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I know The vx is the high mile one but what about the ex, dx models.

DX is the base model.

LX is the intermediate model.

EX is the fully loaded model.

There is my brief explanation. :D

Depends on the generation.

In the 5th gen ('92-95), VX was the super high mileage one with a 90hp lean-burn VTEC-E engine and ultra tall transmission (I have owned a '93 VX). CX was also much better mileage than any non-hybrid Civic made since '95, but with a conventional 70hp (!) engine and the ultra tall transmission. Both CX and VX were hatchback only. DX was the base sedan and coupe with ~100hp, with no AC or power options. CX and VX were non-power steering, and I think the DX may have been too. LX added A/C and PW/PDL. EX added a sunroof and higher output (lower mileage) VTEC engine.

In the 6th gen ('96-00), CX, DX and LX all had the same ~105hp engine. CX was hatchback only and no power steering. DX added power steering but no AC or PW/PDL, and was hatch, sedan or coupe. LX was sedan and coupe only, adding AC and PW/PDL. EX again added sunroof, 127hp (2mpg less) VTEC engine and (in the case of the 5sp sedan) ABS. (I have owned a '98 EX 5sp sedan, so I know this). Hi-mpg version was the HX (coupe ONLY), with basically LX equipment and a 115hp VTEC-E engine. Unique in the Civic lineup, the HX was available with either 5sp MT or a CVT.

In the 7th gen ('01-05), the hatch went away except for Si, and sedans and coupes were all DX, LX or EX. Same basic differences as before, though by '03 or so the EX almost closed the mpg gap on the DX and LX, and I think ABS may have become standard on all EXs. Side airbags were optional on at least the LX and EX, though fairly rare from what I've seen. HX was still available through around '04 I think, again LX level with a more powerful and fuel efficient engine and either 5MT or CVT. Then the hybrid sedan came in '03, more or less comparable to the EX with side airbags minus the sunroof.

In the 8th gen ('06-present) DX, LX and EX more or represent the same differences in equipment, except all three have the same engine. Hybrid is again more or less equivalent to EX minus sunroof.

I had thought that one of the high-MPG Civics was only available as a sedan?

Anyway: 4th generation Civic (88-91; may have gone up through 92?) --
DX (or "standard"), 1.5L DPFI engine, 4spd, 5spd, or auto gearbox, hatch.
LX was, I think, same as the DX but a four-door.
EX was the top-of-the-line 4-door model witha 1.6L MPFI engine and a 5spd gearbox. I am not sure if this was a short-geared box like the Si (below) had, or a more normal one like the DX (above) had.
Si was a hatch, not available in 88, had a 1.6L MPFI engine coupled with a short-geared 5spd gearbox.

The CRX was in its 2nd generation at the time, and mostly shared components with the Civic.
DX (unbadged, "standard") had the 1.5L DPFI with a 5-speed or auto gearbox.
Si had the 1.6L MPFI with a short-geared 5-speed gearbox.
HF was unique to the CRX, had a 1.5L MPFI engine with a very tall 5-speed gearbox, I believe taller than any other Civic box ever available.

Before the 1988 model year, I think the only fuel-injected Civics were the CRX Si models from 85-87. All others ran a single, fairly complex, carburetor.

-soD

6th gen HX was the high-mileage version, only available as coupe.
Also, 6th gen SI with the twin-cam engine, only as coupe. You don't want this one. ;)

Check out http://fueleconomy.gov for the specific mileage details.

Thanks for mentioning the HX, Andrew. Can't believe that slipped my mind. I've added it to my post.

If you're mechanically inclined you can put any vx or cx tranny into any SOHC civic from 92-00. The EX models (of that era) got worse mileage because of a tighter geared tranny and shorter 5th gear.

Correct. I can't tell you how many times I've considered doing just that, with a 92-95 CX/VX trans.

A couple pages with all the details on civic transmissions and other things.
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/2055230
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=71070

The only problem is being able to find one in great shape. Trust me, I'd switch over in a heartbeat.

yea, i have an 8th gen (09) EX coupe - everything the SI has basically except the larger motor and the 6 spd transmission (some other minor upgrade differences too) wish i had the 6 speed transmission though. on the interstate i keep to 62 mph and am still at 2750 RPM- 70 mph has me over 3000. kind of hurts the fuel economy.

Unfortunately, the 6th gear is as bad as your 5th. It's for SPORT, you see. :rolleyes:

Hey, you think that is bad--my 90 Si (a CRX, but same drivetrain as the Civic one from that era) runs 3000 RPM at 60 MPH...

-soD

Pulse & Glide, baby, pulse & glide.......

That IS bad. I'm not wild about my 2500 at 60.

I P&G my brains out unless I'm on the freeway. Then it's a steady 50 MPH as long as I think I can get away with it... ;)

-soD

Before the 1988 model year, I think the only fuel-injected Civics were the CRX Si models from 85-87. All others ran a single, fairly complex, carburetor.

FWIW, I have a fuel-injected 87 Civic Si Hatchback. I believe that EFI was limited to Si models in that year however.

Sorry, I did not realize that there was a Civic Si before 1989. All "Si" models were injected, though.

-soD

No problem, just wanted to help improve the accuracy of the information.

I'm happy with my 1999 Honda Civic HX 5MT -- was able to do 48 mpg on 2nd tank (half way both times due to no mpguino )

I will see where my RPM go @ 60 mph and report.

Top of my head I'd say our 2008 LX AT does about 2000 rpm @ 60mph. I'm pretty sure it's 1900 @ 55 and 2100 - 2200 @ 65.

My 1999 Honda Civic HX 5 MT does 2,250 rpm @ 60 mph going slightly uphill and 2,500 rpm @ 65 mph going slightly uphill.

That's exactly halfway between my DX and the CX/VX which do 2000 at 60.

Hi All:

Back to LXMike’s OP. Mike, are you interested in something else besides the ZX-2? There are a ton of choices in the used car marketplace that make me drool!

Ricardo was looking at a fully loaded 07 TCH with something like 56K miles for just $13,900 maybe two weeks ago. Second Generation Prius’ are even cheaper! A Leanburn capable 04 HCH-I with a stick would be the most fuel efficient of all the Civics’ released over the years and although I do not know about pricing, I can bet they are under $10K now?

Wayne

If you are interested in the HCH-I 5spd, I'd recommend either the '03 or the '04 so that you can protect the pack by putting in a clutch switch mod. In those cars no assist or regen will be enabled when the clutch pedal is pressed so if you put manual control of the clutch switch in you can drive without the car draining the battery on acceleration or steep hills.

The programming was changed in the '05 model year (it was also changed the same way in the first gen Insight that year) such that the clutch mod only disables regen but not assist.

Wayne: yes in a way. The zx2 is an automatic so no fas'ing. I have done so without any trouble yet and liked the results i got but i have stopped except for a short fas at start on my trip. I'm not sure what i want. I am keeping my eyes open and asking questions about almost anything that catches my eyes.