The Honda Civic has been a mainstay of the Malaysian motoring scene since 1977. Over 10-generations the Civic continues to impress buyers with its balance of style, practicality, reliability and driving performance.

First introduced to the Malaysian market in 2006, the highlight of the eighth-generation Civic, codenamed FD, was its sporty and aerodynamic design, a greater emphasis on equipment and powertrain options as well as an increase in cabin space and refinement.

The Civic FD was a surefire hit with customers, as it marked a return to form after the less-than-popular popular 7th-generation Civic ES.

Some 15 years since its launch, the Civic FD remains popular on the used market to this day.

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Prices range from RM 23k for early models to just under RM 50k for late production 2.0-litre variants, therefore there’s a variety of choices for any prospective buyer.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on what you need to know, the common problems, as well as associated maintenance costs of the Honda Civic FD.

The Honda Civic FD variants offered in Malaysia

The Honda Civic was first introduced in two variants – the 1.8S and 2.0S – which retailed for RM 118k and RM 132k respectively.

The 1.8S is powered by the R18 SOHC, i-VTEC 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which delivered 142 PS and 174 Nm. 

Whereas the 2.0S is powered by the venerable K20 DOHC, i-VTEC 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol mill that delivered 157 PS and 188 Nm.

In both cases, the engine is paired with a five-speed automatic powering the front wheels.

As for the chassis – the FD Civic featured MacPherson struts for the front and independent double-wishbone at the rear. Stopping power is provided ventilated discs feature at the front and solid discs at the rear axle.

As for tyres, both variants of the Civic FD initially featured 16-inch wheels (in two different designs), wrapped in 205/55 R16 tyres.

A later 'Advanced' variant featured 17-inch wheels wrapped in 215/45 R17 tyres.

Honda Malaysia introduced the facelift Civic FD in 2009 which featured a revised bumper, grille, headlamp and taillamps, as well as newly designed 17-inch wheels for the 2.0S model.

For brevity, this article will concentrate on the more popular 1.8S and 2.0S variants, and not the Civic Hybrid variant. 

Which variant should I buy?

As both variants of the FD Civic are pretty much on par in terms of overall reliability, selecting between the two really comes down to the running costs of the vehicle. 

The 1.8S smaller displacement makes less power but has better fuel economy, whereas the 2.0S will be better suited for enthusiasts drivers given its power and torque.

Here’s a shortlist of the basic running costs between the two models.

Market prices of the Honda Civic FD?

Prices for pre-facelift 2006 – 2009 units of the Civic FD start at just above RM 23k and go up to approximately RM 38k for the 2.0S Enhanced variant (which adds an optional bodykit and 17-inch wheels).

Post-facelift 2009 – 2012 model prices range from RM 36k for 1.8S variants all the way to RM 50k for low-mileage 2.0S (from 2011 – early 2012).

Note that most well-maintained examples retain almost 45 percent of their initial value after 10 years, and thus the Honda Civic FD has some of the best resale values of any car in Malaysia.

Late-model Civic FDs can still qualify for conventional hire purchase loans of 2-3 year tenures which further contributes to their high selling price.

However, there are many examples on sale, so a prospective buyer has a lot of bargaining power, take your time in searching for an original vehicle with little or no modifications (especially to the audio and security systems) to avoid a problematic car.

Common problems of the Honda Civic FD?

Not at all, As we’ve said, the Civic FD is about as reliable as it gets when it comes to used cars.

Both the R18 and K20 engines and 5-speed automatic transmission offer phenomenal reliability and straightforward periodical maintenance, therefore it’s extremely easy to keep a Civic FD running smoothly and safely.

Here’s a simplified table of the basic maintenance schedule of a Civic FD:

That aside, there are a few common problems with the Civic FD, the chief of which is a leaky steering rack.

This is a problem that affects a large majority of 1.8S models which use a hydraulic steering system. Leaks happen at three main points in the steering system: the power steering pump, high-pressure hose, and the steering rack itself.

These leaks are mostly caused by worn-out rubber seals and gaskets at various points of the system.

Replacement of the power steering pump and the high-pressure hose is far more straightforward as OEM replacements are readily available. 

The 2.0S variant, on the other hand, features an electric power steering (EPS) system and a completely spared of any leaks.

Although the EPS systems are largely more reliable than the hydraulic units, there are cases of motor unit malfunctions, but these are rare.

Steering racks can be replaced with new, refurbished, or second-hand units.

The following are common issues to look out for the Civic FD:

Conclusion

In most cases when buying a used car, buyers are actually searching for the overall value of a more expensive car, at bargain prices. This value is usually measured in terms of the overall design, status, build quality, driving performance and reliability of the vehicle. 

Approximately 15 years since it was first introduced, the Civic FD continues to excel in all the above categories, which invariably drives its demand and interest amongst buyers.

In addition, given its appeal as both a family and enthusiast’s market sports sedan, the Civic also commands excellent resale value, which is a boon for a second- or third-hand buyer who might wish to resell their Civic FD later on.

Simply put, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with the Honda Civic FD.

For peace of mind, give your Honda Civic FD the proper care it deserves with GoCar Garage. Operated by the Tan Chong group and based in Petaling Jaya, GoCar Garage offers a manufacturer level service experience, but it's open for all makes and models. 

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