Supposedly, you can expect a 2001 Honda Civic LX to last about 200,000 miles. And yet, you often see Civics going up for sale with three, four hundred thousand miles on the odometer and still in decent condition. One Civic even hit the million-mile mark with the original drivetrain.
Now, what does 2001 Honda Civic LX mean, exactly?
LX means something different from carmaker to carmaker. On the Civic, you could say that it’s short for luxury. But the luxury features in the Civic LX are fairly modest. The biggest difference would probably be the cruise control, exclusive to the LX trim level.
The important thing with a Civic is that it attracts the kind of driver who’s trying to join the high mileage club. Civics are sensible, safe cars that attract sensible, safe drivers. Let’s get into this, and what sets the LX apart from the DX, below.
The 2001 DX
The 2001 Civic DX holds a 1.7L SOHC 16 engine delivering 115 horsepower and 110 ft. lbs. of torque. It comes with front-wheel drive and a four-speed electronic transmission ensuring smooth up and down-shifts, which ensures a longer life expectancy.
The 2001 Civic lineup won the Japan Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference’s Car of the Year award in its model year, and a number of awards from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.
It should come as no big surprise that both of these organizations are focused on efficiency. You may find drivers who consider the Civic to be a boring family car. But the incredible fuel efficiency and dependability put it in a class of its own.
As a family car, the DX is adequately packed with frills. You have an AM/FM stereo with four speakers, comfortable bucket seats up front with a fold-down 60/50 three-seat bench in the back. Everything you need, if not much else.
The 2001 LX
As mentioned, when you hear “LX” you think “That must be the luxury model.” In this case, “luxury” might be a little generous. But “comfortable” works. This is the “comfortable” trim level.
The mechanical specs are identical, 115 horsepower, 110 ft. lbs. of torque, 32/39 city/highway. It’s the same car with a few extra features. Like a cassette player, cruise control, and seatback pockets for the kids to put their coloring books.
But, if you’re looking for a Civic to compete with a Lexus, you might be missing the point of driving a Civic. The cool thing about a 2001 Civic is that if you bought one new when your first kid was born, they’ll be able to drive it to college.
Not every 2001 Honda Civic is going to hit a half-million miles, but it’s actually hard to run a Civic into the ground before it breaks 250,000. With regular maintenance and safe driving, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy decades of loyal service out of your LX.
Built To Last
The 2001 Honda Civic might be the most enduring car of its model year. But it’s not the only candidate for the high mileage club. Check out Vehicle History and find out how many miles you can hope to get out of whatever it is you’re looking for.