Honda reliability

[huwp]

Am in the process of selling a VW Polo GTI due to it's lack of reliability. In 20,000 miles the car has had a replacement engine, new clutch, new EGRV and uses lots of oil.

Not very exciting but I'm looking at a Civic 1.8 vtec mainly with a hope that I'll get some trouble free motoring for a couple of years.

Am I likely to be satisfied?

All experiences welcome.

Huw

Edited by huwp on Tuesday 30th October 08:30

[rsv gone!]

Statistically, yes. But then that should have been the case with your VW.

[cptsideways]

rsv gone! said:

Statistically, yes. But then that should have been the case with your VW.

We have had no luck whatsoever with any of our previous VW's which we bought for economy motoring. Yes they can be eco but crikey are they bad for falling to bits on a regular basis.

Your Honda will be great especially if you find a nice one, maybe a little dull & honestly it will feel wheezy & underpowered but it wont be going wrong of its own accord.

[Pulse]

cptsideways said:

it wont be going wrong of its own accord.

No pun intended...

[Deerfoot]

I'm on my third Honda.

Over a combined total of 150000 miles I've replaced tyres, pads, discs and had a brake caliper rebuilt due to sticking. Oh, I also had a tailgate motor replaced (under warranty) on my Accord Tourer.

Apart from that they've been trouble free.

[Riknos]

Firstly: I've only ever owned a Honda motorbike, never a car, so I am by no means a fanboy, however:

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer
Honda 1st place.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9426806/A...
Honda 1st place.

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/03/top-10-reliabl...
Honda 2nd place.

I know you can use statistics to prove or disprove anything, but when a company constantly comes top, there has to be some truth in it, surely?

Oh and look where vw come in comparison - from your experience I'm not surprised...

[Gafferjim]

I run a Honda Accord 2.2CTI diesel, I've had it since 2005, and it's the best car that I've ever had (& I've had a good few!) normal consumables used. 1½ sets of tyres. 1 set brake pads all round (next time discs will need changing as well) usual oil & filters (Change oil every 6K)
I've just had the VSA module go knackered on me (certain years only) sorted it myself for under £300 (Honda dealership £1400 - £2000)
Had to do it for the MOT, It flew through the mot, and underneath it looks like a 12 month old car, not a 7 year old one.
I have the itch to change, but know that I won't get the same reliability from anything else, so I'll stick with it.
keep the oil clean and you'll not go far wrong with one.

[Oi U]

Had an Integra 16v for 7 years and 12000 miles. Engine was as good when I sold it as it was when bought. Never let me down.

[b16a2_VTi]

Ive always owed honda cars.

I've got a 2002 civic 1.6. ITs got 193,000 that correct 193K.

over the years its never once broke down.

I've replaced the timing belt a few times due to mileage i put on.
usual stuff, tyres, brakes, suspension bushes just done last week due to mot.

This is the best part its still on its orginal clutch!!! awesome!

[andy_vtec]

I think it is just down to luck (good and bad) on modern cars rather than a particular build trend...

We had a 2003 2.0 Petrol SE Sport CRV for 5 years from new - No issues whatsoverver in 4 years of ownership.

Replaced it with another new 2.0 Petrol CRV SE Exec in 2008 - again no issues whatsoever in 4 years (actually I think at the last service they auto replaced the drivers side window rubber as it was making the window slightly slow to open and close!

I have been running a 2009 VW 2.0T GT scirocco from new and that hasn't missed a beat either (the 2 cracked alloys were my fualt / read as the council's fault for not repairing the B roads I drive on!)

Service history and how the owners use/abuse the cars is more important IMHO

[grumpyscot]

They say that if you buy a Renault, you'll be on first name terms with your mechanic

With a Honda, you'll need a map to find you way back to the garage, as you'll rarely need it.

I've had various makes - Honda is without doubt the most reliable. Worst has been BMWs and Volvo (especially Volvo S40 series)

[Inverness]

andy_vtec said:

Service history and how the owners use/abuse the cars is more important IMHO

I couldn't agree more. However my experince with all sorts of cars through work, family and my own cars is this:-

Honda, they are really that good.

VW Corrado by far the worst car I ever owened. Golf GTI 30th ed never missed a beat, in general VW is way over rated.

Audi way over priced and will go wrong!

