Faults:

I had to change the battery and get a major service done by changing all the major parts (e.g. ignition leads, air, oil & petrol filters), which made it drive as new.

General Comments:

This is my first car and it sits low to the ground and cruises well on the open road, whilst handling really good as an inner city car.

Fairly quick through the gears and accelerates really good.

I've been running it on premium and has almost doubled the power whilst cleaning the engine out at the same time.

After a wash (both inside and out) it shines like new and feels like new.

It has a very comfortable interior.

Good fuel economy, I pushed it to 600km on a 40 litre tank.

Good boot, you can fit a lot of stuff in there such as when you go camping.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car, though it needs some maintenance.

The car has done over 200,000Kms and the timing belt needs to be replaced.

The front shock absorbers are bottoming out and need to be replaced.

There is a slight crack in the dashboard where the central locking sensor would be, if the car had central locking, should be expected in a car so old.

The air-conditioner needs re-gassing.

There are odd rattles and other annoyances. Read on below.

General Comments:

The car is a great performer for a 1.6L and is quite impressive with 91 Kilowatt's of power. The torque is adequate, but is not all that inspiring especially in conjunction with the automatic transmission.

The car is very sporty and still looks reasonably nice for an old car, even with tacky pop-up headlights.

The suspension is very firm continuing the sporting theme; on rough surfaces and big bumps it is abrupt and to say the least is not designed for luxurious cruising.

The interior besides the small crack in the dash has held up very well and looks great, the carpet and seats are still intact and look good even though the colour scheme is blue on silver, with a black dash.

The dashboard looks different to those in the earlier model, with round buttons and newer steering wheel and compared to other cars of the time it's quite fresh.

The seats are comfortable, yet very firm and on long trips do cause alittle discomfort. The car is best used as a 2+2 seater as a third rear passenger would be very cramped. (There is a third seatbelt though).

There is enough room for two large adults in the back with adequate leg and shoulder room, though headroom is compromised by the sloping rear window and its frame. (All good in the front seats)

The transmission is one major disapointment as it has irregular kick downs and when changing gears at idle it makes loud clunking noises. NOTE: The transmission may require a service and tune up.

The sound system on this model has only two speakers, though there is provision for two more in the rear.

The body is very sleek for its time although the trims around the windows are flacking and rusting and the odd rear number plate holder rattles whenever the car is shaken.

The rear rubber spoiler is ugly, but that's a small compromise.

NOTE: This particular model is the 1988 model and comes standard with Power Steering, Air-Conditioning, Electric Mirrors and Windows, a TWO speaker stereo system and (Yellow) Fog Lights integrated into the later models updated bumper.

An electric sunroof and central locking are options.

There are two interior colour schemes available with various exterior colours blue/silver and black/silver, the black looks much nicer and is available on red and white models I think, I believe this is the better choice of the two.

The 1987 model I believe has more features like central locking and a sunroof, but has a different front bumper without Fog Lights and has a different dash. The rest is the same.

I suggest that a perspective buyer should look at both 87-88 models and decide what they like most and for those who want less hassles to buy a manual, gaining more power and added economy. I do believe the '88 model suffered from a case of cost cutting by Honda, making the car cheaper to buy, but with more options.

Don't hold me to my comments, see for yourself if interested in these greatly reliable, affordable and relatively economical/powerful cars.

I would recommend these cars to anyone interested in buying one.

It would make an exceptional first car.

I looked at a red '87 model, with a black interior, but with modifications, oil leaks and without a service history, amoung many others my current light blue '88 model was the best choice of the many available.

Faults:

My clutch needed changing when I first bought the car, but after that, not a single problem for 2 straight years!

General Comments:

I bought the car while it had done 250,000KMs, it was my first car and I could not have made a better decision in buying it. It has a tremendous amount of power for a 1.6 engine. I have raced VL Commodores, GSR Lancers (Non-Turbo), even a Silvia (Non-Turbo) and defeated them all with no trouble.

The car has very comfortable seats, they last long and look great too. The interior is slightly more advanced compared to other cars made in 1988.

This car never gave me any problems except for the clutch that needed changing. It was a beauty to drive and was steady at all speeds. I regret the day I sold it!