<p>We’re in the market for a second family car. I drive a small SUV, H has a company car, and with our son getting his license next year I’m thinking ahead. I went online to Carmax which had a terrific selection, and checked Consumer Reports for a safe car for new drivers. (This will NOT be his car although he’ll be driving it most of the time.) Looks like the Honda Civic and Acura TSX would be good choices, but the guy at Carmax (I went over there) said the Acura uses premium and the mileage isn’t as good. We’ve owned Hondas in the past but a neighbor said to me, “Hondas have transmission issues.” Any opinions most welcomed!</p>
<p>Our 1996 Honda Civic, which our high school S2 drives now and S1 before him, had to have the transmission replaced twice (first fix was a lemon so the dealership did the second fix for no cost). Nevertheless, we were very disappointed the problem arose at all and it was a pain in the neck, but both boys love the car and didn’t want to drive anything else. They begged us to just fix it and it seems fine now. Only getting about 25 mph.</p>
<p>I just bought a new Toyota Corolla for myself that I am very happy with. I don’t know about safety comparisons, but the two cars drive the same so you might want to consider a used Corolla rather than a used Honda.</p>
<p>We own a new Honda CRX and a Toyota Prius. The Prius is surprisingly roomy and you can’t beat the mileage (we average around 48 MPG). The CRV mileage isn’t as good, but it handles a tad better in snow. Cargo storage is good in both, with the CRV adding a removable shelf in the hatch area that really increases capacity. With today’s gas prices, calculating your potential savings with the Prius (or any other hybrid) would be helpful when you are considering a purchase. I know that my teen definitely appreciates the more affordable fill-ups with the Prius.</p>
<p>I haven’t owned a Civic, but I’ve been a loyal Honda Accord owner for years. My current Accord, a 2003 LX sedan, manual transmission, now has 130,000 miles on it and has been relentlessly reliable – not a single repair, just the usual maintenance items (oil changes, wiper blades, tires, etc.). Per the owner’s manual, the first major service was scheduled at 110,000 miles (no, that’s not a misprint) and it cost me about $300. MPG average is about 31. My last two Accords both went to 200,000+ miles with no issues. Never had a transmission problem with any of them.</p>
<p>My sister has only driven Honda’s. She swears by them. She has gone through 3 cars from the age of 21-50. In 29 years, she has driven a CRX, a del Sol (sp?), and now a Civic. She has had a 40 mile one way commute daily for about 25 of those years. She has put 250,000ish miles on each one. She has a good mechanic who finally told her “its time” to replace this last one. She has researched what she wants and is thinking about a Fit. I don’t recall any major transmission issues She keeps up with her oil changes, etc. and regular servicing. Over the years we have often told her it’s time to get a new car, worrying she’ll get stranded somewhere. She only listens to her mechanic, and when he tells her its not worth it, she buys a new Honda. And this guy has NOT made much money off of her. </p>
<p>I drove an Accord for about 6 years, and had no transmission problems. My next car, a Chrysler Town and Country, went through 3 (maybe it was 4) transmissions, all under warrenty, until we finally traded that disaster in for my VW Beetle convertible.</p>
<p>Bought our D a 2006 Honda Civic (the year they were revamped). Terrific car. No problems. Extremely good gas mileage.
I have an Acura MDX from 2003 that has been a dream to drive and maintain as well but the gas mileage is bad.</p>
<p>Hondas usually rust out before they wear out. Brother’s had >140k before being totalled by a teen driver making an illegal turn; my parents’ Hondas are many years old. I love my 2003 CRV. Gas mileage is not terrific, but it does well in the snow (it’s AWD). Great for shlepping stuff.</p>
<p>sunnyflorida, I’m on your sister’s wavelength, I guess. I’m thinking of a Honda Fit as well. In the past I’ve had more of a luxury car (BMW, Audi) but I’ve decided I’m finished with that. My last Audi was a money pit. </p>
<p>“Cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, cheap to fuel” is my new mantra. I targeted the Fit based on Consumer Report’s 2008 New Car edition, just out. The Fit, the Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa, Kia Rio and Scion Xb are on my radar screen as really cheap to buy and all Recommended or Best Buys per CR. I like boxy cars so the new mini-Cooper Clubman is my “dream car,” but </p>
<p>I saw that Consumer reports 2008 edition, too, jmmom and was interested to see how limited the choices were as far as safety for teens went. Only about 4-5 carmakers were on there. I’m with you as far as cheap to buy, cheap to maintain and GAS…I can’t imagine bombing around in a Suburban these days. It must cost 70 bucks to fill up!</p>
