Overview & Reviews

A new Mugen Si trim level debuts for the 2008 Honda Civic sedan. It's similar to the regular Si sedan but comes with more aggressive suspension tuning, special wheels and exterior body enhancements. The only other change for the Civic line this year is the new availability of leather seating for the new EX-L trim level.

• Engine lineup that offers both fuel-efficiency and performance, roomy and refined interior, high crash test scores, available as a sedan or coupe.

• Controversial gauge cluster design, slow acceleration times of Hybrid and GX models.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 578.00

• 

  Not happy - 2008 Honda Civic
  By not happy - September 14 - 1:36 am

  I am getting 25 mpg hwy only 800+ miles. Its very uncomfortable. Very disappointed in my first Honda. Did loads of research and this was the all around best value, safety, gas mileage etc but I am incredibly disappointed. I even have the plastic laminate bubbling off around the windows.

• 

  Civic EX Coupe 2008 is a loser - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Freddy - February 6 - 3:50 am

  I have previously owned 2000 and 2004 Civic EX coupes and have loved them. My 2008 is a total letdown. It has the loudest, roughest ride of any car I have owned, including older Corvettes. The road noise is terrible. The entire car has been cheaply made. It seems loaded with plastic. Corners have been cut everywhere. It looks great from the outside, but thats the only positive about this car. The seats are too hard. The trunk requires forced slamming while the gas pedal has no tactile feedback. The sun visors are very stiff to use. The seat belt and directional noise chimes are much louder than my 2004. Actually irritating. The high beam indicator on the directional stick goes on too easily

• 

  Long-term review based on 9 years of ownership - 2008 Honda Civic
  By stlpilot - January 14 - 7:23 pm

  We purchased our 2008 Civic EX brand new about 9 years ago. We are big fans of Honda cars and would like to pass along our ownership experience to the rest of you concerning this car. Unfortunately, owning this car hasnt been without headaches. We experienced the same re-occurring maintenance issues mentioned in most of the other reviews. The big ones were pain issue and engine mounts. Our car is black, and my understanding the 2008 and the 2009 Civics and Accords had many paint issues. Our Civic was repainted three times (three different sections), due to paint defect. All this was covered by Honda, but only after many hours on the phone with Honda. This was a major headache and it Honda did not cover the costs, this would have been very expensive to us. The second big issue is the faulty engine mounts. We replaced our engine mounts about 12,000 miles ago and the problem seems to be coming back. If you are considering on purchasing this car, please keep in mind the costs associated with replacing the engine mounts. Regarding everyday driving, this car is perfect for your short distance drives to the store and back, returning great fuel economy. However, you will regret driving it on long multi-hour drives. It is loud and the seats arent comofortable. We are in our 30s and very fit, however after a single road trip in the Civic, we will never take it out for another road trip. We will keep this car until it has 180 or 200k miles on it before selling it. This could be a great car for a college kid, but I think you could buy a slightly newer Civic and avoid all the above mentioned problems.

• 

  Long-term review based on 9 years of ownership - 2008 Honda Civic
  By stlpilot - January 14 - 7:23 pm

  We purchased our 2008 Civic EX brand new about 9 years ago. We are big fans of Honda cars and would like to pass along our ownership experience to the rest of you concerning this car. Unfortunately, owning this car hasnt been without headaches. We experienced the same re-occurring maintenance issues mentioned in most of the other reviews. The big ones were pain issue and engine mounts. Our car is black, and my understanding the 2008 and the 2009 Civics and Accords had many paint issues. Our Civic was repainted three times (three different sections), due to paint defect. All this was covered by Honda, but only after many hours on the phone with Honda. This was a major headache and it Honda did not cover the costs, this would have been very expensive to us. The second big issue is the faulty engine mounts. We replaced our engine mounts about 12,000 miles ago and the problem seems to be coming back. If you are considering on purchasing this car, please keep in mind the costs associated with replacing the engine mounts. Regarding everyday driving, this car is perfect for your short distance drives to the store and back, returning great fuel economy. However, you will regret driving it on long multi-hour drives. It is loud and the seats arent comofortable. We are in our 30s and very fit, however after a single road trip in the Civic, we will never take it out for another road trip. We will keep this car until it has 180 or 200k miles on it before selling it. This could be a great car for a college kid, but I think you could buy a slightly newer Civic and avoid all the above mentioned problems.

• 

  Think before buying - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Stephanie - November 3 - 3:25 am

  The paint WILL fade on this car as part of the manufacturer paint recall and they will only pay 25% to help you fix this problem even though you bought this car from HONDA! They told me it was 2 years past warranty and "I was lucky that they were even helping cover the cost to repair the paint at all". The service is ridiculous, I highly suggest you buy your car from a manufacture that actually takes responsibility for a known defect in the car.

