1996 Honda Civic (Reaction) Motorweek Retro Review

[@brianbierenga7009]

I owned the loaded EX version of this car. Drove it for 23 years and put 250,000 miles on it. Did all the oil changes and repairs (not many needed) myself. Exceptionally well made car. And it was always fun feeling the VTEC kick in

[@zeroelus]

Back in the day around 99 we where looking to replace our main family car, an 89 Chevy Celebrity with the 2.8V6 and the 5 speed manual, for something newer. We saw some other cars and where settling on a Sentra, but we went to the then new Honda dealership here in town (here in Mexico, it wasn't until the late 90s Honda made a real push to get into and expand in the Mexican market). As a teen that was a nerd for cars I went with my dad, and to quote my mom "she knew we'd found the car based on the smiles my dad and I walked in with after going to the Honda dealership". For 99 they'd done a mild restyling of the rear lights, and more importantly modernized the HVAC controls vs what was featured in this video, and we chose an 4speed auto EX, with the slightly hotter 127 HP version of the D16 engine. That car served impeccably and reliably for the next 20 years, only being sold since both my parents where now on blood thinners and such a lithe car would not hold up well against modern CUVs/SUVs, still we sold it to the brother of a good friend who really needed a reliable car and it's still there, zipping around barely using fuel. Yes, the interior was mostly plastic, but it was that "soft touch" plastic, but well made, and after 20 years it was still perfect and looked better than many new cars, heck I remember renting a 2009 Dodge Avenger then new with super low miles and thinking it was vastly inferior to the 10yo Civic in every aspect except space (duh). I also remember the comparisons to a sewing machine, but those where not negative in my mind, it revved so freely, so quick and so smoothly. I remember opening the hood on what became my Chevy Celebrity and seeing things rumble and vibrate and such, only to then open the Civic's hood and see the belts whirring but everything else just sitting there vibration free. I stand by the choice to sell that car so that my parents would be on something safer, but I do wish I could have kept it as a weekend car, as strange as it may sound. I also agree this was peak Civic.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Great story, thanks for sharing your memories with us! Hope your parents stay alive and well for a long time!

[@zeroelus]

@@AllCarswithJon Thanks, really appreciate it! They've embraced being grandparents and love spoiling my kids whenever I drop them off for a visit, good memories for all around.

[@andrewweltlich9065]

I think you are right Jon, this is THE Civic. When I think of a Civic, this generation is what I picture in my head.

[@Thatdavemarsh]

I respect this, but think I prefer the shape and details of the prev gen.

[@SamtheSham2000]

Bet you can still find some of these Civics on the road. Good luck finding a Neon.

[@brianbierenga7009]

I was driving mine until 2 years ago

[@AllCarswithJon]

I rank this Civic right up there with the similar years Camry for 'best all time car'

[@SamtheSham2000]

@@brianbierenga7009 impressive

[@midwestfarm757]

I just got a 2000 civic (same car). My son and I are fixing it up.

[@cbh148]

Had the last year of this generation -- a 2000 Civic Si coupe in electron blue pearl. Absolutely stellar vehicle that was fun to drive and great on gas. 160hp 1.6L B16 engine that punched well above its weight class, and a delightful short ratio 5 speed manual that kept it above the 5500rpm vtec engagement point when shifted at the 8000rpm redline. Had it for 10 years and put a lot of miles on it through 2 college degrees and then sold it for more than I paid for it. Absolute gem of a vehicle.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks for the comment and the memories... I have to laugh though.... you said you got 5160hp from that engine? 🤑

[@cbh148]

@@AllCarswithJon haha what a typo. An extra digit sure adds some zest to that spec sheet.

[@2006gtobob]

My younger buddy was fortunate enough to get a 1995 EX coupe 5 speed with ABS as his high school graduation gift. That was pinnacle Civic. I had three '91 CRX and Civic Si's. We weren't fans of the '96, and beyond, Civics. The just, mmmm, had nothing to draw either of us to them. I've had seven and still have my #6 and #7 Hondas, both end of thenrun Accord Coupe V6's. A '12 and a '17. Honda offers nothing that is worth looking at by me anymore after 30+ years.

