What makes the Honda buyers SO brand loyal?

[87 Turbo II]

Ok, I've been wondering for the longest time. Everyone here keeps going crazy oogling over lowered CRXs Accords, and Civics that to me just look stock with wheels and maybe different headlights or something. Then there was a thread a while back somewhere along the lines of "List all the cars you've owned" and I found out that most people who own a Honda now, owned like 3 or more before that, with maybe a nissan or something sprinkled in the middle before they went back to Honda. Then (this one pisses me off a bit) there are lots of threads in the Car pictures section that have titles like "Got wheels on the coupe" or "the hatch is lowered" etc etc and I'm thinking "you cocky bastard, how full of yourself do you have to be to list a bodystyle only, and assume that we will know it is a Civic? I mean tons of cars come as a coupe, as a sedan, and as a hatchback". I have ridden in many Hondas and the interior quality didn't seem like anything spectacular, honestly the styling has NEVER done anything for me, and they're not particularly quick unless you get the top-of-the-line model or do a bit of work to make them quick. I just don't see why everyone loves them so much. Hell even owning one means you have to worry about your car being stolen more than the average Joe. Look, I am not insulting the Honda name, but I honestly have to know why everyone keeps coming back to them.

[BKgen®]

[OTG Signs]

Because they're high quality cars with incredible reliability and affordable prices.

[BKgen®]

Because they're high quality cars with incredible reliability and affordable prices.

^he's got a point.

[OTG Signs]

Why change brands if you have nothing but a great experience owning one?

It seems like more risk than it's worth to look at other brands.

[87 Turbo II]

That does make sense. I guess I just don't think an Accord is any different than lets say.... a Camry. They're both priced similarly, they were both in the same class in terms of performance and options, are just about as reliable, but you'll find way more Accord followers.

[OTG Signs]

That does make sense. I guess I just don't think an Accord is any different than lets say.... a Camry. They're both priced similarly, they were both in the same class in terms of performance and options, are just about as reliable, but you'll find way more Accord followers.

I think that's because every magazine comparison i've read has the Accord in the lead. Always.

I like the 08 Camry more than the 08 Accord because of two reasons: 1) The bulbous headlights look horrible, and 2) The 63 buttons on the radio surround are overkill.

[BABY J]

1 word. ENGINES.

And I do not mean this in the HP department. Honda is an ENGINE company that happens to make cars. Very different than CAR manufacturers. More of their F1 racing technology makes it to their cars than any other make, w/ GM probably a close second. Also - the seating angle is superb if you ask me - you can see quite a bit out of the front window of ANY Honda, unlike say, Mitsubishi w/ their horrible viewing angles. Honda/Acura makes awesome cars - there is no way around it.

[87 Turbo II]

It just still feels like something is missing,but maybe I am over thinking it. I mean, good value and reliability are indeed very valid points. I can only assume the answer to my question of why people go ape$hit over modded old CRXs and Civics is because owning those cars themselves means they know the mods better, and maybe they're seeing some rare piece I am overlooking. I appreciate your partaking in serious answers and not posting soemthing like "Whay do you have to hate on hondas? why would'nt welike them!?" because I was 100% serious in asking my question. REPS for you.

[Nerdsrock22]

I think it has a lot to do with history. There are very few brands that have a single line of cars that stretch back 30+ years. And the ones that do have extremely loyal fanbases (Corvette, Mustang, etc). A Civic owner can look back to 1972 and see where it all started.

Furthermore, they provide a perfect balance of sport and security. For one they are a company entrenched in racing and race technology, yet they provide cars that are easy to drive and cheap to maintain.

Finally, the entry point stretches from a $500 CRX to a $90,000 NSX. There is always something to look up to, but both of those cars use the same technology and have the same spirit and heritage.

BTW I think the only other company that pulls this off is VW.

[Mike Lowrey]

Cheap Car Cost + Cheap Aftermarket Parts + Reliability = Your Answer

[Catnip]

I never heard of hondas being stolen more than any other car until I got on here. Where I live it's not a big thing and where my siblings live throughout the country, it's not a big deal.

