Civic HX or DX

[GregM]

There is are several hondas for sale near my house and I am looking for a car for my mom and I to share.

There is a 1999 Honda Civic HX and an 1996 Civic DX (hatch) for sale. The HX has the cvt and the DX has an automatic.

Obviously the HX is going to get better fuel economy, but will it do 40+ on the highway cruising at 55-60 with about 3-5 stops over 33 miles?

They have identical mileage and are in similar condition with the HX being $5000 and the DX being $4000. What would you guys choose (considering the car will probably be used for about a year, maybe 2, and is replacing a Navigator).

[rjacob]

I would go for the HX. It's 3 years newer. And the newer Honda engines will last a very long time if they are taken care. But I would probably keep it longer than 2 years myself.

[cfg83]

GregM -

Welcome to EM! The HX. In addition to what rjacob says, a non-California HX may be giving you more lean-burn at freeway speeds. If you are gentle-on-the-pedal, you may get really great MPG on the freeway.

CarloSW2

[SVOboy]

For those prices, I'd pick the HX. It could meet you mileage requirements,

[Vince-HX]

go Hx, just make sure the cvt is in good shape. Leanburn is magical

[GregM]

We bought the HX... rusting a bit on the hood lip and spots on the roof, dash unit (A/C, Heat, stereo) is loose (broken hook of some sort)... but it drives like a champ!

So... first 3 gallons are in: 39.6MPG

Thats mixed city highway driving... nothing special, and my mom driving it (on the highway 1/2 doing 53-62mph with a couple stoplights)

I like it!

[GregM]

I probably won't be able to test any major gas saving techniques for a few days because I deliver pizzas... so I've got to get there in a reasonably quick amount of time, and sometimes if we're running behind I have to really get going.

Anyway, I feel like I am pretty good with eeking MPGs out of cars while delivering... managed 14MPG in a Lincoln Navigator, 19MPG in an Infiniti Q45 (probably would have been 20-21, but the horsepower is just too much fun), and 22MPG in my Audi A4 2.8 before it was totaled.
(nothing really amazing, but pretty good for being in a hurry.

Anyway, I've seen it posted around here before, but what is the simplest worth-while modification for highway MPGs? Wheel well covers? Air dam up front?

[Daox]

Tire pressure and Grill block without a doubt.