I've been in "the honda scene" for years and years. I've owned a number of them, and think that my 09 SI may be my last Honda.

I can't be the only one who's dissapointed with the overall build quality on a 20k+ car.

I've actually had less issues out of my wife's first year Fit that cost us nearly 10k less than mine.

Honda swears that the 3rd gear issues are fixed, while I still have intermittent issues with mine. I've had to have my radio replaced because the display on it was "peeling". There are so many squeaks and rattles that I've given up even trying to get the dealership to look at them. The windows slap around in the tracks if you lower the window a few inches. I was willing to live with it being underpowered if it was going to be a car I could buy and drive 100k+ trouble free.

 

I'm happy with mine, but have also had a few problems that drive me crazy. I'm still trying to get rid of a rattle in the passenger door ( 75% resolved ) and have a new one in the right rear passenger door. My driver side sun-visor also came apart recently and had to be replaced out of warrenty.

I had to put extra padding beneath the upper door panal on the passenger side door and probably will have to do the same for the rear door. My car drives great and is fairly fast and handles good, but I've put a fair amount of money into it.

 

I'm getting a rattle in what seems to be by front passenger seat when empty. I also have one in the dash.

The rattling of the windows irritate me as well considering that having them open a few inches is ideal for visors, but most of the time I have them either completely up or down.

I could go on, but hey, it's a civic. I know civics of past generations are of 'better' build quality, but then again, everything is profit driven. If you can save by having shortcuts here and there (and almost everywhere for that matter) then a company such as Honda is more than willing to sacrifice quality to bolster their pockets.

 

This isn't 1990 you don't really get that much car for 20k. This is an entry level car in case you need to be reminded. I know it may have been a lot of money when you bought it and I hate to down play your purchase but when you step up to a higher class or fork out some more cash you will get more quality.

I dunno, maybe try your hand at a cobalt or neon if you've had enough of Honda.

This is a car for the masses, not one that exhibits cutting edge engineering that only the wealty can afford.

I'm guessing that this is one of the biggest if not the biggest purchase you have made to date and you expected your new car to be the **** but if you ever have the money to buy a "big boy" car you will realize how mediocre this car was.

Don't get me wrong, I love my civic but don't forget that it is ultimately an economy car with a sporting nature.

 

Wrong and wrong. I'm a home owner, and this isn't the most expensive car I've ever owned. I am, however, upset at how mediocre the build quality is on this car that has less than 20k miles on it. I don't think my parents RSX was much more than a SI, and they've had 0 issues with the same kind of stuff. Even my STI managed to not rattle this badly that early in, and it was a much rougher, much harder car. Same with my S2000. I bought this to be a "cheap" daily driver that I wouldn't have to fight with or worry about.


This is what a base RSX cost in 2003:
MSRP: $19,975 -$23,270
Invoice: $18,215 -$21,215

I can't come up with a single reason that Honda wasn't able to iron out most of the little stuff I'm complaining about. They've had the K motor for years and years, and by 09, the Civic line I bought into was 3 years old. I expected issues when I bought my wife's fit as a first model year car (the Fit I'd referenced above), and we've had exactly 0 problems with it other than the cheap paint.

 

Congratulations, here is your cookie.

I think you answered your own riddle......You bought a cheap daily driver and that's exactly what you got.

 

I've been impressed with the build quality on these guys.

The third gear deal is kinda annoying though.

 

LOL!! at AJP...you think Ricey is some kid upset his honda isnt as you put it "the ****" and then he states some of the facts and you say heres your cookie....LOL!!! thats funny....

I have owned many Hondas since I stated driving back in the mid 90's and I will say this the interior of my Si is much nicer then the interior was on my Evo X... it was by far the worst interior of any mid 30K car I have ever seen.

I think my only complaint is with the window guides which dont seem to be as stable as prev. gen hondas when the window is down it rattles and moves a lot. I like the materials on the daskh, seats and steering wheel... I wish the S2K I had came with cloth seats because the seats looked very worn, very quickly and the Soft top looked like it was about to tear so I sold it and bought a hardtop. My 99si had tons of rattles but it was stripped and had semi solid mounts and a built motor so I cant compare it...LOL!

So I would have to say its about the same as other hondas I have owned some things are well made and others could be better...

 

^What facts?

That he bought a house?.....Welcome to the club.
And the cost of the cars.

Why is that funny again?

Whatever, I don't really care that much....I love Hondas, but why such high expectations for a civic?....It's a great car, not perfect. That's fair for 21 grand, right?

