Well not true there is a break, it becomes cool over here. It will usually stay from around 40 to 69 degrees around November through February. It starts to heat around March and continues to stay that way until November. I live in Florida so I know.
yes, all mainstream auto makers have lost their individuality, they are all essentially building the same cars with different badges on them. The once large and luxurious cars American cars have turned into go-karts and the small japanese cars have become increasingly large and heavy.
Just sold my 1990 LX sedan. I called her Old Faithful because she never broke down and left stranded, always got me where I was going. 278,000 miles and still running strong for my neighbor. Sold it because I bought a 1988 RT4WD Civic Wagon. One of the best daily drivers ever made.
These old Hondas were like beautifully crafted, little jewels compared to the garbage slapped together by the domestics in their small cars. A Cavalier or Escort or K-car versus this? What a joke!
My friend let me drive his late-90's Cavalier once, later I drove my '91 Civic to see how they compared. I can't believe anyone bought a Cavalier when literally *any* of the competition would be an improvement. I think when a 2200lb, 90hp, base model Civic that's nearly a decade older feels more secure, handles better, rides better, and generally doesn't feel like it could disintegrate any minute, you should try a harder.
Sitting in my 91 dx sedan 5 speed. The quality of this car impresses me everyday. Drives smooth shifts smooth, engine uses no oil, tires cost 30 bucks. Purchased it for 1300$.
Rex Colletti John Phillips of Car and Driver magazine recounted a previous editor who asked him "At what point does a car's power begin to whop?'". when he used that term to describe the power of a Maserati (early '80's) I was asking myself the same thing when Davis described the Honda's horsepower as "whopping".
I had a 1989 Civic hatchback. It was the base loss-leader - 4-speed, vinyl seats, 20 less HP than the DX, and absolutely no options. But it's still the best driving car I've ever owned, and I wish I still had it today. I put 140,000 miles on it in 8 years of ownership. I regret getting rid of it almost every day.
I had an '91 hatchback, but I dropped a 130 hp ZC into it. It was an absolute blast to drive. The only things I didn't like about it were the driving position and the really rough ride, but I think the chassis was just kind of worn out, it had over 240k miles on it. I had an '87 CRX Si before the hatchback, I would have loved to have had the ZC in that car, it would have been unbelievably perfect. There's a goofy video about my hatchback on my channel. Edit: Oops, the ZC drivetrain was from an '89, the car was a '91.
Justin Jensen It was a Honda engine code for certain JDM versions of the D-series engines. It usually refers to the DOHC engines, which were remarkable, but there were also SOHC ZCs that were equipped with VTEC. We got sort of a reduced power ZC in the US in the Acura Integra, but it was labeled as a D engine. It really was a great engine, I think Honda made a big mistake when they didn't offer it in the Civic/CRX Si models in the US.
PantomimeHorseMusic I had a 1989 Civic LX just like the one shown in the video. It was one of the best cars I've ever had and put a good 240K miles on it. I currently drive a 2007 Accord which I also love, but I still miss my Civic. Honda for life!!
These were great little cars. Bought a well used hatchback 89 back in the day. Smooth and willing engine, nice (manual) tranny, sporty yet comfortable ride, and the best visibility ever! It treated me well for many years too!
My first Honda. Brand new 1988 LX in Montreal Blue Metallic. Automatic. Paid full price at Keenan Honda (that was good back then, paying ADM was the norm because of quotas). It was worth every penny. My Civic was a fun little car. Dash and hood were crazy low, and it felt like your feet were at the front bumper. Like a little Lola race car. Fast? Not really, but it was quick enough and it handled great for a little sedan. It was decked out like a luxury car. One weakness: it ate mufflers (stupid sideways mounted placement that kept all moisture trapped inside). In all, the best Civic ever, compared to it's competition (think Escort/Cavalier/Shadow/Mirage/Corolla/323/I-Mark/Excel, etc). No contest. When I graduated college in 1989, I bought another new 2nd car after landing my first ”real ” big job. Can't wait for it's Retro Review. I was a fantastic sport sedan. That would be the 1989 Nissan Maxima. Hint Hint, MW staff! 👍
Stephen Mate / my first car. In 1988, i bought a Montreal Blue LX. Automatic. I paid 11,000 u.s. Dollars out the door. I saved all my summer money from all my childhood to buy it. I loved it. Great memories.
Loved Civics when they first came out in 1973. Went with my mom to but the Civic new, never saw one before. My mom traded her VW for the Civic and remarked, "This car will put an end to the VW", how prophetic!
Since 2023 is the fiftieth anniversary of the Honda Civic making its debut in the United States; I wonder if Honda might decide to release a limited production 50th anniversary edition of the Honda Civic. I personally love the ninth generation of the Honda Civic because it appealed to such a wide audience. There was the standard Civic for people who wanted a car that was great on gas, extremely reliable, and easy to fix. There was the Civic SI for those who wanted a little bit of extra performance from their Honda Civic; and the GX, HF, and Hybrid versions for people who want to help the environment. To paraphrase Coco Chanel; "You can never go wrong with a Honda Civic."
landyachtfan79 hi, I had a 1986 Civic a few years a go and drove everywhere in both Ma and NH .... Work , errands etc. Then, some of my family moved to Alabama and I drove there in that same car starting at 197,000 miles in MA... and after two days on the road and one over night stop, I was in Alabama (central) and drove all over town in it.. when parked it had over 200,000 k miles on it..... a fine ,durable and enjoyable car, I may buy another..
