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With the oil and gas industry supplying both our President and Vice President, it's difficult not to be concerned about the price of gasoline during a second Bush Administration. These guys know how to say "thank you" to friends and nothing could be a better gift than higher prices/profits for their favorite industry. When bottled water cost more than gasoline, it's not unreasonable paranoia to think that prices may repeat the panic of the late 1970's. It was during these times of uncertain availability and skyrocketing fuel costs that the public abandoned bloated gas-guzzlers produced by domestic automakers in favor of simple reliable fuel-efficient cars imported from Japan. Demand for these fuel-sipping vehicles was so strong that dealers held the line on discounts off of MSRP and firmly told potential customers "if they wanted economy, they would have to pay for it". Certainly times have changed and the entry-level economy segment is very competitive with models from domestic and Korean manufacturers pressuring everyone to raise the bar each year. But the one car that continually stands out as the benchmark by which all other compacts are judged remains the Honda Civic. This week I drove the 2004 Honda Civic Coupe EX, a sporty little car that has outgrown any concept of being a stripped down bare bones economy car. My EX Coupe came standard with equipment only found on luxury vehicles just a few years ago. Power tilt and sliding moonroof, remote entry, aluminum alloy sport wheels, six-speaker CD player, power windows and locks with illuminated switches, and tilt steering wheel are all standard equipment. These and other "luxuries" once experienced have now become necessities for many car buyers. Honda still offers the DX as a price leader, but be aware that even air conditioning is not standard on the stripped down model. While 2001 marked the last major redesign of this seventh generation Honda Civic, 2004 brings a restyled front end and rear bumper. The two-door coupe is stylish and very classic in design. And while the Coupe and Sedan both ride on the same platform, they represent two very different and distinctive looks. Inside the design is uncontaminated and efficient, devoid of fake wood and pretentious materials. Road noise is noticeable but the Honda Civic does not pretend to be a luxury vehicle. The ride is conspicuously soft and the suspension is far from the firm sports car feel of a performance automobile. This is a vehicle aimed squarely at a young professional female but will please anyone needing comfortable reliable transportation. The 2004 Honda Civic EX Coupe is equipped with a more powerful 127 horsepower VTEC Engine than the 115 horsepower engine standard in the LX. The EPA expects my manual transmission model to get 31 miles to the gallon in the city and 37 miles to the gallon on the open road. Purchasing a Honda Civic is always a safe choice with both the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway safety awarding the Honda Civic their highest awards. As in the gasoline crisis days of the 1970's, if you want Honda reliability and economy "you will have to pay for it," as my 2004 Honda Civic EX Coupe came with a hefty $17,600 Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. Sure there are other competitors with lower prices, but Edmunds.com claims that after you consider depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs the five-year "True Cost to Own" of the 2004 Honda Civic Coupe is the best of any coupe or sedan under $25,000. So if you worry about the election and increasing fuel cost you can tell the gas companies to "bring it on" because you will be driving a new 2004 Honda Civic EX Coupe. It's the politically correct thing to drive this election.
2004 Honda Civic EX Coupe
13/37 MPG Additional Web only Information and Resources For Additional Reviews: |
©2003 - Stan Risener