I’m thinking about buying the 1.0 because I see it at very good prices, around 15k/18k, and the mileage usually doesn’t even reach 100k. My concern is the oil-bathed timing belt, which I’ve seen if it fails, the repair costs are around 1700 or so… On the other hand, the 1.5 doesn’t have this issue, but of course… the price of the 1.5 doesn’t go below 20k, not to mention the insurance that will increase significantly due to the 180 horsepower and the fuel consumption, even if you wear helium shoes..
So I would love for you to tell me about the timing belt, if it tends to fail as much as they say or if it’s just a myth, if the insurance really varies that much between the 1.0 and the 1.5, and those things, thank you very much in advance!!!
My advice is that, unless you’re really tight on cash or want a car just to get around without any major expectations, go for the 1.5. The fuel consumption won’t be more than 0.5 l/100 km in most cases, nothing significant, the same with the insurance, and of course, the capacity and driving comfort is another matter.
Hello Dani!! The truth is, yes, I’m tight on money… that’s why I was asking about that issue, because it’s something that concerns me, the price is quite a bit higher, 4 or 5k more, so… I don’t know, it’s out of my budget and finding a cheap manual is also difficult because most are automatic.
At the beginning, there were some issues with the belt due to premature degradation (but nowhere near the problems of Stellantis). Honda replaced the belt in a recall and the distribution kit with improved components both in the belt and in secondary parts. Right now, the fear of the 1.0 belt is unfounded and comes more from people talking at the bar whose closest experience with a Honda has been with a lawnmower.
To learn more about the belt, read this, it’s a Honda circular.
How great!! And how could I know which models already have that improvement made? I checked the information but it all sounds like Greek to me hahaha but I understand it’s like a guide to fix the problems?
You need to change the belt every 6 years or 120,000 km. The replacement costs a thousand euros. In my case, I changed it this year due to time, and it turned out perfect. The trick to prevent deterioration is to adhere to the maintenance schedule set by Honda and use the oil recommended by Honda. The choice of car should be based more on the use you will give it. In my case, my heart has always leaned towards the 1.5 or the Type R, but my head has told me that for my use, the 1.0 is more than enough.
Hello Kant!! What would be the use of the 1.5 and the 1.0? For trips or for urban use? Please tell me!! And another thing… I’ve seen that they often have issues with the air conditioning, right?
I understand that the choice depends on personal preference; back in the day, I was between the 1.5 and the 1.0 (2018), and in the end, I opted for the 1.0 because I drive on weekends and don’t need 182HP, 129 is enough for me, I can’t fit them in the stable . I can tell you I’ve done 106,000km with the 1.0, and I’ve taken several 15-day trips across Europe with it and I don’t regret not choosing the 1.5 (I lie, only once every 6 years when it’s time to pay for the belt maintenance and when I see it from behind, you can’t see the exhausts ).
I suppose all of us with a 1.0 have gone through this. I’ll summarize my conclusions for you (someone correct me if I’m wrong):
Honda launched a campaign on this issue. I don’t know the exact dates and results, but there’s a thread about it here on the forum.
Cars from mid to late 2018 were not called for the campaign (including mine, from November 2018). I believe (please confirm) that they are distinguished by declaring 126 HP instead of 129.
At the dealership, they insist on the importance of being strict with maintenance, especially with oil changes.
As a final conclusion, if when purchasing it has an up-to-date maintenance book at Honda and has passed the campaign, or didn’t need it (for example, after the restyling, it definitely didn’t need it), then that’s the best guarantee you can have.
And if I needed it but it no longer has the official Honda warranty, only the second-hand dealership’s, would it still be covered? Thank you very much in advance!!
I can tell you with absolute certainty that the belt does not degrade AT ALL like those in other cars. Mine went 10,000 km with the *broken belt tensioner * and I only replaced the tensioner because the belt was in perfect condition and still had useful life left. Not a single chip in the oil or filters. It’s true that I follow maintenance to the letter and use the oil specified by the manufacturer.
However, be prepared to open your wallet when you have to change it, because it won’t be less than €1200, as it usually coincides with other maintenance (spark plugs, valve adjustment…). In my case, I do it at home and buy the parts from Honda to avoid problems.
I no longer know what to do… some say it’s terrible, others say it’s very good… hahaha what I know for sure is that it either ruins your life or becomes the best car you could have, there’s no middle ground
I just sold a 1.5 manual with 90,000 km for 20k. Don’t trust the ones you see with the same mileage above 25k, because most of them have been for sale for months and are there “just in case.” I’m not saying to rule out the 1.0, it all depends on the price difference, but don’t give up on the 1.5 either because occasionally a unit appears from someone who wants to sell it quickly because they’ve bought another or for any other reason; it’s about searching and being patient…
Well, call me crazy but I see it simply: your budget currently allows for the 1.0… there’s nothing more… changing a belt is not the end of the world… is it money? yes, but if you organize yourself well, it’s just about shelling out the cash and gritting your teeth… Do you think the 1.5 is free of issues? Just in January, the rev A3489 popped up and I paid over 1000 bucks in a single service (spark plugs, valve adjustment, transmission oil, and air purifier element)… it’s not an oil-soaked belt but it sucks just the same…
Moreover, as you say, the 1.5 is “unreachable” right now at the current market prices, so either you make an extra effort or haggle with the seller until you reach the figure your budget dictates… so everything points to the most sensible choice being the 1.0 and preferably a unit that already has the belt changed, since in that case, you’ll have to deal with it when the time comes, but it’s not the end of the world…
Fuel consumption depends mostly on how heavy your foot is and how you use it, city driving is not the same as highway (in the latter, they are “fuel sippers”). Sensations? yes, there’s a difference, just ask those who have switched from the 1.0 to the 1.5, but the 1.0 is not a bad engine, nothing to do with what was mentioned above about Stellantis, despite the oil-soaked belt.
When I bought the Civic, I was in the same situation as you, even worse, the model had barely been on the market for a year and there was little information. What did I do? Besides asking on the forum, I went to a meetup and was able to get more direct opinions, they even gave me a ride to see how it went… Then I went to a dealership, tested it, and in the end, I opted for the 1.5… I don’t regret it.
Hello, I have the 1.0 with 120,000 km and I just did the timing belt, the belt came out intact. However, the complete check-up in addition to the belt is expensive, 2,000 bucks. As for the engine, it’s good, but in other matters, my experience hasn’t been good.
The widespread panic about timing belts now is not normal, when most cars have always had a timing belt and nobody paid as much attention as they do now. I imagine that the “wet belt” and the confusion created by Stellantis’ problems with this issue have contributed significantly. But it is already more than clear that the wet belt in the 1.0 does not cause those problems, I mean, this model didn’t just come out yesterday, some are surely already on their second timing belt…
I think their fear is nothing other than the expense that the belt entails… but the 1.5 isn’t free from other equally expensive maintenance if they catch you all at once…
It’s said that Honda is very reliable, but it involves maintenance…
How many Civic 1.0 engines have failed due to this specific issue? Note that the system of Honda’s 1.0 is not the same as that of the Stellantis group.
In fact, and as stated by their owners, they have changed the belts of the 1.0 for maintenance and they were intact… but they must be changed, correct… now, from there to generalizing that it is an endemic failure of the model… Honda covers its back beforehand… not afterward, like Stellantis did… and thankfully so.
. I can tell you I’ve done 106,000km with the 1.0, and I’ve taken several 15-day trips across Europe with it and I don’t regret not choosing the 1.5 (I lie, only once every 6 years when it’s time to pay for the belt maintenance and when I see it from behind, you can’t see the exhausts 
).