[@josh8344]

Time says the most about any of the “small cars” of the era. I constantly see this gen civic, Corolla, even 1999+ Jetta. I can’t remember the last time I saw a neon, or pre 2000 cavalier. Hondas and Toyotas of the era were like Sony products. They cost more but were the highest quality you could get.

[@new2000car]

Great video! I agree with everything you said. I think the price difference was huge compared to a neon. Civics may have sold above sticker, and neons below, so it was an over 2,000 difference. Like 20-30% knowing what I know now, civic was so worth it. Customers drove it years longer because they liked it, and hardly any repairs. That saves a ton, making it actually way cheaper in the long run. But back then to cough up that extra money was brutal when in the Honda dealership. Just my take on your great work Jon.

[@dustinhayes835]

They may have had a lot of plastic in the interior but most vehicles in its class of the time had a lot of plastic and in all honesty I feel like cars from this Era actually had better materials them some vehicles that came after. The 2006 civic had a much cheaper interior imo. My mom had a 2014 focus that had seats that felt like sand paper it was so rough. It wasn't even the lowest model either as it was a hatchback with a sunroof and satellite radio.

[@PearComputingDevices]

I never liked early Japanese cars, maybe some bias being an American but the styling, the small puny engines and bodies.. but I think you nailed this one. Ironically I now own a Toyota highlander and hopefully in a few short months a Sienna to replace our aging Saturn Relay. Yes they cost a little more and I still don't like the bug eyes up front and I would love to own another Chrysler Town and Country but reliability record doesn't lie. I would rather pay a few bucks up front over another transmission. It's just not worth the risk. Honda is a lot like that for me. Honda builds pretty good cars. They certainly can hold their own against ours. It's a little depressing still but given the choice again I echo your thoughts. I might not love the design as much as the Neon. I absolutely fell in love with the Neon, not so much the repair bills. Ours was really good to us, it served us well but it did a bit costly. The Honda isn't especially cute to me, but that drive train is known for reliability and as a family man, that's what counts.

[@enkadude]

1996 - 2000 is 6th Gen Civic. It is highly rated Gen of Civics. I still drive 1999 Civic with only 155,000 miles. I'm glad I own a Honda when Honda built quality cars.

[@benhall8946]

To be honest I had a 97 Dodge neon and it developed a rod knock and I scrapped it but I have a 97 Honda Civic and I actually have six of them and I absolutely love these cars they're fun to drive they're easy to work on parts are cheap they're dependable parks are readily available great on gas I mean everything about these cars are just great and the biggest thing is they lasts and lasts and lasts forever the chances are if you bought a Honda Civic if you took good care of it I'm sure you would still be driving it as long as it didn't get into a wreck or nothing like that I have one Honda that has 307,000 MI and the other has over 500,000 mi on it both still run and drive great now the one with 500,000 mi it does burn oil but it don't really burn it it pretty much just leaks it but I keep it pretty much as my backup car

[@michaelbogdanowicz5059]

Civic by Honda is a good car 🚗 ❤

[@ds-il7ik]

Anybody else feel like if Jon designed his own car it would be The Homer? Front end not "too thiy-an", has presence and good visibility.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Remember, inside it must be "light and airy"!

[@wall-e3313]

Nice article on this car, but I did prefer the styling of the previous generation. Maybe not the most space efficient, but this one was too "corolla like" for my taste. Not to go too off-topic, but have you made a video about the Mitsubishi Montero sport? I just picked up an '02. It's a great work truck and an absolute blast to drive. I was curious if you had an opinion on it and I would be more than willing to share mine with you.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks for the comment. I'll check if Motorweek has a Montero Sport vid and do it; that would be a good one. When they were out I was a big Jeep fan and despised the Montero Sport.... but my opinion softened over the years. :)

[@davinp]

Even though the previous generation Corolla & Civic look small on the outside, they are very roomy in the inside and have a big trunk. Both cars have been made for over 50 years.The American auto manufacturers have given up and canceled their small cars, while the Japanese keep redesigning and improving them. The Japanese don't build them cheaply as the Americans do to reduce costs

[@johnnymason2460]

Unfortunately, the Honda Civic is considered the most stolen car in recent history. Especially this generation and the generation after that. I can't see myself ever getting a Civic because of that problem. And I do consider the Civic one of the best compact cars ever.

[@toddgiaro7657]

CVT!? That surprised me for the mid 90s.

