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I dont know alot about cars, so I may not say everything the right way. I know I want a manual car.I really like the Honda Civic HB (1985-1991) models but since I am only getting a car because I will be starting college, my mom doesn't trust the fact that this models are old and I would have to drive about 4 hr. to get to school. I was told that there was a Honda model that had the shift stick up/not on the floor. After looking up some models I really just got more confused......so,Is there an actual model that has it or is it just any model with specifics? (Civic vs. Civic LX vs. Civic EX)From what years was it offered?The difference between Civic Si Coupe and a Civic Ex?What is the "Si"?What kind of milage per gallon do this cars get?Are the good Cars?Smoothness?Am I better off just not going with this type of cars (racing or sport) and sticking to mommy cars?

 
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The redesigned Honda Civic has climbed to the top of our small-sedan ranking. It is refined and economical, with fairly nimble handling and a relatively comfortable ride. The aerodynamic styling of the Civic looks futuristic but sacrifices ease of access. Pronounced road noise remains a complaint.THE DRIVING EXPERIENCEThe ride is steady and controlled, an improvement over the previous model. Road noise is noticeable, but overall the new Civic is quieter than the previous model. Steering is well-weighted and quick, but it's not as quick as the Ford Focus or the Mazda3. Body lean is restrained. Emergency handling is stable, predictable, and forgiving. The EX model posted a good speed in our avoidance maneuver. The 140-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine delivers quick performance with the manual transmission and achieves a combined 31 mpg. Braking performance was very good. Low-beam headlights reach just far enough, but with a sharp cutoff. High beams reach a good distance. INSIDE THE CABINInterior plastics are hard, but they have nice textures and fit together well. The steering column tilts and telescopes for a good driving position. Head, leg, and foot room are ample even for tall drivers. You can't see the short hood over the deep dash. The seats are supportive and comfortable, but the hard bolsters pressed into some drivers' shoulder blades. The rear seat is roomy for a small car, with sufficient head and leg room for adults. Access is hindered by the sloping roof. The digital speedometer is at the base of the windshield, while an analog tachometer sits below it, which takes some getting used to. Most controls, like the high-mounted radio and climate controls, are easy to use. The automatic shifter can slide past drive too easily. Interior storage is generous. The trunk is modest.SAFETY NOTESSide-impact air bags housed in the front seatbacks and curtain-style head protection air bags that extend to protect the front and rear seat occupants are both standard in the Civic. They supplement required front air bags and three-point seatbelts in each of the five seating positions. The front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors for getting a safe and comfortable fit and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce belt slack in the event of a crash. Front seatbelt buckle sensors, a driver's seat position sensor and weight sensors in the passenger seat all influence the appropriate level of front- and side-air bag deployment. The front air bags will automatically be disabled if weight sensors in the front passenger seat detect an infant or small child seated there. The fronts air bags will also not deploy if the seat in unoccupied. An Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) for the side-impact air bags in the front passenger seat determines if a person is leaning sideways into the path of the side air bag deployment and will automatically disable the air bag accordingly. If front seatbelts are not buckled, the corresponding front air bags will deploy in a slightly less severe crash than if they were buckled. There are adjustable, locking head restraints in all seating positions and the front and rear outboard versions are tall enough to reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury even when lowered. The center rear version is too low even when raised. The front restraints are active; that is, they move forward in a rear impact in response to pressure from the occupant against the seatback to further reduce head travel. Daytime running lights are standard. Driving with kids: Some rear-facing infant seat bases may prove difficult to secure in the rear outboard seats as the seatbelts are anchored forward of the seatback. Alternate models or LATCH attachment may provide a more secure installation. Front-facing seats should also prove secure. There are three tether anchor attachment points on the rear parcel shelf. The LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats are recessed, but the soft cushions make them relatively easy to access.RELIABILITYWe expect reliability to be better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.