Faults:

At 109K, the PCV valve failed and caused a check engine light. Dealer was prompt with servicing.

My transmission now has a problem of sticking in second gear. I am thinking it is time to flush the system out, maybe that will cure it.

Nothing else major, just usual wear items. Very reliable vehicle.

General Comments:

The car handles suprisingly well for its price.

The interior is kind of blah, but functional nonetheless.

I put a lot of miles onto this car, and plan to put many more onto it. The Honda Civic ages very well (even my old 87 did). It has excellent gas mileage as well.

I am very pleased with the overall design and packaging. I would consider a Honda Civic for my next car, and to anyone else who is shopping for a compact.

Faults:

Original engine threw a rod at 85,916 miles - attempted to drive through a flooded road and water was sucked into the engine (also had water damage to interior). Insurance replaced engine, carpet, and some wiring under flood damage (replacement engine was a 1998 with approx 50k miles).

Replaced original battery at 87k.

Replaced drivers side window regulator when window came off track at 90k (happened during below accident).

Replaced front right wheel bearing, lower control arm, steering knuckle, tie rod end, wheel, tire, brake line, fender, bumper, headlight, and front sway bar at 90k (lost control on ice and hit a high curb + tree).

Replaced primary oxygen sensor at 95k.

At 140k, manual transmission started whining and clutch was also starting to slip. Had transmission rebuilt and clutch replaced.

Had both drive axles replaced while transmission was out - outer CV joint boots were both split, and both CV joints had been knocking for some time.

Replaced lights for cruise control switch around 110k ($5 from dealer).

Replaced a couple of warning lights on dash at 110k (seat belt, trunk open indicators).

Replaced split upper radiator hose at 130k (also replaced lower hose and thermostat at the same time).

Replaced rear defroster switch at 145k with junkyard item.

Been through 3 sets of front brakes since I've owned it (90% city driving), most recently at 147k - never had to touch rears except for adjustment.

General Comments:

I deliver pizza 20-30 hours a week in this car, and consider every "delivery mile" to be equal to at least 3 to 5 "normal" miles. I also admit to driving the car very, very hard, and it's held up very well to the abuse it's been put through.

The engine has started knocking for about 30 seconds after sitting overnight, and it's started burning a significant amount of oil (approx 1/2 quart every 800-1000 miles). The engine will be rebuilt in the spring by my normal mechanic.

Considering that the car is used for pizza delivery - I would consider it to have over 300,000 "real world" miles now.

The car still looks great inside and out, still drives great, and still consistently gets 28 mpg in the city and 32-35 on the highway.

Faults:

Nothing yet, although the steering column has begun to creak recently when applying full lock rapidly.

I'm not sure if this is wear-and-tear, dust in the mechanism, or something else - it'll get picked up in the next service.

General Comments:

Absolutely brilliant little car - it goes like the proverbial clappers, and handles really well.

Living where I am (the Isle of Man) means that there's no national speed limit. I've managed to hit 130mph on a long downhill straight; the speedometer maxes out at 140, and I hadn't even hit fifth gear - scary stuff, but extremely exhilarating!

Stopping is also excellent, and it seems so be able to come to a halt in a fraction of the time that the "official" highway code states.

I have yet to invoke the ABS out of necessity, but I did play around when the roads were quiet - as expected, it stopped sharply, without locking the wheels or losing control.

The one time that I've managed to get the car to handle badly was to accelerate too quickly out of a 90-degree left handed uphill bend, with a nasty adverse camber. The front under-steered massively (which scared me!), but it pulled back into line quickly as I came off the power. Fortunately there was nothing coming the other way, and now I know that it can happen, I'm a bit more wary.

Fuel economy is pretty good, although if you drive like me (i.e. don't get out of third gear much, screaming along at about 6k rpm...!) then you'll be filling up the tank every week or so. Not cheap, but good fun!

Overall, it's a brilliant car - performs well both as a little run-about, and as a speed machine. What more could you ask for?