Faults:

Clutch started slipping about 5000km ago due to towing a heavy trailer around, and it still slips a bit as I have not fixed it (so it was my own fault).

General Comments:

I bought this car for a cheap price for a economical runabout, and indeed it is. It's basic and plain e.g: no power steering, wind up windows, manual choke, no air conditioning and fuel fed by carburetor.

I have done oil and filter changes myself every 10000km, and it has never been to a mechanic or workshop while I have had it, so reliability has been great, and it obviously was maintained by the previous owners.

It is a great city run about, and is adequate on the highway, but I definitely would not want to be in a accident in one. I do prefer my GT Legacy on the highway, but not it's fuel consumption compared to the Civic.

Faults:

My clutch went out because of letting a friend drive to the store, only $500 worth of damage. Other than that, the leather (if that) seats have worn down and cracked, and the end of my exhaust fell off, but now has a nice full exhaust sound to it.

General Comments:

For having a small 1.5 I4 and 200,000+ miles, it still has potential to go 120 MPH. I just recommend not getting the base model as I did, no AC or power options. The seats are pretty comfortable, but could be better.

Faults:

Driver side seat belt buckle didn't latch, got one from a local junkyard.

Front Door Jamb Switch (both) went out. Door Ajar light on the dash stayed on after replacing The driver side switch. Just kept the Dome light off.

Main Relay went out (big problem with the gen 4 Civics).

Had to replace both outer tierod ends.

Brakelight Switch grommet on the pedal arm fell out so I had to put a bolt in it AFTER replacing the switch.

Clutch started slipping.

Alternator started going out.

General Comments:

Good little car, fun with the 5 Spd, but to much work, I put a grand into it in the 6 months that I owned it.

Faults:

I bought the car with half-blown tranny (never knew that).

Minor engine parts.

Battery (original) at 130000.

Previous owner claimed to have changed clutch plates at 100000.

Retractable seat belts never retracted [blown fuse].

General Comments:

I bought the car for 1500$ and spent 2000$ on it. Might look like an irony, but I loved the car. The tranny synchronizer (manual) was bad when I bought it. The sound was clear, but thanks to the great IGNORANCE of me and my friends, I helped the owner get rid of it. One month into ownership, I was out of ignorance. 1330$ only. Exactly a week after tranny festival, the muffler got seperated and fell on the road while I was driving. 100$. Minor patch ups on engine - 500$.

Well that is the end of hardships. For the next exact 2 years this car never let me down. I blew on it sometimes at 80mph with absolutely no shake. I could rarely feel the vibrations of the engine. I loved the way it took off, the smooth gear engagement, and quick handling. Sometimes I even hauled 6 people without any noticeable change in the way it drove. The electronics part was great. This is a good car. The costly repairs could be attributed to inefficient handling by the previous owner (as many mechanics told me).

I sold it off exactly after 2 years. I was so obsessed with owning a civic again that now I own a 2006 model 8th generation civic - LX manual. This car's already got 3000 miles on it. A slight chatter can be explained by my luck with new things. Few aspects die hard in civic. I am happy I see my old car in those.