Hello - I have a 99 Civic that takes about 5 minutes of turning over before it finally starts in the morning. After it has warmed up starting is not a problem. Any thoughts?

Interesting about the suspension - it provides more room in a slightly
smaller car than last year's version, even though the wheelbase is unchanged.
The front suspension is extremely similar to the BMW 3 series, which are
noted for superior handling... it may be a slight step backwards compared
to the independent suspension, but how many people push these cars to the
limit? A more powerful engine, improved gas mileage, improved interior
space, and all they do is complain about a change in the suspension? I
wonder if the new CR-V will have a different suspension...

- Rod

BSALT wrote:

If
you remember recently, the Civic's independent front suspension was SCRAPPED!!
for a McPherson strut design.  Many publications now say "the ride
is not as supple and refined", "the Civic was cheapened with the design
change", and "the Civic does not handle as well as it used to?". Honda
saved approximately $200-$400 per car by making this change, in other words,
they increased their profit margin without increasing the price by an exorbitant
amount!!  You'll also notice older 1997/1998 Civic's have retained
EVEN MORE value as Used cars recently!! Chevrolet
scrapped the Impala SS for a design change, I drove a 2001 Impala LS 1200miles
this past weekend, testing in the mountains of North Carolina (I'm a CAR
GUY ok!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)   WOW what a TERRIBLY SAD change they made!!, missing-never
installed trim screws, wimpy engine, sloppy handling, electric seat was
a store front kiddy ride - to set, childish door locks and irate flashing
lights, but hey the factory Stereo was Awesome, and it LOOKED like sporty
sedan!! Vehicle revisions/updates
aren't always in the best interests of the Consumer. Needless
to say, I won't spend to much time pondering Honda's changes to an already
excellent vehicle.  I guess there is that segment of the buying public
that has to have the first newly designed vehicle on the block.  I
wait until the experts submit their opinion/stringent tests, then I'll
make my own educated opinion/purchase.  I made the mistake of buying
the 1986 Mazda RX-7 major redesign, that first year purchase was painfully
wrong!! SALTMANhttp://www.bsalt.com

BMW 3 series compared to the new Civic, is like Diamonds compared to Rust!!
BMW has the best handling car in the world for the enthusiast. 
 
I should know, a close friend, Tim Rivers is a nationally recognized mechanic for BMW here in the states.  You have to get into six digit figures to beat a BMW's road manners.  They can be maintenance intensive though, especially in the area of cost.  A friend in Germany prefers his Audi A6, but his performance driving is sipping coffee at 130mph on the Autobahn.
 
Opinions can be subjective, but the people I have trusted for years, agree the Civic is not the car it once was.  I have worn out a set of Z-Rated tires in only 3K miles on my 1994 Civic SI driving hard, switched to H-rated which last 15K to 20K miles, so I may not be your AVERAGE driver.  My CR-V serves it's purpose as a camping trip/drive to work/haul groceries etc. SUV.  I also have a truck and a convertible, so I tend to buy vehicles PURPOSELY (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
 
SALTMAN

Nice cars and comments, makes you wonder what happened !! My 1994 Civic SI
has the VERY rare 4 wheel ABS option. I searched and searched to find one,
ironically it was inside a dealer showroom when I finally found one,
PRISTINE new.
The dealer said everyone buys the basic Civic version, and the SI ABS was
hard to sell for the obsurdly few extra dollars!!
I bought a 1985 Toyota 4-Runner, new, the dealer said no-one is buying the
"utility" version of the 4 wheel drives, got it for $10,000, a rock bottom
price. Sold it 15 years, 200,000 miles later, for $4400.

Maybe "we", the "consumer", are responsible for excellent vehicles fading
into oblivion. The vehicles that are available overseas are awesome,
figures most of them will never see the states, or will be "butchered"
first.

SALTMAN

Interesting about the suspension - it provides more room in a slightly
smaller car than last year's version, even though the wheelbase is unchanged.
The front suspension is extremely similar to the BMW 3 series, which are
noted for superior handling... it may be a slight step backwards compared
to the independent suspension, but how many people push these cars to the
limit? A more powerful engine, improved gas mileage, improved interior
space, and all they do is complain about a change in the suspension? I
wonder if the new CR-V will have a different suspension...

