1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Civic 2004 Blue Book

2005 Honda Civic The 2001-2005 Civic is a fuel-efficient compact car, available as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe. The Civic handles well, but the ride is firm. The base DX, mid-level LX and top of the line EX are the most commonly available trim levels.

Transmission choices included a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on EX models. Inside, the Civic is pretty roomy for a small car. Fit and finish is good; controls and instruments are simple and straightforward. Front seats are comfortable and supportive.

Visibility is good all-around. The trunk is spacious and rear seat folds down for extra space. Honda Civic is fairly reliable, although at this age, you might have to check several cars before you can find one in mechanically sound condition.

Common problems are mostly minor, although some repairs could be quite expensive; read more below. Maintenance costs are lower than average. Honda Civic 1.7-liter VTEC engine Honda Civic EPA Fuel Economy: MPG city/hwy L/100 km city/hwy 2001 DX, LX, EX auto 26/34 9.0/6.9 2002 LX, DX auto 26/34 9.0/6.9 2003 EX auto 26/34 9.0/6.9 2002, 2004, 2005 EX auto 26/35 9.0/6.7 2003-2005 DX, LX auto 25/34 9.4/6.9 2001-2002 DX, LX manual 28/33 8.4/7.1 2001-2002 EX manual 27/33 8.7/7.1 2003 DX, LX, EX manual 27/35 8.7/6.7 2004-2005 DX, LX, EX manual 27/34 8.7/6.9 Engine: The Civic DX and LX come with a 115-hp 1.7-liter 16-Valve engine. Lil bitty tester manual.

The EX is equipped with the 127-hp 1.7-liter SOHC VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control). Both these engines have a that must be replaced at recommended intervals. If properly maintained, either engine should not give you too many problems. Timing belt: According to the maintenance schedule for the 2005 Honda Civic, a timing belt must be replaced at 110,000 miles or 176,000 km. However, if the car is driven in very hot or very cold conditions, it must be replaced every 60,000 miles or 100,000 km. The 1.7L engine in the 2001-2005 Civic is an interference engine, meaning if the timing belt breaks, the engine might be severely damaged. To replace a timing belt, you are looking at around $300-400.

Civic Si: The sporty Si (SiR in Canada) hatchback was added for 2002, but they are rare on the used car market. The 2002-2005 Civic Si comes with a high-revving 160-hp 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine, manual transmission (no automatic) and firmer suspension.

Safety: NHTSA awarded the 2001-2005 Honda Civic with a five-star rating for frontal crash tests. In the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2001-2005 Honda Civic received 'Good' overall rating. Handling and ride: Honda Civic handles well, although the ride is firm and the engine is a bit noisy on acceleration. The road noise is also noticeable at highway speeds. Overall, it's a fun to drive little car.

Fuel economy: The EPA rates the 2004 automatic Honda Civic EX (1.7L VTEC) at 26/35 mpg or 9.0/6.7 L/100 km on regular gasoline. This means you can get up to 360 miles to a tank (13.2 gallons or 50 liters). A very few cars for this price can beat that. Pros: Fuel economy, holds value well, interior comfort, low maintenance costs, reliability, trunk space. Cons: Road and engine noise, firm ride, paint scratches easily. Overall: Used 2001-2005 Honda Civic could serve well as a cheap commuter car. If you can find one that is good mechanical shape, it can easily last for three-four years without major issues.

Great fuel economy, low maintenance costs and five-star frontal crash rating are a big plus. Overall reliability is above average.

An automatic transmission is probably the most expensive potential problem, but having the vehicle properly inspected before purchase will help avoiding cars with worn transmissions. Among similar cars, the is also reliable and it has a timing chain instead of the belt.

The is another alternative. Might not be as reliable, but you can buy it with lower mileage cheaper. Mazda Protege is also worth considering. Similar cars:. Common problems: Leaking front struts could cause knocking or clunking noise in the front ($350-$600 to replace both front struts). Bad front lower (aka compliance bushings) could also cause clunking noise from the front end when driving over bumps ($350-$450 for both sides). Automatic transmission problems are reported frequently; automatic transmission replacement with a used unit could cost over $1,000.

A faulty electronic load detector (ELD) can cause the code P1298; the repair is not very expensive. Problems with an electrical part of the ignition switch could cause the engine to stall or not to start. There were also quite a few recalls; you can check for recalls at What to look for when buying a used Honda Civic: When inspecting a car, watch out for leaking front struts. During the test drive, watch for signs of problems with the automatic transmission; slipping, harsh sifting and other transmission issues should tell you to avoid the car. In Honda Civic with a manual transmission, watch out for noises from the transmission or the clutch.

Check if the has been replaced; if not, you will have to have it done. Watch out for 'racing' mods like a cold intake or lowered suspension; you don't want a car that could have been abused by previous owners.

A blue smoke at start-up indicates engine problems; avoid the car. Read our with photos for more tips. Before buying a car, have it properly inspected by a mechanic.

If you happen to find a well-cared for car in good condition, it might worth to pay a higher price. Guides for used car buyers:. Maintenance: Frequent oil changes are very important to keep your engine in good shape. Change transmission fluid in recommended intervals; use only original Honda transmission fluid.

Honda Civic

Overheating the engine may cause serious problems. It might be a good idea to replace a water pump when changing the timing belt. To know more about your Honda maintenance, visit website.

Honda Civic 2004 Blue Book

You might also be interested:. Resources: Recalls:. check the maintenance schedule online. Honda enthusiasts forum. Honda Civic sedan specifications. (2003 US model) Dimensions: Overall length: Overall width: Overall height: Wheelbase: Track front/rear: 174.6 in (4435 mm) 67.5 in (1715 mm) 56.7 in (1440 mm) 103.1 in (2619 mm) 57.9 / 57.9 in (1471 / 1471 mm) Trunk cargo volume: 12.9 cu. Ft (365 liters) Base Curb Weight: DX (manual / automatic) LX (manual / automatic) EX (manual / automatic) 2,449 / 2,500 lbs (1111 / 1134 kg) 2,513 / 2,557 lbs (1140 / 1160 kg) 2,601 / 2,652 lbs (1180 / 1203 kg) Engines: DX, LX EX 1.7L SOHC 16-Valve Aluminum-Alloy In-Line 4 115 hp @ 6,100 rpm, 110 lb-ft.

@ 4500 rpm 1.7L SOHC 16-Valve VTEC Aluminum-Alloy In-Line 4 127 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 114 lb-ft. @ 4800 rpm Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 US gal. (50 liters) Engine oil capacity: Oil change, including filter: DX, LX, Canadian SPORT EX 3.4 US qt. (3.2L) 3.7 US qt. (3.5L). Related Reviews.