Used Car Review - Honda Civic (1996-2000)

Myk Belmonte invites you go back to the 90's. The questions: Would you forget th
e bands Eraserheads and Parokya ni Edgar having gigs on the bars of Quezon City
and Makati? How about reading MOD magazine on a weekly basis? Or drooling on a H
onda Civic (whether stock or modified) that passed by in front of you?
1996-2000 Honda Civic
History
Watch the Fast and Furious movie installments (especially the two earlier ones)
and you'll spot modified EK Civics that you can count using your fingers. But di
d you know that it had a contrasting start? It was introduced in July 1972 as a
two door model, with a three door hatchback being available two months later. It
had evolved from something spartan to something sporty (somewhat) with Type-R,
GTi, and SiR versions (only the SiR had been locally sold) being marketed.
The EK's predecessors - the EF and EG platform based models - enjoyed a range of
moderate to successful reception in the Philippines. The EF Civic had a short r
un locally, not because it was a lemon but rather, the EG Civic was set to be re
leased a year later. The EG Civic was introduced in 1992 and became an alternati
ve to the ubiquitous Corolla, Lancer, and Sentra. The hatchback version became a
modifiers dream, with many a part being available.
Let's now go to the Civic EK which had been available from 1996 to the millenniu
m year. The car itself became a trend setter on the market by offering a double
wishbone suspension setup (previously seen in sports cars) and an enthusiasts dr
eam, the vaunted VTEC (Variable Valve Timing Engine Control) engine technology,
which put emphasis on high end torque. A minor model change was done in 1999 wit
h a new color palette and several exterior revisions. Trim levels include the ba
se LXi, the volume seller VTi, and the SiR (introduced in 1998 and will be done
on a separate review). Its successor, the ES Civic, didn't meet up to the expect
ations of the EK.
Value and Costs
EK Civics do flirt within the price range of P170,000-P330,000 (this does not in
clude the SiR). The wide price range represents Civics of the said platform in v
arying conditions and status. Rice units (which I personally advise buyers to st
eer away from them) do gain the upper side of the range. Among its direct compet
itors of the same time period, the EK Civic holds a premium above them. There ar
e EK Hatchbacks (Honda Cars Philippines Inc. did not market these locally) scatt
ering in the used car market. These are Japan imports and best to steer away fro
m these imports.
Cost of maintenance is at par with its rivals from Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Nissa
n of the same period. Spare parts are abundant from the original, replacement, a
nd third party ones; the EK enjoys this advantage over its older brothers. Buyer
s must be vigilant with the rear trailing arm bushing (this could be a disaster
when not inspected), the aircon compressor, and the automatic transmission syste
m - a common problem among 90's era Hondas.
Exterior and Interior
So, what does the EK Civic offer the ordinary motorist? Design. Timeless and cla
ssic design. It may be simple looking but there is such saying of "less is more"
. Clean lines, and not an awkward design to be visible on the human eye. The ext
erior design became the EK's advantage over its successor, the ES Civic, which t
he ZZ Altis ate sales of it.
If the exterior is simple, so is the interior. You would not see any "buluroy" t
here, just the plain items of a 1.6 sedan - radio, aircon controls, aircon vents
, etc. The all black interior is easy to clean and maintain. Control location ar

