Top 5 Reasons You Might Buy a 2009 Honda Civic

When it comes to automobiles, value is determined by quality and cost of ownership, including necessary service and length of service expectancy. With an MSRP ranging from $15,305 to $26,850, the 2009 Honda Civic is one of the most valuable vehicles on the market. Mechanics nation-wide recognize the Honda Civic as one of the least expensive and easiest-to-maintain vehicles with the undeniably highest resale values of any automobile. This is due in no small part to Honda's unrelenting dedication - from their beginning in 1969 to the present - to produce the finest quality automobiles on the market.

Quality:
Everything fits perfectly on the Honda Civic. If you look closely, you'll notice the gaps around the doors, hood and trunk are all the same size. All the bolts are coated with zinc chromate, which means they will never rust; the panels are also heavily coated on the backside or unpainted side to prevent rust. All the appointments in the interior are well placed and convenient. The fold-down rear seats provide this car with amazing luggage space.

Performance:
The 2009 Honda Civic comes with a 140-horsepower SOHC i-VTEC engine. It produces 25 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway with a combined mileage of 29. The engine is easy to service and idles smoothly. With its VTEC aspect, it has the ability to change the advance and retarding of the camshaft as the engine RPM and load requires, which enhances torque and keeps the valves much cleaner. The rear suspension is independent, resulting in better road handling on all surfaces.

Handling:
The Honda Civic uses a MacPhearson strut front suspension with a fully independent rear suspension. It has excellent handling characteristics incorporated into the vehicle-likely thanks to their racing circuit experience. The brakes are ABS controlled but with a new twist: They have incorporated a sensor tied in to the computer that adjusts for loads. If the sensor detects more load on one side than the other and the car needs to panic stop in a curve, it adjusts the brake action to prevent spins and loss of control.

Safety:
The Honda Civic has achieved the highest rating on crash protection. The construction of a cage over the passenger compartment and the installation of side air bags and curtains along with the front driver and passenger air bags increase safety for the occupants. Sensors are installed to detect when an infant is in the middle of the car in a car seat; they will automatically shut off the air bag that would contact the child. The Civic also features daytime running lights that are separate bulbs, preventing the main lights from burning out early.

Resale:
Taking all of this into consideration, it is no wonder that the Civic has such a high resale. A high return down the road when deducted from the initial cost translates to fewer dollars spent per mile. This is why Honda has these ridiculously low lease options. Right now there is a lease option for $249 down and $249 a month for a 36-month lease. The reason for this is that the car will be worth much more at the end of the term.

Honda's primary competitors are the Ford Focus or Fusion and the Nissan Sentra. The Ford Focus is a good choice for hardcore techies, as it offers the praised Sync, a system that lets you easily integrate all your electronic gadgets. Those who value torque above gas mileage might opt for the Fusion, with its four-cylinder, 170-horsepower engine. If comfort and leg room are important to you, you might prefer the roomy cabin featured in the Sentra.

Sources:
http://forums.motortrend.com/70/6487655/the-general-forum/ford-focus-vs-honda-civic-which-is-better/index.html

http://news.carjunky.com/automotive/ford-sync-in-car-infotainment-system-cdf115.shtml

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Nissan_Sentra/Interior/

http://www.thetorquereport.com/2008/04/2009_ford_fusion_gets_a_new_en.html