2006+ Honda Civic's- Safe?

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Hi all, I noticed 2 2006 Civics at a local dealer recently. Took a seat in one and was really surprised at how comfortable it was for a smaller car, and 35 MPG is appealing. Anyways, I know that IIHS gave it a basically perfect rating for safety, but from personal experience, are they safe vehicles? After driving a truck for so long I'm kind of paranoid about smaller cars, but want some input. Thanks!
 
Weight and height are king when it comes to crash safety. I trust a government rated crash test very little. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24599768/ns/bu...s/#.UXrfTbXqmJk

Anyone that is given the false sense that driving a small car is safe when there are millions of pickup trucks on the road is a fool. That said, I drive a 4 cyl little car and just drive carefully. When I had my Chevy 2500HD I honestly didn't drive as carefully.
 
They're very safe vehicles. All the cars in its class are very safe these days. Look at the Civic Coupe crash pictures on here where the OP's sister sustained a broken arm because she was laying on the horn when the airbag went off instead of maneuvering to avoid the crash. That was the only injury she sustained, IIRC. Honda put a lot of emphasis into safety with the Civic.

A lot of folks in some nasty crashes with Cruzes have walked away with minor cuts/scrapes when the front or back of the car has been wadded up. An 18-wheeler tipped over onto one, and the occupants had no injuries aside from soiled pants.

Today's compacts are very safe, end of story.
 
Originally Posted By: sciphi
They're very safe vehicles. All the cars in its class are very safe these days. Look at the Civic Coupe crash pictures on here where the OP's sister sustained a broken arm because she was laying on the horn when the airbag went off instead of maneuvering to avoid the crash. That was the only injury she sustained, IIRC. Honda put a lot of emphasis into safety with the Civic.


I actually just got done looking at that. I thought it held up really well, based on how screwed up the front end of the truck that hit her looked.
 
I've read about that some engine blocks have a casting issue. Honda gave an extended warranty to cover the possible defective casting. Which yrs., but I believe it started w/the 06's. A safe car, yes. But be aware of the front small window blind spot. I personally would pass on these cars. Not very much torque, so get a manual to get as much out of the engine as possible. Take a look at your other options as well.
 
Dad has an 08 (IIRC). I'd imagine it's as safe as can be but be warned, it's Gutless. I've driven his some and it whines and, is gutless. Really don't know what makes them so "great" - certainly isn't something I'd want to drive day in and day out. And reliability is about average according to JD Powers.
 
Safety I don't know but its a comfortable car with a spacious interior, that gets the job done. Aside from a few small quirks I am very happy with mine. 94K KM and still runs and drives like new.

Oh and the block casting issues were 06-08. I personally prefer the 09-11 not only for not having that issue, but I prefer the minor styling refresh on the sedans.
 
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As far as them being 'gutless', I really don't mind. Im not taking it out to the track and for a daily driver to save gas, a huge amount of power isn't a concern, but 15 MPG VS 35 MPG is
 
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Weight and height are king when it comes to crash safety.


King of rollovers too.

It is not an "all advantage" situation; there are tremendous disadvantages too.
 
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts

King of rollovers too.


Lots of yahoos get killed in SUV's and pickups as well because they overdrive their capability. When you are in a Civic or Cruze or Corolla etc. you will drive more defensively and won't take the chances you do with a larger vehicle.

How serious is the motor vehicle rollover problem in the U.S. today?
Single-vehicle rollovers (for all vehicles, not just SUVs) cause more fatalities than any other kind of motor-vehicle accident -- one-quarter of all deaths yearly. In 1999, 63 percent of all SUV deaths were in rollovers.


Do SUVs have higher rollover rates than other types of vehicles?
Yes. In 2000, SUVs had the highest rollover involvement rate of any vehicle type in fatal crashes -- 36 percent, as compared with 24 percent for pickups, 19 percent for vans and 15 percent for traffic cars. SUVs also had the highest rollover rate for passenger vehicles in injury crashes -- 12 percent, as compared to 7 percent for pickups, 4 percent for vans and 3 percent for passenger cars.
 
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Honestly, how many "rollovers" have you seen? And even so, most of the time the passengers are fine.

You can debate physics all you want but my family suffered a double fatality last year when they were in a sedan and got hit by a F250. If they were driving a Suburban or even and Explorer I would bet almost anything they are still alive.
 
But, if a truck gets hit hard by another truck it could cause it to roll badly, possibly into a ditch or oncoming traffic, right?
 
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
Honestly, how many "rollovers" have you seen? And even so, most of the time the passengers are fine.

You can debate physics all you want but my family suffered a double fatality last year when they were in a sedan and got hit by a F250. If they were driving a Suburban or even and Explorer I would bet almost anything they are still alive.


The way I look at it is, if the other person had not been driving an F250, they would have been fine.

I can't afford/justify paying massive fuel bills, and I am not alone (people who want Civics and compacts)
 
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
Honestly, how many "rollovers" have you seen? And even so, most of the time the passengers are fine.

You can debate physics all you want but my family suffered a double fatality last year when they were in a sedan and got hit by a F250. If they were driving a Suburban or even and Explorer I would bet almost anything they are still alive.


The way I look at it is, if the other person had not been driving an F250, they would have been fine.

I can't afford/justify paying massive fuel bills, and I am not alone (people who want Civics and compacts)


I can afford the fuel in my F150, but prices are getting to the point of ridiculous, and I'm having a hard time justifying it lately. I would like to keep the truck around for hauling and occasional farm use, but would love to get a better MPG daily driver, like many.
 
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Dad has an 08 (IIRC). I'd imagine it's as safe as can be but be warned, it's Gutless. I've driven his some and it whines and, is gutless. Really don't know what makes them so "great" - certainly isn't something I'd want to drive day in and day out. And reliability is about average according to JD Powers.


Sounds like there was something wrong with it.

They're no more "gutless" then any other econo 4 banger in it's class.

My '01 goes just fine IMO, and I've never thought I needed more power.

But if I did, I would drive one of my muscle cars,
smile.gif
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The only test that matters to me is of-set. I have seen nada truly do well at over 55mph in one of these. T-Bone at speed can be nasty ans can anything else, but of-set is where the car really d]saves your [censored] or kills you.

Sayin this with extensive experience with Taconic State Parkway and Bear Mt. Parkway accident responses and way too many fatalities. Google em.

I drive a F-150 and love it but my hoopdie is a 95 Camry and without a doubt that safety rating means squat against a heavy SUV or truck or worse a Mitsu work truck or 18 wheeler. Speed vs speed and double weight vehicle is bad thing for the lighter guy!
 
I agree but you cannot control what other people drive. Just do not get complacent driving a small car because some person you have never met before tells you it is safe. Physics is all that matters in a wreck.

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
Honestly, how many "rollovers" have you seen? And even so, most of the time the passengers are fine.

You can debate physics all you want but my family suffered a double fatality last year when they were in a sedan and got hit by a F250. If they were driving a Suburban or even and Explorer I would bet almost anything they are still alive.


The way I look at it is, if the other person had not been driving an F250, they would have been fine.


I can't afford/justify paying massive fuel bills, and I am not alone (people who want Civics and compacts)
 
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
As far as them being 'gutless', I really don't mind. Im not taking it out to the track and for a daily driver to save gas, a huge amount of power isn't a concern, but 15 MPG VS 35 MPG is


Dad does love his MPG. I'll take the quiet larger car that has ample power, doesn't need to wind up to merge on the highway, and get 25 MPG highway.

But Dad likes it and that's all that matters.
 
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