Kizashi Club

While I was getting my oil change (hopefully last) and some other work done, I walked over to the Honda dealer across the street and test drove the civic hatch sport, my impressions are below.

I liked the way I felt in the car, there interior is basic to me not too bland but nothing to write home about. Looks like they just stuck a small tablet on it and that is your dash. I was looking at the loaded model which featured their high end stereo and was not impressed by what little of it I heard, could be setting thing though.

On the outside I liked the blacked out rims that contrasted well with the grey model I was looking at. I find it looks like just the right amount of aggressive with the dual exhaust, twin spoilers, but not too busy.

Driving the car felt very good as acceleration was fast, and in highway passing speeds, was able to maneuver quickly. Handling was also good but not as good as the Kizashi with the civic feeling more floaty around corners and not as planted, probably more to do with the weight. Not harsh at all on the road.

Overall I came away impressed, I think it is better to purchase the touring model used but it does come with quite a few options and with decent fuel economy and performance I feel it is the complete package. Take Lexus is 200t and then realize the Civic is just as fast and with better fuel economy (yes I know the Lexus has a better interior), comes in a better price especially when you start adding options. I could not find a lot to complain about with the Civic hatch, maybe a better stereo but we will see.

So you're going to be moving on from the Kizashi soon but haven't settled on the next car yet?
Is the new Accord not something you're interested in? It's getting rave reviews. I'll personally admit I'm liking what I'm seeing of the next Insight too.

KuroNekko wrote:So you're going to be moving on from the Kizashi soon but haven't settled on the next car yet?
Is the new Accord not something you're interested in? It's getting rave reviews. I'll personally admit I'm liking what I'm seeing of the next Insight too.

I have done quite a bit of research, and have it down between civic hatch and sedan. I like the new accord but a couple of strikes against it are:

1. It is big (like most mid-sizes it seems) I like smaller cars, and this car will be going to my step-son in 3 years so the smaller size is good for him also.

2. It is a new model therefore finding a used model has less availability and not with the same discounts .

3. Fuel economy and performance are a little lower.

4. Like the front kinda meh on the rear.

This change for me is like 1.5 change as I will have this car for 3 years then passing it on. I hope to get an electric car then.

before i bougt my kizashi recently i was almost sure off getting the accord 2009 and on (2.4 if possible) but has a great suzuki fan i chose the kizashi. i understand your choice

civic type R was also in the mind but a little bit done with karting

I also test drove a Lexus is 200t. Oddly the one I drove was only 1.5k more than a used civic I was looking at.

The Lexus felt more planted in corners, and as I said had the nicer interior. When I put in the fuel comparison of the IS vs the civic Sedan after 10 years the Lexus coast over 7k to run!

For me there is not a whole lot of choices out there that I like. I also am not into hatchbacks but I thought the Civic hatch was nice looking. If anyone is like me and prefers smaller cars the Volvo s60 is one to check out also.

If the new car is going to your kid after a few years, then the better car is obvious. You'll want something cheaper to operate, repair, and insure while not being anything powerful enough to easily get out of hand for a young driver.

KuroNekko wrote:If the new car is going to your kid after a few years, then the better car is obvious. You'll want something cheaper to operate, repair, and insure while not being anything powerful enough to easily get out of hand for a young driver.

I agree mostly with this sound advice. The key is I am driving it for a few years, so I still want some things that I would like. None of the cars I am looking at are rocket ships. I feel like cars have finally gotten to be very competitive no matter the category. Today's compact cars offer great value, and going luxury doesn't seem to have the same benefits it once had.

So I finally finished my car search and I now have a Honda Accord.


It is funny how fast things changed, I went from shopping for a Civic Hatchback Sport Touring and found a used one with only 8,000 miles. I thought I was well on my way to getting it, then I test drove a accord.


You see it wasn’t that the accord rode better than the civic because I felt the civic hatch had good road manners and sporty handling. It was the combination of several factors than made the accord a more appealing purchase.

The accord has 5 trims levels and I felt when it comes to value the sport trim offers a decent amount of options for the money.
With president’s day sales I was able to get them below the msrp so the loaded used civic was just as much as the accord sport.
When looking at the accord and civic side by side it was hard to go back to the civic hatch. Don’t get me wrong the civic hatch is nice more in a sleek way, but the accord looks more sharp to me with its rims and aggressive front grill.
Since they recommend premium for the civic to get the full performance, it is a little less fuel efficient than the accord. If you put regular in the civic hatch performance dips (lose about 6 hp). So in the end they are about a wash for performance and fuel economy if running on regular.

A big reason for the change in model was the sport trim on the accord. It packs a decent amount of options for being one trim up from base. The big one for me was the cloth/vinyl combo that looks really nice on the sport trim. If you go up to the ex model you lose the interior combo and you get cloth. Since i’m driving this for 3 years I feel I can do without some of the features I usually prefer (premium audio, moonroof, etc).


I will have a comparo with the Kizashi vs the Accord soon, (not a direct comparison since different generations).

Good choice! I test drove an Accord 2.0T Sport a few weeks ago and was very impressed with it. I do love they offer the stick with more than just the barebones model (just like Suzuki did for us)

Speed_Racer wrote:Good choice! I test drove an Accord 2.0T Sport a few weeks ago and was very impressed with it. I do love they offer the stick with more than just the barebones model (just like Suzuki did for us)

A nonbarebone stick is getting very hard to find. I can't find a stick with lane assist.

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