Faults:

I am very unsatisfied!

Engine began to knock, rattle and tick after cold starts shortly after 30,000 miles mark. Knocking quiets somewhat after motor warms up, dealer can't find and refuses to acknowledge problem.

Car uses over 1 quart of oil every 3,000 miles.

Wimpy heater can't handle northern climates, if you want heat at temps of 10 degrees or colder, don't drive this car!

Slow Acceleration and poor torque, when passing a car on a 2 lane highway you better have at least a mile of room to spare, and say a prayer while you're at it.

Uncomfortable seats, and back seat is useless if normal sized adults ride in the front.

Fat, clumsy steering wheel makes it hard to switch wipers and turn signals without taking hands off the steering wheel.

Horribly rough ride, even for a compact. The car feels like its going to drop its steering rack and shoot the struts through the hood every time I hit the most minor bump.

Tires wear out way too quickly. I had to put new ones on at only 29,000 miles. The original owner was an elderly lady, and I know she didn't beat on her car.

Speaking of driving like an old lady, that's the way you have to drive to get good fuel economy with this car. If you want any kind of performance, speed, or passing power your mileage drops to Chevy Impala and Malibu Levels. Wimpy Honda engines need to work extra hard to get power.

Brake rotors warped twice in 20,000 miles.

All of this after strictly following Honda's maintenance guidelines.

General Comments:

In fairness I know it's a compact, but it's also supposed to be a Honda, the best money can buy. Well, I guess Consumer Reports and J.D. power and associates are getting big money from Honda to overhype their cars. Also there are a lot of thing you won't notice on a short 15 minute test drive. Honda used to make a better product years ago, I don't know what happened. JUNK!

Faults:

High cost of advised change of timing belt. About $600.

General Comments:

I have only had to replace the typical maintenance stuff - tires, brakes & rotors, shocks.

I've put a lot of miles on this car.

This car is a dream. Never had such a reliable vehicle.

With the VTEC engine, it's very zippy.

Gas mileage upward of 35+ in the summer.

Faults:

I can hear the fan belt squeaking, but it may just need to be tightened.

General Comments:

The Good:

Great car (so far). I bought it in August 2007 with 51,000 miles on it, and the next week took it on a 2200 mile road trip. Performed like a champ on the interstate. Attached a roof rack, and with the top and trunk loaded down with camping gear, two people and two dogs, going 80 mph, the car still got 25 miles per gallon.

I have not taken the roof cargo rack off of the car, which decreases the gas mileage. I still get 30-33 mpg in the city and 35-37 on the highway. Highest so far is 37.6. I regretted not buying a truck at first, but with gas prices as ridiculous as they are, I feel like I made the right decision. The situation has become laughable for the big truck/SUV drivers.

The shifter is fun and economical. However, if you want to, you can push this engine pretty hard to get some solid performance out of it. It doesn't red line until around 7000rpms. Merging and passing on the interstate is doable and fun--if you're comfortable with downshifting and bringing those RPMs up (I spent 4 years on a 125cc motorcycle, so I'm more than used to that).

The front driver and passenger seats are comfortable and provide a good amount of legroom. The back seats are surprisingly comfortable--my taller friends haven't complained about cramped quarters, even on long trips.

The trunk is pretty spacious (can fit my dog's huge kennel) and the fold down back seats provide even more utility.

The Bad:

The black paint is showing a significant number of spots, but I knew that would happen when I bought a black car that's 5 years old.

There are a few interior squeaks (not any worse than my old GMC van...) and some road noise, but nothing too uncomfortable.

No anti-lock breaks! Come on, Honda. 21st century, people.

Overall, this is a good car on the used market.