I had the base 88 sedan DX. No ac, no passenger mirror, 5 speed and manual steering and windows and locks. Probably the most fun I’ve ever had driving ever! Thing made commuting feel like I was racing.
my first brand new car was a 1988 Civic DX hatchback and it was AWESOME! it was stolen out of a body shop when it was 6 years old with 140,000 miles on it. broke my heart. bought a 95 Si hatchback to replace it, but even with the added goodies and power I still liked the first one better
I had a ‘90 Civic Si that I drove for nearly 11 years before I was involved in an accident. The car was low slung, sporty, and all-day comfortable for road trips. I still miss that car.
I'd love to take a spin in one of these. An affordable, superb quality car that's fun to drive, with a superbly engineered engine, I can't think of a 2016 equivalent. Also in terms of styling I think this is at the best of what came out of Japan: a clear, timeless shape, definitely Japanese but at the same time very original.
My father bought one in 1992 in London . Finally my father gifted me . This year.and its still running just like the old days. Old is Gold. I love Honda Civic 1985 production. Its the best.
My neighbor had a blue one growing up. I used to get so excited when they would leave it in the driveway and not garage so I could look at it haha When the 01-05 civic came out it looks so similar to this body style. Just updated up for the times
@@majik5194 if ur a true car enthusiast from early age, you'd be staring at qny car in the neighborhood regardless of brand. And back then when it just came out, i can imagine how futuristic and beautiful the civic looked.
I felt connected when I was driving this car. My base model had manual steering. People were complaining no steering assist is hard to park, maybe for a 87y old grandma but not for a young person. The good part was the steering felt very direct but I did had a small size steering wheel installed. You would feel connected to the car in a way it no longer exists today. The engine was attached directly to the car body without subframe, which made you 'feel' the engine working. Difficult to describe. Also cable throttle body and the mother of all sweet manual shifter feelings with those two rigid bars between the shifter and the transmission. The shifter would 'click' into gear. Brilliant front and rear suspension. Brilliant car body flexibility - modern cars got so rigid, you don't feel the body anymore. And of course that little 1.5 engine had its own feeling, like a little pet alive. It had its problems, head gasket was quite thin, engine cover gasket leak, brake, fuel lines and even the gas tank would rust and leak, wipers would seize, distributor problems, throttle body would jam, cabin blower resistor failure, suspension bushings, ball joints, suspension bolts would rust and jam.
The '88 Civic platform was truly an excellent one; the suspension was really space saving and had great geometry, and handling was great despite tiny tires. The 16-valve D-series did a good job up until it was retired in '05. Ride was not so good, but the basic design lasted 'til the last Integra of '01 and handled well even then. Fun, fun cars.
Is that ‘88 Honda Civic a beauty or what? Very cool body lines, stick shift, low dash, nice seats, etc. This car was a home run for the Honda Corporation.
I'm about to get a 2016 Civic coupe Touring trim this month. Its amazing how we continue to improve our engineering, technology, and sense of style. Imagine if you could teleport the 2016 civic to the year 1988, people would have proclaimed it to be using alien technology lol.
Omg with the "glaring omission of a volt and oil pressure gauge" on every video! John must be going insane today as most new cars do not have those gauges any longer.
@@oldtwinsna8347 What's wrong with wanting additional information about ongoing engine status? I don't need a light to tell me the engine just blew up. I prefer to see changes over time so I can deal with something at the maintenance level, not after catastrophic failure.
So much window! My cousin drove her 1988 Civic sedan for something like 12 years...and then gave it to her brother, who gave it to a co-worker. Just a great car!
My first Honda. Called Ballade in South Africa, it was and still is immensely popular. My Ballade had 270 000 km on the clock when I bought it, ran to over 300 000 before the body was too rusted to fix, I traded it for a Civic which has been a delight since then. I have put 200 000km on that one (approaching 300 000km now) and it has been my standby car for 5 years now. Not one single problem ever, and it starts first time every time, even after standing untouched for up to 5 weeks. Best. Car. Ever.? Yes.
I remember that lil sedan well. It was a truly ground breaking car for Honda. With the new suspension, and added PFI, it was called the mini Accord, back when having an Accord was something special. Buyers in the know didn't mind paying a couple bucks more for a car that would last them well over 15 yrs nearly trouble free. I don't care for the new Civic I saw at the Chicago Auto Show this yr. It was much bigger outside, had tons of gadgets, and seemed just geared to the 'boy racer' crowd, not the reasonably priced, bullet proof transportation that they used to be... And the new 1's have a price tag too long to list.
I had an 88 Corolla as my first car and a family friend got this 88 Civic. The Civic was more peppy than the Corolla and the hoodline was low! It felt like you were looking directly at the pavement in front of you. Good cars
I had the previews 1984 model... It was a great car for its time... It was my first car and I must say it was way more stable on road than the Toyota Echo that was new and popular, back in 2003. It was a really loyal road companion... I sold it, and it is still running for its current owner... That car made me love Honda.. Now I have a 2015 Civic and a 2000 CR-V EX 4WD.
I had the 1987 Civic HB. The base model. Only had A/C as an extra. My first NEW car/ and car payments in my life at 18yo! Cost $9,999 out the door. I wish I still had it. It would probably still be running, and rust free in south Fla. An actual Japanese car,built in Japan! Couldn't beat THAT quality, then or now. Poor Civic, now built everywhere BUT Japan:( Those were the days. A simple car that ran forever, didnt have 50 computers running it, made of REAL metal, didn't dent if hit a fly as you drove. And didnt cost as much as a small apt.
