Civic

We who like to look after cars hope that we can keep them on the road for many years. The truth is that we will have no say in the future.

The speedometer on our youth car has started cutting out. With the help of the family's youngest driver, I have now ordered a new speedometer on Ebay. Our old Civic of American origin is equipped with one of America's best-selling - and most-screwed - drivetrains. That's why there are probably hundreds of videos on YouTube that show how to fix most things yourself. Also the small circuit board that sits behind the speedometer clock, - the one that no longer works.

It's electronics, but not hi-tech. Anyone with a test lamp can troubleshoot. One should really expect that the electronics fails first, and not a mechanical component, - such as the small gear that whirs around in the gearbox and produces data for the speedometer. I think about what would have happened if I had left my laptop from the late 90s in the car. Would it still work today?

Hardly.

A salesman for Audi told me that if you short-circuit the electronics on a modern car, for example by giving jump start assistance, it can cost you around NOK 150. I know a guy who had a Volvo V000 that had problems with the electronics in the automatic gearbox. The entire cash register was replaced with a similarly overhauled cash register. Price tag 70, but fortunately it was only a warranty issue for the owner. I thought: Why didn't they just replace the electronics? The explanation is probably that the electronics are not just about circuit boards, but components built into the case itself.

The point here is: What would happen to the V70 today? A 2005 model with a market price of around NOK 100? Would it be worthwhile to fix electronic faults in the gearbox? One thing is certain: no one can do such a job themselves, even with a thousand YouTube videos. I unfortunately think that an otherwise well-functioning V000 would have ended its days as a share car, while old electronics-less 70s are still rolling around on the road.

The car industry is aware of how vulnerable new cars are to electronic faults. Therefore, a practice seems to have developed to cover electronic faults - and other vulnerable components - even if the warranty period has expired. I know that MøllerBil sends the bills to Germany, - also for pirated imported cars. I have taken advantage of that on several occasions. Toyota has a similar agreement with its factories.

But no warranty covers faults with 10-year-old cars.

It can therefore be the case that car industry will determine the lifespan of our cars. Imagine that you have delivered your car to a workshop because the yellow engine management light has started to light up, and you are told that the software in your car has unfortunately expired.

-We no longer support version 1, and unfortunately your car is not compatible with newer versions...

Then I think primarily of the newest generation of electric cars. I've heard that if you're thinking of buying a used Nissan Leaf, by all means make sure you get version 2. Version 1 can't compare to the latest version. It's almost like mobile phones. If you need a new version, you might as well buy a new phone. Volvo advertises that you get your software upgraded for free while your car is being serviced, and they actually call their service "2.0". It is nice. MøllerBil probably charges 2 for it. But if you need a proper upgrade, you may have to change components "all over the place", and then maybe the NOK 000 estimate from the Audi man is not too far from the truth?

Hope new cars can be recycled.

See

Rent or own batteries?

If you buy a NIO, you can choose between owning or renting batteries - currently the only car manufacturer. Renault ended the scheme in 2021. Leie never took off very well in Norway. **See more**

The cars that go first in the press (Motor.no)

The practice car must have a manual transmission and rims that can withstand being driven over the edge. It is an added plus if it is fully dented. Here are some tips on acquiring a practice car.

civic3

It's no fun taking a test drive with a brand new car. One edged rim is easily valued at 3 when exchanged. Many families no longer have access to cars with manual transmissions. There are then two options. You can either acquire your own car for practice driving, or let the hopeful drive all the lessons at a driving school. Both options are equally expensive. When the house's 000-year-old drove up two years ago, she got by with a minimum of driving hours. The savings are roughly the same as buying an older dented small car with approximately 20 km on the odometer for NOK 100. You only get the savings when the next person has a practice run. He's already at it.

The young people must of course go through the driving school's programme, but I would never think of opting out of my own practice driving. I absolutely want to make sure that they learn what I can. Driving lessons are really very simple. There are 4 points that must be practiced before you can sit back in the passenger seat and let the youngster drive:

1. Get used to the pedals and be able to control the car around a car park.

2. Practice seeing technique and the use of mirrors.

3. Understand the right-of-way situations, give signs and drive in roundabouts, intersections and turning left.

4. Watch out for blind spots at lane changes and intersections.

Then there was the practice car. Our test drive car is a 1996 Honda Civic 1.6 DX with 105 HP (the HR-V engine). It was built in Canada, was registered for the first time in 1999 and was included in someone's moving package to Norway. The car lacks headrests in the back seat. No ABS, ESP or power steering either. Fortunately, it has manual transmission and air conditioning. It is firm and fine in all joints and completely rust-free. It is full of dents from all sides. Evidence of carelessness from previous users. The underside, however, is completely spotless. It is the most important side on older youth cars.

civic4

When the Civic is not used as a practice car, it is used by the 20-year-old when she is home from studies abroad. Otherwise, father takes a nostalgia trip every now and then. The Honda Civic is a smooth-driving car. Without ESP, one can refresh old skills in winter. Park the car ahead of the turn. Use the throttle and steering wheel to get through safely. Preferably followed by a controlled discharge. Perhaps utilize the forces in the return cable to support the car for the next turn. It is not only fun to drive an old car, but it is an art that young drivers unfortunately miss in today's cars with electronics here and there.

I have the following advice for buying a practice car, first-time car, youth car, work car, cheap car, old car for around 20:

1. Choose an up-to-date brand with few faults and little electronics. Here are three reliable models: Toyota Corolla -1997 or after 2002, Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic 1996-2000.

2. Look for models without dangerous rust. Rear wheel arches are very exposed.

3. Choose cars with low mileage rather than modern design or colour. There are several older cars with mileage around 100!

4. If you have to change the timing belt, it costs around 5-000. Most belts are changed around 10 km or every five years.

5. Recent EU control is absolutely essential.

When trolling Finn.no after such cars, there are surprisingly many cars that still have many years left - if someone bothers to keep them on the road. If you need a work car and intend to drive 100 km the nearest two EU inspections with a minimum of running costs, a grandma-driven Honda Civic with low mileage is recommended. They keep up with the traffic, they are relatively quiet, they have good driving characteristics. As my EU inspector stated when I was leaving the workshop with my 000 year old Civic and zero complaints:

Then we'll see each other again in two years!

HONEST ABOUT CARS

Who decides the lifespan of the car?

See

Rent or own batteries?

Complete dented practice car