To nin7xbam: I wasn't expecting 50, but I expected to be better than 40, comfortably. As I said already, my 1990 did get better than 40MPG, even when I drove at 80MPH...and it was an automatic. I have also previously owned a 1986 CRX HF and you are right; those are the fuel economy champs in the Honda lineup. If I drove it a steady 40-45 mph on the road, I could squeeze just barely better than 65 mpg out of it. On my usual somewhat daring mountain trips to/from work (I lived in the Colorado high country at that time), I saw regularly about 55-58MPG. But I also owned, for a time, a 1980 Civic CVCC 1.3L, a two-door hatchback. The penalty with that car was that it was very slow, but it rewarded with fuel economy never worse than about 45, and a few times, better than 50. So, some of my research is actual measurements from Civics I have owned in the past. As far as comparing weight, etc, between cars, here's how it compares between the new 1997 and the old 1990: 1990 engine: 1.5L, 92HP, throttle-body injection 1997 engine: 1.6L, 106HP, multi-point fuel injection 1990 weight: 2480 pounds 1997 weight: 2438 pounds 1990 EPA estimate: 31/34 MPG (actually got 38/44) 1997 EPA estimate: 29/35 MPG (actually getting 33/38) So we see that the 1997 actually weighs LESS than the 1990, but not by much. I do think the exterior of the car has grown, so it's probably having to push a lot more wind out of the way. I was expecting to do better than the 1990 since my '97 had a manual trans. Also, the EPA estimate for the 1997 is slightly higher than for the 1990 on the highway, but I'm doing worse. As far as maintenance, yes, I had it to a mechanic. Shortly after the purchase, it was time for the routine timing belt/water pump replacement (gadzooks that is one EXPENSIVE routine maintenance!!!) and as long as he had it, I asked him to check over all other items that could impact economy or performance. He replaced the air filter, and tested the O2 sensor and pressure under load of the exhaust. It only has 115,000 miles on it, and I've certainly never had Honda problems that young. My 1990 had 125k when I bought it and 240k when I sold it; my 1980 1.3L and 1986 CRX were similarly "vintaged" when I owned them. Now that I think about it, it's probably been 30 years since I have owned a car with less than 100k on the clock. It's just not a spooky amount of miles with today's improved-reliability cars. I do not like "extra toys", fortunately the LX really doesn't have that many. The only annoying toys are the power windows and door locks. The windows are making crunchy noises as they go up and down; the dealer confirms that they do have to replace those motors on occasion. Thankfully, it is devoid of built-in cell phones, remote CD players, power/heated seats, has simple plain steel wheels and is overall a nicely dumbed-down car. When I look at the things that I've had to repair/replace in my cars as they approach 300,000 miles, a tremendous amount of it is "the toys". Engines/trans these days just don't wear out any more. In terms of power, my '97 seems to be about equal to a 1990 with 5 speed. In fact the 1990 that I tried recently is better at high speeds, this possibly due to the smaller wind resistance. I think the '97, due to the MPFI gets a bit more low-end torque, so it feels faster off the line, but for safety, you want the power at high speeds for safe passing. Low-end torque is good for impressing the gang as you peel out of the Dairy Queen, something that has not crossed my mind since I had my 1969 Z-28 in the 70s. I bought a Civic because I wanted a very simple car and very high gas mileage. The '97 is no barn-burner when it comes to acceleration, but there's just a little to spare (at least at sea level - at altitude, it's probably a real dog) and I would happily give it up in exchange for 10 more MPG. I think this is just a reflection of the American desire for more, more, bigger, bigger, more complicated. If a manufacturer actually made their newer models get BETTER fuel economy, the buying public would hate them because they were slower.

well, it's been almost a year since I repurchased my old 96 Accord. Decided I'd give an update. The car is still going, but has had some issues. Not too surprising since the dern thing is on it's way to 400,000 miles. I'm sitting at a few clicks shy of 330,000 right now. I've really saved a lot of miles on the 06 and have driven the 96 on quite a few road trips this year. My biggest problem has been with leaks. I never realized just how many places there were for oil/fluids to escape from! Lol. I've had to replace my heater hoses, rear wheel bearings and a radiator fan. My driver's side power window is completely out of whack, the steering wheel is so worn and loose that I have to hold it at the 6 0'clock position, there is a hole in the carpet below the accelerator, interior door handles have broken off, numerous interior lights are burned out, interior rattles/creaks, ABS light stays on and the check engine light goes on/off randomly. The first time it was on, it was diagnosed as being a clogged throttle body/EGR ports. Now, I'm not real sure... probably a sensor, though my gas mileage is still what it should be and the car seems to be running properly. The engine continues to start every time and just keeps running on. The rest of the car is really starting to show it's wear and tear from the high mileage, but the engine still starts, runs and sounds the same it did when I first bought the car many years back with only 45,000 miles. I'm truly blown away by it. While I worry a little that something might break on me, I never worry that it's going to be the engine. I didn't think I'd ever put this car back on the highway for the long trips, but it is still able to handle them (well, the engine still can, anyway). The AC, cruise control and sunroof still work, though! The Honda reman. trans. has continued to disappoint... but it's still working, so I'm not going to complain too much. If it ever dies, I'll just have the engine yanked out and put into a better body. I'm really curious to know just how far this stupid thing will go. Also, update on the 06... just over 60k miles (I'd have closer to 90k if it weren't for the 96!) and it's held up exceptionally well. Still feels like a brand new car to me. It does have some rattles in the interior that have come back, but I haven't had to do squat to the car other than put gas in it, change the oil and drive it. It's still got a LOOONG way to go before it proves as good (hopefully better) than the 96.

That( a clogged drain) it what I thought it was. This is very common, debris must find its way into the air box and then into the drain.. But with the popular cabin filter, I thought this event to be impossible. My car is also doing the same thing - easy to tell - those cars with a good clear system leave a spot that would go a water buffalo proud. But the '96 Saab leaves half the condensate on the rug and the rest thru the drain,,

The neat thing about air conditioners is that they all subscribe to the same theory: suck, squeeze , bang , blow. What are the makes of the two-three year service calls? Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Amana, American Standard, Goodman, York, Ruud, Rheem. (not in any particular order, they all break especially in the realm of deal of the century type of implementation... it is the most common reason I am told in person at the time I'm there, not just saying it here for theatrical purpose -- It's been going on for nearly 30 years now that I can report on.) I've heard nightmare scenarios on Bosch as well, haven't lived any of that personally yet. But I don't have half as many "dumb" problems as some due because most of the time they prescribe to nonsense. My opinion. I have a right to that opinion with 30 years in HVAC this month. Even if you don't like it. ;-) 90% of my job is telling you things you aren't going to like. Some like to make friends -- how do you do that? lie, cheat, steal -- not uncommon for me to be viewed as the enemy UNTIL? -- you get to decide that. What is your breaking point. Everyone has one. Gimmicks don't last forever. Tick Tock. -- all that said Bosch is young in my market came here just over 4 years ago in 2019) In my experience the operation of an AC -- they suck (mildly) and blow with purpose. If it doesn't suck, it ain't gonna blow for long... lol. If the equation changes to squeezing and banging -- get your pocket book ready in this heat. (100F+ here, no joke) Not sure why people like to think that certain brands (makes) are immune to trouble. -- it's an AC myth.