We had a 1990 Civic LX. I picked it out when I was little because it was my favorite color, red. Kept it for over 10 years. My dad loved it because it had manual. The only problem we had was the automatic shoulder belt tending to get caught in the visor.
Funny that they blamed the "low fuel economy" on the age of the engine. Maybe they should have considered how much time they spent revving the nuts off the car.
They calculate the fuel economy independently. Fill it to the top, drive the loop, fill it back up again. The amount of fuel you put in divided by the distance is your fuel economy.
I had that exact car. I bought it used with 180k for $475. I loved that car and the way it drove and shifted. It was my first Japanese car. I remember feeling like the highway was 2" away from my butt. I often think about picking another one up on FB market.
There's one that's always parked outside my local Target from this generation, not my favorite color it's like a powder blue. It's not only one of the only ones I see here still in the northeast but also in amazingly great condition, no rust and interior looks immaculate. Has to be someone that works there it's always parked there I'm always tempted to try to find out who owns it and what they would sell it for. I'm on my fourth Civic 83 87 99 and now 09 but I loved my older ones.
I left a note on a white 88 hatchback with AZ plates here in SLC. I just got a call and will buy it for 800$ tomorrow. I have a 91 hatch at home that I’m not letting go despite the 3000$ offers.
This car handled like it was on rails, a go kart!. Drop a Integra engine in it like a B18A1 or B18B1 or B18C5 and add whoops ass! power versus weight ratio.
YES! they actually handle alitte better then the civic that came after it as they stopped making them with fully independent rear suspension to cut down on cost
I used to own a 1990 Honda Civic LX Sedan, and I got fantastic gas mileage. Never complained. My 2013 Honda Civic doesn't even come close to what the 1990 LX got.
Man, this makes me miss my 99 Civic hatchback. It was a CX model so had zero options except for AC. It was THE most fun car I've owned. It was light and everything felt raw. No power steering plus double wishbone setup and so it was easily the best feeling and handling car. Feel goes a long way in a car.
This Civic, in LX version, was a great car! Well-engineered, a pleasure to drive, and economical, this version of the Civic was sublime in its execution and punched above its weight. The Corollas and Sentras of the day were not as good, and nothing domestic could touch it.
The b13 1991-1994 Sentra was an impressive car in its own right, often described as a budget front wheel drive BMW. This was true for the base model through to the SE-R models.
I purchased my blue 1988 Civic LX sedan in August of that year. I loved that little car and it was so much fun to drive. Since then, I've owned two other Civic sedans and they just don't compare to the 1988 model.
I loved my '88 Civic. I had it until someone hit me. But then I got a 1997 Honda Civic. I still drive a '97-almost 300k miles and still going strong! The '88 was cool, but I think I like the '97 better. This is absolutely the newest model style before they started going downhill though (in my opinion)
i used to have a 1991 civic like this as the 1990 and 1991 models have the passive restraint front seat belts as the upper buckle races to the latched position when the car is on and returns when the car is off or when a door is opened. as 1990 is when the Civic sedan got a mid cycle refresh the exterior lighting redesigned, a new 4 spoke steering wheel and the dash slightly different. the engines are still the same a 1.5 L dual point throttle body fuel injection system which is Honda's D series SOHC engine while the EX models have a 1.6 L SOHC multi port fuel injection system and a dual outlet exhaust system. while the Civic SI coupe models have a 1.6L Honda B series DOHC engine. in which these engines are popular to be swapped in the sedans and DX and LX coupes. Common problems with this generation is alot of condensation in the trunk as water does collect in that area. problems with the fuel injectors in the throttle body systems as well as the fuel injection system and the ignitor assembly the body tends to have rust spots and commonly rusts out under the moulding and the lower rocker panels and depending on usage the exhaust system mainly the muffler rusts out prematurarly. but the build quality of the car seemed to be excellent when the 1992 and later Civic came out it did introduce a SRS system a driver's side airbag and the 1.5 l D series SOHC engines now have multiport fuel injection. since the early 2000s Honda really went downhill in all of its vehicle lines being the wiper control is strange to use and the headlight dimmer and the electronics package being used in them. and the 2006 models the wipers are very strange and the windshield is excessively raked on them for more airflow and its fuel efficiency. as basically now not much of these 1988-1991 Civics are not on the road anymore the one i had was assembled in USA in East Liberty Ohio.
Swap in a JDM B16\B20, bolt on a Garrett turbo, add a 6speed Integra Type R gearbox, a stage 2 clutch, throw on some coilovers and you've got yourself a hot little sleeper that'll put any modern "sport compact" to shame.
I’ve got a 1991 (same body style) with 280k miles. 5 speed, cranky boi windows. No power steering. MPFI conversion is a must on the base model. I recently bought a 1994 Civic so I could have a car with air bags 😂
This era and the 1992-95 Honda Civic's are IMO the best era of the Honda Civic's, Honda really seemed to be on a roll from the mid 80's to the mid 90's.
I had this car in college but it was a 1990 EX, the downfall with mine is that it was automatic. I drove the 5 speed and loved it and was going to buy it but a family member asked me to get the auto so she could drive it also. I loved the look and drive of the car, I even added the Honda integrated fog lights and when shined up people thought it was an Accord. The EX had the Si motor in it but I remember with 4 people and luggage the car was gutless. Once traveled with a convoy of cars headed to Atlanta and everyone left me cause the little Civic couldn’t handle the hills of b’ham. I got about 100k miles on it then traded it for a new Acura Integra.
