2009 Civic 1.8 vs Focus 1.6 (both petrol): Fun factor etc?
Discussion
I'm trying to combine a bunch of requirements and I don't know if it's possible to do so.
- I'm considering driving for Uber and/or Lyft in my spare time and I got cash to buy a small hatchback sized car dedicated for the task
- It has to be a manual because I miss it a lot. I don't mind manual because I always know shortcuts to avoid the rush in most cases.
- Today I have a 4 series Gran Coupe w/ automatic which I intend to keep as nice and as long as possible so I don't really need another comfy car
I know the Prius in the obvious choice but I'm trying to throw it at least a little fun in the mix if it's doable. Where I'm from Prius/Civic/Focus are equally priced.
I am searching for opinions for the following:
1. Reliability for the Focus. I'm strongly assuming the Civic is very reliable.
2. Part prices for each car. I'm assuming Honda prices and service would be a smidge more expensive?
3. Fun factor? I read that the Fords have fun handling (Focus and Fiesta), but I assume the Honda is fun too?
4. How are the engines? The 1.8 in the Civic has more hp than the Focus but I'm assuming that the Honda would want me to rev it all day to get the best of it.
5. Will the Focus 1.6 be more economical than the Civic 1.8 or would they be equal?
6. Is the luggage space and backseat space more or less equal in both cars?
Thanks in advance!
Ps. I can't have a diesel because my city (Oslo, Norway) is having some kind of anti diesel agenda these days because of pollution, I'm afraid they will ban diesels sooner than later (toll booth prices are much higher for diesels already...
- I'm considering driving for Uber and/or Lyft in my spare time and I got cash to buy a small hatchback sized car dedicated for the task
- It has to be a manual because I miss it a lot. I don't mind manual because I always know shortcuts to avoid the rush in most cases.
- Today I have a 4 series Gran Coupe w/ automatic which I intend to keep as nice and as long as possible so I don't really need another comfy car
I know the Prius in the obvious choice but I'm trying to throw it at least a little fun in the mix if it's doable. Where I'm from Prius/Civic/Focus are equally priced.
I am searching for opinions for the following:
1. Reliability for the Focus. I'm strongly assuming the Civic is very reliable.
2. Part prices for each car. I'm assuming Honda prices and service would be a smidge more expensive?
3. Fun factor? I read that the Fords have fun handling (Focus and Fiesta), but I assume the Honda is fun too?
4. How are the engines? The 1.8 in the Civic has more hp than the Focus but I'm assuming that the Honda would want me to rev it all day to get the best of it.
5. Will the Focus 1.6 be more economical than the Civic 1.8 or would they be equal?
6. Is the luggage space and backseat space more or less equal in both cars?
Thanks in advance!
Ps. I can't have a diesel because my city (Oslo, Norway) is having some kind of anti diesel agenda these days because of pollution, I'm afraid they will ban diesels sooner than later (toll booth prices are much higher for diesels already...
The civic engine doesn't actually need revving that much, no more than the focus as the engine isn't anywhere near as highly strung as a type R.
The focus has more rear leg room and a slightly larger boot but the civic with it's flat folding rear seats is stupidly practical.
I'd personally choose the civic all day long as it has imo a better gearbox, engine, interior and exterior.
The focus has more rear leg room and a slightly larger boot but the civic with it's flat folding rear seats is stupidly practical.
I'd personally choose the civic all day long as it has imo a better gearbox, engine, interior and exterior.
The Civic is not fun to drive. It's very competent, feels surprisingly "sporty" in it's handling, but zero driver feedback. The Focus is the better steer, but in every other respect I'd have the Civic over the Focus.
Neither of them exactly set the world alight in terms of driving pleasure, so all in all I'd take the Civic.
Neither of them exactly set the world alight in terms of driving pleasure, so all in all I'd take the Civic.
charltjr said:
The Civic is not fun to drive. It's very competent, feels surprisingly "sporty" in it's handling, but zero driver feedback. The Focus is the better steer, but in every other respect I'd have the Civic over the Focus.
Neither of them exactly set the world alight in terms of driving pleasure, so all in all I'd take the Civic.
