Honda Civic (9th gen) 1.8 EXI A/T vs Mitsubishi Lancer EX GTA 2.0 CVT

[jigs_xix]

I'd been contemplating on these two cars. I have my own pros and cons but I am not yet decided on which car to buy. I still have to test drive both cars. Tsikoteers, I need your opinions which may help me to choose between the two. Thank you..

Civic Pros
Japan CBU - quality and reliability. As previous Honda owner, I'm convinced it will never fail in terms of quality/reliability.
High tech car - Econ, built-in rear camera (reverse)
Fuel efficient

Civic Cons
Hybrid of FD, City and Accord (no identify of its own)
Rear exterior design doesn't impress me
No paddle shifters

Lancer EX Pros
Sports car. Maangas tignan both front and back. Exterior design
Rockford Fosgate
Paddle shifters (M/T touch)

Lancer EX Cons
Reliability is a big question mark - known ABS dashboard signal problem. The car might spend time on the casa most of the time for repair.
Fuel consumption is still a question mark
PH assembled

[jhnkvn]

1. Remember that Mitsubishi in the Philippines is bigger than Honda Reliability of Mitsubishi shouldn't be a question mark with the amount of Montero Sports roaming the metro.

2. I wouldn't give a major plus to Mitsu's Rockford Fosgate system. Even though it's made by an aftermarket party, you can get a better car audio system for around 20k.

3. Civic's rear-view camera is way overdue. In any case, it shouldn't be a significant buying factor.

I'd suggest throw in the 1.8L variant of the Elantra in here too to even things out. Between the three, I'd get the Elantra on grounds of both looking good and its performance. The Honda is newer but I'm dissatisfied with the current pricing.. that's a huge jump in SRP from the previous model with minimal differences. Due to this, the Lancer EX GTA gets my vote here post-discounts. The 2.0L MIVEC engine is a joy to drive from what I heard ;) parts should also be more readily available compared to the new Civic.. for now.

I would suggest you test drive both units and see what you like. If you're young at heart, I think the GTA would be your go-to car.

[ram_dlsu]

Jigs,

I think you should put for CIVIC under CONS the supply constraints. For sure, there is a long wait list for the 9th Gen Civic especially since its CBU Japan, JDM spec. So if you're really decided on the Civic, better reserve soon.

[mda]

Can you wait for the Thai variants? *Baka* may price drop haha

[vefyjeph]

Come on! Don't feel bad with PH assembled! Love your own. Hehehe. IMHO, you should not put this as a CON. There are certifications and standards sa plants. So quality should be within those standards.

[genesischain]

1. Remember that Mitsubishi in the Philippines is bigger than Honda Reliability of Mitsubishi shouldn't be a question mark with the amount of Montero Sports roaming the metro.

Ser marami narin nagreklamo sa quality ng Lancer EX ah. Like the TS mentioned, yung ABS sensor problem. Malfunctioning stereo, rear side kalampag, Worst I've read is CVT going kaput (buti under warranty). 350k wallet damage in case.

Also, one thing that's holding me back from buying an EX, tapos na yung speedlab promo. Sayang yun!

*jigs_xix
An Elantra would seem like a better deal. The Civic is nice and all, but Honda ph is explicitly trying to rob us all IMO.

I hate how the Elantra looks though so I'd rather get a Lancer EX GLX and mod the hell out of it LOL.

[GTi]

Ang mahal ng Civic! Pero at this kind of pricing, I'd go all the way and wait for the top of the line variant. As for now, I'd go for the Lancer. If you want a CBU Japan Lancer EX, you can look in the 2nd hand market, the initial batches of Lancer EX's were CBU Japan, and I believe that is where the unicorn Lancer EX GT M/T is found. Pero kung brand new talaga, get the M/T variant and let Speedlab do its magic!

[japong]

Mitsubishi is known for kalampag kahit dati pa. Honda for reliability. i suggest do a test drive and feel the car which suits you and your hearts loves...hehe! If hindi ka nagmamadali TS. wait this mias this end of march. new models may come out and test drive the cars you want. suggests ko din sana new focus kaso malamang 3rd or 4th quarter pa labas nun sa pinas..

[jigs_xix]

Mga sir, salamat sa replies nyo. I'm leaning to get a blue GTA and pray to the gods that I don't get the unit with reliability issues.

I'd been going back and forth to Honda dealerships to get a glimpse of the Civic. Hindi ko talaga matiis yung exterior design, especially the rear and I don't want to spend 5 years of my life with that. My other recourse is to wait for the refresh of the 9th gen pero I think matatagalan pa ito. I can't wait another year for a new car.

