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The new Civic – it has to be the diesel

January 28, 2012 By Isaac Faulkner

If you’re weighing up the potential purchase of the new Civic 2012 model and can’t decide between the three variations, let me help you; buy the diesel.

I have now test-driven all three versions of the car. Obviously, there’s no contest when it comes to performance, the larger-engined 2.2 diesel beats its two smaller engine petrol versions hands-down. But what about the money? The petrol versions are obviously cheaper, starting at around £16k, whereas the 2.2 diesel will set you back at least £20,095. The top of the range Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT costs £26,595 on the road.

But you’ll make it up in a number of ways. First off, the fuel consumption on the diesel is a very impressive 67.3mpg. This compares to between 44.1mpg and 52.3mpg for the petrol versions depending on trim and gearbox selection (all models come with a six-speed manual gearbox bar the 1.8 petrol which is also available with a five-speed auto).

Also, the road tax is just £20 a year (and free for the first year) thanks to the diesel’s incredibly low emission levels of just 110g/km CO2.

Then there’s the re-sale value. The amount you’re likely to be able to claw-back in trade-in or re-sale a few years from now will be far higher with the diesel – and you’ll have enjoyed a few years’ worth of superb performance, superb fuel economy, a nothingy road tax and your clear environmental conscience (after all, there are no hybrid versions available – nor are there likely to be according to Honda).

For me, the diesel version of the Honda civic 2012 is, then, something of a no-brainer compared to its petrol siblings.

They all look the business – far better than any of their main rivals with the trademark wrap around rear lights and the overall sleek design. And the Honda badge means you know you’re in for unrivalled and independently verified reliability and overall quality that beats its rivals. They all have the amazing interiors and class-leading boot space that strike the perfect balance between sportiness and practicality. But if you really want the performance to match then for me it has to be the diesel.

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Go camping off season

January 23, 2012 By Isaac Faulkner

Most people think that the best time to go camping is mid-summer. And, of course, you do tend to get better weather overall during the summer, but you also get crowds of other people going to the same places and irritants such as flies and mosquitoes, too.

Winter camping can be great fun – as long as you have the right equipment.  It’s a good idea to check the long range weather forecast before you head off – and have a back-up alternative plan in case the weather changes at the last minute.

It’s also probably best to go without the kids during winter – they probably won’t get as much out of brisk winter walking and hiking as you will. So drop them off at the grandparents on the way to your destination.

Before you go, you need to make sure you have all the right gear. First, you need a decent tent – suitable for winter camping. And a high-quality sleeping bag is essential. You can get different bags for different seasons, so make sure you have a three or four season bag if you’re camping during the winter months.

Thermal socks and gloves are essential – you might end up wearing these all night as well as during the day, so bring enough changes of socks!

On your body and legs you’ll need base layer garments to keep hold of your core body warmth, these are close-fitting garments which still allow you to move easily, and also let moisture move away from your skin. Add a couple of insulating layers on top of the base layer, and finish with a waterproof or shell layer. For this last layer, you’re best sticking with a well-known outdoors brand. There are always plenty of bargains to be found at the North Face sale, and if you’re happy to go with last year’s colours you can get great jackets and trousers at really reduced prices.

Once you’ve got the kit, all you need to do is pick your destination and head off for some wild winter camping and walking in perfect solitude.

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Honda – great for long journeys

December 23, 2011 By Isaac Faulkner

If you’re thinking of hitting the road on a travelling tour, you may be deciding which make and model of car will be the best for you to drive.

One of the classic names in motoring is the Honda Civic.  The only other Japanese brand car that has been around longer is the Toyota Corolla.  The Civic was first launched in 1972, and it quickly gained popularity in the US as it was economical and affordable. The Civic is one of the longest-running model names in motoring. The ninth generation of the Honda Civic is going to be available in 2012.

Every year, the Honda Civic and Honda Accord both come high in the most popular car lists.

As well as being long running model names, the cars have a long record of reliability. In fact in 2011 a US citizen completed the first million miles in a Honda Accord. Joe LoCicero had driven his 1990 Accord one million miles and at a parade in his and the car’s honour, he was actually given a 2012 Honda Accord by the Japanese car manufacturer. Now he’s got a new 2012 Accord, maybe Joe will try and trade in his million-miler!

When Joe bought his 1990 Accord, it already had 74,000 miles on the clock. Since taking ownership in 1996, he relied on strictly sticking to maintenance schedules as well as using good quality parts. He also drove the car smoothly and safely. When Honda’s ad agency was informed that Joe was coming up to a million miles in the Accord, they came up with a campaign called Million Mile Joe to celebrate the milestone. If you wanted to drive the same distance as Joe’s Accord, you’d have to driving around Earth 40 times.

So, perhaps it’s a good idea to look around for a reliable, well-travelled Honda to accompany you on your travels. Sure, you’re unlikely to splash out on a new civic 2012 model but you’ll easily find plenty of second-hand Civics and Accords that would suit a road trip very well.

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