<p>our son just bought a used Honda accord…2005…not the new version, the tail end version of a model which is always not smart, but in his case the price and low mileage were right…and my bottom line: side curtain airbags were installed in this model. Only flaw was the imprint of someone’s baby seat in the back, and it was the no frills version of that year. I am so glad he has the midsized car because at his age, other adult sized people are IN the car with him…he is at the age where he will be “taking off” on weekends soon…driving distances to visit his college friends in various cities holding their first jobs or meeting up with his college friends various places when possible. Last week, two couples in the car drove across a state…so…I like the Accord’s size. Never heard a peep about an SUV which used to be his “wish”…I think his generation is getting to be more aware of the recession and energy issues. Son still in HS is driving our CRV from 2000…my only concern is that there is only front airbags in it. We will sell it before he is at the age where he is driving back seat friends/people anywhere. We are kind of strict about hauling teens in his car now and feel like teen brains need to develop more before the distractions of peers in the back seat are present.</p>
<p>I’ve owned an Accord and currently have an Odyssey. We sold the Accord at 120,000 miles and the Odyssey now has 68,000 miles in 3+ years. No problems with either vehicle.</p>
<p>We own two Accords and a Civic. No problems. The kids drive our 98 Accord, with over 200K miles. It runs like a champ, back and forth to college- very reliable car. I drive a 2004 Accord and H drives a 2004 Civic. When the kids need a new car in a few years, we’ll pass ours down to them and buy ourselves new ones- probably Honda or Toyota. We tried Chrysler products for 12 years, and after 12 years of aggravation said, “never again”. Some of our neighbors (older folks) think we’re “unpatriotic” but I don’t care- as far as I’m concerned it’s unpatriotic to sell inferior, unsafe, unreliable products to unsuspecting people. JMO.</p>
<p>Only problem with the Honda we had (sold it at 225K miles) was the paint job. At 105K-ish, the paint on the roof started showing spots and a big maintenance was due (the something chain). We had a choice then to buy a new car or fix the old.</p>
<p>We did the maintenance, had the car painted, had all the dings removed-it was a new car that ran another 105K. Great investment of $$.</p>
<p>Sold the car to buy a Volvo (oldest getting ready to drive, so thought to buy something safer). What a maintenance NIGHTMARE! Why, why, why did I not stick with Japanese???</p>
<p>We are Toyota fans here. But did seriously consider getting a Civic once. 
I had a Ford mommy van and did the happy dance when some dope ran into me. The replacement was a Siena.</p>
<p>I was ready to get a new car this past year. As part of research, I would type into Google–“Brand X car problems.” It’s made me afraid to buy ANY car.</p>
<p>CURSE YOU INTERNET!!</p>
<p>count us as avid Honda/Acura owners. Have had two Civics, and now have a CRV and MDX. Haven’t had an iota of problem with any of them. The Civics were great cars with many miles on them, but I wanted D in something a little bigger as she drove back and forth to school, and in snowy, hilly Syracuse. None of them required (or have required) any repairs other than regular maintenance. I will echo the need for premium gas in the Acuras. It kind of sucks right now. Luckily I have a Costco by me where I can fill up for a member’s discount.</p>
<p>We are a Honda family…2 Civics (one hybrid) and 2 Acuras. The 2006 Civic was in a pretty substantial accident (airbags deployed) and my D walked away with only minimal airbag burns. I shudder to think of the possibilities if there had not been side curtain airbags. It was also MUCH cheaper to repair, though I must admit that even a minimal fender bender can cause much damage since its mostly plastic! Gas mileage is terrific on both Civics, and of course, even better on the hybrid.</p>
<p>If you get the consumer reports car issue, you can look at specific model years and the issues they have. for the Honda Civic, my issue goes back to 2002 – and it indicates that only the '02 year model has occasionally had major transmission work needed. I think that if you subscribe to the online version, you can look at older years.</p>
<p>I love the fit and the prius – can’t decide if we want small and boxy or comfortable and a bit better gas mileage.</p>
<p>We bought a CRV last May and I absolutely love it. It is comfortable to drive and gets great gas mileage. My older son, age 18, also enjoys driving it.
With teenage drivers in the house it’s safety features are one of the reason we chose to purchase a CRV.</p>
<p>We had never had a Hondao until it was time for us to get a car for my D away at college. She got a 2002 Honda Civic, bought used with over 60k miles on it.
Had it looked over by a mechanic we trust (yes they do exist). He
commented that by doing two things we could count on this car to get to 200k—change the oil regularly and MAKE SURE to change the timing belt at 100k.</p>
<p>No problems to report with the car after 3 years, great gas mileage, and D expects to have this car for quite awhile to come.</p>
<p>After this experience, I am seriously considering a Honda to replace one of our family cars (a 98 ford and 99 vw passat) with a Honda. As some have pointed out, they are also cheaper to repair and maintain. We’ve certainly experienced that as well.</p>