General Comments:

Very well designed car. Great driving experience.

Lots of OEM+ and after market parts available.

Many options for customizing / modifying / souping up.

Watch out for rust!

This is a great series of cars, I've owned 3 so far: Lsi, Esi and now a ukdm VTI with the B16 engine. Out of all 3, I've only had one time when it failed start at the first turn of the key.

As everyone else has said, it can be what you want it to be. It's no super car, but it holds its own and can serve up pretty good mpg.

There's loads of options for modifying if that's your thing. OEM+ and JDM style: like factory optional armrests, cup holders, Integra interior, factory fogs, parking poles etc. It's all easily available.

Engine swaps are relatively easy; fancy a K20 from a new Type R? Or just a bolt in B18 from an Integra....

When buying, watch out for rust on the rear arches and sunroof. The arches are a big job to fix; I reckon much more ££$$ than a new engine.

Faults:

Brake pedal vibrates when pressed.

Suspension creaks at passenger-side front.

General Comments:

30+ mpg, no maintenance costs other than oil, gas, and the car wash.

Faults:

Alternator need to be replaced at 280000

Put timing belt and water pump in when I bought it to be safe.

General Comments:

I don't know about the bad reviews here, but my civic has been basically trouble free. I bought it with 250000k on it and it had a bearing noise in first gear (manual tranny).

Now 40k later it still makes the same noise and has never stranded me.

Yeah its getting beat up inside and out, heater blower stopped working so I had to rig that, and the clutch is getting weaker, It leaks about a quart of oil between changes, but doesn't smoke.

I still get 40 mpg on the freeway and around 33 around town. Its uncomfortable to get in and out of, but I bought it for economy and that's what it delivers.

Almost 300000k miles its still running strong, you won't get that from a domestic car. I will drive this car till it dies, leave it there and buy another early 90's civic.

Faults:

Water leak on the passenger side.

Fuel pump relay switch.

General Comments:

The VTi is a very quick car.

I have owned one for 1 and a half years. I have had minor faults, but the engine makes up for all of them. 0-60 timed in 7.7 seconds. It can keep up with any of the 1.6 cars, and eat most of them for lunch.

You must put an air filter in to appreciate the sound change at 5500 rpm. It is amazing, and always puts a smile on my face.

Excellent 1st gear and 2nd gears. The downside is that you need to rev it high when driving at 40mph if you want to keep up with Subarus and Evos. The best way is to drop a gear.

Watch the 'Bradford Civic' on youtube.

You need to lower the car for handling around very sharp corners. I have raced a Civic Type R, Integra Type R, BMW 325i, BMW X5 4.6 Sport, Mercedes CLK Kompressor, Startlet Turbo, Toyota MR2, Vauxhall GSi, but I don't race Saxos and Novas. Raced a Focus. The Civic is a sheep in a wolf's clothing.