- Rod

BSALT wrote:

If
you remember recently, the Civic's independent front suspension was SCRAPPED!!
for a McPherson strut design.  Many publications now say "the ride
is not as supple and refined", "the Civic was cheapened with the design
change", and "the Civic does not handle as well as it used to?". Honda
saved approximately $200-$400 per car by making this change, in other words,
they increased their profit margin without increasing the price by an exorbitant
amount!!  You'll also notice older 1997/1998 Civic's have retained
EVEN MORE value as Used cars recently!! Chevrolet
scrapped the Impala SS for a design change, I drove a 2001 Impala LS 1200miles
this past weekend, testing in the mountains of North Carolina (I'm a CAR
GUY ok!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)   WOW what a TERRIBLY SAD change they made!!, missing-never
installed trim screws, wimpy engine, sloppy handling, electric seat was
a store front kiddy ride - to set, childish door locks and irate flashing
lights, but hey the factory Stereo was Awesome, and it LOOKED like sporty
sedan!! Vehicle revisions/updates
aren't always in the best interests of the Consumer. Needless
to say, I won't spend to much time pondering Honda's changes to an already
excellent vehicle.  I guess there is that segment of the buying public
that has to have the first newly designed vehicle on the block.  I
wait until the experts submit their opinion/stringent tests, then I'll
make my own educated opinion/purchase.  I made the mistake of buying
the 1986 Mazda RX-7 major redesign, that first year purchase was painfully
wrong!! SALTMANhttp://www.bsalt.com

BMW 3 series compared to the new Civic, is like Diamonds compared to Rust!!
BMW has the best handling car in the world for the enthusiast. 
 
I should know, a close friend, Tim Rivers is a nationally recognized mechanic for BMW here in the states.  You have to get into six digit figures to beat a BMW's road manners.  They can be maintenance intensive though, especially in the area of cost.  A friend in Germany prefers his Audi A6, but his performance driving is sipping coffee at 130mph on the Autobahn.
 
Opinions can be subjective, but the people I have trusted for years, agree the Civic is not the car it once was.  I have worn out a set of Z-Rated tires in only 3K miles on my 1994 Civic SI driving hard, switched to H-rated which last 15K to 20K miles, so I may not be your AVERAGE driver.  My CR-V serves it's purpose as a camping trip/drive to work/haul groceries etc. SUV.  I also have a truck and a convertible, so I tend to buy vehicles PURPOSELY (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
 
SALTMAN

Nice cars and comments, makes you wonder what happened !! My 1994 Civic SI
has the VERY rare 4 wheel ABS option. I searched and searched to find one,
ironically it was inside a dealer showroom when I finally found one,
PRISTINE new.
The dealer said everyone buys the basic Civic version, and the SI ABS was
hard to sell for the obsurdly few extra dollars!!
I bought a 1985 Toyota 4-Runner, new, the dealer said no-one is buying the
"utility" version of the 4 wheel drives, got it for $10,000, a rock bottom
price. Sold it 15 years, 200,000 miles later, for $4400.

Maybe "we", the "consumer", are responsible for excellent vehicles fading
into oblivion. The vehicles that are available overseas are awesome,
figures most of them will never see the states, or will be "butchered"
first.

SALTMAN

Interesting about the suspension - it provides more room in a slightly
smaller car than last year's version, even though the wheelbase is unchanged.
The front suspension is extremely similar to the BMW 3 series, which are
noted for superior handling... it may be a slight step backwards compared
to the independent suspension, but how many people push these cars to the
limit? A more powerful engine, improved gas mileage, improved interior
space, and all they do is complain about a change in the suspension? I
wonder if the new CR-V will have a different suspension...

- Rod

BSALT wrote:

If
you remember recently, the Civic's independent front suspension was SCRAPPED!!
for a McPherson strut design.  Many publications now say "the ride
is not as supple and refined", "the Civic was cheapened with the design
change", and "the Civic does not handle as well as it used to?". Honda
saved approximately $200-$400 per car by making this change, in other words,
they increased their profit margin without increasing the price by an exorbitant
amount!!  You'll also notice older 1997/1998 Civic's have retained
EVEN MORE value as Used cars recently!! Chevrolet
scrapped the Impala SS for a design change, I drove a 2001 Impala LS 1200miles
this past weekend, testing in the mountains of North Carolina (I'm a CAR
GUY ok!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)   WOW what a TERRIBLY SAD change they made!!, missing-never
installed trim screws, wimpy engine, sloppy handling, electric seat was
a store front kiddy ride - to set, childish door locks and irate flashing
lights, but hey the factory Stereo was Awesome, and it LOOKED like sporty
sedan!! Vehicle revisions/updates
aren't always in the best interests of the Consumer. Needless
to say, I won't spend to much time pondering Honda's changes to an already
excellent vehicle.  I guess there is that segment of the buying public
that has to have the first newly designed vehicle on the block.  I
wait until the experts submit their opinion/stringent tests, then I'll
make my own educated opinion/purchase.  I made the mistake of buying
the 1986 Mazda RX-7 major redesign, that first year purchase was painfully
wrong!! SALTMANhttp://www.bsalt.com

BMW 3 series compared to the new Civic, is like Diamonds compared to Rust!!
BMW has the best handling car in the world for the enthusiast. 
 
I should know, a close friend, Tim Rivers is a nationally recognized mechanic for BMW here in the states.  You have to get into six digit figures to beat a BMW's road manners.  They can be maintenance intensive though, especially in the area of cost.  A friend in Germany prefers his Audi A6, but his performance driving is sipping coffee at 130mph on the Autobahn.
 
