PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted August 12, 2012 The old Honda City has always been one of India's most loved sedans. Even thought it has been out of production for quite some time now, it is still of the most sought after cars even today. I have always loved the old City and when the time came for me to replace my Zen in 2006, I settled for nothing else but a pre owned 2003 Type II old City Automatic. It was the last of the old Citys. My car even came with beige interiors. The car had done just 24,000 kms when I bought it and today the odo stands at 1.13 lakh kms. Here are some key points from my ownership so far. My car is currently on its 3rd set of tyres. The car came with stock Bridgestone S322 tyres. I added 15 inch alloys in 2008. Currently the car is running on 195/55 R15 Yokohama S Drives. I changed my AC compressor in 2008. Cost came to approx 15k. My IAC valve gave way in 2011. The RPM levels would fluctuate regularly. Got that changed for 8k from Honda The exhaust gave way in 2011 as well. Got a stock replacement from Automech Lower Parel Mumbai. Mr Vivek Bhat was very helpful. On my request had a custom made twin tail type like the old Vtec for my car. The car was involved in a shunt in 2008. It happened when I had given my car for service to Linkway Honda. Due to the negligence of their drivers, he banged the car into an Accord. However Linkway got the car repaired at their cost. New radiator, front bumper, headlights, bonnet etc. I gave the front suspension an overhaul in 2010. However thanks to our terrible roads I got the lower arms changed again couple of months. Have got the fuel pump motor changed as well since it was giving problems when the heated up. The car would stall and only start again after cooling down. There is visible rust on the doors now and pain has started cracking. I am waiting for the monsoons to get over after which I want to give the car a paint job and a makeover. Will stick to the same colour though. Apart from the above mentioned points, the car has been fantastic. The engine is still smooth and the Automatic is a boon in traffic. The car gives an FE of about 9-10 kpl with AC . On my Mumbai Pune runs the car had given 16 kpl with a light foot. I get my car serviced at Solitaire Honda Borivali Mumbai. Will be sending it for the next service soon. About the audio my car has a Pioneer head unit and rest is a JBL set up. Components in the front, 6x9 ovals at the rear with a Bass Tube in the boot. Sufficient for me really. Thats about it for now. Will keep updating this thread regularly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarCrazyASTL 16 Report post Posted August 12, 2012 Welldone! I'm very glad to see such a wonderfully well-maintained Car! It looks like you have treated this beauty as your own child! & after seeing your service records; It's for sure that you loved it very much & you must have attached to it very deeply! I'll not suggest you to not to sell it; as you'll never do it! There is lot more remaining in this car & is capable of holding your hand for atleast 10 more years! The only thing which may give you trouble is raising fuel prices & I think being an automatic this may be having downside on fuel efficiency! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rameshbabu.n 6 Report post Posted August 12, 2012 Your love and care is visible in each of the above pics. Good cars live longer with good caring owners. I wish you all a very comfy and satisfying drives in your apparantly very well maintained car which does not look like it did 1.15 lakh kms. I need to learn a lot from people like you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted August 13, 2012 Thanks guys . There is some bad rust built up on the doors now at the bottom and some cracked paint is visible now. Waiting to get that done after the rains. Will try posting pics of the same. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMG1 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2012 Nice review! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sstar 77 Report post Posted August 13, 2012 @PrancingHorse: I must say you have taken a great care of your car. Eventually, it does not look to me that old. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neerajd 7 Report post Posted August 13, 2012 Really well maintained... and with the service history, its quite evident that you want this car to perform well no matter what age. FE with the rising fuel prices is the only downside.. otherwise this car looks like a million bucks even after crossing a 100k kms. I was in fact looking for this very model - manual transmission though.. but was not able to get a good one. Actually, the ones which are good are never sold And now, for me to get this model, its going to be too difficult to find a low mileage one for a good price. Great pics here.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashish Kachhap 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2012 I am really impressed that you have maintained your car so well even after rolling so much Kms. As I have purchased Honda City recently ( 15 days owner to be precise), would like some recommendations and suggestions on the maintenance of the car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ForzaItalia 0 Report post Posted September 8, 2012 It is beautifully maintained. It is a refreshing change to see someone taking such good care of a car. Without looking at the odo, it would be impossible to tell that the car has done over 1.1L kms. Nice one PH! