These cars are pretty solid, just watch out for the A/C system. There’s a good chance the A/C will fail, but you might get lucky. If it does, Honda usually covers the condenser under warranty since that’s the usual weak spot. Glad to see you went with the manual. I have a 2014 Si, but I barely see base models with manual transmissions anymore.
@Ash
I usually freeze even in summer, so A/C isn’t much of an issue for me. My truck only had engine bay vents or rolled-down windows 
but good to know about the A/C! I really bugged the guy helping me get the car; he was so relieved not to look for another manual he asked me a few times if I was sure about the manual option, but that was all I wanted — a reliable car with a stick shift!
@Fletcher
That 2.0 engine is really reliable. I’ve seen many of these cars reach over 250k miles without major issues. Just keep up with regular maintenance and it’ll last a long time! Don’t forget to change the transmission fluid every few oil changes; it’s cheaper than oil and will help keep everything smooth. I do mine every 20k miles or after four oil changes. There’s also a lot of aftermarket support if you want to upgrade. I highly recommend some acuity shifter upgrades — they made a huge difference in how the car feels.
@Ash
I’ve had my 2017 in for A/C repairs five times since I got it in 2021. I’m planning to get something else when the extended warranty ends in 2026, lol.
Jin said:
@Ash
I’ve had my 2017 in for A/C repairs five times since I got it in 2021. I’m planning to get something else when the extended warranty ends in 2026, lol.
Haha, see, that’s the risk! Hopefully, yours doesn’t have the same issue. Mine never failed, but I only had it for a year and 30k miles before it got totaled.
@Ash
Yeah, I had to replace the condenser in 2021, another one in 2022, and then I had to spend $1800 for a new compressor in 2023. Took it in again in 2024 for compressor replacement, and they said a cap was missing, causing a Freon leak. I’m expecting more repairs soon. It’s been great otherwise, though.
Manual is the way to go!
Enjoy the ride!
I have a CVT in mine instead of a manual, but tuning my 2.0 engine was definitely worth it. You might want to look into a KTuner if you’re interested in performance upgrades.
These are great cars, especially with the K20 engine and a 6-speed manual. You can’t go wrong with this combo.
Riley said:
These are great cars, especially with the K20 engine and a 6-speed manual. You can’t go wrong with this combo.
Isn’t this the L15 turbo engine?
Riley said:
These are great cars, especially with the K20 engine and a 6-speed manual. You can’t go wrong with this combo.
Isn’t this the L15 turbo engine?
It looks like it’s the LX model with the 6-speed manual transmission.
@Riley
Yes, that’s right!
Fletcher said:
@Riley
Yes, that’s right!
This is the best value for the money in a Civic. You get Android Auto/CarPlay, heated seats, auto climate control, and the most reliable engine and transmission combination. What else could you ask for?
@Riley
Exactly! Not complaining at all, although it would be nice if my Android Auto worked properly.
Fletcher said:
@Riley
Exactly! Not complaining at all, although it would be nice if my Android Auto worked properly.
Does it disconnect a lot? If it does, you can get a wireless Android Auto box from AliExpress.
@Riley
That’s the plan! It started showing a message saying my cord was wrong, and after trying 100 different cords, nothing works. I even tried all the software fixes to no avail. I hate having to plug my phone in, so the wireless option would be a huge upgrade for me.
Manual all the way!
It’s a Honda, just keep good oil in it, change it often, and don’t drive it like you stole it. These things can last well over 400k miles. I daily drive my 2009 LX-S with 170k miles, and the A/C went out. I’m not fixing it because even the replacements are bad. That’s what windows are for, right? 