Civic Vs Altima

**CarlHungus** · 03-02-2012, 03:01 PM

Despite popular belief, there are a few things that I do believe in. One of those things is owning a quality automobile.

I'm in the market for a new car, and I have narrowed it down to a Honda Civic and a Nissan Altima. Ive already weighed some pros and cons of each in my mind, but I would like some input from others who have owned either of these vehicles and was wondering if they could let me know the pros and cons of either. Thanks in advance.

**brianhos** · 03-02-2012, 03:05 PM

I have owned a maxima and an accord recently. The accord was less sexy, but it was a better built car.

**bos** · 03-02-2012, 03:07 PM

They are pretty similar. If you have test driven them and they seem pretty equal, go with whichever one feels best on your butt. If you drive long distances it will matter.

**shawn_200m** · 03-02-2012, 03:07 PM

I can't speak for the Accord, but I have an '08 Altima 2.5S and love it. I bought it just over a year ago with 27000 miles on it, now I have 77000 on it and have had no issues.

**Acylum** · 03-02-2012, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by CarlHungus

Despite popular belief, there are a few things that I do believe in. One of those things is owning a quality automobile.

I'm in the market for a new car, and I have narrowed it down to a Honda Civic and a Nissan Altima. Ive already weighed some pros and cons of each in my mind, but I would like some input from others who have owned either of these vehicles and was wondering if they could let me know the pros and cons of either. Thanks in advance.

Isn't there a big difference in size between these two?

**CarlHungus** · 03-02-2012, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Acylum

Isn't there a big difference in size between these two?

The Altima is a bigger car than the Civic, but I dont think its a huge difference(Im looking 07-09 years for these cars). Thats one thing I give the Altima an advantage on, but on the other hand, I think the civic gets a little better gas mileage for this reason

**dmclone** · 03-02-2012, 03:10 PM

New or used?

If I was looking for a new Altima I would wait about a month to see what the new one looks like.

As far as the Civic, I owned a 2000 Civic Si that I loved along with 3 other Hondas. With that said, if I was in the market for this size of car the new Civic would be near the bottom of my list. I would drive the Hyundai Elantra and see how it compares. I would rather have a Honda Fit than the Civic.

I would also check out the Mazda3 and Ford Focus.

**besserheimerphat** · 03-02-2012, 03:15 PM

I currently drive a 2012 Honda Civic LX (basic, no accessories). It's a decent car. I use it for commuting from Ames to Marshalltown everyday, so since I bought it in July I've put on over 13,000 miles so far. The gas mileage is great - I'm averaging over 37 mpg (my spreadsheet is at home so I can't give the exact number). Almost all of it driving 70 mph on Hwy 30. The car is comfortable, and about what I'd expect for a car of it's class. It's not a lot of fun to drive (I liked the Ford Focus I test drove much better, but the Honda was cheaper) but that's not why I bought it. Oil changes are super easy which was nice, and the interval (with all highway driving) was about 10,000 miles based on the maintenance-minder. It runs 0W-20 oil which is super light.

Rear seat room in decent if you have kids, but an adult would probably get a little cramped after more than 30 minutes. The digital guage took a while for me to get used to. The trunk is huge for such a small car. I can fit my daughter's full-size stroller in there and still have ample room for a big bag.

The headlights are great, much better than any of the other vehicles I've driven. The windsheild wipers work well too, actually clearing the windsheild without needing Rain-X. I do wish the wiper speed had more settings though, sometimes intermittent is too slow and Low is too fast. But that's a nit-pick.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it as it does everything I need it to, but during the nice "windows down" weather I wish it was a little more enjoyable to drive.

**besserheimerphat** · 03-02-2012, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

New or used?

If I was looking for a new Altima I would wait about a month to see what the new one looks like.

As far as the Civic, I owned a 2000 Civic Si that I loved along with 3 other Hondas. With that said, if I was in the market for this size of car the new Civic would be near the bottom of my list. I would drive the Hyundai Elantra and see how it compares. I would rather have a Honda Fit than the Civic.

Agree on the Elantra, as Hyundai is making some nice vehicles now.

Disagree on the Fit unless you drive in town (and not across town on the interstates). I thought the Fit felt too small for longer, high speed driving. For darting around in town it's perfect but it's a little jumpy on the interstate. That's why I chose the Civic over the Fit.

Over the past few days when it's been windy, my Civic has been pushed around a bit by the wind. In the lighter and slightly taller Fit, it would be even worse.

**josh777** · 03-02-2012, 03:20 PM

When in doubt, go with a Honda. I owned a 2007 Civic, probably my favorite I've ever owned (wife totaled it). Honda vehicles are ranked tops or near the top in nearly every vehicle category.

**Max57** · 03-02-2012, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by CarlHungus

The Altima is a bigger car than the Civic, but I dont think its a huge difference(Im looking 07-09 years for these cars). Thats one thing I give the Altima an advantage on, but on the other hand, I think the civic gets a little better gas mileage for this reason

You are correct on both counts. I have an 09 Altima and I've really enjoyed it for the last 3 years. Highway mpg is generally just under 30 ... but I drive too fast. If I baby it (speed limit driving) the highway mpg will be 30.5 or so.

Only repair cost has been a TPMS sensor ... caused by me hitting some debris on the highway -- damaged the tire too.

I've owned Hondas and driven the accord but not the civic. I can almost guarantee you that the Altima will be more comfortable than the civic. The handling and ride are great. I put a lot of miles on my car.

**goldmember** · 03-02-2012, 03:22 PM

Honda is rushing a redesigned Civic to market in the next 6 months due to very poor reviews of the current model which just game out 5 months ago.

**Max57** · 03-02-2012, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by josh777

When in doubt, go with a Honda. I owned a 2007 Civic, probably my favorite I've ever owned (wife totaled it). Honda vehicles are ranked tops or near the top in nearly every vehicle category.

I think Hondas are over-rated ... from personal experience. I know that isn't statistical ... just an observation.

**Max57** · 03-02-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I have owned a maxima and an accord recently. The accord was less sexy, but it was a better built car.

I'm curious what model years you are comparing. I haven't compared lately but the Accord I've driven (2008) is not better built than the Altima I own (2009).

**mike4cy** · 03-02-2012, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by shawn_200m

I can't speak for the Accord, but I have an '08 Altima 2.5S and love it. I bought it just over a year ago with 27000 miles on it, now I have 77000 on it and have had no issues.

I have this exact car and really like it. The Altima has a little more rigid suspension than other cars I have owned, but after I had it for a few months I did not notice anymore. The 2.5S Altima might as well be a V6 as for its power, good gas mileage (I drive nearly all city miles and average about 27.6mpg) and it is really nice looking. My only beef is that the CVT transmission does little for my manhood, good thing I can drop it in Sport Shift mode to help with that a bit.