I'm going to update it, not because it's reached any particular milestone, but because I feel like it.
We've had this car for 2 months now, and have put about 1700kms on it since we've had it. The odometer is close to 320 000kms (319 670 at last look). I'm continuously impressed by just how good it is, especially to drive. I've never had a high mileage car like this before, so I probably expected it to be all loose and clunky, and kinda
, but no, it's kinda nice. The engine purrs nicely, and the 5-spd auto transmission shifts smoothly. The steering is still as tight as a drum, and the suspension responds well - although I will point out the front right suspension is a little creaky when going over bumps. It's not clunky, so I don't think it's anything that requires immediate attention, but it's something to keep an eye on in the future. Fuel economy has been a mixed bag. I've been tracking my mileage, and some fill-ups are around 8L/100kms, while I had one at 12L/100kms. The average seems to be about 9L/100kms. This is probably a combination of my short trips to work, and the engine is probably a little tired after 320 000kms, and not running at peak efficiency. Still, it's significantly more fuel efficient that the truck, which was the whole point of buying this car.
The other day I needed to pick up an office chair that wouldn't fit in the Civic Coupe (the fact that it's a coupe is its only shortcoming, as far as I'm concerned), so I borrowed my boss's 2010 Nissan Versa with 142 000kms. A couple of things struck me. They're a similar 'class' of car, having been sold at similar price points, similarly sized motors, and being basic economy cars. While the Versa certainly has the roominess of the hatch and a relatively high seating position going for it, the Civic just feels more substantial, and certainly higher end. The interior is nicer, with better materials everywhere, and even more equipment. Both the Civic and the Versa are base models, but the Civic is equipped with cruise control, and has the center console/armrest, while the Versa has neither, being equipped only with power windows/locks. The Civic has also held up a whole heckuva lot better than the Versa, even though it has more than twice the kms. The Versa is severely rusted, and has perforations through the bottom of the doors, the fenders, etc. The interior of the Civic is in much better condition, too the Versa has not held up well at all.
There are a few things 'wrong' with the car.
I was driving the car in the rain the other day, and water was dripping from the driver side A-Pillar. Obviously there is a seal somewhere that isn't sealing properly, and water is working its way in. I had a brief look at all the seals, but can't find anything that is evidently wrong. I'm not sure I care to hunt any further than that, this is an old car, after all.
The key-less entry works intermittently. About half the time it will lock/unlock the car, and the rest of the time it just won't work. It may be the key-fob battery, I'm not sure, I haven't tried. That will be the first thing to replace. If that doesn't work, then either the key itself is intermittently malfunctioning, or the receiver in the car is. If it's anything more than a battery, it's not getting fixed, because old car.
The A/C doesn't work. It probably needs a recharge. I'll do this when it gets hotter and we actually need it.
The Radio Screen is still very dim. This illustrates exactly why infotainment tech in cars could be the cause of their downfall as high mileage vehicles. The screen in the Civic displays little information: The time, and the radio station. It also shows the levels when you're adjusting the sound mix, balance, etc. In daylight, it's nearly impossible to see the screen, but this is okay, because the information that is contained within is limited. I don't need the car to tell me the time (although sometimes it is nice to be able to just glance over and see what time it is), and I know what radio presets I listen to most often, so I don't need to know what station the radio is tuned to, either. Modern cars, however, are far more integrated into their screens than older vehicles. In many cars, many features are accessible through the screen, like heated seats, and most importantly, the climate control. Imagine not being able to set your climate control to windshield de-fog because the infotainment screen has crapped out. You would be forced to replace the infotainment unit, and those things probably run a few thousand dollars at least, if they're even still available at all when the car is 10-15 years old. On a car that's only worth $3000, it would be enough to total the vehicle.
Anyway, this is all a very long-winded way to say that I'm very happy with our purchase. The car is fun to drive (in a different way to the truck - it's nimble and much more responsive than the Tundra, although the Tundra has significantly more power and makes a much better noise), relatively fuel efficient, and is turning out to be reliable in all the places that count - drivetrain. I've been daily driving it to work and the dog park every day, and any time I need to run out to grab something. It's been most excellent at those little tasks. We still prefer the truck for our longer out-of-town trips, and for trips with the entire family, as it is just so much more comfortable. But in the city? The Civic rules the roost. I'm also loving keeping the short trips off the Tundra.