e where should be, easy to reach within the driver and even the front passenger.
Safety freaks would not want the Civic EK, since it does not have airbags and A
BS brakes - which are novelty items among cars in the 90s.
Engine
Back then, consumers do have a choice of three engines (the SiR exclusive won't
be included) to suit their Civics. A non-VTEC D15Z4 1,493cc that has 110hp at 5,
800 rpm and 138Nm at 4,200rpm and a VTEC powered D16Y5 1,590cc which possess 125
hp at 6,400rpm and 148Nm at 5,500 rpm. LXi models do come with the non-VTEC engi
ne while the VTI does have the VTEC (coincidence with the V on the start). The L
Xi is a smooth operator but the VTEC growl is not present. VTi models just requi
re a light foot and you'll notice the rush even at low speeds, which gives you t
o relieve your Lewis Hamilton fantasies.
Driving Impressions
The EK Civic is a treat for both the driver and the passenger. Comfortable to ri
de in and your passengers who always take a nap on road trips would surely thank
you. But the Civic EK is definitely a driver's car, with the sports car genes i
nfused to it. Handling is agile and even at low speeds, you'll feel that you're
in a sports car, just don't forget that you have four passengers with you and bu
ckle that safety belt.
Verdict
There are cars 10 years old or more that can compete with modern ones. The EK Ci
vic is among the cars that fit the description. The D16Y5 VTEC engine can keep p
ace with current vehicles and comfort is one aspect that the FD Civic does not h
ave (it does have a firm ride especially at the rear). This car started the engi
ne technology wars that led to acronyms VVT-i, MIVEC, and VTC - all household na
mes.

The Good:
Comfortable and agile
Sports Car like power (for VTI variant)
Logically located controls
The Bad:
No airbags or ABS
Suspension bushing can be a pain to fix if not maintained by past owner
No luxury items to offer
The Pick: 1999-2000 1.6 VTi (gotta love the luxury car like colors)
THE SPECS
Engines: 1,493cc D15Z4 and 1,590cc D16Y5 I4 gasoline
Power: 110hp @ 5,800rpm (1.5); 125hp @ 6,400rpm (1.6)
Torque: 138Nm @ 4,200rpm (1.5); 148Nm @ 5,500rpm (1.6)
Fuel Consumption: 7-10km/L (city); 10-13km/L (highway) (*estimated and varies)
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
Suspension: Front and rear independent double wishbone
MORE INFO
Price (New): P500,000-P660,000 (range from 1996-2000, this does not include the
SiR)
Price (Now): P170,000-P330,000
Rivals: Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Ford Lynx, Mazda 323 F
amilia, Daewoo Espero, Daewoo Cielo
On Sale: 1996-2000
Resources:
http://www.hondaclub.com.ph/
http://www.civicclubph.com/

Contacts:
Honda Cars Quezon City - 712-6850
Honda Cars Pasig - 928-1288
Honda Cars Kalookan - 366-5701
Used Car Review - Honda Civic (1996-2000)
Myk Belmonte invites you go back to the 90's. The questions: Would you forget th
e bands Eraserheads and Parokya ni Edgar having gigs on the bars of Quezon City
and Makati? How about reading MOD magazine on a weekly basis? Or drooling on a H
onda Civic (whether stock or modified) that passed by in front of you?
1996-2000 Honda Civic
History
Watch the Fast and Furious movie installments (especially the two earlier ones)
and you'll spot modified EK Civics that you can count using your fingers. But di
d you know that it had a contrasting start? It was introduced in July 1972 as a
two door model, with a three door hatchback being available two months later. It
had evolved from something spartan to something sporty (somewhat) with Type-R,
GTi, and SiR versions (only the SiR had been locally sold) being marketed.
The EK's predecessors - the EF and EG platform based models - enjoyed a range of
moderate to successful reception in the Philippines. The EF Civic had a short r
un locally, not because it was a lemon but rather, the EG Civic was set to be re
leased a year later. The EG Civic was introduced in 1992 and became an alternati
ve to the ubiquitous Corolla, Lancer, and Sentra. The hatchback version became a
modifiers dream, with many a part being available.
Let's now go to the Civic EK which had been available from 1996 to the millenniu
m year. The car itself became a trend setter on the market by offering a double
wishbone suspension setup (previously seen in sports cars) and an enthusiasts dr
eam, the vaunted VTEC (Variable Valve Timing Engine Control) engine technology,
which put emphasis on high end torque. A minor model change was done in 1999 wit
h a new color palette and several exterior revisions. Trim levels include the ba
se LXi, the volume seller VTi, and the SiR (introduced in 1998 and will be done
on a separate review). Its successor, the ES Civic, didn't meet up to the expect
ations of the EK.
Value and Costs
EK Civics do flirt within the price range of P170,000-P330,000 (this does not in
clude the SiR). The wide price range represents Civics of the said platform in v
arying conditions and status. Rice units (which I personally advise buyers to st
eer away from them) do gain the upper side of the range. Among its direct compet
itors of the same time period, the EK Civic holds a premium above them. There ar
e EK Hatchbacks (Honda Cars Philippines Inc. did not market these locally) scatt
ering in the used car market. These are Japan imports and best to steer away fro
m these imports.
Cost of maintenance is at par with its rivals from Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Nissa
n of the same period. Spare parts are abundant from the original, replacement, a
nd third party ones; the EK enjoys this advantage over its older brothers. Buyer
s must be vigilant with the rear trailing arm bushing (this could be a disaster
when not inspected), the aircon compressor, and the automatic transmission syste
m - a common problem among 90's era Hondas.
Exterior and Interior
So, what does the EK Civic offer the ordinary motorist? Design. Timeless and cla
ssic design. It may be simple looking but there is such saying of "less is more"
. Clean lines, and not an awkward design to be visible on the human eye. The ext

