How Much Did a Honda Civic Cost in 1988?

In the United States, a new 1988 Honda Civic typically listed between about $6,500 and $11,000 MSRP, depending on body style and trim; most popular DX models were commonly in the $8,000–$9,000 range before destination and options. These figures come from period brochures and buyer’s guides and reflect manufacturer suggested retail prices in 1988 dollars.

What the 1988 Civic Lineup Looked Like

The 1988 model year marked the debut of the fourth-generation Honda Civic, offered as a hatchback (including a performance-oriented Si), a four-door sedan (DX and LX), a practical wagon (including a 4WD variant), and the related two-seat CRX (HF and Si). Pricing varied with engine, equipment, and body style, as well as regional destination charges and dealer-installed options.

Typical MSRPs by Trim in 1988 (U.S.)

The prices below reflect commonly cited 1988 sticker prices reported in period brochures and car-magazine buyer’s guides. They exclude destination (roughly $300 at the time) and dealer-installed options such as air conditioning.

• Civic Hatchback STD: approximately $6,500–$6,900
• Civic Hatchback DX: approximately $8,100–$8,500
• Civic Hatchback Si: approximately $9,800–$10,300
• Civic Sedan DX: approximately $8,400–$8,800
• Civic Sedan LX: approximately $10,000–$10,400
• Civic Wagon (FWD): approximately $9,300–$9,800
• Civic Wagon (4WD/Wagovan): approximately $10,200–$10,700
• CRX HF: approximately $7,800–$8,200
• CRX Si: approximately $10,000–$10,500

Taken together, the 1988 Civic lineup spanned entry-level economy to better-equipped and sporty variants, with most mainstream configurations clustering around the $8,000–$10,000 band before fees and options.

How Those Prices Translate Today

Adjusted for inflation to 2025 dollars, 1988 prices are roughly 2.6–2.7 times higher. That puts a typical $8,500 1988 Civic DX at roughly the low–$20,000s in today’s terms, while top trims around $11,000 would equate to the high–$20,000s.

Example Conversions

The following examples illustrate how 1988 MSRPs compare when adjusted to current dollars.

• $6,500 in 1988 ≈ about $17,000–$18,000 today
• $8,500 in 1988 ≈ about $22,000–$23,000 today
• $11,000 in 1988 ≈ about $28,000–$30,000 today

These conversions provide context for how affordable the Civic was relative to modern compact cars, acknowledging that safety, emissions, and equipment standards have also evolved significantly.

What Affected What Buyers Actually Paid

While MSRPs set the baseline, several real-world factors influenced transaction prices for a 1988 Civic.

• Destination and handling: typically around $300, added to the sticker.
• Options and dealer add-ons: air conditioning, stereos, and accessories could add hundreds of dollars (A/C alone was often roughly $700–$900 installed).
• Regional availability and demand: popular trims sometimes sold closer to MSRP in high-demand markets.
• Financing and incentives: rates and occasional dealer promotions affected out-the-door costs.

For many buyers, these factors nudged the final price several hundred dollars above the base MSRP, even before taxes and registration.

Summary

In 1988, a new Honda Civic in the U.S. generally cost about $6,500–$11,000, with most DX models around $8,000–$9,000 before destination and options. Adjusted to today’s dollars, that’s roughly the high teens to high $20,000s, reflecting the Civic’s longstanding positioning as an affordable, well-equipped compact.

How much did a Honda Accord cost in 1988?

Price

Style	Invoice	MSRP
DX 4dr Sedan	$0	$11,394
LX 4dr Sedan	$0	$13,679
LXi 4dr Sedan	$0	$15,419
DX 2dr Coupe	$0	$14,180

How much did a Honda Civic cost in 1985?

The original sticker prices for a 1985 Honda Civic ranged from approximately $5,578 to $8,828, depending on the trim level and body style, such as the Hatchback, Sedan, or Wagon. For example, the base model 2dr Hatchback had an MSRP of $5,578, while a 4WD Wagon started at $8,828.
 
Original Price Ranges 

• 2dr Hatchback: Started at around $5,578.
• DX 2dr Hatchback: Had an MSRP of about $6,708.
• S 2dr Hatchback: Priced around $7,308.
• 4dr Sedan: The MSRP was approximately $7,474.
• Wagon: Started at about $7,374.
• Wagon 4WD: The most expensive at an MSRP of roughly $8,828.

Factors Influencing Original Price
The final price a buyer paid for a 1985 Honda Civic varied based on: 

• Trim Level: Higher trims like the DX, S, and Wagon 4WD offered more features and a higher price tag. 
• Body Style: Different models, such as the Hatchback, Sedan, or Wagon, were priced differently. 
• Optional Equipment: Any added features or packages would also contribute to the final cost. 

How much did a Honda Civic cost in 1998?

1998 Honda Civic pricing starts at $2,100 for the Civic CX Hatchback 2D, which had a starting MSRP of $11,045 when new. The range-topping 1998 Civic EX Sedan 4D starts at $2,708 today, originally priced from $16,875.

How much was a Honda Civic in 1989?

A 1989 Honda Civic’s value varies significantly, ranging from $1,000 to over $9,000 for a good-condition 1989 Civic Si or an original, well-maintained example, while cars with less desirable conditions, high mileage, or extensive maintenance needs are worth much less, often under $4,000. Factors like trim level (DX, GL, Si), mileage, overall condition, the presence of rust, and whether the vehicle has been heavily modified or well-maintained are the most crucial determinants of its final worth.
 
Factors affecting the value:

• Condition: Well-preserved, rust-free examples are significantly more valuable. 
• Mileage: High-mileage vehicles will fetch lower prices. 
• Trim Level: The performance-oriented Si trim is generally worth more than the standard DX or GL models. 
• Manual vs. Automatic: Manual transmission models, especially the Si, are often preferred by enthusiasts and can increase value. 
• Modifications: Extensive or poorly done modifications can decrease the value. 
• Maintenance History: A comprehensive service history and evidence of good maintenance can boost the price. 

General Price Ranges (for reference only):

• Average Condition/High Mileage: Expect prices in the $2,000 to $4,000 range. 
• Good Condition, Well-maintained (non-Si): Prices could range from $4,000 to $8,000. 
• Excellent, Original Si Models: Prices can be in the $9,000 to $15,000 range, with exceptional examples potentially achieving even higher figures at auction. 

How to find a specific value:

1. 1. Check Valuation Tools: Visit sites like Hagerty or Classic.com and input the specific details of the 1989 Civic. 
2. 2. Review Listings: Browse sites like Autotrader and Cars.com to see current market listings for similar cars.