I've had 3 hondas and wouldn't hesitate to go back. My last one was a 94 civic hatchback with a 95 GSR engine and B16 tranny (not a stock engine, 6 puck stage 2 clutch, etc). It was a VERY fun little car, felt solid, felt light, got AWESOME gas mileage while still being able to wax an auto LS1 camaro/firebird. The other honda(errr, acura) I had was a 90 integra, lowered with an ebay turbo kit and ebay clutch kit. This car felt the exact same, except it would bake second gear from a stop till it was out of gear. I won't mention the 97 civic as I didn't drive it, it just sat in my backyard because of a spun rod bearing (bought that way, would've been a couple hundred to fix)

What's my point? I had about $650 in each of them... I can provide pics, they were decent looking cars, lol.

[OneSlow5pt0]

ive never owned a honda,and most lieky neevr will.......but im pretty loyal to mazda and toyota,mine were great......and my chevy has been good too

[Zeeb]

I love hondas, reliablity is a main factor. I went from driving around my civic for 5 years and beating it to death and now own an s2000. I jumped in the s2000 and felt right at home. Didnt have to learn anything new cause it was a honda. The styling is just peoples opinions. I love all hondas whether its the stock ass 95 integra with just rims and lowered. or its the all out turboed prelude or what ever it might be. same with acura, all the same. To me the styling of them are great unless you turn it into rice. But for the most part people who keep them clean looking is where its at. < i like that style.

[OneSlow5pt0]

i mean thats the thing ive never really gotten botu honda,i mean i agree thier fantasic cars and u can make quick with very little money,only things u can compare them to is sbc's

but i just cant get back styling,their just pretty basic,i mean im not saying thier ugly...just not my thing,only one i like is the 2nd gen CRX.....but this is just me

[JITB]

ive always wanted an integra, and would have been owned one if not the fear of it being stolen...lol

its not only honda that people are loyal too.. Its with every car manufacture... but its just apparent to us ricers. we got mazda /toyota/nissan fiends all around. There arent as manyTRUE loyal honda heads around as we would like to think. Alot are followers and or trendies! Its not hard to tell the difference.

[87 Turbo II]

Ok everyone, I have read all the replies and it would seem that a lot of what has been said can be said for a lot of manufacturers with a few small extra points for Honda along the way. I agree with the last post in a sense that the honda loyalties only appear to be greater in number and it isn't quite as one sided as it seems. REPs to anyone who replied (that I can give REPS to). Thanks.

[tdurr]

to you 78, my first car was a 87 gxl. Bought it for 600. didnt run, then a month later i got a 88 accord. And was content with the accord, tried gettin it running, didnt have enough money for a new engine(rotary prices ftl!) and then just started messing with the accord. Even tho my specific car doesn't have a large parts market, bottom line is that its a Honda. Great gas mileage, cheap parts when stuff breaks, and it can take a **** ton of abuse for how ever long i feel like giving it.

It really comes down to the fact that its cheap to buy, cheap to fix, cheap to mod, and you can do just about everything to it with a buddy or two and a full weekend.
T-durr

[puregroove]

"you cocky bastard, how full of yourself do you have to be to list a bodystyle only, and assume that we will know it is a Civic?

I after reading this...

I used to own a honda and can appreciate a clean car when I see one. I agree that the parts are plentiful and they are easy cars to work on--reliable and fuel efficient.

I, however, love the challenge of maintaining an older car. There is much reward in it.

Okay, carry on.

[Arm&hammer]

the reason i own a honda is because of the gas prices and they are fun.
if gas prices were still $1 for a gallon i defiantly wouldnt be rocking a honda

[civic95]

You'd have to own one to understand. I've driven all sorts of cars. They all seem to be missing something, somewhere. I even wanted to buy a lexus before getting my S2000. I test drove a couple IS300's, even a IS350. Great looking cars, but every control, the armrests, and the just the placement of the gauges, etc were off. The ride didn't feel quite right either. A friend of ours has a RX350, another has a LX570 I think it is. They look awesome, but they don't drive right. You almost get no feedback from them.

Honda's aren't very fast (well most of them), but that's not what they are designed to be. The interiors don't have the exquisite materials, but they are done right. Everything about them is simple. Not to mention they last forever without any trouble if you take care of them.

[RL...]