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vr.46 1 Report post Posted November 15, 2012 The D series is a bullet proof old school engine. nice car. Do you have overdrive capability? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted November 15, 2012 @vr.46: Nope. No overdrive. Just a coventional 4 Speed automatic gearbox Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gomzi 3 Report post Posted November 16, 2012 Nice pics of your car. Even though its been some time since I saw it, It never looked like a 8 yo car back then and you've maintained it beautifully! Now even i've purchased a pre-owned Honda so will be pinging you for tips on maintaining honda's without punching a permanent hole in my pocket Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted April 20, 2013 The car has now touched 1,20,000 kms and I will be sending her for the major service due soon. But today I got new tyres for the car Yokohama S Drives 195/55R15. Car really rides well now. More updates after the service Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creativebala 178 Report post Posted April 21, 2013 I envy you for this car. I was hunting for a similar car for months just to buy a Swift later. 1.2L Kms is very young for this Reliability Horse. IIRC, there will be a cute Storage cum Hand rest near gear shift, why didn't post it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted April 21, 2013 Yes the Old City does have a central armrest with storage space. Will put a pic soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sstar 77 Report post Posted April 22, 2013 @PrancingHorse: Nicely, maintained. My father use to have a 2008 City Automatice which was a previous model then yours, it was a office given car and we liked it a lot due to ample space it provides. Just 6 month back the office decided to sale it and they sold it for 60K which had 1.48 L KM on it. And this car is still running well with its new buys. Surprisingly, I was unaware otherwise I would have bought it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted April 22, 2013 Is 2008 a typo? Mine is a 2003. It possibly cant be older than mine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creativebala 178 Report post Posted April 22, 2013 Is 2008 a typo? Mine is a 2003. It possibly cant be older than mine Should be a Typo. Good looking City came to an end in 2003, then till 2005, it was a Sharp nosed Honda city, then came somewhat good looking Honda City which sold till 2008-9 when ANHC made a blasting entry. So getting a good looking OHC Type II is out of question. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sstar 77 Report post Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) Is 2008 a typo? Mine is a 2003. It possibly cant be older than mine no it is not. I meant the city which I was talking was the first model...which office bought in 2008, it had blurred tail lamps. I think yours had cristal clear look rear lamps? Edited April 23, 2013 by Sstar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted April 23, 2013 Ok you are talking about the 1998-99 models, the Type 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
librankur 39 Report post Posted April 24, 2013 Everything was going well until SStar came along and shared his inputs . This is getting confusing , @sstar -which office buys a 10 year old vehicle for its employees ,the mention of the year 2008 is really confusing for a car that is as per your description. @prancinghorse - did the very first model of City come with an AT option. someone clear my doubts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sstar 77 Report post Posted April 25, 2013 (edited) Ok you are talking about the 1998-99 models, the Type 1 Oh yes...sorry it is my fault. I had 1998 in my mind but dont know how i wrote 2008. Yes it was a 1998 model, had same golden colour as yours. Everything was going well until SStar came along and shared his inputs . This is getting confusing , @sstar -which office buys a 10 year old vehicle for its employees ,the mention of the year 2008 is really confusing for a car that is as per your description. @prancinghorse - did the very first model of City come with an AT option. someone clear my doubts. I don't know why are you getting confused. I did not say any office bought it...I said my father's office sold it to some outside for a 60k INR. It was a 1998 model and Yes it was an AT and was bought brand new in 1998. Hope now all clouds will be gone. Edited April 25, 2013 by Sstar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted May 15, 2013 Sent the car yesterday to get my 4 doors repaired from corrosion and painted. Thought it might be a good idea to get this done before the monsoon. Right now its just the doors but I may get the bumpers resprayed as well. Work should take around 10 days approx Will do the 1.20 lakh km service once the car is back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrancingHorse 1 Report post Posted May 22, 2013 Work in progress. All the tin work has been completed and the car has gone in for painting Pics: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sstar 77 Report post Posted May 23, 2013 I am eager to see job well done update PH...I wonder I had bought my father's office OHC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites