When Honda diversified away from its core business of motorcycles to tackle all things four-wheeled, the world sat up and took notice. When the company then boldly proclaimed that it intended to become a global power in automobile production, the rest of the world could barely contain its mirth. However, it is Honda that has had the last laugh. The company is now ranked as the fifth largest manufacturer on the planet, with volumes that eclipse long-established brands like BMW, Renault, and even the giant that is General Motors. When you look at cars like this 1995 Civic DX, you begin to realize why they have been a success. This Honda is a car that features class-leading engineering in an attractive package. That a vehicle of this type has survived the hustle-and-bustle of urban traffic for 26-years is a testament to its build quality and longevity. This little Civic now needs a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and while frantic bidding has pushed the price to $8,700, this figure is still short of the reserve. A big thank you has to go out to Barn Finder John L for referring this little Japanese classic to us.

This Civic is a 26-year-old vehicle whose primary function was for everyday commuter use. It is unrestored and original, so it is fair to expect its Milano Red paint to bear a scar or two. The general presentation is excellent, with paint that holds an impressive shine. The panels are also straight, with one notable exception. It appears that there might be a dent in the rear quarter just below the fuel filler. I initially was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt because it doesn’t rate a mention in the listing. However, the longer I have spent examining the photos, the more convinced I have become that it isn’t a trick of the light. Rust is not an issue, with both the exterior and the vehicle’s underside looking extremely clean. The plastic exterior trim is in good order, and there are no visible issues with the glass.

If Honda’s interiors from this era had a weakness, the cloth upholstery could look worn and tired surprisingly quickly. That isn’t an issue with this little Civic because the trim is in excellent order. There are no stains or marks and no rips or wear. The carpet has some wear under the driver’s left foot, but it generally looks pretty respectable. Some of the plastic trim pieces have started to discolor, but they haven’t begun to crumble or crack. The interior isn’t loaded with optional extras, so there’s no air conditioning or power windows. However, the owner has installed a Sony CD player, so the buyer can have their tunes on the move.

For years, the name Honda has been a by-word for build quality. The fit of their exterior panels and plastics have always been considered class-leading, and this attention to detail doesn’t end when we look under this Civic’s hood. What we find is a 1,493cc 16-valve four-cylinder screamer that pumps out 102hp. That power is fed to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission, while power front disc brakes are a standard feature. This might be a small car, but its performance would be nothing to be ashamed of. Because it tips the scales at a paltry 2,231lbs, that little motor can propel the Civic through the ¼ mile in 17.6 seconds. It might not be muscle car fast, but it’s not too shabby when you consider its design purpose. This sort of performance graphically demonstrates why Honda has achieved ongoing success on the world motorsport stage as an engine supplier. The owner says that the Civic is in good mechanical order, and he provides a written report to verify this. However, he is open to potential buyers performing an in-person inspection for their own peace of mind. It is also worth noting that he claims that this Honda has a genuine 66,000 miles on the clock. If this is accurate, that makes it barely broken in!

This 1995 Honda Civic DX is not a car that will appeal to all of our faithful Barn Finds readers, and that’s fair enough. However, it does deserve to be considered a classic survivor. It would have cost its original owner around $11,100 when he drove it off the showroom floor, which didn’t make it a cheap small car when it was new. However, it offered that owner exceptional build quality, class-leading performance, and impressive fuel economy. Most of these little cars saw service in commuter and city traffic cut-and-thrust, which is murder on many mechanical components. They generally fulfilled this role with distinction, but like any motor vehicle, the day came for most of them where they had reached the end of their serviceable life and were consigned to the scrapyard. If you don’t believe me, please take a moment to think about how many similar Civics that you saw plying our roads when they were new. Now take a further moment to consider how many you’ve seen in your travel in recent months. The numbers are declining, and that’s why this original survivor deserves to be preserved by its next lucky owner.