Faults:

Rust is forming around the rear wheel well.

Passenger door lock stopped working at 160,000kms.

Cheap "faux" leather seats starting to crack and rip at the seams.

General Comments:

The car is totally reliable, and refuses to break down and give me a headache!

I bought this car used, paid in full, and I never had one power train problem.

It's mainly a city car with about 25,000kms per year.

As with all Honda's of this vintage, rust is a huge problem, and I've got a 2 inch hole in the right rear tire well.

There's nothing sporty about this car, and it is very nervous when driving in snow.

Car is slow and has no passing power on the highway, but with extremely congested roadways & highways in Toronto, it doesn't really bother me. However, I wouldn't fill this car with passengers for a road trip!

This car really wears out the front left tire quickly.

Although I drive slow, fuel economy isn't too impressive due to the engine screaming at 2800 RPM @ 100km/h. The four speed auto is flawless but outdated, returning an average of 9l/100km fuel economy.

According to my iPhone MPG app, my EL costs $0.11 per kilometer, which includes oil changes and my timing belt service; that's amazing! I'm really tempted to get a modern mid-sized car with more interior space, more power and better fuel economy with a 6+ speed auto-box. There's no trade in value for this car, so I'm thinking of just driving this car into the ground, but at the present rate, I don't think this car will quit until I reach 300,000km! Talk about a first world problem!

Just be careful not to take your mind off whatever drink you place in the useless cup holders!

Faults:

Exhaust leaks at 140,000 and 145,000km.

Starting to rust through the bottom of the doors and rear wheel wells (I started to store it in winter to slow rusting).

Updated January 2013:

Sold it Jan 12, 2013 for $2900 @166,073km to make room for a 2013 Suzuki SX4.

General Comments:

Car is from North Toronto according to its record book, & I got it in Winnipeg. When I saw it, it had a brand new paint job and I didn't see the rust under the doors and in the small cracks of wheel wells (used car dealer tricks).

Like:

- Rear window antenna (clean look)

- Black heated leather seats

- Sunroof

- Parts are cheap, easy to maintain yourself

- Front head lights (compared to Civic)

- Mirrors on 98 are nicer than 99-00

- Silver lining on windows

- Clean instrument layout

- Tail lights

- Lightweight, nimble to maneuver

- Fuel saver

Dislike:

- Seats are uncomfortable on long trips (4hrs+), also seats are really low to ground.

- Can really feel the road on rough pavement

- Aftermarket parts are hard to come by

- Small gas tank (45L)

- Entry level leather

- Sluggish, loose 5 speed

- Expensive tire size 195/55/15

- Can only go 140-150km/h tops