The 2004 Honda Civic costs a little bit more than competitors like the 2004 Ford Focus and the 2004 Hyundai Elantra, but it makes up the difference with lower maintenance costs, better fuel economy, and a longer life expectancy, with 250,000 miles being a lowball expectation. The 2004 Honda Civic was arguably the best new compact car on the market when it launched, and it may just be the best used compact on the market today.
Is the 2004 Honda Civic a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2004 Honda Civic is still a great car all these years later.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – It’s a compact, so we’re grading on a curve here, but it’s pretty spacious for what it is, and the suspension has held up very well.
- Reliability 9/10 – If you can find one with 150,000 miles on the odometer, you’ve got a fair shot at doubling that number.
- Safety 7/10 – The Civic’s crash test scores are excellent, but safety tech is dated and anti-lock brakes are exclusive to higher trims.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – 32/38 miles to the gallon, city/highway, is excellent even by modern standards.
- Value 9/10 – The only way you’re going to find a better value than this is if you’re buying a new Honda Civic. For the price, it’s hard to find a vehicle this good and this reliable in any size class.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Honda Civic?
Consumer Reports had nothing but praise for the 2004 Civic, calling it well-designed and economical with excellent handling and good crash-test ratings. Overall they found it to be a big improvement over earlier Civics, which they already liked.
Kelley Blue Book users generally love the Civic, with one glowing review calling it the “Best car ever!” Drivers note that the 2004 Civic lives up to its reputation as a reliable, comfortable, nimble compact that can “parallel park on a dime.” But even the car’s biggest fans admit to some loud road noise.
Edmunds found the Civic to be fuel efficient and roomy with some great engine options. They criticized the omission of anti-lock brakes in the DX and LX, noting that higher trim levels were a bit pricey on release.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Honda Civic Have?
Airbag issues take up about a third of the Civic’s 346 total National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints, with 131 reports on file. The most concerning issue being reported: The airbags don’t deploy in the event of an accident.
Airbags make up most of the Civic’s recalls, as well, covering 8 of 15 total. All three of the car’s investigations, including two that are still open, are for airbag issues, as well.
Powertrain issues are fairly scarce for such an old car, but early warning signs of transmission failure include shaking and loss of automotive power while in traffic. Once this starts to happen, it may be a good idea to to start shopping for a new car.
In total, the 2004 Civic has 15 recalls on file, which is a bit high for a 20 year old car, and 346 complaints, which is a bit low. All told, the 2004 Civic remains one of the most low-maintenance used cars in its price range.
How Long Will the 2004 Honda Civic Last?
If you buy a used Civic expecting to see 250,000 miles, you probably won’t be disappointed. Owners typically report a quarter million to 300,000 miles on the odometer before the problems get too expensive to keep fixing. It’s a Civic, it’s famous for its longevity.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $368, so about a dollar a day. The most expensive common fixes include new oil pumps starting at $919, and airbag controle module replacements at $879.
No I have not had any issues with my 2004 Honda Civic. I highly recommend everyone to get a Honda you will be surprised on how good the car really is
I have been told about issues with steering but my vehicle has not had it. I have not had major issues with my Honda Civic so far and have enjoyed driving it
It is a very reliable vehicle and it seldom ever causes any problems or difficulties, especially when out on the road.
It is reliable. It starts in the coldest days of winter with no heat issues. I've only had to replace the brakes.
Yes it had some problems but they are ok now I got it fixed. The car's engine light keeps turning on and it would break down a couple times but I fixed it
No problems but the tires need changing no lights are on good driving vehicle to get you to your destination.
It is reliable..I get any problem so far. I guess it's just how you take care your vehicle no matter what it is.
The only problem that I have experienced with my Honda is the air conditioner not working but that was fixed very simply
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is pretty good for a 2004 compact car. You get a CD player in most trims Civic, and six speakers in the higher trim levels.
Safety technology is adequate for 2004, but skimpy in the lower trims. Anti-lock brakes are reserved for the higher trim levels, which seems like an oversight.
Is the 2004 Honda Civic a Good Value?
The 2004 Honda Civic is possibly the very best car for the price. A mid-range LX typically lists at around $4,406. Entry level models usually list at under four grand.