Peugeot, not as bad as people make out.

Ford, good honest cars.

Jaguar, it will get a fault but you'll still love it

Mercedes, they stop building them like tanks in the 80's.

Vauxhall, see Ford.

Talbot, it was my first car and it was st.

Subaru, nearly as good as Honda.

Mazda, nearly as good as Subaru.

Volvo, OK cars, always loved my mums 480 Turbo.

So to the OP, buy the Honda.

[ric type r]

I owned a type r for 5 years with no problems, Swapped it for the Civic 2.2 diesel 2 months ago, Now in garage for a new clutch done 28,000 miles.

[DukeDickson]

grumpyscot said:

They say that if you buy a Renault, you'll be on first name terms with your mechanic

With a Honda, you'll need a map to find you way back to the garage, as you'll rarely need it.

I've had various makes - Honda is without doubt the most reliable. Worst . has been BMWs and Volvo (especially Volvo S40 series)

I didn't need a map for my local Honda garage, I knew the way there far too well unfortunately.


OP - I guess the real world answer is that Honda hails from somewhere on the right side of the tracks, but that doesn't guarantee perfection.

[mark in harlow]

Weve had a 2003 accord 2.4 executive for 7 years and cannot fault it. We have had to replace 1 xenon headlight bulb, just had a new cluth changed at 125000 miles,genarally sails through the mot,Had to replace front tyres,general servicing,We find parts can be a bit dear especially main dealer, they quoted nearly £1000 to change the clutch, but would recommend a honda all day long.

[rezaq]

I love Hondas. Period. I have owned lot's of cars including 2 Accord Type R's, 2 Prelude 2.2 VTI's and 2 Integra Type R DC2's. I'm currently on my second Integra Type R.

The car has 153000 miles on it from new. I've now completed the full restoration, having purchased the car from it's first owner who used it daily for commuting and only ever ran Mobil 1 0W40 oil.

The car has every single receipt and MOT from new. In it's full Honda dealer history the only real item it needed changing was the clutch at 125000. All other stuff has been routine consumables. Nothing more. Hell, it doesn't even consume any oil which is rare.

For any other manufacturer to make a production engine capable of revving to 9000 rpm, being a 1.8 16v and developing 190PS for 153000 without so much as a sniff of a fault is virtually impossible. Only Honda can do that. And they marketed the car to be revved; VTEC doesn't engage until 5800rpm where most 4 cylinders of that ilk are hitting the redline.

The majority of parts I have replaced have been down to want rather than need.

Cracking cars. I love Hondas!

Get one.

P.s - I also have a 2006 VW Jetta 2.0 Turbo. Within the first month it's needed a replacement stepper motor for the inlet manifold under VW extended warranty. Oh and it idles like crap.

[huwp]

Thanks for all the replies. I did buy the Civic 1.8 ES VTEC in the end. It's fairly standard save for a panoramic roof.

I've only had it since Tuesday so am still getting to know the car but so far all seems fine. I do miss the performance of my last car. I can see myself looking at the R next time if I get on well with this one.

[Johnny Barnes]

Gafferjim said:

I run a Honda Accord 2.2CTI diesel, I've had it since 2005, and it's the best car that I've ever had (& I've had a good few!) normal consumables used. 1½ sets of tyres. 1 set brake pads all round (next time discs will need changing as well) usual oil & filters (Change oil every 6K)
I've just had the VSA module go knackered on me (certain years only) sorted it myself for under £300 (Honda dealership £1400 - £2000)
Had to do it for the MOT, It flew through the mot, and underneath it looks like a 12 month old car, not a 7 year old one.
I have the itch to change, but know that I won't get the same reliability from anything else, so I'll stick with it.
keep the oil clean and you'll not go far wrong with one.

Glad to hear it, looking at oneself but with a budget of £3.5k they're high milers. Guessing I just need one with FSH to see me right?

[SkinnyBoy]

Had loads of Hondas currently have a 2001 CRV sport and it never has missed a beat in over 200k kms! Now that is testament to their reliability.

[twin SUs]

2005 Accord Toured CiTDi. Best car I Have ever owned. Still looks and drives like New. I've owned it for 6 years and intend to keep it as long as possible. Just keep an eye on the oil level on the diesels.

Cheers

Nige