I owned an 89 DX, one very well built car, but being the base trim it lacked quite a bit. There was only a driver's door mirror, no power steering because it had a manual transmission, and no other powered accessories. When I got it, it didn't have a radio or speakers, but I did splurge for the Honda-branded floor mats. With a/c it came to $9,000. Being in the military, I wasn't charged sales tax by Tennessee, a nice deal so the money saved bought a good stereo and speakers. I put nearly 130,000 miles on it until some dimwit t-boned it. Oddly, or maybe not because of the skinny tires, the car could be provoked into oversteer at very high speeds on corners.
I like power steering and a smooth ride, thank you. I'm usually driving to work not spinning the tires or squealing around a corner. It's these automotive journalists that pushed car makers to make cars that ride so stiff.
This brings back memories because my very first car was a 1989 Honda Civic LX that was similar to this one except mines was white. That was a great car.
I would I think it's fair to say that the 10th Generation Honda Civic still holds a lot of that Spirit of the previous generations very well. Out of all the compact car competition, it's still has great handling and fun driving characteristics while still remaining reasonably comfortable.
scterka The 1988 to 1991 was one breed of Honda Civics. The 1992 Civics introduced the variable timing (Vx) feature with new contouring. Also in 1992, the flip-hinge that allowed you to open the back windows on the 2-door Civics were removed. The back windows were sealed tight; unlike the 1991's & prior. The 1992 Civics also had a larger engine than previous Civics.
My uncle bought one brand new in '88 and it finally went out on him after almost 335,000 miles last year.
+eldo59 How did it drive after all these years?
+Zohirul Islam Jewel He lived in southern California and Florida. I don't know what happened for him to call it quits.
+eldo59 Sounds like the heat killed it.
+Bengie Yeah its hot all year around down there.
Well not true there is a break, it becomes cool over here. It will usually stay from around 40 to 69 degrees around November through February. It starts to heat around March and continues to stay that way until November. I live in Florida so I know.
What a great car this was. And still, Honda makes among the best cars in their classes.
Honda needs to see this video and build cars like this again.
yes, all mainstream auto makers have lost their individuality, they are all essentially building the same cars with different badges on them. The once large and luxurious cars American cars have turned into go-karts and the small japanese cars have become increasingly large and heavy.
Yep. Those awful dust buster front ends they insisted on sticking with. Ughh. And the MDX front end? What were they thinking?
Mr. Hand Meh I think they stopped making cars like this because they didn't want ricers toners to keep ruining there good name.
Lol how would you rice this, this thing has 80’s bumpers which are so hard to get custom for
If hondas were still like this
Just sold my 1990 LX sedan. I called her Old Faithful because she never broke down and left stranded, always got me where I was going. 278,000 miles and still running strong for my neighbor. Sold it because I bought a 1988 RT4WD Civic Wagon. One of the best daily drivers ever made.
These old Hondas were like beautifully crafted, little jewels compared to the garbage slapped together by the domestics in their small cars. A Cavalier or Escort or K-car versus this? What a joke!
My friend let me drive his late-90's Cavalier once, later I drove my '91 Civic to see how they compared. I can't believe anyone bought a Cavalier when literally *any* of the competition would be an improvement. I think when a 2200lb, 90hp, base model Civic that's nearly a decade older feels more secure, handles better, rides better, and generally doesn't feel like it could disintegrate any minute, you should try a harder.
The escorts were very reliable cars that could achieve over 350,000 miles.
Sitting in my 91 dx sedan 5 speed. The quality of this car impresses me everyday. Drives smooth shifts smooth, engine uses no oil, tires cost 30 bucks. Purchased it for 1300$.
I love I just love the low low hoods of the 80s honda s bring them back Honda!
boovoo66 Stupid pedestrian safety laws won't let it ever happen again 😔
"A whopping 92 horsepower." Wow have the times changed.
Rex Colletti John Phillips of Car and Driver magazine recounted a previous editor who asked him "At what point does a car's power begin to whop?'". when he used that term to describe the power of a Maserati (early '80's) I was asking myself the same thing when Davis described the Honda's horsepower as "whopping".
+Andrew Taylor apparently, 90ish.
well it's a lot for a naturally aspirated 1.4 with no sort of variable valve timing
To think my 15 Fit with a 1.5 liter engine makes 130 hp, how times have changed
50 years later econoboxes would make 300 hp AND KIDS WOULD THINK THATS NOT ENOUGH
I had a 1989 Civic hatchback. It was the base loss-leader - 4-speed, vinyl seats, 20 less HP than the DX, and absolutely no options. But it's still the best driving car I've ever owned, and I wish I still had it today. I put 140,000 miles on it in 8 years of ownership. I regret getting rid of it almost every day.
I had an '91 hatchback, but I dropped a 130 hp ZC into it. It was an absolute blast to drive. The only things I didn't like about it were the driving position and the really rough ride, but I think the chassis was just kind of worn out, it had over 240k miles on it. I had an '87 CRX Si before the hatchback, I would have loved to have had the ZC in that car, it would have been unbelievably perfect. There's a goofy video about my hatchback on my channel.
Edit: Oops, the ZC drivetrain was from an '89, the car was a '91.
