The 1996-2000 model is a sixth generation of Honda Civic. Very economical, reliable and long-lasting vehicle. Excellent for daily commuting. Available as a four-door sedan, two-door coupe or a two-door hatchback.
Front-wheel drive. Transverse mounted 4-cylinder engine, four-speed automatic, five-speed manual or (for HX model only) continuously variable transmission.
The interior is comfortable for daily driving and is fairly spacious for a small car, although rear seat headroom is limited. Controls are simple and easy to use. The split rear seat folds down offering generous cargo space.
Handling is very good, nice smooth ride. The engine is a bit noisy at acceleration.

Engine

Honda Civic features 1.6-liter SOHC four-cylinder 16-valves engine. The US EX model and Canadian SI model comes with VTEC version of the same engine with more power. Either engine has a timing belt that needs to be replaced regularly. Honda Civic engine is easy to maintain and is proven to be durable provided good maintenance

Strengths

- Excellent fuel economy
- Durability and reliability
- Low maintenance costs
- Comfortable interior
- Good resale value

Weaknesses

- Cupholder design
- Slightly underpowered at low rpm
- Road noise
- Exterior sheet metal is easy to dent
Problems are rare and mostly minor, like engine wiring harness, check engine light, some electrical.

Overall

Honda Civic is an excellent choice if you need an inexpensive economical daily commuter. Good as a starter car. The Civic is very easy to work on - any garage can handle the repairs. Maintenance costs are fairly low.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing will help to protect the car body from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in a good shape.
- Overheating can cause serious engine problems.
- Winter tires will provide much better traction on the snow.
- Change transmission fluid regularly using only original transmission fluid.
- Use original parts.
- At least once a year have your car inspected in the garage on the lift (e.g when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at one of those fast lube places; the car must be on the lift.

1997 Honda Civic sedan (US model) short specifications

Dimensions:

Overall length: 175.2 (4450 mm)
Overall width: 66.9 (1700 mm)
Overall height: 54.7 (1390 mm)
Wheelbase: 103.1 (2620 mm)
Engine
US: Honda Civic DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX
1.6-liter, 4-cylinder, in-line, 16-valves SOHC
106 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 103 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm
US: Honda Civic EX:
1.6-liter, 4-cylinder, in-line SOHC VTEC, 16-valve 127 hp @ 6,600 rpm, 107 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm

Recommended Fuel:
Regular unleaded

Fuel Tank Capacity:

11.9 US gal (45 liters)