• 

  Great when new - long term not so great - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Paul Anderson - February 6 - 2:11 pm

  When I bought my 2008 Civic Coupe new, it was a great car for its class. It got great mileage, drove well, and for a compact car, had what I was after - bare bones, simple transportation with good mileage. Since I only drive 20 miles round trip to work everyday, I dont put a ton of miles on my cars, and I take great care of them, washing them frequently, doing regular maintenance as scheduled, not allowing my kids to eat in the car, and generally trying to keep them spotless. Unfortunately, it didnt take long for my initial feelings about my carbegin to change. At less than 20,000 miles, I went to pull the driver side sun visor down one day, and it fell apart in my hands. A few months later, a recall was issued on the sun visors, and it was fixed with no charge. Then at 24,000 miles, the alternator went out and had to be replaced. Again, a warranty-covered repair, but still ... for a car with the reputation of Hondas quality behind it, this was a bit disappointing. After those two items, things seemed to be going well for a while. Then at about the 5 year mark in 2013, I started noticing some slight fading of the dark blue paint. This one REALLY disappointed me. As a person who buys cars and holds onto them for 7-10 years and 100,000 miles plus, I try to ensure that I buy cars with high long-term reliability ratings, and I had done a lot of research on Honda before buying this car, and all the indications were that Honda made extremely high-quality, dependable vehicles. By the time I got rid of this car in 2016, at 8 years old, the paint was completely faded on the top and sides, the interior was starting to come apart, the front end was groaning and making all sorts of noises (suspected engine mount wear). I ended up donating the car to charity for a tax write off. Overall, I was very disappointed with the workmanship of this vehicle, as it just didnt live up to my expectations based on everything I had read and been told about Hondas. I went back to Toyota products, and this will be my only Honda purchase. I had owned Toyotas exclusively since about 1992, and never had these types of issues with any Toyota products, ranging from Camrys to Highlanders to 4Runners. When I went to replace this vehicle, I went back to the Toyota family and bought a Lexus - hoping to continue the better reliability and quality Ive had with Toyota products for the past 25 years.

• 

  Great when new - long term not so great - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Paul Anderson - February 6 - 2:11 pm

  When I bought my 2008 Civic Coupe new, it was a great car for its class. It got great mileage, drove well, and for a compact car, had what I was after - bare bones, simple transportation with good mileage. Since I only drive 20 miles round trip to work everyday, I dont put a ton of miles on my cars, and I take great care of them, washing them frequently, doing regular maintenance as scheduled, not allowing my kids to eat in the car, and generally trying to keep them spotless. Unfortunately, it didnt take long for my initial feelings about my carbegin to change. At less than 20,000 miles, I went to pull the driver side sun visor down one day, and it fell apart in my hands. A few months later, a recall was issued on the sun visors, and it was fixed with no charge. Then at 24,000 miles, the alternator went out and had to be replaced. Again, a warranty-covered repair, but still ... for a car with the reputation of Hondas quality behind it, this was a bit disappointing. After those two items, things seemed to be going well for a while. Then at about the 5 year mark in 2013, I started noticing some slight fading of the dark blue paint. This one REALLY disappointed me. As a person who buys cars and holds onto them for 7-10 years and 100,000 miles plus, I try to ensure that I buy cars with high long-term reliability ratings, and I had done a lot of research on Honda before buying this car, and all the indications were that Honda made extremely high-quality, dependable vehicles. By the time I got rid of this car in 2016, at 8 years old, the paint was completely faded on the top and sides, the interior was starting to come apart, the front end was groaning and making all sorts of noises (suspected engine mount wear). I ended up donating the car to charity for a tax write off. Overall, I was very disappointed with the workmanship of this vehicle, as it just didnt live up to my expectations based on everything I had read and been told about Hondas. I went back to Toyota products, and this will be my only Honda purchase. I had owned Toyotas exclusively since about 1992, and never had these types of issues with any Toyota products, ranging from Camrys to Highlanders to 4Runners. When I went to replace this vehicle, I went back to the Toyota family and bought a Lexus - hoping to continue the better reliability and quality Ive had with Toyota products for the past 25 years.

• 

  Complete Disappointment - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Chris - May 28 - 2:53 am

  I have been wanting a Civic Si since before I can remember. Now that I have one, I wish I could return it. It feels like a Cadillac with 2 doors and a 4 cylinder engine. That is, it doesnt feel fast, the suspension is terrible, it never feels comfortable, and I just cant find a good seat position. The cabin feels claustrophobic and cramped and I am not a large person (55"). If I could return it, I would. I dont think Ill be keeping this car much longer and will take my losses. Ill give 6 months max. Completely disappointed. Depressed and dissatisfied. Ill probably never get myself to buy another Honda again.

• 

  16 Months - Were Getting Ready to Dump - 2008 Honda Civic
  By abandmon - July 23 - 11:26 am

  Weve owned many domestic vehicles and decided to step-up to the superior quality of a Honda. What a disappointment! The first year was okay with the vehicle however its now falling apart. Performs poorly in the cold, if it starts at all. Dont think of driving in winter weather without snow tires. The alarm is toast. The electronics are on the fritz. Seat belts dont retract. Weather stripping is worn through. Loud clunk in the trunk area when making turns. Has a severe shake when approaching highway speeds. Hard to find a comfortable driving position. Overall, the most disappointing vehicle weve ever owned! Will never buy a Honda again.

• 

  Accident waiting to happen - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Kate - April 12 - 4:03 am

  Very disappointed in Honda. The Civic design makes it impossible to actually see the hood of the car while driving and this is even with the seat raised so much your head nearly hits the roof of the car. Honda says its aerodynamic but I think it is inconvenient, makes parking very difficult and really unsafe. Honda says you will learn to sense the end of the car but I say RUN!