Justin Jensen It was a Honda engine code for certain JDM versions of the D-series engines. It usually refers to the DOHC engines, which were remarkable, but there were also SOHC ZCs that were equipped with VTEC. We got sort of a reduced power ZC in the US in the Acura Integra, but it was labeled as a D engine.
It really was a great engine, I think Honda made a big mistake when they didn't offer it in the Civic/CRX Si models in the US.
PantomimeHorseMusic I had a 1989 Civic LX just like the one shown in the video. It was one of the best cars I've ever had and put a good 240K miles on it. I currently drive a 2007 Accord which I also love, but I still miss my Civic. Honda for life!!
Justin Jensen Why would it? Every car company has recalls, and Honda's recalls are pretty benign compared to some companies... *cough-GM-cough* .
Justin Jensen What on Earth are you talking about?
These were great little cars. Bought a well used hatchback 89 back in the day. Smooth and willing engine, nice (manual) tranny, sporty yet comfortable ride, and the best visibility ever! It treated me well for many years too!
I had one, and i agree!
very good acceleration for a small econobox, I've always liked the Honda Civic's of this era.
My first Honda. Brand new 1988 LX in Montreal Blue Metallic. Automatic. Paid full price at Keenan Honda (that was good back then, paying ADM was the norm because of quotas). It was worth every penny.
My Civic was a fun little car. Dash and hood were crazy low, and it felt like your feet were at the front bumper. Like a little Lola race car. Fast? Not really, but it was quick enough and it handled great for a little sedan. It was decked out like a luxury car.
One weakness: it ate mufflers (stupid sideways mounted placement that kept all moisture trapped inside).
In all, the best Civic ever, compared to it's competition (think Escort/Cavalier/Shadow/Mirage/Corolla/323/I-Mark/Excel, etc). No contest.
When I graduated college in 1989, I bought another new 2nd car after landing my first ”real ” big job. Can't wait for it's Retro Review. I was a fantastic sport sedan.
That would be the 1989 Nissan Maxima.
Hint Hint, MW staff! 👍
Stephen Mate / my first car. In 1988, i bought a Montreal Blue LX. Automatic. I paid 11,000 u.s. Dollars out the door. I saved all my summer money from all my childhood to buy it. I loved it. Great memories.
The Corolla was as good if not better. The GTS and FX16 were great cars. Owned them all
Loved Civics when they first came out in 1973. Went with my mom to but the Civic new, never saw one before. My mom traded her VW for the Civic and remarked, "This car will put an end to the VW", how prophetic!
Rust was their worst enemy though.
Since 2023 is the fiftieth anniversary of the Honda Civic making its debut in the United States; I wonder if Honda might decide to release a limited production 50th anniversary edition of the Honda Civic. I personally love the ninth generation of the Honda Civic because it appealed to such a wide audience. There was the standard Civic for people who wanted a car that was great on gas, extremely reliable, and easy to fix. There was the Civic SI for those who wanted a little bit of extra performance from their Honda Civic; and the GX, HF, and Hybrid versions for people who want to help the environment. To paraphrase Coco Chanel; "You can never go wrong with a Honda Civic."
I have been an INCURABLE Honda addict all my life, & it all stems back to my father's 1980 Civic 1500DX 5-speed Hatchback.
landyachtfan79 hi, I had a 1986 Civic a few years a go and drove everywhere in both Ma and NH .... Work , errands etc.
Then, some of my family moved to Alabama and I drove there in that same car starting at 197,000 miles in MA... and after two days on the road and one over night stop, I was in Alabama (central) and drove all over town in it.. when parked it had over 200,000 k miles on it..... a fine ,durable and enjoyable car, I may buy another..
Same, it started with my dad's 1993 Honda Civic DX.
What year ?
Best shape Civic of all time.
it really is!
Best suspension too. The new ones are crap with struts.
Damn...I would LOVE to be able to buy this brand new now. That slalom performance was awesome
In terms of reliability and value, you can’t beat the Civic. Great review. Long live the 80’s.
I had the base 88 sedan DX. No ac, no passenger mirror, 5 speed and manual steering and windows and locks. Probably the most fun I’ve ever had driving ever! Thing made commuting feel like I was racing.
:O can't believe they didn't have a side mirror. But were those Civics really fast?
@@zzoinks if 9.7 seconds 0-60 is fast then yeah
my first brand new car was a 1988 Civic DX hatchback and it was AWESOME! it was stolen out of a body shop when it was 6 years old with 140,000 miles on it. broke my heart. bought a 95 Si hatchback to replace it, but even with the added goodies and power I still liked the first one better
I had a ‘90 Civic Si that I drove for nearly 11 years before I was involved in an accident. The car was low slung, sporty, and all-day comfortable for road trips. I still miss that car.
I'd love to take a spin in one of these. An affordable, superb quality car that's fun to drive, with a superbly engineered engine, I can't think of a 2016 equivalent. Also in terms of styling I think this is at the best of what came out of Japan: a clear, timeless shape, definitely Japanese but at the same time very original.
Bout to go buy one tomorrow. 137k miles, full drive train rebuilt, 2 owners, minty condition, holy grail.
I'll make a video if I get it.
Did you get it? they so hard to find in good condition now a days
My father bought one in 1992 in London . Finally my father gifted me . This year.and its still running just like the old days. Old is Gold. I love Honda Civic 1985 production. Its the best.
such a great car. the ef civic is truly one of the best cars Honda has ever built.
