The current-generation Honda Civic is getting old-- but it remains a highly-relevant best-seller in Canada’s small-car scene. At nearly 40, the Civic is still purchased by some of the youngest buyers in Canada’s new car market.
The Civic’s generations-long existence makes it a well-recognized name in the used car marketplace, too. You’ve probably got your own Honda Civic related story. If you don’t, you’re probably not far from someone who does.
According to Honda Canada’s Executive Vice President, Gerry Chenkin, strong brand recognition is something Honda enjoys the world over. “All around the world, Honda means different things to different people” he said. “To Canadians, Honda means Civic”.
Civic means some special things to young (and young-at-heart) Canadians, too. Key among them is performance-- and not necessarily the tire-smoking, flame-throwing variety, either.
Think about performance in terms of a show. Countless Civic owners do. Some use their cars to put on a show for others, and some use their cars to take in a performance for themselves.
Earlier this week, Honda invited a small group of Canadian journalists down south to sample the Civic’s performance offerings with some specially-modified models. The goal was to have us writers leave with a taste of what Honda calls ‘Civic Nation’. That refers to the strong sense of pride and community shared between Civic drivers.
First task? Put on a show for show for pedestrians, patio bar patrons and other motorists on Miami’s famous Ocean Drive strip. My vehicle for the job was one silver 2010 Civic Coupe wearing a carbon-fiber hood, BBS alloy wheels and high-performance tires. An attention-grabbing body kit and exhaust system were bolted on, too.
Windows down in a low-speed, early-evening gallivant, the custom coupe managed to steal long glances from folks used to seeing Ferraris, Bentleys and Aston Martins routinely cruise their locale.
Take it from a semi grown-up import tuner kid in disguise, folks. The experience of being seen in a unique car doesn’t get old-- nor does it require a six-digit price-tag.
Performance, remember.
 |
| Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com |
The Civic’s generations-long existence makes it a well-recognized name in the used car marketplace, too. You’ve probably got your own Honda Civic related story. If you don’t, you’re probably not far from someone who does.
According to Honda Canada’s Executive Vice President, Gerry Chenkin, strong brand recognition is something Honda enjoys the world over. “All around the world, Honda means different things to different people” he said. “To Canadians, Honda means Civic”.
Civic means some special things to young (and young-at-heart) Canadians, too. Key among them is performance-- and not necessarily the tire-smoking, flame-throwing variety, either.
Think about performance in terms of a show. Countless Civic owners do. Some use their cars to put on a show for others, and some use their cars to take in a performance for themselves.
Earlier this week, Honda invited a small group of Canadian journalists down south to sample the Civic’s performance offerings with some specially-modified models. The goal was to have us writers leave with a taste of what Honda calls ‘Civic Nation’. That refers to the strong sense of pride and community shared between Civic drivers.
First task? Put on a show for show for pedestrians, patio bar patrons and other motorists on Miami’s famous Ocean Drive strip. My vehicle for the job was one silver 2010 Civic Coupe wearing a carbon-fiber hood, BBS alloy wheels and high-performance tires. An attention-grabbing body kit and exhaust system were bolted on, too.
Windows down in a low-speed, early-evening gallivant, the custom coupe managed to steal long glances from folks used to seeing Ferraris, Bentleys and Aston Martins routinely cruise their locale.
Take it from a semi grown-up import tuner kid in disguise, folks. The experience of being seen in a unique car doesn’t get old-- nor does it require a six-digit price-tag.
Performance, remember.
 |
| Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com |