Today we present you with the owner’s review of a Honda Civic 1994 also known as Dolphin. This is the 5th generation Civic which came in 3 variants internationally, a 2 -door hatchback, 2-door coupe, and 4-door sedan, whereas, in Pakistan, it was launched in 2 variants, a 4-door sedan with a 1.3L and with a 1.5L carburetor engine. This particular one is the 1500cc EX variant which produces around 92hp and 131Nm of torque. The car originally came with a 5-speed manual transmission but was later converted to an automatic by using the gearbox of the Civic Ferio. The car is a rare gem due to its pristine condition and low mileage.
Purchase Decision
The owner is a civic lover and also shows a great deal of interest in restoring old cars. One of his friends had this car on sale and knowing that the vehicle was in great condition, he did not let go of the offer and decided to buy it.
Salient Features
Being almost 3 decades old, it lacks quirks and features but is equipped with all the basic utilities, including power steering, power windows, adjustable mirrors, an air-conditioner, fabric seats, central locking, rear center armrest, etc. The owner has also installed a tilt steering adjustment, which came in international models.
Upgrades
The owner has maintained the car’s original look and upgraded it with its genuine parts, which came in international models. These upgrades include a front bumper lip, steering adjustment, a Ferio center cluster, automatic transmission with its original speedometer, and the conversion from carburetor to an EFI system for the engine, which has improved the drive and fuel average significantly.
Fuel average
Originally the car was giving about 9-10km/l in its stock condition, but after the EFI conversion, the average has been increased by 2-4 km/l. Within the city, he gets around 12 to 13 km/l while he is yet to test it on the highway.
Ground Clearance
Ground clearance is an issue mainly due to its low stance, as with most Hondas of that era. With multiple passengers, the car hits the ground on speed bumps and must be carefully maneuvered.
Known Issues
The one known issue that the owner faces is the wear and tear of the suspension bushes. In his opinion, the condition of the roads wears out the bushes, and they need timely replacement.
Maintenance
The maintenance cost of this car is relatively high. The main reason for this is the air filter which, according to the owner, needs to be imported. The total cost for an oil change and filter is around Rs. 10,000.
Spare Parts
Aftermarket support for this car is pretty strong due to its high demand in youth, and modification parts are readily available. However, this owner imported the parts as he wanted genuine new ones that were hard to find locally in good shape. Prices of these genuine parts are obviously high, and according to the owner, “they are triple the price of used parts”.
