Probably the BEST Civic I ever owned had to be my 95 Hatchback. It was my daily driver and weekend warrior that put up with anything I threw at it. Worst had to be a 2002 LX Sedan I picked up as beater, never been a fan of 7th gens since then. How about everyone else?
What’s the Best (and Worst) Car You’ve Ever Owned
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My first car was a 1980 BMW 320i, the engine lasted forever but everything else fell apart and parts were sooooooo expensive. I traded that in on a new 1991 Honda Accord and I've owned mostly Hondas every since, and lots of them. I currently have a 2019 WRX and 2022 Honda Civic Si.
My least favourite vehicle was a 2017 Honda HR-V, that thing had a hard time getting up to speed, it had a terrible engine that should have been in a tractor rather than an SUV, buzzy, noisy, and zero power. My most favourite vehicle was a 2002 Honda S2000 which I personalized, it was modded with lots of Mugen and high end JDM parts. I do have to say that my 2022 Honda Civic Si is almost as satisfying to drive as my S2000, they share some similar traits and pleasantly surprised with the new Si.
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My least favourite vehicle was a 2017 Honda HR-V, that thing had a hard time getting up to speed, it had a terrible engine that should have been in a tractor rather than an SUV, buzzy, noisy, and zero power. My most favourite vehicle was a 2002 Honda S2000 which I personalized, it was modded with lots of Mugen and high end JDM parts. I do have to say that my 2022 Honda Civic Si is almost as satisfying to drive as my S2000, they share some similar traits and pleasantly surprised with the new Si.
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285 Posts
Least favorite was my first car, a 1986 or 1987 Renault Alliance. My parents got it for me well used in 1993, but they fucked me:
They "surprise! we got you a car!!" gave it to me but then expected me to pay them back for it in monthly installments. Gifted me a car and then demanded payment for it. I didn't want that claptrap piece of shit, and had I been shopping for a car I certainly wouldn't have chosen it. A fucking Renault???? I would have gotten an S-10 or something like a normal high schooler. I don't even know where you could find a used Renault in Ohio in 1993 except maybe in a junkyard.
So I got a car foisted upon me that I didn't want, that I had to pay for. About everything that could possibly go wrong with that car went wrong with that car, too. And it was not cheap to fix. And it was asshole ugly.
Here's a pic (this is not mine, I stole it from the web). I did not take one picture of it because I hated that thing.
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Best? Mmmm. Probably the 4Runner that shares a garage with my current Civic. It's ultra-reliable, comfortable, goes anywhere, and I've modded it for the kind of outdoor exploring my wife and I like to do with a small lift, slightly larger AT tires, a winch, a sleeping platform, HAM radio, a roof basket, other assorted conveniences. It's probably my favorite because of all the memories we've built in it. We've been camping to probably 30 states in it, gone to Alaska twice x 9,000 miles each time and lived out of the back for a month each time, done all manner of local 4 wheeling and exploring, and it's moved us across the country. It's a great dog hauler and people hauler, and just a badass looking truck. Doubt I'll ever get rid of it.
This is it in 2020 on a weeklong adventure in the Cascade Range (top), and a trip to the Mojave Desert (below)
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They "surprise! we got you a car!!" gave it to me but then expected me to pay them back for it in monthly installments. Gifted me a car and then demanded payment for it. I didn't want that claptrap piece of shit, and had I been shopping for a car I certainly wouldn't have chosen it. A fucking Renault???? I would have gotten an S-10 or something like a normal high schooler. I don't even know where you could find a used Renault in Ohio in 1993 except maybe in a junkyard.
So I got a car foisted upon me that I didn't want, that I had to pay for. About everything that could possibly go wrong with that car went wrong with that car, too. And it was not cheap to fix. And it was asshole ugly.
Here's a pic (this is not mine, I stole it from the web). I did not take one picture of it because I hated that thing.
Best? Mmmm. Probably the 4Runner that shares a garage with my current Civic. It's ultra-reliable, comfortable, goes anywhere, and I've modded it for the kind of outdoor exploring my wife and I like to do with a small lift, slightly larger AT tires, a winch, a sleeping platform, HAM radio, a roof basket, other assorted conveniences. It's probably my favorite because of all the memories we've built in it. We've been camping to probably 30 states in it, gone to Alaska twice x 9,000 miles each time and lived out of the back for a month each time, done all manner of local 4 wheeling and exploring, and it's moved us across the country. It's a great dog hauler and people hauler, and just a badass looking truck. Doubt I'll ever get rid of it.