On the Lancer EX, I'd been contacting several dealers. The best offer I got is from Citimotors Makati which is 155K cash discount, free Apple bundle worth 50K (Dragon deals), free LTO registration and 3M tint. Di na nila na-extend yung Speedlab promo to March. Now, I'm talking to Diamond Motors if they can match. Diamond is the preferred sales / after sales service of Mitsu owners.

I really want a manual transmission car so my other option is to buy the GLX variant and use the price difference off the GTA to dress up the GLX. Kaso ang problema, bobo ako pag dating sa car modifications (body kits, rims, etc). I don't know which brand and what specs to chose at baka ma-void ko pa yung warranty. Kapag GTA ang kukunin ko, I don't have to worry about all that; but I'm not getting M/T. My ignorance of car mods may result for me to use a CVT instead, paglaruan ko na lang yung paddle shifters for the "manual" touch.

[GTi]

Mga sir, salamat sa replies nyo. I'm leaning to get a blue GTA and pray to the gods that I don't get the unit with reliability issues.

I'd been going back and forth to Honda dealerships to get a glimpse of the Civic. Hindi ko talaga matiis yung exterior design, especially the rear and I don't want to spend 5 years of my life with that. My other recourse is to wait for the refresh of the 9th gen pero I think matatagalan pa ito. I can't wait another year for a new car.

On the Lancer EX, I'd been contacting several dealers. The best offer I got is from Citimotors Makati which is 155K cash discount, free Apple bundle worth 50K (Dragon deals), free LTO registration and 3M tint. Di na nila na-extend yung Speedlab promo to March. Now, I'm talking to Diamond Motors if they can match. Diamond is the preferred sales / after sales service of Mitsu owners.

I really want a manual transmission car so my other option is to buy the GLX variant and use the price difference off the GTA to dress up the GLX. Kaso ang problema, bobo ako pag dating sa car modifications (body kits, rims, etc). I don't know which brand and what specs to chose at baka ma-void ko pa yung warranty. Kapag GTA ang kukunin ko, I don't have to worry about all that; but I'm not getting M/T. My ignorance of car mods may result for me to use a CVT instead, paglaruan ko na lang yung paddle shifters for the "manual" touch.

Perhaps you can get the GLX and install the OEM EX GT-A body kit and 18" alloys. If you get the M/T you also get to wring more power out of the engine should you want to tune.

[spitshine]

suggests ko din sana new focus kaso malamang 3rd or 4th quarter pa labas nun sa pinas..

sa pagkaka alam ko first quarter sa pinas labas ng focus, yun ang nakasulat sa topgear philippines ko, lalabas riin yung city na may minor change, and yung accent hatch diesel is 3rd quarter. for pickups ford nranger sakachevrolet colorado this 1st quarter.

[ghosthunter]

Mga sir, salamat sa replies nyo. I'm leaning to get a blue GTA and pray to the gods that I don't get the unit with reliability issues.

I'd been going back and forth to Honda dealerships to get a glimpse of the Civic. Hindi ko talaga matiis yung exterior design, especially the rear and I don't want to spend 5 years of my life with that. My other recourse is to wait for the refresh of the 9th gen pero I think matatagalan pa ito. I can't wait another year for a new car.

On the Lancer EX, I'd been contacting several dealers. The best offer I got is from Citimotors Makati which is 155K cash discount, free Apple bundle worth 50K (Dragon deals), free LTO registration and 3M tint. Di na nila na-extend yung Speedlab promo to March. Now, I'm talking to Diamond Motors if they can match. Diamond is the preferred sales / after sales service of Mitsu owners.

I really want a manual transmission car so my other option is to buy the GLX variant and use the price difference off the GTA to dress up the GLX. Kaso ang problema, bobo ako pag dating sa car modifications (body kits, rims, etc). I don't know which brand and what specs to chose at baka ma-void ko pa yung warranty. Kapag GTA ang kukunin ko, I don't have to worry about all that; but I'm not getting M/T. My ignorance of car mods may result for me to use a CVT instead, paglaruan ko na lang yung paddle shifters for the "manual" touch.

If you want the "manual" touch with the CVT, you just have to get the GLS model because the shifter is a better replacement for the shiftknob than the paddle shifters would be.

As for body mods, if you are getting the GLX/GLS/MX models, I would suggest simply upgrading the wheels from the factory 16s to something in the 18s to improve the looks. Also applying a black vinyl sticker on the center bar of the front grill would improve the looks of the GLX/GLS to something similar the GTA. The rest of the body kits can wait until later. Take your time to enjoy the car.

[jigs_xix]

Why can't MMPC bring back the GT variant? And for all other manufacturers, why top of the line class doesn't come in M/T?