Theo Verstraete
Agreed
My neighbor had a blue one growing up. I used to get so excited when they would leave it in the driveway and not garage so I could look at it haha
When the 01-05 civic came out it looks so similar to this body style. Just updated up for the times
Yea I always get excited when I get a chance to stare at a HONDA CIVIC. Srsly why were you excited to look at a civic?
Good old days
SHADYCOCK LOL Because civics rock bro!
@@crazieddy1 of course. And they may be stylish but not sexy
@@majik5194 if ur a true car enthusiast from early age, you'd be staring at qny car in the neighborhood regardless of brand. And back then when it just came out, i can imagine how futuristic and beautiful the civic looked.
I felt connected when I was driving this car. My base model had manual steering. People were complaining no steering assist is hard to park, maybe for a 87y old grandma but not for a young person. The good part was the steering felt very direct but I did had a small size steering wheel installed. You would feel connected to the car in a way it no longer exists today. The engine was attached directly to the car body without subframe, which made you 'feel' the engine working. Difficult to describe. Also cable throttle body and the mother of all sweet manual shifter feelings with those two rigid bars between the shifter and the transmission. The shifter would 'click' into gear. Brilliant front and rear suspension. Brilliant car body flexibility - modern cars got so rigid, you don't feel the body anymore. And of course that little 1.5 engine had its own feeling, like a little pet alive. It had its problems, head gasket was quite thin, engine cover gasket leak, brake, fuel lines and even the gas tank would rust and leak, wipers would seize, distributor problems, throttle body would jam, cabin blower resistor failure, suspension bushings, ball joints, suspension bolts would rust and jam.
It's not a true MotorWeek review without "this cluster no readouts for volts or oil pressure"
A great car! I drove this car, and never drove a Honda before, a 4 door 88 Dx, and I was hooked!
My favorite generation of Civic! the lightest EF was the 88 hatch!
The car that made me fall in love with Hondas
Just bought mine for $2000 with 160,000 miles love the little go kart
The '88 Civic platform was truly an excellent one; the suspension was really space saving and had great geometry, and handling was great despite tiny tires. The 16-valve D-series did a good job up until it was retired in '05. Ride was not so good, but the basic design lasted 'til the last Integra of '01 and handled well even then. Fun, fun cars.
Is that ‘88 Honda Civic a beauty or what? Very cool body lines, stick shift, low dash, nice seats, etc. This car was a home run for the Honda Corporation.
1988: LX = Luxury
2020: LX = Least
Wish there were still more of these on the road these days.
I'm about to get a 2016 Civic coupe Touring trim this month. Its amazing how we continue to improve our engineering, technology, and sense of style. Imagine if you could teleport the 2016 civic to the year 1988, people would have proclaimed it to be using alien technology lol.
Had an 87 Civic that I bought in 1996 and drove it for 3 years until I bought a 97 Accord. What a cool little car.
Omg with the "glaring omission of a volt and oil pressure gauge" on every video! John must be going insane today as most new cars do not have those gauges any longer.
Indeed. Would like to see a "public apology" episode where he admits his wrongful comments made.
@@oldtwinsna8347 What's wrong with wanting additional information about ongoing engine status? I don't need a light to tell me the engine just blew up. I prefer to see changes over time so I can deal with something at the maintenance level, not after catastrophic failure.
So much window! My cousin drove her 1988 Civic sedan for something like 12 years...and then gave it to her brother, who gave it to a co-worker. Just a great car!
My first Honda. Called Ballade in South Africa, it was and still is immensely popular. My Ballade had 270 000 km on the clock when I bought it, ran to over 300 000 before the body was too rusted to fix, I traded it for a Civic which has been a delight since then. I have put 200 000km on that one (approaching 300 000km now) and it has been my standby car for 5 years now. Not one single problem ever, and it starts first time every time, even after standing untouched for up to 5 weeks. Best. Car. Ever.? Yes.
These were the best years for both Honda and Toyota.
Motorweek's instrument panel design excellence criteria: oil pressure and volt meter :)
I remember that lil sedan well. It was a truly ground breaking car for Honda. With the new suspension, and added PFI, it was called the mini Accord, back when having an Accord was something special. Buyers in the know didn't mind paying a couple bucks more for a car that would last them well over 15 yrs nearly trouble free. I don't care for the new Civic I saw at the Chicago Auto Show this yr. It was much bigger outside, had tons of gadgets, and seemed just geared to the 'boy racer' crowd, not the reasonably priced, bullet proof transportation that they used to be... And the new 1's have a price tag too long to list.
a "Whopping 92 horsepower!"
Context, man. For a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated engine from the 80's that's pretty impressive.
Brandon B Don't forget that these cars were ridiculously light.
+Tuppoo94 why even bother?
think of other 90hp cars from that Time and think of how much Displacement they had.
These things weighed about ~2000lbs in hatchback form.
I had an 88 Corolla as my first car and a family friend got this 88 Civic. The Civic was more peppy than the Corolla and the hoodline was low! It felt like you were looking directly at the pavement in front of you. Good cars
I had the previews 1984 model... It was a great car for its time... It was my first car and I must say it was way more stable on road than the Toyota Echo that was new and popular, back in 2003. It was a really loyal road companion... I sold it, and it is still running for its current owner... That car made me love Honda.. Now I have a 2015 Civic and a 2000 CR-V EX 4WD.
100 % agree on Honda's manual transmissions. Smooth as butter whether cable or hydraulic
My favorite civic of all time!
"no rattles" definitely can't say the same for my 2020 civic lol.