erior design became the EK's advantage over its successor, the ES Civic, which t
he ZZ Altis ate sales of it.
If the exterior is simple, so is the interior. You would not see any "buluroy" t
here, just the plain items of a 1.6 sedan - radio, aircon controls, aircon vents
, etc. The all black interior is easy to clean and maintain. Control location ar
e where should be, easy to reach within the driver and even the front passenger.
Safety freaks would not want the Civic EK, since it does not have airbags and A
BS brakes - which are novelty items among cars in the 90s.
Engine
Back then, consumers do have a choice of three engines (the SiR exclusive won't
be included) to suit their Civics. A non-VTEC D15Z4 1,493cc that has 110hp at 5,
800 rpm and 138Nm at 4,200rpm and a VTEC powered D16Y5 1,590cc which possess 125
hp at 6,400rpm and 148Nm at 5,500 rpm. LXi models do come with the non-VTEC engi
ne while the VTI does have the VTEC (coincidence with the V on the start). The L
Xi is a smooth operator but the VTEC growl is not present. VTi models just requi
re a light foot and you'll notice the rush even at low speeds, which gives you t
o relieve your Lewis Hamilton fantasies.
Driving Impressions
The EK Civic is a treat for both the driver and the passenger. Comfortable to ri
de in and your passengers who always take a nap on road trips would surely thank
you. But the Civic EK is definitely a driver's car, with the sports car genes i
nfused to it. Handling is agile and even at low speeds, you'll feel that you're
in a sports car, just don't forget that you have four passengers with you and bu
ckle that safety belt.
Verdict
There are cars 10 years old or more that can compete with modern ones. The EK Ci
vic is among the cars that fit the description. The D16Y5 VTEC engine can keep p
ace with current vehicles and comfort is one aspect that the FD Civic does not h
ave (it does have a firm ride especially at the rear). This car started the engi
ne technology wars that led to acronyms VVT-i, MIVEC, and VTC - all household na
mes.

The Good:
Comfortable and agile
Sports Car like power (for VTI variant)
Logically located controls
The Bad:
No airbags or ABS
Suspension bushing can be a pain to fix if not maintained by past owner
No luxury items to offer
The Pick: 1999-2000 1.6 VTi (gotta love the luxury car like colors)
THE SPECS
Engines: 1,493cc D15Z4 and 1,590cc D16Y5 I4 gasoline
Power: 110hp @ 5,800rpm (1.5); 125hp @ 6,400rpm (1.6)
Torque: 138Nm @ 4,200rpm (1.5); 148Nm @ 5,500rpm (1.6)
Fuel Consumption: 7-10km/L (city); 10-13km/L (highway) (*estimated and varies)
Honda Cars Kalookan - 366-5701