 

that would be correct.

 

Got 80+k on an '07 Civic. So far no build quality issues. I wish less road noise would make it into the cabin, but its a Civic. Weekend Racers don't care about road noise, and Daily Drivers don't care to pay more for it.

Thinking about buying some Dynamat (amazon) and insulating the doors. Has anyone tried it before? Drop me a line if you have.

 

Buddy did on his tc, worked like a charm. Just pull the carpet and do the doors and the floor. Really really makes a huge difference. He actually didnt do dynamat but a cheap material like it. Instead of say 8 bucks a foot he paid like 1 dollar.

 

I disagree with one of the above statements. The SI was not built for the masses, rather for those who are willing to put down a few extra thoudand dollers for a good handling car with a great motor that has alot of potential. The masses buy the LX or hybid.

I had my share of problems, but still enjoy my car. I was able to fix all the squeaks and rattles and with a few bolt on's, flash-pro and a good tune, my car is fast and handles fairly well. I'am disappointed in the build quality, but compared to my firends Mini Works,my problems are minimal. Would I buy another Honda? I don't know. I think I would choose
an Acura where the build quality is better and the time is taken to infuse some quality into the small things such as rattles.

 

I've own Honda since 1988 (all new and one used. 7 in total) and I agree with you. I'm a bit disappointed with my $40K Odyssey and $30K Accord. The build quality is just not there anymore. The squeaks and rattles (and oil consumption) was never an issue on past Honda models. And dealership service just sucks in terms of warranty. I don't think they are all on drugs so they can't feel or hear or see anything or can't read a TSB. It must be a corporate/dealer policy for all the dealerships in my city. I'll stop here.

Cliff: I agree with you 100%. I may be Honda-Less the next time around.

 

I think it should be the last NEW Honda you get.

Honda is not the company they once were.

If the Civic is entry level then what does that make the Fit? The Fit has become what the Civic was, the Civic has become what the Accord was and the Accord has become what the Honda Legend was abroad.

 

As an update to this, I've had the stiching on my steering wheel starting to come apart. My wifes Fit had the shift **** basically seperate apart.

To steal Drew's quote, I'll be Honda-less sooner rather than later at this rate.

 

I'm not sure if there is a quality issue with Hondas. The dealer has replaced any defective parts without any problems. I still have my 93 EX and I drive my 07 si everyday. Some of the parts on my si seem to be just different.... you know 'green' recycled kind of problems. It's not cheap it's just old recycled Honda parts.

Look at it this way you could have bought a Toyota. My mom HATES hers...wishes she could have bought a Honda.

 

I don't think the OP or the others who agree with his point are truly expecting a lot from the Civic. I think it's more that Honda is a brand that, up to this point, has built their reputation on cars that do what they said they would more reliably than most of the market.

Obviously their have been problems with older Civics, but I've never seen so many complaints about customer service and issues with parts that have no business failing. Hell, out of all the 90's Civics my friends have owned, all had zero, serious consistent build-quality issues besides the stupid windows coming off track (which I can't believe they couldn't figure out).

This is 2010. We have better technology AND Honda has claimed that the Civic is suppose to be higher class than it was previously and it is technically no longer an "entry" vehicle. It just seems that right now Honda is kind of "coasting" a bit on their name and what they stand for (or maybe to some it should be what they STOOD for). The styling department overall seems to be (IMO). I HOPE that this will change soon.

I won't be considering a new Honda for a while, not only because I don't like the problems (I can deal with most of them) but because there are so many good offerings from other brands now.

Man you got that right... I don't know that I will ever consider buying a Toyota after this whole debacle with their brakes and such. I would be incredibly angry if I owned a Toyota right now.

 

You're going to have problems with any car of any brand. Cars break down from wear and tear. Some parts on cars are lemons. I think no matter which car I sit in, there will be something I can complain about. Either from cosmetics to quality, something can be said about everything.

 

Honda's build quality has just flat out dropped. I worked briefly at a my local dealership, and the guys that have been there for years will tell you that. The sad fact is its the customer thats partially responsible. 20 years ago when civics essentially an econobox they had almost nothing for options, most had manual windows and locks, many had manual steering, basic radio, cassette or CD if you wanted to pay for it. Basically there wasn't much to the car, but what was there was well designed and well put together. Then companies like hyundai and Kia started offering cheaper vehicles with more standard features. Honda tried to compete by using cheaper parts so they could add more features and not put prices through the roof, and it worked for a while, but its really starting to hurt their reputation.