My mother had 1991 lx . That was the most enjoyable car I’ve ever driven. Honda needs to have a come back with a car with that same fun car feel.
It probably still runs to this day
2:50 - I've been driving an '89 Civic since 2015, and I'm JUST LEARNING NOW THAT THE BACK SEAT CAN FOLD DOWN!?
😂. Feels like a new car all over again
I had the 1987 Civic HB. The base model. Only had A/C as an extra. My first NEW car/ and car payments in my life at 18yo! Cost $9,999 out the door. I wish I still had it. It would probably still be running, and rust free in south Fla.
An actual Japanese car,built in Japan!
Couldn't beat THAT quality, then or now. Poor Civic, now built everywhere BUT Japan:( Those were the days. A simple car that ran forever, didnt have 50 computers running it, made of REAL metal, didn't dent if hit a fly as you drove. And didnt cost as much as a small apt.
+Marc B. Yea, and in great condition would still be worth as much as 3k !500 minimum
$9935 in 1998 is $20K today about equal to the current one.
1988 not 1998. But yes, adjusted for inflation and considering the increase in features, cars are cheaper now than they were in the past.
Yeah, too bad wages haven't changed much.
@@imzjustplayin not if you look at GM vehicles lol
We had a 1990 Civic LX. I picked it out when I was little because it was my favorite color, red. Kept it for over 10 years. My dad loved it because it had manual. The only problem we had was the automatic shoulder belt tending to get caught in the visor.
Funny that they blamed the "low fuel economy" on the age of the engine. Maybe they should have considered how much time they spent revving the nuts off the car.
They calculate the fuel economy independently. Fill it to the top, drive the loop, fill it back up again. The amount of fuel you put in divided by the distance is your fuel economy.
A lot of contemporary reviewers just go by the car's readout and say it's low due to them leadfooting the test. Especially if it's a fun to drive car.
I had that exact car. I bought it used with 180k for $475. I loved that car and the way it drove and shifted. It was my first Japanese car. I remember feeling like the highway was 2" away from my butt. I often think about picking another one up on FB market.
There's one that's always parked outside my local Target from this generation, not my favorite color it's like a powder blue. It's not only one of the only ones I see here still in the northeast but also in amazingly great condition, no rust and interior looks immaculate. Has to be someone that works there it's always parked there I'm always tempted to try to find out who owns it and what they would sell it for. I'm on my fourth Civic 83 87 99 and now 09 but I loved my older ones.
Don Maley leave a note with your number
I left a note on a white 88 hatchback with AZ plates here in SLC. I just got a call and will buy it for 800$ tomorrow. I have a 91 hatch at home that I’m not letting go despite the 3000$ offers.
This car handled like it was on rails, a go kart!. Drop a Integra engine in it like a B18A1 or B18B1 or B18C5 and add whoops ass! power versus weight ratio.
YES! they actually handle alitte better then the civic that came after it as they stopped making them with fully independent rear suspension to cut down on cost
"Detroit should take it apart and figure out what makes it tick." Haha! Yep, still true today.
I used to own a 1990 Honda Civic LX Sedan, and I got fantastic gas mileage. Never complained. My 2013 Honda Civic doesn't even come close to what the 1990 LX got.
Man, this makes me miss my 99 Civic hatchback. It was a CX model so had zero options except for AC. It was THE most fun car I've owned. It was light and everything felt raw. No power steering plus double wishbone setup and so it was easily the best feeling and handling car. Feel goes a long way in a car.
John: "As you'd expect, a split-folding rear seat is standard."
(Tester folds down single piece bench)
If they sold this exact vehicle today, it would sell like crazy.
best gauge font ever
This Civic, in LX version, was a great car! Well-engineered, a pleasure to drive, and economical, this version of the Civic was sublime in its execution and punched above its weight. The Corollas and Sentras of the day were not as good, and nothing domestic could touch it.
The b13 1991-1994 Sentra was an impressive car in its own right, often described as a budget front wheel drive BMW. This was true for the base model through to the SE-R models.
We love u Motor Week
These really did last a long time my dad bought one in the late 80's and it went on to live passed 2005.
Ironically, the new Civic LX is now the base model. Boy times have changed.
I purchased my blue 1988 Civic LX sedan in August of that year. I loved that little car and it was so much fun to drive. Since then, I've owned two other Civic sedans and they just don't compare to the 1988 model.
I loved my '88 Civic. I had it until someone hit me. But then I got a 1997 Honda Civic. I still drive a '97-almost 300k miles and still going strong! The '88 was cool, but I think I like the '97 better. This is absolutely the newest model style before they started going downhill though (in my opinion)
i used to have a 1991 civic like this as the 1990 and 1991 models have the passive restraint front seat belts as the upper buckle races to the latched position when the car is on and returns when the car is off or when a door is opened. as 1990 is when the Civic sedan got a mid cycle refresh the exterior lighting redesigned, a new 4 spoke steering wheel and the dash slightly different. the engines are still the same a 1.5 L dual point throttle body fuel injection system which is Honda's D series SOHC engine while the EX models have a 1.6 L SOHC multi port fuel injection system and a dual outlet exhaust system. while the Civic SI coupe models have a 1.6L Honda B series DOHC engine. in which these engines are popular to be swapped in the sedans and DX and LX coupes. Common problems with this generation is alot of condensation in the trunk as water does collect in that area. problems with the fuel injectors in the throttle body systems as well as the fuel injection system and the ignitor assembly the body tends to have rust spots and commonly rusts out under the moulding and the lower rocker panels and depending on usage the exhaust system mainly the muffler rusts out prematurarly. but the build quality of the car seemed to be excellent when the 1992 and later Civic came out it did introduce a SRS system a driver's side airbag and the 1.5 l D series SOHC engines now have multiport fuel injection. since the early 2000s Honda really went downhill in all of its vehicle lines being the wiper control is strange to use and the headlight dimmer and the electronics package being used in them. and the 2006 models the wipers are very strange and the windshield is excessively raked on them for more airflow and its fuel efficiency. as basically now not much of these 1988-1991 Civics are not on the road anymore the one i had was assembled in USA in East Liberty Ohio.