They last forever, good gas mileage, parts are cheap, there's write-ups of how to do any kind of engine swap/turbo/supercharged online which have been dyno proven to make x amount of hp. The only Honda that appeals to me is the s2k, but I'm too big to fit in it comfortably. Now, if the integra and the rsx were rwd...I would definitely buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JITB]

They last forever, good gas mileage, parts are cheap, there's write-ups of how to do any kind of engine swap/turbo/supercharged online which have been dyno proven to make x amount of hp. The only Honda that appeals to me is the s2k, but I'm too big to fit in it comfortably. Now, if the integra and the rsx were rwd...I would definitely buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

that whole paragraph can go for sooo many cars... Alot of folks dont really know the potential of other cars. you would be amazed what you could do to a toyota/mazda/nissan with the price of hondas. And most of the cars in the fwd honda market dont have half the features other cars they look down upon do..

[BABY J]

that whole paragraph can go for sooo many cars... Alot of folks dont really know the potential of other cars. you would be amazed what you could do to a toyota/mazda/nissan with the price of hondas. And most of the cars in the fwd honda market dont have half the features other cars they look down upon do..

Do tell.

[JITB]

Do tell.

torque...

[Nemesis]

Ive owned Subaru, Nissan, Ford, Mercury, and honestly Ill probably one of each in my liftetime, but Ill probably never own a Honda. I have sat in a Honda I liked. I dont like how they sound, I hate the lake of TQ. They are made for small japanese people...so whatever.

[cactusEG]

Cheap Car Cost + Cheap Aftermarket Parts + Reliability = Your Answer

that about sums it up...

[Nerdsrock22]

They are made for small japanese people...so whatever.

I'm 6' 5" and have owned 5 different Hondas from 1981-2007. I've never once been uncomfortable.

I get in a good ole american S10 and my head is scraping the headliner and i'm chewing on my knees.

Not trying to fight with you, just throwin in my .

[93gcsedan]

You'd have to own one to understand. I've driven all sorts of cars. They all seem to be missing something, somewhere. I even wanted to buy a lexus before getting my S2000. I test drove a couple IS300's, even a IS350. Great looking cars, but every control, the armrests, and the just the placement of the gauges, etc were off. The ride didn't feel quite right either. A friend of ours has a RX350, another has a LX570 I think it is. They look awesome, but they don't drive right. You almost get no feedback from them.

Isn't the IS300, IS350, RX350, and LX570 all luxury cars/suvs? It seems that you were in the market for a higher end sports car, ie you purchased an S2000, how can you really compare such different cars. Of course the other cars had less feedback from them because when the manufactures were building them they were looking for comfort not perfomance.

But I do see what the op says about the Honda/Acura cars. Yes they do see they make reliable cars that are cheap and cheap to maintain. But it is kinda ridiculus. I myself have loyalty towards Subaru I have owned 3 so far and I definitally see myself owning more, and I don't ever see myself going to the "dark side"(fwd).

[dumpdaccord]

Cheap Car Cost + Cheap Aftermarket Parts + Reliability=fuel efficent = Your Answer

if gas wasnt what it is id drive a newer toyota supra or landcrusier......always loved toyota...but gas is what it is and i have 4 honda made vehicles in my driveway

[3.5altman]

I sold my civic back in 04 and I've been wanting it back since i sold it. gas mileage is awesome,and looks was awesome. Good fun car to drive, may not be the fastest but its enough for me

[DESTRO_91]

Like it or not, the Honda Civic is the cornerstone of this lifestyle (import tuning) that we love so much. For everyone who feels connected to our culture, no matter what car you drive now, has at least one time wanted a Civic, just to see what you could do with it. I've seen some beautiful Hondas here in the A. The "JDM" craze has kinda waned on everyone except the Honda loyal. On another note, brand loyalty has a psychological angle to it. Think about all the things people buy over and over on a regular basis, tooth paste, soap, fast food...usually the same brand, and why...? Oh yeah, gas mileage is only a perk NOW, nobody cared about gas mileage two years ago.

[G.C]

Because its Cheap,Gas is a Bit*h, and they make good looking cars.plus with a little money on top of that it will be faster and have more TQ than a mustytang.

