Better Than A Honda Civic Any Day!
In 1990 I bought a new Honda Civic SI. It was truly a superb car, the best one I ever owned. Went 13 years and 204k without any major engine or drivetrain work, always passed emissions tests (never changed the converter), and rarely varied from 30mpg (rated at 28 city, 32 highway). I tell you this because I stupidly traded it in on a new 2003 Civic EX that was slow, struggled to get 27 mpg under the same driving conditions (rated at 30 city, 38 highway), pinged on regular gas (had to use mid grade), and squeaked and rattled almost from day one. Had it back to the shop 15 times in less than 2 years and 13k miles. The last straw came when the I-beam that ran behind the rear seat from the left side to the right broke in the middle; the dealership's repair: crimping the broken ends together! Oh, and about that "great Honda resale value"? I was offered $11k for an $18k car, less than 2 years old, with 13k miles and in like new condition (I couldn't really stand to drive the car, it was that bad!). The Mazda dealer gave me $13k for the Honda when I traded it in on my new 2005 Mazda3 (sport model with 2.3 liter engine). Other than a slight wind leak at the right rear window (which has since been repaired), the Mazda has been bullet-proof. Rated at 24 city, 29 highway, I average 26 mpg in the same conditions as always, but the difference is, it has a lot more power than the 2003 Civic, and it's a blast to drive. It will be a cold day in hell before I ever buy another Honda!