Most of them for sale are
> automatics. We have had many 4 cylinder Honda's but they have all been
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Paul

Be aware the automatics are not very forgiving of abuse, if that is an
issue. The lazy habit of shifting into drive from reverse before the car
comes to a complete stop will cause progressive damage and eventual failure
with a Honda automatic. The same probably holds true for many modern
automatic transmissions. The question about power makes me concerned that
the tranny might be subjected to hard use, in which case the balance
definitely tips to the manual. Call me sexist, but I would be less concerned
if the car were for your daughter than your son.

Mike

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