The Honda Civic is a popular compact car with a longstanding reputation for reliability. It is not difficult to find OEM replacement parts for this make and model of sedan, coupe or hatchback, but you may want to customize the appearance or performance of your ride with aftermarket parts. Rather than choosing from the full range of stock Honda parts available for sale, you may want to purchase aftermarket versions from a major auto parts retailer that offers home delivery and in-store pickup. Parts stores can make it easier to compare specifications, prices and similar components.  Find out more about Honda Civic brake pads and other parts that you might want to seek out aftermarket versions of for the sake of improved performance or lower costs.

Enhance Performance

Many aftermarket engines and exhaust components are designed to equal or outperform factory parts. For instance, most aftermarket exhaust kits are intended to increase airflow while eliminating backpressure and reducing emissions. Replacement spark plugs made by a non-OEM brand may make it easier to start the engine in your Civic and keep it running smoothly. Make sure the parts you choose are compatible with your vehicle submodel and engine type. Honda Civic air filters can deliver a boost in overall efficiency. When it comes to replacing make and model-specific components in the engine compartment, you may prefer to use OEM parts.

Add Style  

Customizing the body, exterior and interior of a Honda Civic can be easier than making improvements under the hood. Aftermarket components also make it possible to outfit any car to suit your style of driving and cargo-carrying needs. No matter how or where you drive, you may find that aftermarket parts make it possible to make your model of this immensely popular sedan uniquely your own. Be sure to consider the full range of parts available for increasing the comfort and entertainment available to drivers and passengers or making sure your Civic is dressed to impress.

Spend Where It Counts

There are no hard rules about pricing when it comes to aftermarket components. In general, you should expect to pay more for premium or performance-oriented parts. On the other hand, you may end up paying less for a Honda Civic battery and other components that are not exclusive to the year model and submodel of your ride. When you purchase parts from a retailer, you are almost guaranteed to get lower prices with less markup than when you depend on a dealer or mechanic to order and install parts.

Whenever you need to work on the major systems in a Civic, consider the status of the vehicle. If you have already introduced aftermarket parts, you will need to make sure that any components you install have measurements that correspond to the available space and fitment of the custom build. If you want to be able to continue to fix the engine, electrical or exhaust systems without the need for numerous measurements and modifications, you should look for OEM-style parts or aftermarket components that correspond to standard vehicle-specific measurements.