Honda Civic (leisure) Owners Club
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Hi, everyone.
Me new to the forum, happened to "tripped" over it while surfing for info about Civic which I intend to buy.
Anyway, I bought one already, getting my new Civic (2003 version) next week....ya, it was during that promotion period that I signed on the dotted lines.
So far, I know there are a lot of Honda's enthusiasts out there, judging from the amount of topics related to Civic and all the mods that can be done on it. But I'm not so knowledgeable in this aspect. pai-seh
From another angle, not sure if there are folks like me who know or just like to know about Civics in everyday use. That's why I started this new thread.
Perhaps for a start, anyone knows what series of engines (all those EG, EK codes...) are the current Civics running on? How different is it from the older ones?
Any hiccups faced by you in driving the 2003 or 2004 Civic?
Hope to see your inputs soon. Thanks.
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What's the difference between 2003 and 2004? So did you get a good buy?
I am currently driving a 2000 Exi, the ECU was giving me problems during the inital months. I guess that's cos it was the first batch of new Civic then, and lots of problems haven't been ironed out. Air con was giving out funny smell sometimes. But after a few months, the car was generally ok, though find it lacking power cos it is a 1.5 litre car.
Recently, got some problem with the TDC sensor and timing belt and the car stalled a few times. Although it was out of the warranty period, the Kah motor guy still fix the problem FOC.
Just traded in the car for a Civic 2004. Still buying a Civic because think it is still quite a cool car. Was very tempted by Altis actually till I test drove with my family of 4 and realised it was not as powerful as Civic. Could be because I am used to driving Civic.
Got the Civic at 80K. The SE threw in Vcool, reverse sensor, alarm, leather and sports rim. I think they can throw in so many stuff cos it is now selling at a much higher price than 2 months ago. I remembered my friend telling me it was going at 77K then.
Should be getting the car end June. Hope it won't give me as much problem as the first car. -
Hi, TAL, nice to hear from you.
According to some reviews from foreign websites, there are only a few differences between the 2003 and 2004 versions. Most noticeably are the front grille and bumper.
The 2004 version has a curve bar bending towards the Honda logo, a sharper tail-end for the head-lamp, and outward "teeth" on the bumper next to the fog-lamp pockets, giving it a shark-like appearance. The 2003 one has a horiz bar instead, orange-tinted signal lamp cover with a rounded tail-end for the head-lamp, and inward "teeth". Putting them side-by-side you will know what I mean. Other than some other minor upgrades or changes (not too sure about the details), both are practically the same car.
So, after some deliberation, I decided to go for the 2003 version when its price was tagged at 74.5K in early April. Considered quite a steal Dun have too much bargaining power as the SE said he "barely earn much" from clearing these old stocks. Only got the leather seats. Hmm... wonder if I was too "kind-hearted",.... or simply stupid? -
ni shi..... Lu Xiao Feng???
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Hi swordsman_Lu, try asking your questions at singapore honda club. www.shc-forum.com/forum/
i think they will be able to help you. -
i sit my fren's 2003 civic, and the ride was damn bumpy going over humps(nearly knocked my head on the roof behind, remember to wear seatbelt). i would say that the civic's sus. settings are performance biased rather than comfort biased, but other than that, everything's well. given the cheap price ard 60k, i think i would also go for this car.
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i've actually hit my head when i was in a civic going over hump b4. but that was the older EF series one...Originally posted by STiYaKuzA:i sit my fren's 2003 civic, and the ride was damn bumpy going over humps(nearly knocked my head on the roof behind, remember to wear seatbelt). i would say that the civic's sus. settings are performance biased rather than comfort biased, but other than that, everything's well. given the cheap price ard 60k, i think i would also go for this car. -
How time flies... I have been out of this pugilistic world for so long, and I thought nobody remember this name anymore...Originally posted by HENG@:ni shi..... Lu Xiao Feng???
That was a nickname some of my friends used to call me.
ni shi ... Boy-racer?
er... i mean you go racing in the weekends? I guessed it from some of your past messages.
Anyway, saw interesting msg abt heads hitting the roof when the civic went over bumps. You should try taking an Astra. I thought civic has a softer suspension??
Also thanks to BOV11N, I went to that website to take a look but done nothing yet. -
cherly, no. i take my racing onto the circuits and off the streets. i guess im less boy-racer n more pro-racer?Originally posted by swordsman_Lu:How time flies... I have been out of this pugilistic world for so long, and I thought nobody remember this name anymore... That was a nickname some of my friends used to call me.
ni shi ... Boy-racer? er... i mean you go racing in the weekends? I guessed it from some of your past messages.