Opinions can be subjective, but the people I have trusted for years, agree the Civic is not the car it once was.  I have worn out a set of Z-Rated tires in only 3K miles on my 1994 Civic SI driving hard, switched to H-rated which last 15K to 20K miles, so I may not be your AVERAGE driver.  My CR-V serves it's purpose as a camping trip/drive to work/haul groceries etc. SUV.  I also have a truck and a convertible, so I tend to buy vehicles PURPOSELY (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
 
SALTMAN

ALMOST FORGOT, saw a 1994/1995 Yellow Honda Civic HB racing consistently IN FRONT of a New BMW 3 series on SpeedVision - Road Atlanta, .  Naturally, the Civic was highly modified, the BMW highly modified, including that Honda independent suspension we discussed.
Really enjoyed the BMW dash mounted camera view of the rear of the Honda, you know they put cameras in all the cars now-a-days. 
 
HUMMM, why did they choose a 1994/1995 Civic against the BMW, didn't see any NEW Honda Civic's.  Must be due to the fact that Honda decided to SCRAP the hatchback too.  Although, word is another hatchback is in the works.
 
Must have been the driver, because another BMW 3 series won the race.
 
SALTMAN
 
 
?

Wewll the 02 civic SI is/will be a hatchback. Seems the 80s are
indeed coming back. Mazda MP-5, Pontiac Vibe and its toyota twin, the
civic SI, among others are all hatchbacks with 140-180hp. Gotta love
that. I for one am pleased, though Id be a lot happier if GM would
bring the Holden GT-R to the states. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Nice cars and comments, makes you wonder what happened !! My 1994 Civic SI
has the VERY rare 4 wheel ABS option. I searched and searched to find one,
ironically it was inside a dealer showroom when I finally found one,
PRISTINE new.
The dealer said everyone buys the basic Civic version, and the SI ABS was
hard to sell for the obsurdly few extra dollars!!
I bought a 1985 Toyota 4-Runner, new, the dealer said no-one is buying the
"utility" version of the 4 wheel drives, got it for $10,000, a rock bottom
price. Sold it 15 years, 200,000 miles later, for $4400.

Maybe "we", the "consumer", are responsible for excellent vehicles fading
into oblivion. The vehicles that are available overseas are awesome,
figures most of them will never see the states, or will be "butchered"
first.

SALTMAN

Interesting about the suspension - it provides more room in a slightly
smaller car than last year's version, even though the wheelbase is unchanged.
The front suspension is extremely similar to the BMW 3 series, which are
noted for superior handling... it may be a slight step backwards compared
to the independent suspension, but how many people push these cars to the
limit? A more powerful engine, improved gas mileage, improved interior
space, and all they do is complain about a change in the suspension? I
wonder if the new CR-V will have a different suspension...

- Rod

BMW 3 series compared to the new Civic, is like Diamonds compared to Rust!!
BMW has the best handling car in the world for the enthusiast. 
 
I should know, a close friend, Tim Rivers is a nationally recognized mechanic for BMW here in the states.  You have to get into six digit figures to beat a BMW's road manners.  They can be maintenance intensive though, especially in the area of cost.  A friend in Germany prefers his Audi A6, but his performance driving is sipping coffee at 130mph on the Autobahn.
 
Opinions can be subjective, but the people I have trusted for years, agree the Civic is not the car it once was.  I have worn out a set of Z-Rated tires in only 3K miles on my 1994 Civic SI driving hard, switched to H-rated which last 15K to 20K miles, so I may not be your AVERAGE driver.  My CR-V serves it's purpose as a camping trip/drive to work/haul groceries etc. SUV.  I also have a truck and a convertible, so I tend to buy vehicles PURPOSELY (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
 
SALTMAN

Nice cars and comments, makes you wonder what happened !! My 1994 Civic SI
has the VERY rare 4 wheel ABS option. I searched and searched to find one,
ironically it was inside a dealer showroom when I finally found one,
PRISTINE new.
The dealer said everyone buys the basic Civic version, and the SI ABS was
hard to sell for the obsurdly few extra dollars!!
I bought a 1985 Toyota 4-Runner, new, the dealer said no-one is buying the
"utility" version of the 4 wheel drives, got it for $10,000, a rock bottom
price. Sold it 15 years, 200,000 miles later, for $4400.

Maybe "we", the "consumer", are responsible for excellent vehicles fading
into oblivion. The vehicles that are available overseas are awesome,
figures most of them will never see the states, or will be "butchered"
first.

SALTMAN

Interesting about the suspension - it provides more room in a slightly
smaller car than last year's version, even though the wheelbase is unchanged.
The front suspension is extremely similar to the BMW 3 series, which are
noted for superior handling... it may be a slight step backwards compared
to the independent suspension, but how many people push these cars to the
limit? A more powerful engine, improved gas mileage, improved interior
space, and all they do is complain about a change in the suspension? I
wonder if the new CR-V will have a different suspension...

- Rod