1998 Honda Civic VTI 1.8

Summary:

A Discreet Rocket Car With All Round Quality!

Faults:

Nothing as yet, but front shock absorbers will probably need replacing in near future (Front driver side a little soft). Car had 12 Honda Service stamps when I bought it.

General Comments:

Having scrapped my clapped out Toyota Carina I decided to look for a car with some get and GO.

My original choices were a Nissan 200 SX, Alfa Romeo 146 Ti.

Couldn't find a Nissan in my price range that was any good locally.

Test drove a Alfa 146 1.8 and was diappointed with the performance, ride, interior and build quality.

Bought a Honda on the back of my friends Honda Vti.

Thisar is seriously quick for a 1.8 WITHOUT a turbo or any modifications.

Has an engine the same as an Integra, but with a smaller cam.

A Golf 2.3 has 170 BHP and my Civic 169.

Glorious sounding free-revving engine that never disappoints.

Comfortable half-leather tasteful seats and interior.

Great ride, although there is some road noise.

Body is a little soft and tends to pick up small dents.

Overall solid build quality and engine that will last for years if looked after.

Well worth buying if you want an all-round quality car with AMAZING performance at a reasonable price.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2003

19th Jan 2006, 16:32

Well it may have a lot of horse power, but nothing for torque. So id stay away from anything with more than a 2.8L under the hood boy.

13th Mar 2006, 04:31

I take it you're an American then!?

1998 Honda Civic Illusion 1.4 16v

Summary:

A cheap to insure nippy car with lots of aftermarket modding potential

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

The car is great! Its got very good performance for a 1396cc engine, very rev happy and pulls like something a lot more powerfull after 2000rpm.

Comfortable ride, although standard seats don't look that nice, but nothing that cannot be sorted out.

The handling as standard is good, but add some lowering springs and you'll love it even more.

Very wide range of bodykits and tuning goodies available all across the globe.

Returns good MPG even if driven hard.

Would please anyone, young or old.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2003

29th Aug 2007, 14:48

I need to take of the door panels on my Civic Illusion, but cannot take off the window winders. Any help?

15th Jan 2009, 14:30

You have one screw in the door release handle. Undo that, that take off the speaker cover, this should just pull/snap off. Next undo the few screws in there and then undo the speaker screws. Un-clip the speaker and carefully, pull the door card, You will hear several clicks and it should slid off easily. Be careful of the door release handle as this may be tricky to get off alone. You may want some one to help you here.

Hope it helps.

1998 Honda Civic VTi 1.8 petrol

Summary:

A mistake to buy

Faults:

The engine has a major fault. It makes a nasty noise when changing to VTEC and misfires badly whilst in the VTEC range. I suspect the bottom end of the engine to be at fault.

The brake discs have warped twice, now causing them to remain seized on.

General Comments:

I had heard much of the fabled reliability of Honda and their VTEC engines, but I am very unhappy with this particular car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th August, 2001

2nd Sep 2001, 13:52

Never had any problems with mine - I screw it from cold, and its never had a service since 36k - its now done 97k.

10th Oct 2001, 09:32

I've had one for 3 years. Nothing gone wrong. Marvelous car. Keeps your mother happy and drives like a demon. Name another car that can do that?

14th Feb 2004, 15:59

I've found the 1.8VTi to be highly reliable. I'm about to sell my late '97 model with 158,000 miles. In that time I've had a wheel bearing (45k, under warranty) and a rear suspension bush at 90k. Clutch was replaced at 100k though would have gone another 10k. Honda rear boxes go every 50k. Used to average about 34-5mpg though my journeys were mostly long 80mph on motorways. Front tire wear was quite acceptable for the power, up to 25-30k when I mostly did long runs.

Very dependable car, will be sorry to see it go.

13th Aug 2004, 07:10

All Honda engines and especially the higher BHP V-tec types need regular oil and filter changes when they are due or they will suffer badly. I drove a 2.2 Prelude V-tec for 90,000 miles without any trouble what so ever and it did get thrashed on a regular basis. I am just about to buy a 1.8 Civic VTi. When buying a used V-tec it is a must that it has continuous service history, if it doesn't, walk away.

8th Dec 2008, 10:51

I had a 2.2 Honda Prelude with 130,000 miles, rolling road tested it and it had 200 bhp, that's 18 more than when it was new, and it had no mods. I think that explains how good Hondas are :)