I would 100% daily a good condition one and be genuinely happy with it
2022 Honda Civic reminds me so much of this model, that's why I'm here.
My high school graduating year. These old civics were amazing. Would trade my 2013 for a new 1988 in a heartbeat.
Swap in a JDM B16\B20, bolt on a Garrett turbo, add a 6speed Integra Type R gearbox, a stage 2 clutch, throw on some coilovers and you've got yourself a hot little sleeper that'll put any modern "sport compact" to shame.
a DC5 6 speed?
I’ve got a 1991 (same body style) with 280k miles. 5 speed, cranky boi windows. No power steering. MPFI conversion is a must on the base model. I recently bought a 1994 Civic so I could have a car with air bags 😂
Probably the best car all time. 1988 Civic
Whoa 😲 Lookout 😳 92 Horsepower!! That’s some serious Power right there!!
This era and the 1992-95 Honda Civic's are IMO the best era of the Honda Civic's, Honda really seemed to be on a roll from the mid 80's to the mid 90's.
I loved my 90 civic! Like a go cart
That Civic look better than the newer ones to me.
thats because it is better then the newer ones.
@@JEMHull-gf9el its not
This was the second car I've owned. The first was a 1985 Ford Tempo-this was a HUGE upgrade!
Was my first car, still miss it to this day
'No oil pressure or voltage gauge.' I think he owns an accessory shop sells these.
Wish Honda would do a modern interpretation of this steering wheel
I'm a Toyota guy but during the eighthies n early nineties Honda was The manufacturer of fantastic groundbreaking engines.
These days, Honda has lost its way! :(*
I had this car in college but it was a 1990 EX, the downfall with mine is that it was automatic. I drove the 5 speed and loved it and was going to buy it but a family member asked me to get the auto so she could drive it also. I loved the look and drive of the car, I even added the Honda integrated fog lights and when shined up people thought it was an Accord. The EX had the Si motor in it but I remember with 4 people and luggage the car was gutless. Once traveled with a convoy of cars headed to Atlanta and everyone left me cause the little Civic couldn’t handle the hills of b’ham. I got about 100k miles on it then traded it for a new Acura Integra.
Awesome, I hope the Teggy was a manual. God Bless.
Why was I expecting to see a cracked dash,rips on the seats and faded paint lmfao
This was when they were new. That's what they look like now. lol...30 years later. lol..I still see this car on the road today, every so often.
92bhp from a 1.5L 4 cyl is very impressive for 29 years ago.
it really is! much larger 6 cal engine from america weren't doing much better
It reminds me a lot to my 1989 Accord
its like a mini version
I owned an 89 DX, one very well built car, but being the base trim it lacked quite a bit. There was only a driver's door mirror, no power steering because it had a manual transmission, and no other powered accessories. When I got it, it didn't have a radio or speakers, but I did splurge for the Honda-branded floor mats.
With a/c it came to $9,000. Being in the military, I wasn't charged sales tax by Tennessee, a nice deal so the money saved bought a good stereo and speakers. I put nearly 130,000 miles on it until some dimwit t-boned it.
Oddly, or maybe not because of the skinny tires, the car could be provoked into oversteer at very high speeds on corners.
I like power steering and a smooth ride, thank you. I'm usually driving to work not spinning the tires or squealing around a corner. It's these automotive journalists that pushed car makers to make cars that ride so stiff.
Even in 2021 this car still shines , especially the horsepower in this 1.5 litre , nothing can compare
These were so good and so fun to drive even if slow. Honda should go back to its roots
This brings back memories because my very first car was a 1989 Honda Civic LX that was similar to this one except mines was white. That was a great car.
Easily one of the best mass produced cars of the 80's. I still occasionally see one of these on the road.
I would I think it's fair to say that the 10th Generation Honda Civic still holds a lot of that Spirit of the previous generations very well. Out of all the compact car competition, it's still has great handling and fun driving characteristics while still remaining reasonably comfortable.
I always liked this car. Unfortunately I never bought one.
scterka The 1988 Honda Civic series are cars a great many people wanted & still do; including myself.
However I did own a 1992 Civic SI
scterka The 1988 to 1991 was one breed of Honda Civics. The 1992 Civics introduced the variable timing (Vx) feature with new contouring. Also in 1992, the flip-hinge that allowed you to open the back windows on the 2-door Civics were removed. The back windows were sealed tight; unlike the 1991's & prior. The 1992 Civics also had a larger engine than previous Civics.
Please upload the 86-89 Accord if you can!!
Yes, please! That was easily--and sadly--the best generation of Accords.
Yes! Pop-up headlights FTW!
herrgolf Lxi hatch!!!
The 4th Gen 1990-1993 Accord would like a word with you.
This little engine loves to run on the hwy, quick and smooth.