New cars are fun and exciting. But sometimes you just don’t need all those bells and whistles. For many drivers, something that they can pay cash for right out of the gate and get from one place to another with relative ease and reliability is all they seek. The 2004 Honda Civic is a simple daily driver that only costs a few grand.

There is a reason Hondas hold their value. The reliability reputation for the Honda brand didn’t happen by chance. It’s been proven over decades that Honda engineering and unique attention to detail pays off long term. Going back in the model years over a decade won’t get you anything fancy, but you will find a reliable daily driver that––for the most part––you can count on.

The 2004 Honda Civic

According to AutoBlog, “Honda’s highly practical Civic rolls into 2004 with a subtly but significantly new look.” They 2004 Civic was available as a sedan, coupe, and even offered a sport Si hatchback version. The 2004 Honda Civic’s sedans and coupes were manufactured as DX, LX, and EX trim. 

One of the fun things about the 2004 model year is that the five-speed manual transmission was still standard on all models. The automatic transmission could be added to the higher trim levels. So if you end up with an automatic transmission example of the 2004 Civic you’ll be in one of the trims that was more luxurious in its day.

Honda was already implementing hybrid technology at the time. The entire range of Honda Civics in the 2004 model year went from better to best in terms of fuel economy. If you want to spend less and still end up with a vehicle that in environmentally conscious, the 2004 Honda Civic is a great option.

Is the Honda Civic reliable?

The reliability rating on Kelley Blue Book for the 2004 Honda Civic is 4.7 out of 5 stars. This rating is based on feedback from real owners. This car in its time was very modern and desirable. Now, it’s dated due to its age. However, it is still a simple daily driver with good reliability overall. Apart from the maintenance you expect for maintaining a vehicle over a long period of time, the Honda Civic 2004 model year is a good used car.

“It’s been 5 years since I purchased this car used, with 32k on the clock. It now has 145k on it, and I’m expecting to own it another 3 years and 60k. So that right there should tell you something about it.”

Edmunds consumer comment

Additionally, the Edmunds reviews show the 2004 Honda Civic to have good reliability. Reviews show that consumers are satisfied with this car as a trusty commuter. A look at the listings on CarGurus shows plenty of models for sale over the 150,000-mile mark which is also a testament to its reliability.

Used car pricing

It’s not fancy, but it’s surprisingly fun to drive. Edmunds shows an estimated list price for the 2004 Hond Civic between $1,373 – $2,911. There are over 300 listings on CarGurus. Most of these are in the $2,500 – $3,500 range. The lower mileage, higher trim level like the EX 2004 Honda Civic used prices can reach over $4,000, nearing the $5 grand price point. However, this is still a great price that most can pay cash for on the spot.