[ghosthunter]

Why can't MMPC bring back the GT variant? And for all other manufacturers, why top of the line class doesn't come in M/T?

People with money are lazy to shift manually.

[oliver1013]

MX owner here for three years already, I have the Japan CBU unit..Di totoo yung kalampag, sa luma siguro pero sakin 3 years na ala parin kalampag. Its like judging current hyundai and kia models na bulok kasi dati bulok sila. As for
the ABS issue, yep nadale ko niyan mga 3 weeks sa casa unit ko bago nila na figure out yung diperensiya. Pero ever since it drives like heaven. Mostl likely pag lumabas yung ganyang issue ngayon alam na nila solusyon diyan, or better yet baka nai ayos na nila. BTW kuha ka sa diamond valle ok serbisyo nila dun. And also may mestisahing ahente doon..pwede

[coolcat11]

Mga sir, salamat sa replies nyo. I'm leaning to get a blue GTA and pray to the gods that I don't get the unit with reliability issues.

I'd been going back and forth to Honda dealerships to get a glimpse of the Civic. Hindi ko talaga matiis yung exterior design, especially the rear and I don't want to spend 5 years of my life with that. My other recourse is to wait for the refresh of the 9th gen pero I think matatagalan pa ito. I can't wait another year for a new car.

On the Lancer EX, I'd been contacting several dealers. The best offer I got is from Citimotors Makati which is 155K cash discount, free Apple bundle worth 50K (Dragon deals), free LTO registration and 3M tint. Di na nila na-extend yung Speedlab promo to March. Now, I'm talking to Diamond Motors if they can match. Diamond is the preferred sales / after sales service of Mitsu owners.

I really want a manual transmission car so my other option is to buy the GLX variant and use the price difference off the GTA to dress up the GLX. Kaso ang problema, bobo ako pag dating sa car modifications (body kits, rims, etc). I don't know which brand and what specs to chose at baka ma-void ko pa yung warranty. Kapag GTA ang kukunin ko, I don't have to worry about all that; but I'm not getting M/T. My ignorance of car mods may result for me to use a CVT instead, paglaruan ko na lang yung paddle shifters for the "manual" touch.

were on the same boat sir.. im planning to get mine end of this month. im confused din sa lancer ex gta/gls. since gls ang pasok sa budget ko. but im worried din kasi meron nagsabi sakin pag gls ang kinuha ko ibang iba ang front style nya sa gta thats why gta ang minomodified nilang evo x. can i make evo x look yun gls if ever or iba tlga mukha nya? sna may mkpg bigay linaw po para samin ni jigs_xix. and also the fuel consumption if this model compared sa 1.8 civic fd 2009 namin.

[GTi]

MX owner here for three years already, I have the Japan CBU unit..Di totoo yung kalampag, sa luma siguro pero sakin 3 years na ala parin kalampag. Its like judging current hyundai and kia models na bulok kasi dati bulok sila. As for
the ABS issue, yep nadale ko niyan mga 3 weeks sa casa unit ko bago nila na figure out yung diperensiya. Pero ever since it drives like heaven. Mostl likely pag lumabas yung ganyang issue ngayon alam na nila solusyon diyan, or better yet baka nai ayos na nila. BTW kuha ka sa diamond valle ok serbisyo nila dun. And also may mestisahing ahente doon..pwede

Does your good experience with the Lancer have anything to do with the fact that you have a CBU Japan unit?

[GTi]

were on the same boat sir.. im planning to get mine end of this month. im confused din sa lancer ex gta/gls. since gls ang pasok sa budget ko. but im worried din kasi meron nagsabi sakin pag gls ang kinuha ko ibang iba ang front style nya sa gta thats why gta ang minomodified nilang evo x. can i make evo x look yun gls if ever or iba tlga mukha nya? sna may mkpg bigay linaw po para samin ni jigs_xix. and also the fuel consumption if this model compared sa 1.8 civic fd 2009 namin.

You can easily facelift naman if you want. They all have the same body naman and what will fit on one will definitely fit on another regardless of the variant. As for the fuel consumption... A large part of it will surely depend on how you drive. If you have a light foot, then surely you will be able to get similar FC numbers as with your FD. Although siguro if you want to attain that, you might need an even lighter foot.

[oliver1013]

Does your good experience with the Lancer have anything to do with the fact that you have a CBU Japan unit?

Yan lang..

[jigs_xix]

Is there really a noticeable quality difference between a Japan CBU vs PH assembled. Yung sa friend ko Japan CBU pero na-experience din nya yung ABS sensor problem and sabi naman nung Diamond agent na ayos na daw yung ABS issue ngayon. Although alam ko naman sales talk lang yun, it just make me think na baka mas ok pa yung quality control ng PH assembled.