Re: Carfax, Buying Used, & Craigslist.org

Elle wrote:
> Archival point: The 1990 Civic hatchback compared to a 91 
> Civic LX Sedan (my car) is lighter by around 150 lbs, and is 
> 10-inches shorter. Ten inches is not small potatoes to me. 
> Can't find the height from the ground for the hatchback, but 
> it has seemed lower on the three or so hatches I have looked 
> at. Interior dimensions on the hatchback are mostly a bit 
> smaller than the sedan. I think the lack of power steering 
> on the hatch means one feels the road more. It is not as 
> responsive in feel.
> 
> I have also driven a few used sedans besides my own and 
> consistently felt much better in them compared to the 
> hatches.
> 
> No more, no less, just my opinion. 

those 88-91 hatches must have had something wrong if they actually rode 
lower.  i know my hatch gets some heavy moving duties simply because i 
can fit a lot of stuff in it, but the honda ride height spec for both is 
the same at 150mm.  wheel base for both is 2500mm, wheel track for both 
is 1456mm.

all the other differences are simply cosmetic, i.e. length of the sedan 
is 4232mm vs 3964mm for the hatch.  width is 1674mm vs 1665 for the 
hatch, and roof height is 1360mm vs 1333mm for the hatch.  dx manual 
sedan weighs 2147lbs vs 2088lbs for the hatch.

i think if you're feeling a difference it's simply the fact that you've 
done the rear bu****ngs on your car, and the others you've tried haven't 
been so lucky.  it does make a big change to the way these cars handle.