Faults:

Just external stuff like tyres, battery terminals were loosened - occasionally would cut out at the lights, but has never failed to start except when the battery was loose.

The only other thing is the lack of fuel economy, and it just is not fit for off-road driving; have got stuck in sand a few times.

General Comments:

Fell in love with this when I got a 98 one, has been the most comfortable car I've owned. The rest weren't great though, and the engine is so quiet when driving, I sometimes wasn't sure it was still on.

It has served as a mini stealth camper several times, and the dogs love the height for looking out over the landscape; feels very safe to drive.

Faults:

After 8 months, I have rust appearing in the seams of 3 of the 4 doors. The dealer has taken photos of this and sent it back to Honda Ireland. I have heard nothing yet, but am not going to be happy with a respray job as a: the car will be resprayed and will lose value and be more difficult to sell, b: the dealers will knock down the value when I go to sell it based on previous rust in the first 8 months, and 3: if the rust started this fast I am going to have more and more problems down the line. I am going to demand a new vehicle as this is disgraceful from a manufacturer of such high repute, and also with the price of the HR-V here (€26,000) it's fairly serious financially.

General Comments:

I love the styling of the car. It's funky and sporty at the same time.

The bodywork is totally worrying me as I didn't realise I might be buying a rust bucket. I thought that if they're offering a 3 year warranty that they can stand over their bodywork.

Faults:

Wheel Bearing had to be replaced (free of charge).

Remote central locking sometimes does not respond.

Rear windscreen washer stopped. (fixed free of charge)

General Comments:

I bought this car as a bit of fun and wanted to tow a jetski occasionally over the summer months. So far it has been a success. The car could do with a larger engine, but it goes fairly well for a 1.6 in an offroad car and revs eagerly all the way to the red-line. However, I seem to only get 32mpg at best on a long journey and about 27 worst in town driving. As for towing I've been faily impressed. It seems to manage the 450kg trailer with ease on the road. When going off-road and pulling it up pebble filled slip ways the 4wd system seems to work fairly well although could do with a center locking diff. It also seems to have enough ground clearance for what most people need. So far I've only got it stuck once, but that was with a 1 tonne trailer on wet grass so is understandable.

As for real world driving, it handles well and steering is good although fairly poor tyres (which are also expensive) are poor both on the road and off it for grip, but do seem to last a long time (28k and still going!). The front seats are fairly comfy too and its practical as long as you don't have children or pets to lug around. I can get a considerable amount of furniture in it!

I'm particularly impressed with the car in town driving. I can see above most traffic and the steering is very light in town (speed-sensitive). Its also very easy to park considering its no longer than a 3 door civic. However, its the motorway journeys its not so good with. It revs to high at anything over 60mph (70=3600rpm) although at 30mph it sits happily in 5th gear.

So overall, I believe this is a good buy if you want something that looks different and can do everything fairly well.