This is it in 2020 on a weeklong adventure in the Cascade Range (top), and a trip to the Mojave Desert (below)
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I've had good luck with cars right from the beginning. First car was a 1966 Mustang that me and my dad did lot's of work on. That's how I learned about the mechanics of cars.
I guess the worst was a 1989 Jetta. No power to get up to speed. No power windows and crank open and close the sunroof. But the clutch took some real power. Push in that clutch was like doing a 200 pound dead squat. Hub caps. It was the first car that I bought out of college with my own money. Not my best decision.
The Civic that I just bought in the best. Should have bought the Sport Touring and not the Sport. It was a rational financial decision at the time. Wish that I'd be irrational.
I guess the worst was a 1989 Jetta. No power to get up to speed. No power windows and crank open and close the sunroof. But the clutch took some real power. Push in that clutch was like doing a 200 pound dead squat. Hub caps. It was the first car that I bought out of college with my own money. Not my best decision.
The Civic that I just bought in the best. Should have bought the Sport Touring and not the Sport. It was a rational financial decision at the time. Wish that I'd be irrational.
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97 Posts
Perhaps not mechanically the best I've owned, but for nostalgia, my first car was a '82 AMC Eagle 4x4 which I loved for its unique look and off-road ability. It was the only 4x4 car made in the US at the time and was great fun to drive in Chicago winters. The following pic is exactly what mine looked like:
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Worst was a Ford Maverick, forgot its year. During the one summer I owned it in 1988, I often had to start it on humid days with the hood open and a screwdriver wedged into the carburetor's manifold, and then it decided whether it wanted to start or not. (A lot of old school Gumout spray was purchased that Summer).
My next was probably my best, a black 78 Firebird (500 c.i.) with SS Cragar wheels. Loved that thing for city driving. My gf at the time called it "the rocket." After a lot of street racing/beating on it, it developed a leaky radiator. Back then, the quick fix was lead shavings. They worked by melting to form a perfect seal at the source area of the leak. Never had an issue with the radiator after that. This one also had a great sound system (Kenwood) for the time.
EDIT: I suppose as far as (modern) looks, updated features, safety features, and ease of care, the absolute best has to be the current Civic, although the radio sounds much like the one my first car had. That aside, I have no other complaints. No rattling, loose parts, or paint fail.
Worst was a Ford Maverick, forgot its year. During the one summer I owned it in 1988, I often had to start it on humid days with the hood open and a screwdriver wedged into the carburetor's manifold, and then it decided whether it wanted to start or not. (A lot of old school Gumout spray was purchased that Summer).
My next was probably my best, a black 78 Firebird (500 c.i.) with SS Cragar wheels. Loved that thing for city driving. My gf at the time called it "the rocket." After a lot of street racing/beating on it, it developed a leaky radiator. Back then, the quick fix was lead shavings. They worked by melting to form a perfect seal at the source area of the leak. Never had an issue with the radiator after that. This one also had a great sound system (Kenwood) for the time.
EDIT: I suppose as far as (modern) looks, updated features, safety features, and ease of care, the absolute best has to be the current Civic, although the radio sounds much like the one my first car had. That aside, I have no other complaints. No rattling, loose parts, or paint fail.
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That is pretty cool, I knew a guy who worked for my father, he modified one of those and his car would pull wheelies on the street if he hammered the throttle, it was crazy and fast.
Woudn't '95 be the next gen? Anyways, I owned that red car as a '92 sedan. It's not the best car I owned, but my favorite, by far. Had to sell when we moved to a warmer climate - no A/C in that one. The best? I own a '16 and a '22 right now, both Touring. I can't say that one is definitely better than the other.
The worst? '04 Corolla. OK, the muffler on that car lasted for 16 years, and the body held up well, but the engine on that thing, oh was a POS it was.
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My best car is most likely my 1997 Integra GSR which I bought new in September of that year. It was the first car I learned how to work on and modify. I did several track days at VIR and Summit Point. I will have to say my new Civic Si is a great car and would blow away my old GSR in both straight line speed and handling and after two months of ownership, is quickly becoming my favorite. The best I could do in my old Integra was 14.6 at ~94 mph in the 1/4 mile and sold it in 2013 when I had my second son. After a Hondata 205/250 tune in the Civic, I don't think I'll do anything but maybe a cold air intake at some point. I'm hoping my new civic is as reliable as my old Integra was. My worst car? 1996 Accord Wagon-the design was great and I loved driving it, but the dealership I bought it from must have rolled the odometer back. Burned a quart of oil every 2k miles after only 80k miles!