I don't think either of them are "fun" to drive. The Focus isn't exactly sporty. They're both just normal mid-sized hatchbacks, neither of which happen to drive poorly. Neither of them exactly set the world alight in terms of driving pleasure, so all in all I'd take the Civic.
Focus is the better steer. Its almost certainly got a better ride. The Civic would still win it for me, which is why I still have mine. Its a more interesting car.
The engine is actually really good. Its a bit coarse in the usual japanese way but its very tractable and if you feel like it it does like to be revved out. Its actually not a bad mover at all, it gathers pace nicely if you hang on to the gears. The interior is way better, especially to be in and look at if not actually any better screwed together.
Magic rear seats have come in useful more times than I can count and on a motorway cruise it is entirely possible to be eeking up to the 50 MPG range as an average. I know because I managed it. Though in a normal mix of driving without paying much attention to economy it'll return mid to mid-high 30's which isn't bad. Certainly not bad considering our new Mazda 3 with some 10 years on the Civic only just manages to crack 40 with similar driving.
Think the Civic probably has more gizmo's inside to. Depending on spec of course. We have an ES (though not sure they changed the trim levels for the 09 refresh which got a better quality interior IMO) which has; glass roof, cruise, auto lights and wipers (both of which work really well!), front fogs, comprehensive trip computer. Its really only missing Nav and HID lamps really, even compared to more modern stuff.
Honda has electric PAS so its a little devoid of feel, but the wheel is nice and small and I find it to be very direct in response to steering input. Gear change is slick, though could be a shorter through. Its one of those cars where when you first get in to it to drive, all the controls just fall to hands and feet nicely. There is no real need to get used to or adjust your driving to cope with oddly weighted pedals or whatever. Of course Ford are good for this too.
Finally.... had ours 6 years, done 100k miles, not a single thing bar usual wear and tear items has gone wrong. Absolutely bullet proof.
The engine is actually really good. Its a bit coarse in the usual japanese way but its very tractable and if you feel like it it does like to be revved out. Its actually not a bad mover at all, it gathers pace nicely if you hang on to the gears. The interior is way better, especially to be in and look at if not actually any better screwed together.
Magic rear seats have come in useful more times than I can count and on a motorway cruise it is entirely possible to be eeking up to the 50 MPG range as an average. I know because I managed it. Though in a normal mix of driving without paying much attention to economy it'll return mid to mid-high 30's which isn't bad. Certainly not bad considering our new Mazda 3 with some 10 years on the Civic only just manages to crack 40 with similar driving.
Think the Civic probably has more gizmo's inside to. Depending on spec of course. We have an ES (though not sure they changed the trim levels for the 09 refresh which got a better quality interior IMO) which has; glass roof, cruise, auto lights and wipers (both of which work really well!), front fogs, comprehensive trip computer. Its really only missing Nav and HID lamps really, even compared to more modern stuff.
Honda has electric PAS so its a little devoid of feel, but the wheel is nice and small and I find it to be very direct in response to steering input. Gear change is slick, though could be a shorter through. Its one of those cars where when you first get in to it to drive, all the controls just fall to hands and feet nicely. There is no real need to get used to or adjust your driving to cope with oddly weighted pedals or whatever. Of course Ford are good for this too.
Finally.... had ours 6 years, done 100k miles, not a single thing bar usual wear and tear items has gone wrong. Absolutely bullet proof.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 9th June 09:31
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 9th June 09:31
Get a Mazda 3 1.6 or 2.0 Sport.
Great handling and more reliable than the Focus. The 3 is assembled in Japan still, so probably more effort put into screwing it together properly.
I'm biased because I've owned a couple of Mazda 3's but they are good to drive and you get loads more equipment and trim.
The Civic is equally good to be honest, but probably not quite as nimble in my opinion.
Great handling and more reliable than the Focus. The 3 is assembled in Japan still, so probably more effort put into screwing it together properly.
I'm biased because I've owned a couple of Mazda 3's but they are good to drive and you get loads more equipment and trim.
The Civic is equally good to be honest, but probably not quite as nimble in my opinion.
Focus 1.6 (at least in 100bhp form) is pretty gutless, unrefined and not that economical at all. Should be reliable and parts are cheap and plentiful.
Civic is soooo much a better car. Simply a nicer place to be and will be reliable and just as economical as the Focus if not a little better.