Anyway, saw interesting msg abt heads hitting the roof when the civic went over bumps. You should try taking an Astra. I thought civic has a softer suspension??
Also thanks to BOV11N, I went to that website to take a look but done nothing yet.
ah i bet theres someone out there waiting to pounce on that statement. -
Hi Lu Xiao Feng,
Thanks for the description. 74.5K for a Civic? I really think you got a good deal be it a 2003 model or not. I mean now Altis is already going for 75k, so imagine what a superb deal you had!
I just secured my COE from today's bidding. Think should get the car end of month.. Quite excited about it.
So how's your new car? -
i wonder why kah motor delays so much when importing cars... did u ppl know that the 2004 civic in s'pore is actually the 2003 civic sold in japan? the 2003 civic in s'pore did not even exist in japan at all, but the 2002 did
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Hi, friends, I've got my new blue civic yesterday.
Wah-piang!! I think you all knew, got to collect the car at Mandai, damn ulu place. I could not have found it if my SE had not sent me there!
The excitement did not set in until I got behind the wheel and started the ride home (the SE commented how come I did not look excited when I first saw my car...
i bet he expected me to "wow" & "uh" & "ahhh" & jumping up and down )
I must say I like the comfortable ride. It was not as bumpy as some of u had experienced. The controls are pretty light compared to my old european, esp. the hand-brake. In fact, I nearly pull it out with my first touch of it!
Well, there are still some more things to find out about this car. Last night after I got home, it was too dark to do that. Shall update u all when I have new discoveries.
Ciao! -
easy on the car dude!Originally posted by swordsman_Lu:Hi, friends, I've got my new blue civic yesterday.
Wah-piang!! I think you all knew, got to collect the car at Mandai, damn ulu place. I could not have found it if my SE had not sent me there!
The excitement did not set in until I got behind the wheel and started the ride home (the SE commented how come I did not look excited when I first saw my car... i bet he expected me to "wow" & "uh" & "ahhh" & jumping up and down )
I must say I like the comfortable ride. It was not as bumpy as some of u had experienced. The controls are pretty light compared to my old european, esp. the hand-brake. In fact, I nearly pull it out with my first touch of it!
Well, there are still some more things to find out about this car. Last night after I got home, it was too dark to do that. Shall update u all when I have new discoveries.
Ciao! -
Hi TALOriginally posted by TAL:What's the difference between 2003 and 2004? So did you get a good buy?
I am currently driving a 2000 Exi, the ECU was giving me problems during the inital months. I guess that's cos it was the first batch of new Civic then, and lots of problems haven't been ironed out. Air con was giving out funny smell sometimes. But after a few months, the car was generally ok, though find it lacking power cos it is a 1.5 litre car.
Recently, got some problem with the TDC sensor and timing belt and the car stalled a few times. Although it was out of the warranty period, the Kah motor guy still fix the problem FOC.
Just traded in the car for a Civic 2004. Still buying a Civic because think it is still quite a cool car. Was very tempted by Altis actually till I test drove with my family of 4 and realised it was not as powerful as Civic. Could be because I am used to driving Civic.
Got the Civic at 80K. The SE threw in Vcool, reverse sensor, alarm, leather and sports rim. I think they can throw in so many stuff cos it is now selling at a much higher price than 2 months ago. I remembered my friend telling me it was going at 77K then.
Should be getting the car end June. Hope it won't give me as much problem as the first car.
Can introduce your SE? So generous... throw in Vcool, reverse sensor, alarm, leather and sports rim for you.. Your loan 10 yrs? When you booked your car and how much is your COE? Thanks -
Hi, it's me again.
2 weeks liao, since I got my new blue civic. As usual, first 1K-km drive is always about going <3K rpm. Nothing to shout about.
However, I do find that somehow my steering (or wheel set) seems to bias to the left.
Experimented it driving on a straight road and lifted off my hands for a while. Anyone got this "problem" before with the new civic? I guess should not be too bad and could be fixed easily during service, huh?
Tyre pressure: stated optimal 210 kpa (30 psi) each for all 4 tyres. If I were to travel to KL, normally the pressure needs to go up a bit more. What pressure do you suggestion for my current tyres (bridgestone potenza 195-60-R15)?
Another discovery: when unwittingly hit >3K rpm, the engine sounds a bit rough. Is it normal during this break-in period?
BTW I'm going for the first 1K-km service at KM (leng kee) tomorrow. Any advice or what to expect when I send in the car? Normally how long will the servicing take? Try to draw from any of your experience, rather than just hear from the servicing agent...
Thanks ha! -
sounds like steering alignment is off.Originally posted by swordsman_Lu:Hi, it's me again.