[@sacramentofoodforest]

6:45 WHO THE F WANTS A CVT IN THE 90’s!????😂😂😂😂😂

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

the Civic debuted at just the right time when most US based automakers didn't have a subcompact or even in some cases a compact model only a few US makers had compacts at the time including AMC Chevrolet Oldsmobile Ford etc. Cadillac's first attempt at a Luxury Compact the Cimarron was one of the biggest mistakes in Automotive history a luxury car isn't supposed to be that short and under powered this particular one was the 2nd year of the 6th gen Civic its in its 10th gen currently eventually a few years after this the once mighty Chevy Impala was downgraded to a midsized car when the 8th gen was released in 1999 as a 2000 model 3 of my grandparents drove Oldsmobile's at one point or another in the 1970s a 1972 98 Holiday Coupe a 72 Delta 88 Royale hardtop 4 door 6 window a 74 Cutlass S Coupe and a 1978 Delta 88 Royale hardtop sedan my mom got her driver's license in the 78 Delta 88 Royale

[@meltirado7794]

Regular Civics are fine if you are willing to put up with the abuse of motorists with more powerful vehicles. Purists swear by the 8th generation Civics btw. I believe this particular video features one.

[@jonnylong7927]

Weren't you the guy in the big yellow banana HUMMER selling pills to the cartel?

[@AllCarswithJon]

Now if I was, would I admit to that?

[@jonnylong7927]

@@AllCarswithJon maybe, you seemed like a pretty honest guy

[@sheldonlamey7010]

I don't get why the hell they didn't test the EX trim with the VTEC engine making 127HP instead the Non VTEC 106HP the LX even had unpainted plastics on the outside.🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@AllCarswithJon]

Honestly that doesn't bother me; I'd much rather read and watch reviews of the most basic trim lines of cars. I believe the 'goodness' of a car is shown in the base models, while the higher trims can successfully cover up the flaws in a design with fancier interior trim or more power.

[@ultraviolettp3446]

This was around the period of time where anything built by Honda after this generation were simply awful - bloated, interior design became gimmicky, and the overall brand forgot what brought it to this point and defiled the svelte look of its earlier generations. This generation of the Civic was the last of anything by Honda worth spit. The next generation of this and any other Honda product earned what I call the "Honduh" - and this is when the buyers of Hondas began to think they owned the road and would tailgate you even in the slow lane even if you are traveling the POSTED SPEED LIMIT. It is a real shame Honduh evolved into the bloated, hideous vehicles that they became

[@jonell1425]

I, too, believe Honda became drunk on the success of this Civic and that all subsequent Civics were the result of this intoxication.

[@zeroelus]

One of the main reasons we bought a Civic from this gen was all the engineering behind it, and the brochure made a big deal of the sophisticated double wishbone independent suspension all around. I remember being aghast when for the next gen they changed that to a more conventional McPherson for "better space" (being cheaper had nothing to do with it surely/s). Maybe it's rose colored glasses, but up to this generation they had a very consistent direction, and after this they've been hit and miss, with some great products(some Civic versions, the Element, J35 Equipped Accords, Odysseys, etc) then followed up with some not so inspiring ones, and with some warnings around the supposed engineering reliability(VCM, some transmissions, oil dilution issues on Turbo DI engines, etc).

[@midwestfarm757]

I disagree, I believe cafe standards and safety standards required them to build safer vehicles. The growing waist of American shoppers also wanted more spacious vehicles. I’d rather be in a crash on a newer Honda. Also the K24 was an excellent engine, and arguably one of their best. I’m confident in this stance since I have owned every Accord generation since 1994, and currently have a 2000 Honda civic as my project car. The 1.8 engines in newer civics, especially after 2009 have been great.

[@rayemanuel7460]

Your entire life would have probably been different if you had chosen to purchase a Civic instead of a Neon. You would have probably married a Playboy model, kept your hair, and been a multi-millionaire. Live and learn.

[@AllCarswithJon]

I try not to think about it like that.... :)

[@davidcaprio8919]

The generation after this was better.

[@666cemetaryslut]

Said no one ever

[@davidcaprio8919]

@@666cemetaryslut Just after my first post, I passed 2. And right before this I passed 1. I rarely see the 96 generation.