Tried both a number of years ago and plumped for the Ford as is was a bit cheaper and I wish I'd paid the extra for the Honda.
Civic is soooo much a better car. Simply a nicer place to be and will be reliable and just as economical as the Focus if not a little better.
Tried both a number of years ago and plumped for the Ford as is was a bit cheaper and I wish I'd paid the extra for the Honda.
FWIW the ride quality of the Civic is downright uncomfortable in the back, thumping and banging over every bump in the road. My father has one and I do not enjoy the rare trips I take in the back seats one bit.
Mind you I was in the back of a brand new Golf the other day and was taken aback by just how uncomfortable the ride was in the back. I guess in little hatchbacks you're sitting right over the wheel.
He has had his '06 Civic 1.8 from new and covered about 100k. Absolutely nothing whatsoever has gone wrong with it and I'm always amazed at the fuel economy he achieves too. I the Ford will be a better drive but as an ownership prospect I'd go with the Civic ( if you don't have many rear seat passengers!). As mentioned the 1.6 engine in the Focus is gutless and coarse.
Mind you I was in the back of a brand new Golf the other day and was taken aback by just how uncomfortable the ride was in the back. I guess in little hatchbacks you're sitting right over the wheel.
He has had his '06 Civic 1.8 from new and covered about 100k. Absolutely nothing whatsoever has gone wrong with it and I'm always amazed at the fuel economy he achieves too. I the Ford will be a better drive but as an ownership prospect I'd go with the Civic ( if you don't have many rear seat passengers!). As mentioned the 1.6 engine in the Focus is gutless and coarse.
Edited by dme123 on Thursday 9th June 10:54
A friend has a 1.6 MK2 Focus.
For an average car to get from A to B, there is nothing wrong with it. But it's arguably the worse model in the line up.
Not very good on fuel, not very fast.
It'll handle like all other MK2 Focus' do. But honestly if you want nippy and frugal there must be loads of other contenders. Shame about no diesels, as they would probably suit better than anything.
For an average car to get from A to B, there is nothing wrong with it. But it's arguably the worse model in the line up.
Not very good on fuel, not very fast.
It'll handle like all other MK2 Focus' do. But honestly if you want nippy and frugal there must be loads of other contenders. Shame about no diesels, as they would probably suit better than anything.
tedman said:
Get a Mazda 3 1.6 or 2.0 Sport.
Great handling and more reliable than the Focus. The 3 is assembled in Japan still, so probably more effort put into screwing it together properly.
I'm biased because I've owned a couple of Mazda 3's but they are good to drive and you get loads more equipment and trim.
The Civic is equally good to be honest, but probably not quite as nimble in my opinion.
They rust like buggery though.Great handling and more reliable than the Focus. The 3 is assembled in Japan still, so probably more effort put into screwing it together properly.
I'm biased because I've owned a couple of Mazda 3's but they are good to drive and you get loads more equipment and trim.
The Civic is equally good to be honest, but probably not quite as nimble in my opinion.
I want to thank you all for the excellent input. Ideally I think I would like to have the Focus 1.0 Ecoboost, I only read good things about it (because of the revvy nature of the engine, raspy engine and low consumption as stated by reviewera). But it's a bit more price wise than the above alternatives and it's also bound to depreciate A LOT judging by the price history.
I'm still on the fence. There are a few sweet Civic 1.4 deals (almost half of the well equipped 1.8's price actually!) but my brother's Golf V 1.4 is really, really slow... And I hate all that environment and hybrid focus now days and thus I don't want to drive a Prius because I think a few years down the line there will be only hybrids to buy new like what's happening with turbo chargers these days...
Difficult decision and I will appreciate more thoughts on this matter (keep suggestioning alternatives please).
I'm still on the fence. There are a few sweet Civic 1.4 deals (almost half of the well equipped 1.8's price actually!) but my brother's Golf V 1.4 is really, really slow... And I hate all that environment and hybrid focus now days and thus I don't want to drive a Prius because I think a few years down the line there will be only hybrids to buy new like what's happening with turbo chargers these days...
Difficult decision and I will appreciate more thoughts on this matter (keep suggestioning alternatives please).
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