Talk to me about Hondas...

[piratemaximus]

Yep, another one of these threads

I'm getting bored with my VW's, and I've got an itch for an (almost) retro Honda Civic on a 90-95ish plate.

I know NOTHING about Civics, and the little hatchbacks seem to go for silly money.

I'm really keen on the estate versions (saw a 98 plate for sale) but I've no idea how reliable they are, or what engine to get as they differ so much! 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 etc.

Who here knows what they are talking about?

[Suffolkandgood]

98 Civic Estate is known as the Civic Aerodeck with the MC2 bodystyle.

They do seem to wear well, good ones are good and bad ones can be shocking.

The VTi is the best one to have, B28c4 engine -169bhp from the factory and available cheap enough.

I had a hatch version with the 1.8 VTEC engine (B18C4 169bhp) and was an absolute flyer. Revs and revs, had 145mph on the speedo and sounds awesome.

Easy enough to upgrade to Integra R spec as the engines are very similar, engine modifications are easy enough to find but bodywork/styling is a bit tricky. They run 4x114.3 stud pattern which can be awkward to find wheels for but anything that fits 4stud Integra will go on these so opens up a world of JDM whore wheels.

I'm sure you can convert to Integra 5stud, bigger brakes and differenrt wheel choices.

Not bad on fuel if you keep the revs down, consumption drops like a stone if you have an aftermarket cone filter and keep the right pedal in the carpet- the noise is worth it!

Quite cheap to buy and insure, grandad image too....body wise they do share a lot of trim/interior with the 400series Rover and MGZS...

I had one, and would have another one tomorrow!

[Battles]

Possibly brilliant connection with your username: didn't the mid 90s Civic VTis come in Pirates Black?
They were awesome, I wanted one of the regular VTIs when they were new but couldn't insure one. I've seen a few VTis advertised locally that are one owner, under 100k with dealer history for a grand or so.

[piratemaximus]

Disco - cheers for that, very helpful indeed.

1001ab - I've just seen one for sale that's Pirate black

Yeah I think I'd just want the regular 1.6VTi, 35-40mpg if you take it easy. And I can't believe the prices they go for either

[79cord]

Sept 3, 2012 12:36:35 GMT Suffolkandgood said:

98 Civic Estate is known as the Civic Aerodeck with the MC2 bodystyle.
The VTi is the best one to have, B28c4 engine -169bhp from the factory and available cheap enough.
They run 4x114.3 stud pattern which can be awkward to find wheels for but anything that fits 4stud Integra will go on these so opens up a world of JDM whore wheels.

Note that a lot of that was specific to that model/era Estate!

Basically there were 2 engine series '88-2000.
'D'series 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6L SOHC 16-valve (including SOHC VTEC), and 1.6 16v DOHC.
'B'series 1.6, 1.8L 16v DOHC usually VTEC (though there were Integra B18 non-vtec)
I don't think 3dr hatches ever had bigger than 1.6 but 1.8 or even Honda CRV 'B' series 2.0 readily fitted.

All had variations of the same double wishbone suspension at all corners.
Integra were also based upon Civic floorpan with more sporting drivetrains.
Most had 4x100PCD stud pattern.
'88-91 wagon could be had with 4wd in some markets.

[piratemaximus]

Right then! I'm getting confused

I don't mind if it's an estate, hatch, or saloon (Maybe not saloon). I just like the look of the things! What's the most practical/sought after engine? For mpg and performance/reliability?

Sorry for all the questions, you're answers are helping a LOT though.

[spekkie]

b-series goood mpg and performance !!
d-series are not too bad either as long as there's oil and water on it you wont break it
honda has the best fwd cars imho cant go wrong with them

[piratemaximus]

Good to know!

Now how the hell do I tell if it's got a B or D series engine?

Cheers dude

[eg2]

b series are DOHC, d series are SOHC

if you have any specific questions just ask. i started to write down what I know about civics but as i've owned over 60 over the last 10 years, there's far too much info to write don in a logical manner lol

[Suffolkandgood]

It appears there may be some confusion here so i'd like to clear it up....

EG6 Civic, 92-95...



EK4 Civic, 96-00...



EK saloon...



MB6...



MC2...



There is quite a few variants, all these come with the twin cam VTEC engine.

OP- Which one was it that caught your eye?

[piratemaximus]

BIG thank you for posting that. I'm on my mobile so can't throw up pics myself.

