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Unusually, I thought it was one of those cars that looked better in the photos than in the metal. I agree, I think it will date quickly.
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Unusually, I thought it was one of those cars that looked better in the photos than in the metal. I agree, I think it will date quickly.
Remember the Fiat Multipla? Now there was a pretty car!!!!!!!
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Remember the Fiat Multipla? Now there was a pretty car!!!!!!!
Oh yes, another stunning car just like the civic!!
How could anybody buy that beast?
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There is an old saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, which was totally the case in H.J`s road test review when H.J`s friend George declined to even drive the vehicle.!!!!!
Definitely not what Honda intended when they embarked on such a radical design, but omitted in their blueprint the absolute necessity for good driver vision!!!!!!
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Some pics of the best version? - 4 doors
tinyurl.com/el9w4
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Looks even worse! Too 'Americanised'
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I saw pics of the proposed Type R in Auto Express and it look the part, especially in the bright yellow paint (hooray for a proper strong colour). Being a dieselhead myself I'd certainly be interested in the 2.2 as Honda diesels appear to be among the best available. I'm in no hurry though as I'm not planning on changing car until late 2007 / early 2008. By then the all-new SEAT Ibiza should be on sale and I'll be disappointed if the diesel Cupra doesn't better 7 seconds for the 0-60 dash.
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There is an old saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, which was totally the case in H.J`s road test review when H.J`s friend George declined to even drive the vehicle.!!!!! Definitely not what Honda intended when they embarked on such a radical design, but omitted in their blueprint the absolute necessity for good driver vision!!!!!!
You neglect to say that the car George declined to drive was the diesel, which HJ went on to say was a good drive and superior to the petrol.
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>>>>>You neglect to say that the car George declined to drive was the diesel, which HJ went on to say was a good drive and superior to the petrol.>>>>>
The whole point I was trying to make was that irrespective of what engine powered the car, George declined to drive because he was outside his comfort zone over the appalling visibility.!!!!
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I had another look at the Accord yesterday so took the chance to sit in the Civic again.
I thought that the dashboard area was plain gruesome to be honest. As they say there are those who have class (Golf) and those that don't (Civic). It's not for me although I can understnd why others may wish to have one.
Having said that I once bought a new Fiat Tipo
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What was wrong with the FIAT Teapot? Widest back seat in the class. First car in its class to be electro galvanised. Staggering value for money. I used to do very well selling ex-rental Tipos.
Only rode in one once and never drove one, but I thought that in terms of comfort it was streets ahead of anything else at the time.
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Off topic I know, but have any other cars had illuminated stalks like the Tipo?
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Does anyone know what Honda's HID headlights are?
Are they Hondas version of xenons or something?
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Like it or not, (and I did, now I dont know) there have not been many cars that galvanise opinion one way or the other quite so strongly.
Any mention on here will raise the half century in posts in no time, talk to anyone (even my wife) and they will have noticed it and have an opinion.
Even if it flops, its pushed Honda into everyones thinking when it comes to exciting cars (even if the civic is not actually that exciting to drive)
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I visited my parents this morning and when moving to the subject of cars they exclaimed "have you seen the new Honda!?". There was one in The Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill yesterday, in silver and they thought it was "Wonderful. Why don't you get one?"
Mother would happily trade in the 4 year old Corolla but father is more cautious.
Having seen one passing a showroom, but yet to see one on the road, I must say the front does look quite stunning, but the rest of it, on paper, looks weird.
I still think Honda will catch a massive crab with this one.
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>> What was wrong with the FIAT Teapot? Widest back seat in >> the class. First car in its class to be electro >> galvanised.
Also distinguished in some variants for having the longest chrome word ever on the back of a motor, 'Seidicivalvole', bit better than Ford's tightlipped 16v. By the way, HJ, did the electrogalvanising prevent rust? There aren't all that many Tipos around these days.
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I actually followed a new Civic on the road today up the A338 near Swindon.
What an ugly looking affair it is from behind. Perhaps ugly is the new beautiful because at my destination the car park was full of new BMWs and Audis and, I am sorry, both marques have gone ugly with the 3 and 5 series' ludicrous 'curves' angles and crap colours and Audi's immensely gross drop nose.
New Lexus IS200 is poor as well, oh and Seat have managed to spoil the Toledo and Leon, VW's Passat just looks tacky whereas the previous model was stately and classy.
It comes to something when you are pleased to see a Mondeo.
Strewth!
Woody
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Yep, nothing to look forward to until the new "Aston-lite" Mondeo is released. In the meantime, there's the Mazda6, although I don't mind the looks of the BMW 5 or the new Lexus. As a Seat owner I have to agree about the Toledo, and the new Leon is ok, but not the gorgeous car it could and should have been. I'll stick with my 2001 car thanks.