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^ I love it , sweet GS-R .
I miss my 2001 GS-R , silver. I sold it a couple years back, mint condition, rust free, low miles, leather interior looked brand new. I sold it before prices went way up lol, but I bought it cheap too, and sold it for more than I paid at least.
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my best car is the one i learned to drive when i was 7 on a dirt road. it was my grandads Christmas gift 1932 and the 1st small truck to come with a V8 . I have owned it since 1972 and upgraded it to 1966 Ford Mustang power and brakes from its original 65HP V8 which is the same size .
still a thrill to drive with 411 gear and racing transmission
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still a thrill to drive with 411 gear and racing transmission
2022 Si, 2003 Si, 1990 CRX RHD SiR, 1991 CRX Si, 1990 HF with B18
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Still regret selling my 1990 Mazda Miata...it had full suspension and was a blast to autocross. I hated my 2016 Miata which was uncomfortable, ridiculously small amount of space inside and trunk, and required thousands of dollars to fix the body roll.
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I've honestly never truly loved a car I've owned, though I'm hoping my Civic will change that. The best car was probably my first car, a 2002 Saturn L300 inherited from my grandparents. It eventually turned into a money pit between the V6's reliability issues and the scarcity of parts after GM's bankruptcy, but when I first got it circa 2010 it was a pretty fun car.
The worst is easily my 2013 Ford Focus. It's a car I never wanted (long story but there's an ex involved) that gave me nothing but trouble from the day I got it. It honestly handled pretty nicely, but it's an utter crime that Ford wasn't forced to buy back all the cars with that transmission.
The worst is easily my 2013 Ford Focus. It's a car I never wanted (long story but there's an ex involved) that gave me nothing but trouble from the day I got it. It honestly handled pretty nicely, but it's an utter crime that Ford wasn't forced to buy back all the cars with that transmission.
My most fun car was my 2020 Hyundai Veloster with a 6 speed. It was a blast to drive, great gas mileage, great handling,, all black, looked fantastic. I would still have it if I didn't total it one night last August.
Worst car was 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible. Top never worked right, the fabric wore badly, the body integrity was garbage, and the electrical gremlins were horrible. It was a blast to drive top down, but I quickly grew to hate that car.
Worst car was 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible. Top never worked right, the fabric wore badly, the body integrity was garbage, and the electrical gremlins were horrible. It was a blast to drive top down, but I quickly grew to hate that car.
My first ever car: a 1988 Eagle Premier ES sedan. Bought used in 1992 after I graduated from college and got my first job, which was in suburban NJ and required a car. THE WORST.
I only had it for about two years and it constantly had electrical problems, like cabin lights or power thingies not working. But worst of all was it had some kind of internal connection (in the fuel injection system?) that caused the car to simply not start from time to time. This started to hit me about 6 months into owning the car.
Turning the key in the ignition would do nothing at all, except turn on the dash and cabin lights. BUT, if I just waited a bit, sometimes hours later, it would start up.
Of course, I didn't know that at first. Oh, no. The first time, I called AAA to tow my "disabled" car, but then when they arrived 90 minutes later, the car started right up. Made me look like a right idiot.
A Chrysler dealership and two independent mechanics couldn't figure it out, though they helpfully charged me big bucks for a just-outta-college kid to replace the FI module and do a "deep cleaning cycle" of the fuel system, only to have it keep happening again. About once every three weeks.
It has an interesting end to the story, though. I eventually discovered a workaround. Or rather, I found out about one in a very memorable way.
I had street parked my car in 1993 Washington Heights (upper Manhattan, near the George Washington Bridge) while visiting a friend there one Saturday night. I came out to drive home after midnight, and the car wouldn't start again. This was kind of a drug-dealing-and-doing-notorious type neighborhood at the time, so I wasn't very happy about standing in front of my car with my hood up, desperately trying to maybe see something obvious, and going to try starting the car again every few minutes (nope).