The 2 that catch my eye above are MC2 Estate, and both variants of the hatchback - EG6 & EK4. I'm guessing the EG6 have funkier interiors?

I've seen they have a 1.4 V-tec? Cheap tax and a pokey little engine? I don't have 3/4K to spend, more realistically 1500-2000 of the queens finest

Piston heads has a good selection for sale. I'll check the owners club/forums tomorrow.

Big thanks again.

[richp]

I've had an MB6 1.8 vti for 9 years now. It's been a good car.

Just normal servicing and occasional Cambelt change and it just plods on. Had to fit a radiator last year & one of the power steering pipes has been a bit weapy for a while but that's all that's really gone wrong and it's been well used.

It's reasonably nippy but the gearbox holds it back & could do with a much shorter 2nd gear. The teg type r gearbox transforms it apparently. It does have an LSD as standard though & it works pretty well.

They have bog all torque and you need to rev the nuts off of them to get them moving. It's sounds fantastic though and still make me smile when you hit vtec and it picks and up keeps going until 8.5k!

They benefit from updated suspension as you can feel the weight a bit if you chuck it around.

Brakes are brilliant for a standard car, 282mm discs. i use updated pads and have never felt the need to go bigger.

You can fit untold amounts of curse word in them so very practical. MPG isn't great though. Around town it's prob low 20's.

Genuine parts are expensive but the you don't need to buy many.

[richp]

Check out the civic5 forum for info on the 5 door & estate versions.

[gtd2000]

Bought myself one of these a few years back (Circa 2004) and it was a good looking little car.

This one was a stolen recovered vehicle and cost the princely sum of £650 when the going rate was around £2000. I had to replace the door locks and the ignition barrel but all of the parts were supplied buy the srapyward I bought it from.

This series does suffer from gearbox synchromesh issues so check that out before buying.

Otherwise lovely little cars that are very well screwed together.

[gouldygtr]

Sept 3, 2012 21:29:49 GMT eg2 said:

b series are DOHC, d series are SOHC

if you have any specific questions just ask. I started to write down what I know about civics but as i've owned over 60 over the last 10 years, there's far too much info to write don in a logical manner lol

So you have had 60 Honda civics and you never noticed you CAN get DOHC D series???

For reference to the OP you can find out the engine code from the Block of the engine

IMO I think the 88-91 Civic would do you good, the one to go for is either the 1.6-16 with the D16a9 engine (UK Spec) or the 1.6i-VT which has the B16A1

both are good for 0-60 in under 8 seconds and the VT model is a lot of fun. The shuttles are starting to become popular too lately,

Heres my old one which was sadly ruined



and the B16A1 which was in it (178BHP)

[eg2]

Sept 4, 2012 8:42:48 GMT gouldygtr said:

Sept 3, 2012 21:29:49 GMT eg2 said:

b series are DOHC, d series are SOHC

if you have any specific questions just ask. I started to write down what I know about civics but as i've owned over 60 over the last 10 years, there's far too much info to write don in a logical manner lol

So you have had 60 Honda civics and you never noticed you CAN get DOHC D series???

For reference to the OP you can find out the engine code from the Block of the engine

d16a9 is an exception, and doesnt come in the EG, EK or MB6 or MC2 that the OP is looking at

Nice looking EF though - what did you do to get 178bhp out of it? I've got a b16a1 to go in my mk1 rex...

[gouldygtr]

4-2-1 manifold , Decat, Hondadata gasket, nominous remap, full system , filter (although it was only for the noise, and the engine only had 50k miles on it so was like new! had it on the dyno at a meet, was proper chuffed

sadly the nob who bought it smashed it to pieces!

[piratemaximus]

Now that is what I'm looking for

What body style/shape is that called?

Tis very nice indeed.

[gouldygtr]

its called a 4th Gen or commonly called a "EF" civic (even though the UK Vtec variant is a EE9)

same underneath as a CRX pretty much but less money

[gouldygtr]

there you go !

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1991-HONDA-CIVIC-I-16-VTEC-BLACK-DOHC-VTi-VT-B16A1-Low-Mileage-NEED-QUICK-SALE-/140842545695?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item20cadeb21f&_uhb=1#ht_1266wt_1397

the wheels look like Rota Slipstreams (same as on mine)

the tail lights could be changed back to standard, This one has rare leather which is nice!