As for the new Civic ... I've seen a couple on the road now and I don't mind the front end, apart from the tinfoil effect in the grille. What in God's name did they do that for? Reminds me of the set design on the Muppets' "Pigs In Space" from when I was a kid!
--
andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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Tinfoil effect in the grille?
Reminds me of this:
tinyurl.com/zf3s8
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But this is just what Honda want, people talking about the car. You don't get far these days building dreary old euro boxes. In a year or so it will be nothing special to look at, think of the Megane, people don't look twice at that now but when it was launched you would think Le Quement had been smoking something exotic.
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I agree with Xileno, except with regard to the words "in a year or so".
When I first saw a picture of the new Civic, I thought it looked startling. Now it looks pretty tame. That didn't take long.
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In terms of styling, inside and out, I think cars like the IS, Civic, Passat, A6, 407 and the E60 have moved the game on dramatically compared to the Mondeo. Few of the new designs disparaged are pleasing from every angle and IMO specifically the rear of the A4, E90, E60, the Civic, and every angle of the 1 series need serious attention. However, in fairness to these marques, they are producing distinct design and recognisable styling cues that might stir the soul or boil the blood but at least these manufacturers are creating interest and differentiating brands. That is what an increasingly homogenous car market desperately needs rather than the dated and bland styling of the Mondeo. For sure, for a family saloon, the Mondeo is competent in a number of areas, but IMO aesthetically it?s neither ugly nor beautiful, it?s just there like a tin of magnolia. I suppose some may see that as a virtue, but I imagine that most people wouldn?t.
That the stunning design of the new Mondeo is revolutionary rather evolutionary is hugely welcome and indicates that Ford saw the need to depart massively from the current look. The general enthusiastic response to the new model seems to be that if the production car looks like that, many people, who wouldn?t consider the Mondeo for a minute, will seriously be looking at putting their hands in their pockets. That says something to me about the accepted need to be fresh and move on in this respect. IME it takes time to adjust and new isn?t always good, but to most eyes when you see new model Civics, Lexus, Audis or BMWs alongside their predecessors you appreciate how dated the old models look. Like it or not, I suspect that the Iosis based model will perform an even more dramatic trick on the Mondeo.
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Fair points by MS that manufacturers are trying to be different, but I think they are getting it wrong.
The vast majority of new cars are now silver, grey or black, suggesting that subtle and understated might just be the real fashion. The ludicrous 'Jaws' look of Peugots, ugly hang dog snout of Audis and dogs-dinner angles and creases of BMWs are horribly wide of the mark.
Having spent a rare day on the motorways yesterday I concluded that the most attractive main stream cars on the road, current models, are the Mercedes C and E class, the latter being a handsome beast in particular.
That I only saw one new Civic in a day's driving says it all really.
Woody
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I also quite like the E-class and would agree that it is handsome, but it's not a design that remotely stirs the loins. The styling is a bit staid and reserved and as mentioned in a recent thread many regarded it as an old man's car. Certainly when I test drove one last year against BMW and Audi the first response from family and friends echoed this sedate image. TBH if you consider the e-class and the Mondeo to be the most attractive cars on the road, then I can understand why the recent offerings from Audi, BMW, Peugeot, Lexus and Honda simply don't do it for you.
If the fact that you only saw one Civic says it all what are we to take from the car park that was full of new BMWs and Audis that you saw? If sales success and automotive design awards are any measure, then your views on BMW and Audi at least show you to be in a minority.
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In my neck of the woods there are various car dealerships dotted around so as soon as a new model comes out I soon see it on the roads.
However, I have yet to see a new Civic. Are people put off by the shape, does it look too radical, only time will tell, but Honda are taking a big gamble with this one.
For me, one manufacturer that has gambled with a return to adventureous design is Citroen with the C4. When you compare one of these with past offerings like the ZX and Xsara their is simply no comparison.
I can't wait for the new C6. I'll probably see one of these before the Civic!
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I've seen a few new Civics along the Cote d'Azur in the past few days. It took me a while to realise that, although I originally thought it was ok to look at, the front end and headlights actually looks like those dreadful plastic motor scooters you see everywhere. Is this Honda trying to bring on it's younger customers from two wheels?
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Well after many weeks I saw three in one day last week, including one parked up so I had a quick peek around. What an ugly car. Why have they used wing mirrors the size of those on a van?
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Why have they used wing mirrors the size of those on a van?
Because it has about as much rear visibility as a van?
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I call it the shop window effect....Stopped at the lights you glance sideways and see you/car refelction in shop window
Good car "Thinks:- Hmm you look good in that, what a fine sight"
Bad car "Thinks:- Hmm I wonder what bargains they have in the Sue Rider charity shop."
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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