Honda Civic CVT hatchback 4cyl now only a turbo?

[fritzfield]

I really like the looks of the new CVT hatchback but the 4 cyl engine choice is limited to a turbo. I don't want a 6 cylinder either. I had a 1983 Saab 900 Turbo, bought new. IIRC, the operator's manual said to wait 30 - 60 secs before shutting off the engine so that the turbo could cool down. Who does that?!? I got 60k on the engine before it died and the turbo never worked after the first year either (No more Swedish cars for me). So... am I SOL w/ getting a 4 cyl Honda Civic CVT Hatchback, i.e. no normally aspirated 4cyl. Does anyone else have turbo anxiety but me? Is Honda stepping on it for long-term engine reliability with a turbo charger on its 4 cyl?

 

[thilanliyan]

Those turbo problems were with older cards. Newer ones have those issues solved.
I believe my Volvo S60 2.5T keeps the oil flowing to the turbo to help it cool down even after I take the key out.

Also, a Honda is most likely going to be more reliable than a Saab.

 

[repoman0]

Turbos and engines in general probably haven't improved in the last 34 years. I'd get a bicycle instead.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

A 1.x liter inline-4 turbo makes as much power as an NA V6 did 20 years ago, with more low end torque besides, and gets better fuel economy than anything else, except maybe - maybe - a 1.x liter turbo-diesel.

It's all the rage now. Even for midsize sedans.

Even if you have reservations about turbo reliability, the companies making them, with ever-longer warranties, apparently do not. So... go with it?

 

[NutBucket]

The cool down bit was only for oil cooled turbos. Modern turbos have oil lubrication and water cooling. There's no need for a cool down period...well unless you've just pulled off from a jaunt on a racetrack or something 😛

 

[HarryLui]

Car owner manual also says to check the engine's oil level every time the gas station is visited. No one does it!

Oh, I have 200k one my turbo Volvo engine, no issue here but I use synthetic oil. I would not hesitate to buy a turbo car.

 

[agent00f]

A 1.x liter inline-4 turbo makes as much power as an NA V6 did 20 years ago, with more low end torque besides, and gets better fuel economy than anything else, except maybe - maybe - a 1.x liter turbo-diesel.

It's all the rage now. Even for midsize sedans.

Even if you have reservations about turbo reliability, the companies making them, with ever-longer warranties, apparently do not. So... go with it?

The small turbos only get significantly better mileage on the very low load EPA cycle, and if anything tend to be worse in anything close to enthusiastic driving.

 

[tsupersonic]

I have one, and it's good as a commuter car. Really good on gas, and practical enough for daily driving. If you're worried about turbo, get the Civic Sedan LX or EX. These two trims have a naturally aspirated 2L engine (158 hp/138 lb-ft tq), and mileage is good at 31/40 (6MT on LX is 28/40), though 1.5T has better mileage numbers.

 

[fritzfield]

Oh well. The look of that civic hatchback!!! I guess I'll wait two years. My 2007 Accord has 185,000 miles, and the recommended maintenance I have done should get me another 36K. But I really like the look of the car for the Honda price. I'm just not willing to give up the possibility that my next car does as well as the Accord.