1994 Civic CX - whats the big deal about the VX?

[dru2]

Hey,

I've had this stock CX in my garage for quite some time, and I'm finally putting it back on the road this winter.

I'm just wondering, whats the hype about the VX model?

[GasSavers_BEEF]

the VX model civic had a lean burn mode built into it which jumps the a/f ratio to 17:1 or so.

I think the highway mileage was rated 58mpg by the EPA. it was a big deal back then and to some is still a big deal.

not a honda guy myself. I am sure you will get more responses to your question.

[suspendedhatch]

The VX gets better mileage than the CX but has more power in the driving range. The CX is an 8 valve motor with 60hp, while the VX is a 92 hp motor with VTEC-E (switches from 12 valves to 16).

Still, the VX is quite overrated. Most people would save more money overall by getting a DX. You can get them for around 2 grand versus the VX's inflated price of 3500+; and you can get 35 mpg out of them quite easily. Also, there's no rare, super expensive O2 sensor and cat converter to worry about.

You can't go wrong with any Civic. My wife's 01 EX makes very good power and gets 33mpg street, 40 highway.

[KrazyDawg]

Still, the VX is quite overrated. Most people would save more money overall by getting a DX. You can get them for around 2 grand versus the VX's inflated price of 3500+; and you can get 35 mpg out of them quite easily. Also, there's no rare, super expensive O2 sensor and cat converter to worry about.

You can't go wrong with any Civic. My wife's 01 EX makes very good power and gets 33mpg street, 40 highway.[/QUOTE]

In the SF bay area you'll be lucky to get a Civic for 2 grand. When I was shopping for a Civic I've seen a lot of inflated prices of $4500+. I ended up getting a salvaged 95 Civic EX 116K mi for $3200 from a body shop owner. The Civic I have is in the middle as far as fuel economy goes. Both the older and newer Civics get better MPG.

[dru2]

In the SF bay area you'll be lucky to get a Civic for 2 grand. When I was shopping for a Civic I've seen a lot of inflated prices of $4500+. I ended up getting a salvaged 95 Civic EX 116K mi for $3200 from a body shop owner. The Civic I have is in the middle as far as fuel economy goes. Both the older and newer Civics get better MPG.

Thats interesting since EG Civics here in Toronto, Canada are a dime a dozen and can be picked up from anywhere between $500-$3500 USD depending on the condition.

[suspendedhatch]

Originally Posted by KrazyDawg

In the SF bay area you'll be lucky to get a Civic for 2 grand. When I was shopping for a Civic I've seen a lot of inflated prices of $4500+. I ended up getting a salvaged 95 Civic EX 116K mi for $3200 from a body shop owner. The Civic I have is in the middle as far as fuel economy goes. Both the older and newer Civics get better MPG.

Is Monterey considered the bay area? Or close enough driving distance... I got my VX last year in Monterey for $2200. Clean title, no mods.

[imzjustplayin]

Originally Posted by KrazyDawg

Still, the VX is quite overrated. Most people would save more money overall by getting a DX. You can get them for around 2 grand versus the VX's inflated price of 3500+; and you can get 35 mpg out of them quite easily. Also, there's no rare, super expensive O2 sensor and cat converter to worry about.

You can't go wrong with any Civic. My wife's 01 EX makes very good power and gets 33mpg street, 40 highway.

There is nothing special about the O2 sensor in the VX except for the fact that it's a WIDEBAND opposed to those crap narrow band O2 sensors you get in most cars today. Narrow band can only say if the mixture is lean or rich, a Wideband O2 sensor can say HOW rich or lean the mixture is which is why it costs so much more. If you're doing engine tuning, you'll want a wideband O2 sensor so you can get the most from your engine, otherwise if you're an everyday shmuck, then a narrow band O2 sensor is just fine I suppose.

[theholycow]

The nice thing about the CX: It's already in your garage, in known condition with known history.

[IndyFetch]

FYI:

The Air/Fuel ratio in lean-burn mode on a VX is 24:1. Stochiometric is 14.7:1.

The VX was rated at 48-49 city (I've seen both) and 55-56 highway (ditto).

I bought my '95 VX with 194,000 miles on it in February 2008. I paid $1,100 at the dealer. After taxes, fees, I still paid under $1,300. The car had a new timing belt and water pump, as well as all other engine belts. The front brakes were new. I had the dealer adjust the valve lash and align it. Over the past year, I've replaced a CV joint boot, exhaust (cat-back), tires (80,000-mile Michelin Destiny tires 175-70R-13... BUY THESE TIRES!!! $220, installed at Tire Barn), rear brakes, oxygen sensor (NAPA quoted me $79 for the one for all other Civics. I showed up to buy it and they told me it would be $469. I raised hell and they gave me the VX one for $80.), distributer cap, rotor button, plugs (Champion), and plug wires. My total cost is less than $2,800 for a rust-free '95 VX with a perfect interior.

I still need to replace the input shaft bearing and I'd like to get a new windshield, as the current one looks sandblasted.

The car averaged 52 mpg in before winter. My wife has a very short commute, so the city mileage does not do it justice. When I drive it, I usually get 55+ mpg, as long as the A/C is off and I'm not taking forever to warm it up. During one trip over the summer, I kept the speed at 55-60 mph and got 66.7 mpg for the 400+ mile trip.

I agree that most VXs are overpriced. Don't give up if you want one. You may get lucky like I did.

[dru2]

Originally Posted by Fetch

FYI:

The Air/Fuel ratio in lean-burn mode on a VX is 24:1. Stochiometric is 14.7:1.

The VX was rated at 48-49 city (I've seen both) and 55-56 highway (ditto).

I bought my '95 VX with 194,000 miles on it in February 2008. I paid $1,100 at the dealer. After taxes, fees, I still paid under $1,300. The car had a new timing belt and water pump, as well as all other engine belts. The front brakes were new. I had the dealer adjust the valve lash and align it. Over the past year, I've replaced a CV joint boot, exhaust (cat-back), tires (80,000-mile Michelin Destiny tires 175-70R-13... BUY THESE TIRES!!! $220, installed at Tire Barn), rear brakes, oxygen sensor (NAPA quoted me $79 for the one for all other Civics. I showed up to buy it and they told me it would be $469. I raised hell and they gave me the VX one for $80.), distributer cap, rotor button, plugs (Champion), and plug wires. My total cost is less than $2,800 for a rust-free '95 VX with a perfect interior.

I still need to replace the input shaft bearing and I'd like to get a new windshield, as the current one looks sandblasted.

The car averaged 52 mpg in before winter. My wife has a very short commute, so the city mileage does not do it justice. When I drive it, I usually get 55+ mpg, as long as the A/C is off and I'm not taking forever to warm it up. During one trip over the summer, I kept the speed at 55-60 mph and got 66.7 mpg for the 400+ mile trip.

I agree that most VXs are overpriced. Don't give up if you want one. You may get lucky like I did.

50+ MPG is simply amazing.