A Proud New Dad Of...

[Jim's_a_Thai_Fox]

Hi there,

I have finally sold my 2001 Ford Ranger (fuel consumption around 11-12 km/l) and today bought a 2nd hand Honda Civic 2.0. The GF has already named him. It's a Royal name, so no arguments from me (could have been worse, she wanted to name it 'chompu' or something)

Paid 870k cash, (1.09 million new) deciding that it should hold its value better than if I went out and spent 947k on a top spec 1.8 - the previous (farang) owner took the major hit on the depreciation... 300k

Did a little fuel consumption test, knowing that you eager beavers would be keen to know some stats and of course, being a proud dad, I'm pleased to share them with you:

12.5 km/l based on a 110km journey going about 110 - 115 km most of the way... I doubt that I'll get a more economical return than that. As for town driving, well, we'll see... about 10 km/l me thinks.

Cruise control is fab, the paddle shift is good fun and the 17" low profile tyres (original owner paid 35k baht for 17" Merc 320SL alloys) give me good feedback, (and i reckon they look pretty smart too), and that 2.0 red badge makes me glow with happiness!

negatives - the heavy window tinting. Looks 'bad ass' in the day, but can't see a blimmin' thing after 5.30pm unsure as to the %, but they're jet black from the outside... The low profile tyres + sporty suspension can give a stiffish ride and louder than normal ride noise in the cabin.

So, after my first 4 hours I can say that I'm chuffed (after lumbering around in a Ford Ranger for the last 9 months, who wouldn't be?)

Cheers

James

[Skyline]

Nice car im sure james,

Ive always liked Civics and the 1.8 VTEC is a great engine.I had the 1.6 Integra engine in mine and it really went well,190bhp and fast enough to keep up with most.

Congrats on the car:)

Sky.

[Tywais]

I'm planning on getting a new Civic 2.0 but the only concern I have is it's electric steering and worried it won't give you the 'feel' of the road that I'm accustomed to in my car. Any issues with that? Handling at speed on curves, etc.

[mrkhawkes]

I'm planning on getting a new Civic 2.0 but the only concern I have is it's electric steering and worried it won't give you the 'feel' of the road that I'm accustomed to in my car. Any issues with that? Handling at speed on curves, etc.

I have the 2.0 Civic and it is the best car I have had yet. handling at speed on curves is not to bad, I feel confident while driving at speed, especially up on the toll way. it does get a bit wobbly around the 170-190 mark going around the bends but other than that it is fine. what I like best is it hits 168kph in 3rd gear, man that car goes.

I have had a lot of fun driving it.

I also have tinted windows, I think you need that as a farang. I drive all over, Pattaya, Phuket, Bangkok and Khon Kaen and sometimes you get idiots on the road who like to ruin your day just because you are a farang driving a better car.

[markah]

I'm planning on getting a new Civic 2.0 but the only concern I have is it's electric steering and worried it won't give you the 'feel' of the road that I'm accustomed to in my car. Any issues with that? Handling at speed on curves, etc.

I have the 2.0 Civic and it is the best car I have had yet. handling at speed on curves is not to bad, I feel confident while driving at speed, especially up on the toll way. it does get a bit wobbly around the 170-190 mark going around the bends but other than that it is fine. what I like best is it hits 168kph in 3rd gear, man that car goes.

I have had a lot of fun driving it.

I also have tinted windows, I think you need that as a farang. I drive all over, Pattaya, Phuket, Bangkok and Khon Kaen and sometimes you get idiots on the road who like to ruin your day just because you are a farang driving a better car.

you drive at speeds like that in Thailand? what about the pot holes or other road users that swerve out.

[undercover]

I know what you mean about the low profile tyres, sure they look good but the ride quality on anything less than a perfect surface is s--t + you get so much more road noise from them, after about a month of bouncing around on the pattaya roads I went back to standerd tyres, I coulden't believe how quiet and how soft the ride was after that low profile experiance !