(I probably should have posted this here first.)

Right off the bat, let me state that I'm a car ignoramus, and the 97 Escort LX is the only car I've ever owned.

However, its time has come, and I'm now looking at buying a 2008 Civic LX or EX-L. That said, I noticed that for all the ribbing I've endured about owning a Ford (and it did break down more often than anyone around me), a quick web search reveals it had a 2.0L engine, while the new Civic would have a 1.8L.

I test-drove the 2008 Civic LX (which is the 4th of 5 quality levels the model comes in, just under the Si) and I could feel less power than I'm used to.

Is it just psychological? Surely my old Escort can't out-perform today's new Civic LX, could it?

08 lx: 140 hp and 2750 lbs
97 Escort: 110 hp and 2500
should feel almost the same... what trannys do each of the cars have auto or manual?

what trannys do each of the cars have auto or manual?

I'm such a poof... sorry for not specifying. I am referring to Automatic transmissions.

I would think the civic would feel a bit quicker, considering the escort is like 10 years old and probably not putting out the same hp/tq as it came brand new. Maybe it feels a bit underpowered because of the lack of torque. Even though both their tq output is similar, the escort weighs 200 lbs less. Just a thought?