2008 Honda Civic GX New Orleans LA
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2008 Honda Civic GX
November 18, 2009 By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
2008 Honda Civic Sdn
DriverSide Overview
We are going out on a limb right now and guessing that you probably didn’t know this car existed. No, not the Civic. You would have to be living on Kaffeklubben Island not to know about the Civic. We’re talking about the 2008 Honda Civic GX . This is a regular four-door Civic with one very special difference: it is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). Sure there are a few drawbacks to driving this piece of tech, there is less trunk room, a 200-mile range and a serious drop in horsepower. The technology, found most frequently among company fleets, is pricey too. But it affords you with the option to drive a car with almost zero emissions and avoid using expensive oil. A large problem in the past with CNG vehicles has been the lack of readily available filling stations, but now there are personal pumps you can install directly in your garage. And, say you are out on the road, there are more than 1,500 public and private CNG filling stations around the country, situated along major highways as well as in large cities. You also get the comfort, standard features and drivability found in all Civic trims. If you want to start saving the planet now instead of waiting for future technologies to appear, the GX is a good place to commence the rescue operation.
What's to Like
The Civic is already a much-loved car; knowing that it’s good for the Earth makes it even more special. Comfort remains at a high level, thanks to the standard features found in all Civics. Despite its higher starting price over the regular trims, the car is eligible for a $4,000 federal tax credit.
What's Not to Like
The natural gas tank takes up much of the trunk, making it just wide enough for grocery bags. The mileage range is limited, leaving you to plan road trips around appropriate filling stations. And, at $6,000 more than a comparably-loaded Civic, the GX is a serious investment - though the abovementioned tax credit lessens the blow.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving
You almost expect the drive to be drastically different when the car is fueled with ultra-cool compressed natural gas. Initially, stepping on the throttle results in the same feel and sound you’d get with a regular gas engine. Then you start driving around and realize that the GX isn't quite as zippy on the road. At 113 horsepower, the absence of standard Civic’s extra 27 horses is grossly noticeable. It has slightly more power than the Honda Fit , a car that weighs almost 400 pounds less. This affects passing situations and leaves you lacking speed when getting on the freeway. To somewhat counterbalance the deficit, the transmission does a nice job of efficiently dropping down the gears when necessary. Its steering may not be as direct as we would like, but it is responsive. The GX also has a forgiving suspension perfect for city driv...