[Sport1.3]

because they're cute

[josh green]

I seriously dont understand everyones fetish with RWD. I have driven plenty and have driven some well setup hondas and FWD isnt a bad thing. The only thing a RWD can do that a fwd cannot is "step out" from acceleration.
People have always complained about Honda's lack of torque. Not many stop to think that Honda has ALWAYS made light vehicles (except for today) and gobs of torque really isnt needed. Who cares how high you have to rev it the gearing will make up for it. Even by todays standards Civics are still lighter than anything else. Hell a Cobalt is over 3k lbs.
My 2 favorite Hondas happen to be RWD. The S2k which is one of the BEST handling cars ever that is easily attainable, BUT people complain about its lack of torque or what not. It seems to do plenty fine through the mountains and around the race tracks without it. The NSX being the next. If you have ever actually driven one and I dont mean around town this car is sex. It handles so well its rediculous, its light, the brakes, I just cannot get over the balance of the car. Who cares that a new 350z makes more power and more torque, the NSX will kill it through the bends. I know there is quite the price gap but honesly the NSX was worth the price.
To the OP, you having a Mazda should know that more Mazdas are raced by private parties than any other car. Miatas and the older rx-7's have a big fan base for taking to the mountains, auto-x or race track. It seems a lot of people that own them now dont do anything with them ohter than hard park them. I guess thats fine if your into a show thing, hammered out poor handling cars or "JDM", but I have always owned a car to drive and not to spend money on "unique" things. I think the whole roof rack thing is silly if you bought it and dont carry a bike on it. But some people strive to be different in parking thier cars.
Look at the sheer volume of Hondas on the roads today, they were cheap and reliable back when they are new so people bought the crap out of them. Look at people other brand options for the cars age, I certainly wouldnt want an escourt, probe, cavalier, neon, gran prix, intrepid, tarus, etc...

[civic95]

Isn't the IS300, IS350, RX350, and LX570 all luxury cars/suvs? It seems that you were in the market for a higher end sports car, ie you purchased an S2000, how can you really compare such different cars. Of course the other cars had less feedback from them because when the manufactures were building them they were looking for comfort not perfomance.

But I do see what the op says about the Honda/Acura cars. Yes they do see they make reliable cars that are cheap and cheap to maintain. But it is kinda ridiculus. I myself have loyalty towards Subaru I have owned 3 so far and I definitally see myself owning more, and I don't ever see myself going to the "dark side"(fwd).

I wanted a 5/6 Speed sport sedan, but I couldn't find anything I liked so I just got a S2000. Accord, and TSX are too slow. Everything else japanese is too big, except for the IS. Didn't want a german car.

[teh_mugen18]

I've driven about 3 cars in my lifetime, and my first was a 1989 Toyota Corolla. It made ~89whp, but it was NOT able to keep up with anything, and the cornering/braking on it was somewhat terrible as well. Nowhere near as fun as my Teg. My Teg, is a 1990. Now, this just proves how Honda made their lightweight cars, as my teg only makes 7hp more than the Corolla did, but it is indeed much much faster and the handling is a lot better.

Honda does a good job!

[ash7]

I'm loyal to Honda because of the "comfort zone" factor. If it were to break down, i know i could fix it, and if i didn't have the part - i know who to call.

I know which parts can swap over to what - and what it takes to make them fit.

I know if i screw up my civic so badly that it can't be salvaged, i can find another one, change out all the parts, and keep on without having to "lose everything."

I've had eight hondas and one nissan (which was my first car)
-jonathan

[Kamikaze]

ive never owned a honda,and most lieky neevr will.......but im pretty loyal to mazda and toyota,mine were great

x2 with the addition of VW.

[Zeeb]

I'm loyal to Honda because of the "comfort zone" factor. If it were to break down, i know i could fix it, and if i didn't have the part - i know who to call.

I know which parts can swap over to what - and what it takes to make them fit.

I know if i screw up my civic so badly that it can't be salvaged, i can find another one, change out all the parts, and keep on without having to "lose everything."

I've had eight hondas and one nissan (which was my first car)
-jonathan

same with me. Its about knowledge. I know and am familiar with honda way more than anything else...