A self-professed homeless guy in filthy sweatpants walked up to me on an otherwise dark and empty street, which made me nervous, but it was just to beg money off of me. I told him I had problems of my own.
"Oh yeah, like, your car won't start? Let me take a look. I used to work on cars." Sure, why not. I certainly have no better option than just trying again an hour later.
He literally poked around under the hood, then reached in and gave something a vigorous wiggle. "Try starting the car."
And... It started!
He pointed out the part he'd wiggled. "Something in there must be loose, but you only need it to start the car going, so you should be fine after it starts up."
I gave him $20 - all the cash I had on me. He'd earned it.
And he was right. Every time this hit me with that car, from then on - and it happened like once every 2-3 weeks - shaking that part worked to start it again.
What a joke. A dealership and two mechanics couldn't figure that out with me leaving the car with them for days on end, charged me parts and labor to not fix it, and some homeless guy, possibly a drug addict, nailed it in five minutes.
And of course... What a POS car to have that problem with just 4 years and 40,000 miles on it since rolling out of the factory!
I only had it for about two years and it constantly had electrical problems, like cabin lights or power thingies not working. But worst of all was it had some kind of internal connection (in the fuel injection system?) that caused the car to simply not start from time to time. This started to hit me about 6 months into owning the car.
Turning the key in the ignition would do nothing at all, except turn on the dash and cabin lights. BUT, if I just waited a bit, sometimes hours later, it would start up.
Of course, I didn't know that at first. Oh, no. The first time, I called AAA to tow my "disabled" car, but then when they arrived 90 minutes later, the car started right up. Made me look like a right idiot.
A Chrysler dealership and two independent mechanics couldn't figure it out, though they helpfully charged me big bucks for a just-outta-college kid to replace the FI module and do a "deep cleaning cycle" of the fuel system, only to have it keep happening again. About once every three weeks.
It has an interesting end to the story, though. I eventually discovered a workaround. Or rather, I found out about one in a very memorable way.
I had street parked my car in 1993 Washington Heights (upper Manhattan, near the George Washington Bridge) while visiting a friend there one Saturday night. I came out to drive home after midnight, and the car wouldn't start again. This was kind of a drug-dealing-and-doing-notorious type neighborhood at the time, so I wasn't very happy about standing in front of my car with my hood up, desperately trying to maybe see something obvious, and going to try starting the car again every few minutes (nope).
A self-professed homeless guy in filthy sweatpants walked up to me on an otherwise dark and empty street, which made me nervous, but it was just to beg money off of me. I told him I had problems of my own.
"Oh yeah, like, your car won't start? Let me take a look. I used to work on cars." Sure, why not. I certainly have no better option than just trying again an hour later.
He literally poked around under the hood, then reached in and gave something a vigorous wiggle. "Try starting the car."
And... It started!
He pointed out the part he'd wiggled. "Something in there must be loose, but you only need it to start the car going, so you should be fine after it starts up."
I gave him $20 - all the cash I had on me. He'd earned it.
And he was right. Every time this hit me with that car, from then on - and it happened like once every 2-3 weeks - shaking that part worked to start it again.
What a joke. A dealership and two mechanics couldn't figure that out with me leaving the car with them for days on end, charged me parts and labor to not fix it, and some homeless guy, possibly a drug addict, nailed it in five minutes.
And of course... What a POS car to have that problem with just 4 years and 40,000 miles on it since rolling out of the factory!
Best car by far is my 22 Civic Touring hatchback. I haven't owned many new cars (3 in my life), and most of my rides have been used. I love everything about the Civic.
The worst car I've owned was a 2015 Nissan Rouge. Worst transmission on the planet. It went out at 100k and cost me $5000 to replace, after spending $8000 on the vehicle 3 months prior.
The worst car I've owned was a 2015 Nissan Rouge. Worst transmission on the planet. It went out at 100k and cost me $5000 to replace, after spending $8000 on the vehicle 3 months prior.
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Best is the first new car I bought, 1991Escort GT. It was really a rebadged Mazda which is why it lasted 13+ years.
Worst is a hand me down 1984 Dodge 600. It was wore out before I got it and my brother decided to add a huge carb to get more power. Great car to learn how to wrench on though as it needed maintenance more than most cars.
Worst is a hand me down 1984 Dodge 600. It was wore out before I got it and my brother decided to add a huge carb to get more power. Great car to learn how to wrench on though as it needed maintenance more than most cars.
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