Faults:

So, I have had this car 20 years now. 195k miles. In 20 years, these are all the items I have had to fix that are not standard maintenance items like tires and brakes and so on.

Several CV joints up front. One every few years for a while there, but the roads in Chicago are HORRIBLE and full of massive pot holes. Strangely enough, once I moved out of Chicago and ride on better roads, no CV joints have needed my attention.

Steering rack. This failed at about 180k. Was $600 to fix. But hey... 18 years on one steering rack is not too bad. It was leaking power steering fluid. It worked fine, but was leaving fluid on my garage floor.

ECM - $400. Just failed at 190k. For the first time in 19 years, my Honda Civic did not start. It has NEVER EVER NOT started in 19 years.

And that's it! Really a reliable car. I have done the usual tires and brakes when needed. I did a major service at 140k miles and had the timing belt done, along with all new belts, plugs, hoses, radiator flush and transmission fluid flush, and water pump. Was only $850 for everything at a local guy who specializes in Hondas and Toyotas.

It's 20 years old this month, has almost 195,000 miles and still gets 32 MPG city and 39 highway. It's not even rusting too bad either.

General Comments:

You can't kill these Hondas. Here in Chicago it's -20 in the winter and this thing starts right up. 99 in the summer and no problem. For a small car it can carry an amazing amount of stuff, especially with the back seats down.

Performance is okay. It's nothing to write home about, but enough to get around town and good enough on the expressway.

I paid $18,000 for this loaded EX back in OCT of 1994. It is now OCT 2014. I have had others come up and offer to buy the car. Usually younger guys who I figure want to fix it up and race it. One guy at a parking garage offered me $3000, and the guy at the Honda place the last time I got the oil changed offered me $2500.

So, if I paid $18000 for it and sell it for $2000, I spent $16,000 for 20 years of a good car. That's $66 per month not counting gas or repairs.

Would and have bought another Honda. Bought an Element. 92k on my Element and going strong.

Faults:

This car is a junkyard zombie, so it's needed some work. I have replaced the alternator, timing belt, and a few front end things. Exhaust and suspension are due.

Some kid or the junkyard put 15" rims on it, which makes the tires cost 2x as much. Want to go back to steelies this year.

General Comments:

Kind of underpowered, but the VTEC motor is awesome. If something happens to the car, I would keep the engine. I am honestly expecting the engine to go at least another 150,000-200,000 miles. The body will probably be rusted away by then.

I don't like the ride of the bigger 15" rims, and the seats are uncomfortable for long trips. But I plan to change those things and drive this car hundreds of thousands more miles. It is very reliable and gets around 30 MPG. Most reliable car I've ever owned.

I also have the solar panel in the back window to trickle charge the battery all the time.