hello i was looking to buy a 96-00 hatchback and was just wondering what the difference is between the CX and DX? i could be wrong but i believe there was something different with the years also from the 96-98 and 99-00 Hatchbacks, besides the front end and tail lights. Please help! i can't decide on this car

 

CX was the cheapest model, costing about $1450 less for the 5 speeds and $1250 less for the autos. in year 2000. The DX added PS, a rear wiper/washer, AM/FM radio, digital clock, cargo cover and wheel covers.
Personally, I would not own a Hatchback without the rear wiper. I did not have it on my 75 Civic, but I did on both my my 81 and 89. The laws of physics cause all sorts of crap to gather on the rear window in bad weather.

 

CX has a plast spoiler.
DX has an aluminum spoiler.

CX has no radio.
DX has an AM/FM.

CX has no A/C.
DX had the option.

CX has 13" wheels.
DX has 14" wheels with covers.

I also believe the CX has different knuckles, but im not 100% sure.


Im sure theres loads more. NOFX can probably decipher it down to the different bolts they use, so im sure shes more help.

 

Maybe it depends on your location. My rear wiper didnt help me one bit when it came to rain or laws of physics. Even when it would rain, I could still see fine out of my rear window. I have a larger Spoon style spoiler so that could help.

Needless to say, I removed my rear wiper.

 

The rain is the easy part, it is the dirt that gets kicked up and attaches itself to the wet window. In the winter my windows were a clean semi-circle bordered by crap on the later ones with the wiper. I would have to hand clean the '75. I do not remember the '76 Accord getting as dirty but the window on that was not as upright and not subject to the same turbulence.

 

so if i got a cx and swapped out the cd player i still would not have radio? and can i add on a rear wiper? theres a honda cx thats for sale and it has a/c? please help still tryin to decide

 

You would need to add the antenna to get recpetion, but yes you would have a radio

You can, but its a major pain in the *** (I did it before on my mother's '96 CX hatch) Some of the Canadian CXs (IE ones that were sold in Canada, they were all made there) actually came with a rear wiper from the factory.

A/C was a dealer option on all '96 - '00 Civics (except possibly on EX models where it may have been standard)

Wheel size I believe was a year to year change. '96 base model hatchbacks and sedans came with 13" wheels (probably to clear out old inventory) all other years I believe are 14"

 

the 92-95 civic cx's did not have the side moldings where the dx did

 

the dx did not come witg ps at least in 96 nor did it have 14s. The differences i know are, the dx had: painted rear spoiler, and, rear wiper. The cx had a plastic spoiler and no rear wiper. Year to year changes between 96-98 and 99-00 that i know are the front end, taillights and ac controls. Wait for nofx to fill in everything we forgot though

 

Forgot to add that '96 - '97 hatchbacks had an internal hatch release by the fuel door release. '98 - '00 used an external hatch release on the actual hatch.

 

According to my insurance my 97 hatch is a cx (no badge on car) but it has non painted wing (plastic), had a factory radio with tape deck, 14 inch rims. no ac, it has power steering. has internal hatch release with key hole in hatch. cargo cover. also has a rear wiper

i don't know for sure, but i think the CX had nothing standard, so everything was a factory option where as the DX had alot more standard with the option of a/c

 

Again, all '97+ civics came with 14" wheels some of the '96 only models had 13s. CXs with automatic transmission came with power steering (Canada also had an option package which among other things added power steering on 5 speed models) Canadian CXs are somewhat weird in that some of them came with a rear wiper (none of the US CXs are like this, they all didn't come with a rear wiper, same thing for the previous generation as well.) Canadian DX hatchbacks also came with a factory tachometer which was unavailable in the US.

 

wow so many differences between US and Canadian models. mine is a 5 speed, power steering and has a tach in the cluster, buddy i bought it from said it was the stock cluster and it has the correct kms when i put it in my name at the licence burrow. it's pretty interesting that in the US, the CX, and DX pretty much had set options. as to a Canadian model the only standard option difference was a/c

 

good info in here. thanks guys

 

I have a cx.. I believe its the best model if you tend on modifying your whole car.. Its cheap, light, and fun to dress up

 

Apparently the Canadian CX is approx.= DX in the US. The original poster was from Kansas so Canadian models mean nothing to him.

My post above lists differences in 2000 US CX-DX. It is from a buyers guide.

Anything else a CX may have in it is aftermarket or a DEALER option, not a factory option. Radio, A/C, CD, speakers, antennae would never be added at the factory on the CX. The CX was a bare bones car.The cars are pretty much plug and play for the optional stuff.

Putting a wiper on a CX would require a new hatch with wiper, the washer system connected to your front reservoir with tubes to the back, AND the wiring to operate it.

IMO, Go DX! At least the CX that interests you has A/C.

 

i have a 00 cx. everything is pretty much optional.

i added power steering, A/C, power windows.

i dont have a rear wiper. looks cleaner without it. its useless anyways.

 

Great info! Thanks guys

 

how hard would it be to add the trunk release if I have everything i need to replace it along with the hatch itself?

 

not when it doesnt come with any power steering components

 

Why would someone want to buy a hatchback with no radio or speakers??