Quote:
Originally Posted by spadix <shakes head, begins rant>
There was some debate a few days back about Hondas' reliability and the pricing of their spares. This was around the time when jatinpatel had a series of misfortunes with his Civic. (By the way, Jatin, hope most of your issues have been solved now.) The debate was around whether Hondas and in particular the 8th Civic is reliable in the long run. The debate went to such an extent that even manim had slightly begun to doubt it, despite having had a trouble-free 4.5 years/1l+ kms.
On this topic, I agree with Jatin that if the car and its parts cost a bomb, one would expect reliability to be out of this world too. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. I would like to take the case of my old M800. Granted that it was a 1998 model, when things were much simpler and probably the general work ethic across the country was a bit higher leading to higher initial and long-term quality. But I never felt uncomfortable pushing that car in any sense, because it never surprised me. With the Civic, every rough patch on the road is a potential hair-raising moment. It's fine if the car sails through, but everything feels so delicate that there's this constant pressure while driving to be absolutely certain not to take any chance whatsoever, because of the question marks over build quality/reliability and attendant financial misery should anything untoward happen. Even with this kind of baby-sitting there are the odd rattles and sounds that have cropped up so early in the car's life. All very minor, and not at all functionally threatening (I hope!) but still, not what I would expect from a 15+ lac car from one of the world's premier auto companies. Period.
Now couple with that with the general silliness and incompetence at Honda A.S.S. They are good only at routine work, and when specific tricky problems are pointed out they are a.) absolutely clueless and b.) in denial, with a holier-than-thou attitude saying Hondas are always problem-free. I've had one mechanic at Pride Honda (Hyderabad) tell me that I was the first customer he had seen who was so particular about his car. Come on! After spending 15+ lacs, I have every right to be! More so when Maruti A.S.S. was an absolutely super experience overall, despite me having a humble M800.
Unless I am on a road like the Hyd-Blr NH7 (or certain stretches on the GQ and some other very rare bits of chosen highways) I find it hard to *really* enjoy the car completely unencumbered.
<ends rant>
Regards,
spadix |
Well i thought all problems were over for sometime but NO!!!
When i had gone to Honda to replace the serpentine belt as a preventive maintianence and also upon seeing that the belt had thinned out a bit car odo standing at 49.7k kms
While getting the belt changed in front of me the technician found out play in the Auto-tensioner and now at 50k service will getting it changed for 5k!!!
I mean i cant get it is this car made of paper or what sometimes i just think if getting an AT was not a priority i would had gone in for my long lasted and still a dream car CEDIA sports.
Another rubbish thing if find aboust civic is the un-communicative rear suspension i mean it has a brain of its own taking a curve at 90 you feel that the rear will step out just about now and thats with only me or total of two people in the car
if rear is loaded then just forget it !
taking the same turn at 90 in my 800, the 800 feels more composed and never does it feel that the rear will step out although there is body roll but the rear follows the front.
Same turn in lancer Oh man!! that car is in leagues of it own at 90 on the same curve am yawning!
Oh yeah and the insanely thuding thuding thuding front suspension fine the stifffer setup at front gives precise controlled body rolled and nice steering response but its JUST HATE HATE the way it goes through the potholes!
Honda CANT DESIGN PROPER SUSPENSION ! Period.
Only possitive i find about civic is that
-Good engine (since mine is an AT i dont suffer that much from low end torque issues as other face, but Plan to get FFE in few months)
-Space Loads of Space the only car in my 3 cars fleet which can accommodate me comfortably at the back (i am 6,3) but still dont like to sit in the rear when the ride is over bad roads.
Since i bought this car pre-used from Honda Auto terrace so had a complete detailed history of the car discounting the cost of new Michelin PLC and 40k service cost. I have spent a total of 72k on repairs and service(not including 40k service)
I am very very meticulus about my cars and cant tolerate a squeak rattle or any kind of improper behavior in driving dynamics of the car.
Now i just pray after the auto-tensioner change nothing more should come up or else might just go and bang the car somewer!
But am EXTREMELY satisfied the Honda A.s.s Linkway honda superb service and service advisor is very very friendly and good knowledge and will tell me upfront that what has to be replaced on priority and what can be stretched a bit before replacing.
Overall considering all the factors of owning a car that is
Car itself
Maintainence
Service provided my Honda A.S.S
overall outta 10 i would rate 6.7.
I know after soo much of probs too i gave lil on higher side rating cause whenever i flooe the R18A it just PUTS A BIGGGGGGGG GRIN on my face my Gf feels jealous when this happens