My wife and I are considering a base '18 or '19 Civic.

First, do these have timing chain or belt? Our vehicle must have a chain. I'm getting too old to change a timing belt. What's the life expectancy of the chain, in miles or kms?

Second, any transmission issues either auto or manual?

Third, whith normal maintenance, how reliable will the vehicle be? Will it last 22 years, like our '92 Accord did?

Fourth, any potential issues whatsoever with this vehicle that I should know about?

Fifth, which IYO would be the more reliable vehicle over the long haul, a Civic or a Corollla?

Thanks very much.

 

Check consumer reports. The first year of the new style had a less than good reliability record, but I don't know what the actual problem areas were. I don't like timing belts either. I haven't seen any good info if it has belt or not. I would look at the engine to see.

 

The only Honda problem that I know of is that there are some 1.5L T's that are getting fuel into the oil. The cars so far that are concerned are CR-V's, but since the Civic and Accord have the same engine, it would seem that it may concern some of them also. While Honda has not sorted out the problem, there is a service bulletin that increases the warranty on these cars and suggest frequent oil changes. Just search "Honda fuel in the oil."

 

I don't believe any Honda 4-cylinder engines have had a timing belt since roughly 2002. Said another way, timing chain!