2 weeks liao, since I got my new blue civic. As usual, first 1K-km drive is always about going <3K rpm. Nothing to shout about.
However, I do find that somehow my steering (or wheel set) seems to bias to the left. Experimented it driving on a straight road and lifted off my hands for a while. Anyone got this "problem" before with the new civic? I guess should not be too bad and could be fixed easily during service, huh?
Tyre pressure: stated optimal 210 kpa (30 psi) each for all 4 tyres. If I were to travel to KL, normally the pressure needs to go up a bit more. What pressure do you suggestion for my current tyres (bridgestone potenza 195-60-R15)?
Another discovery: when unwittingly hit >3K rpm, the engine sounds a bit rough. Is it normal during this break-in period?
BTW I'm going for the first 1K-km service at KM (leng kee) tomorrow. Any advice or what to expect when I send in the car? Normally how long will the servicing take? Try to draw from any of your experience, rather than just hear from the servicing agent...
Thanks ha! -
The first servicing is quite fast, think about 2 hours only.
Heard from the technician that odd mileage servicing (10000, 30000, 50000km) takes longer that the even ones cos more things to check and replace.
BTW, is it advisable to pump up tyre pressure before going for long trip? I thot I heard air expansion will cause tyres to burst if it is too full? -
Hi, TAL,
I drew experience from my old car, and also advice from some magazine articles that for long distance driving, the wear on tyres is quite jiat-lat, not to mention the air temperature inside the tyre is going to be higher than normal. So a slightly more inflated tyre (not too much, about 10~20 kpa above the norm) will help to reduce wear, but with a slightly more bumpy ride.
Did I sound right
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Hi Swordman,
Think if it's slightly above, should be alright. Heard some people overdo it to save petrol consumption and ended up bursting their tyres.
So envious of you getting hold of your civic. Can't even smell mine yet.....
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Hmm... should observe the max. pressure marked on the tyre. But of course don't try until the limit lah, it's like playing with fireOriginally posted by TAL:Hi Swordman,
Think if it's slightly above, should be alright. Heard some people overdo it to save petrol consumption and ended up bursting their tyres.
So envious of you getting hold of your civic. Can't even smell mine yet..... 
Anyway me going to KL this weekend. Since I'm driving the new car, must be less "hiong" than driving my previous car. So the Msia TP this time will get no business from me liao.
You mentioned will get yours in June right? Very near liao lah, this is already the final week of May... -
You very 'sux', driving new car up KL so fastOriginally posted by swordsman_Lu:Hmm... should observe the max. pressure marked on the tyre. But of course don't try until the limit lah, it's like playing with fire
Anyway me going to KL this weekend. Since I'm driving the new car, must be less "hiong" than driving my previous car. So the Msia TP this time will get no business from me liao.
You mentioned will get yours in June right? Very near liao lah, this is already the final week of May...
Have a safe journey, I think you will definitely have a good time in the car! -
Done my first 1000km servicing yesterday.
HENG@ is spot-on (pei fu pei fu !), the steering alignment is slightly off, but wheels are ok. The technician drove me one round to check against my claim. Also learnt a bit more about the car:
(i) more sensitive to the tilt of roads that are purposely built (my old car was not that sensitive), hence can always feel that the car is bias to the left;
(ii) tyre pressure not recommended to go higher than 210kpa even for long distance drive (sorry my previous msg should not be taken as a general statement) coz it might affect road-holding, not to mention the bumpy ride. -
Hmm... seems like nobody is taking civic "leisurely" (more "chiong" than leisure, i suppose?), as there are no new msg since may 28...
Anyway, my civic is hitting 2000km today. The drive is getting more oomph day by day, I'm really starting to enjoy it.
Went to and came back from KL last week, not much incident on the trip though. But i got to notice more speed cameras hanging over some of the bridges along the NS highway. Most of them are in KL, Seremban and Malacca areas. Anyone of you know more locations, or even better the exact locations??? -
hi. my steering is also slightly veering to the left, but think is due to the road condition outside my place. however, there seems to be a funny smell from the a/c occasionally. not too sure why... any comments?
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I suppose you're also driving a new civic. I didn't smell anything funny inside the cabin, other than the usual "new car" smell. However, I did found burning smell around the back of the car during the first week after collecting the car. It's now gone, though, so I attributed it to "normal burning in" of the parts, or just the tyres.Originally posted by shafted:hi. my steering is also slightly veering to the left, but think is due to the road condition outside my place. however, there seems to be a funny smell from the a/c occasionally. not too sure why... any comments? actually sound like professional but don't know exactly wat happened...