These prices are for vehicles with less than 160,000 miles on the odometer. With the Civic usually reaching at least 250,000, you could easily get another five, ten years out of a Honda Civic with attentive maintenance and regular oil changes.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Honda Civic?
Not counting the sporty Si and the Hybrid, which are sold and marketed as their own models, the Civic comes in five different trims, from the entry-level DX to the high-end EX.
With the base DX you’re getting:
- Cloth seat trim
- AM//FM stereo with four speakers
- Maintenance interval indicator
- Reclining front bucket seats
Next up is the VP adding:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
The mid-range HX adds:
- Cruise control
- Power door locks
With the high-end LX you’re adding:
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows
The top-of-the-line EX adds:
- Power sunroof
- Optional CD player with six speakers
- Auxiliary power socket
- Anti-lock brakes
What Engines Come In the 2004 Honda Civic?
- The standard engine in the 2004 Civic is a 1.7L inline-four delivering 115 horsepower and 110 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission and configured in front wheel drive and averages 32/38 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- The EX model is available with a slightly more powerful VTEC version of the 1.7L inline-four, delivering 127 horsepower and 114 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic, configured in front wheel drive, and averages 32/38 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2004 Honda Civic Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Honda Civic?
The 2004 Civic is more comfortable than you might expect of a compact. At just under 50 inches across at the hip, the back row might be a bit tight for three adults. But the kids should have no complaints, and the cabin is otherwise pretty spacious.
Suspension complaints are remarkably few for a twenty year old car, so you can expect that the ride is still as smooth now as it was twenty years ago. All the same, see how it hits those speed bumps when you take it on a test drive.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Honda Civic Have?
The Civic starts off at just 12.9 cubic feet of trunk space, but, in the hatchback, you can fold the seats down and get up to 35.7 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s almost enough to compete with a compact SUV. To put it in terms of travel luggage, that’s up to four large suitcases.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2004 Honda Civic was the fourth and final model year for the car’s 7th Generation, launched in 2001.
2001: The 2001 overhaul included sportier styling and improved performance thanks to a new 122 horsepower D17A1 engine.
2002: Honda added some chrome accents to the interior design for 2002, but the only major change for the Civic was that Honda started producing the hatchbacks in Swindon, England.
2003: No big changes for 2003, but Honda improved the quality of the interior trim materials and they added adjustable headrests.
2004: A “facelift” model year for the Civic with brand new bumpers, headlights, and grilles, but no big changes under the hood or in the cabin.
How Does the 2004 Honda Civic Compare to the Competition?
The 2004 Ford Focus can’t match the Civic for longevity, but performance specs at the entry level are comparable, and the Focus sells for around a thousand dollars cheaper than the Civic.
This is true of the 2004 Elantra, as well. The Elantra probably won’t last quite as long as the Civic, but it costs a thousand dollars less and the entry level model is actually more powerful, at 138 horsepower compared to the Civic at 115.
Ultimately, the Civic is not the cheapest compact car on the market today. But it might be the best value. When you take longevity, fuel economy, and maintenance costs into account, the Civic will cost you an extra thousand up front over the Focus or the Elantra, but it may save you two, three times that before it’s ready for retirement.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Honda Civic?
Yes, this car was overall affordable, it gets good gas mileage, sporty and I have enjoyed driving it.
Yes, it drives good distances and has good gas mileage. It seldom ever has any sorts of problems or difficulties when out on the road.
Yes. The Honda Civic is reliable, good on gas mileage, and easy to maintain. I haven't had to put any money into it.
Yes it is a good vehicle it drives nice and everything. The reason I like it is because of its move driving I had to change it a couple time
Yes because it runs good and barely have any problems it's a small car and a good cash saver nice inside
Yes..it is very good runs smoothly, take less gas also. Old model but if you're looking for a vehicle that are not too expensive this one is perfect.
Yes! I have relied on Honda’s my whole life!! Everybody in my family owns a Honda. Honda’s are known to be very reliable and can last a very long time
Yes it is very reliable. I have owned it for a while now and have not had many issues. I would recommend it to others as a stable car.