Faults:

No major things. I have taken the car to the regular maintenance (timing belts at 150,000km, brakes adjustments and oil changes).

Beside that, I had to go to the dealership just after I purchased it, because somebody at the tire service broke one of the front right wheel bolts when repairing a tire puncture.

Then I had to replace the master brake cylinder at 155,000km. I got the OEM part on Ebay for around USD180.

General Comments:

Great fuel economy, between 38 and 50 km per gallon depending on the route, which I think is good for a sedan that size. It's a 14 year old car that is more reliable than many new cars with a fraction of the mileage that mine has. It has never used a tow service or broke down in the middle of the road.

The interior is very roomy and well built. Everything still works (A/C, electric sunroof, cruise control, electric windows, electric side mirrors) and there are no annoying noises coming from plastic or metallic parts.

Seats are very comfortable. I usually make 6 hour road trips (3 or 4 times per year) and there's no need to stop.

The car is slow climbing mountains on Colombian highways, because of the automatic transmission.

Tends to hit obstacles on non paved roads or the ground when entering subway car parks, because of its short height above the road surface.

Faults:

Alternator belt started to go out a little while after I purchased it (not surprising, as it turned out to be factory original belt).

Transmission began to shift very slowly and would slip between gears (common issue on 98s, has to do with solenoids that control shifts).

Interior rotted fairly extensively due to sun and cheap materials in the headliner.

General Comments:

This was my first car, and I honestly loved it. I beat this car for all it was worth, and it never let me down or left me sitting on the side of the road. This car literally saw every kind of abuse you can think off; it saw jumping, sliding, spinning, racing, offroading, dirt roading, deer, -30s, high 90s, 115mph, and road trips as long as almost a thousand miles, and other than tires and a new battery, there wasn't anything that ever stopped it.

It was slow... made the 0-60 run in about 9.6 seconds, and got stomped on consistently by Cavaliers and big heavy mutts alike, but what can you expect out of an automatic four-cylinder of this size?

Small exhaust leak, and v-tech cam system made for a nice sound at high rpms, but stock exhaust was definitely a good choice.

It got great gas mileage, in fact I never saw worse than 29 on a tank, even if I was thrashing it constantly.

Looked pretty decent with the ex package and black paint, and had all the bells and whistles available (PW, PL, CD/tape, power moon roof, map lights, cruise control, AC, cabin recycle, etc etc). It was no Aston Martin, but you didn't feel bad driving it either.

Plenty, of space and comfort for an eco-box. I'm six three and fairly broad shouldered, and there was plenty of driver space for me. On long trips the seats were a tad stiff, but they show little wear because of this lack of comfort.

Bought it, beat it, and it still breathes today. I traded up for a Camaro, but I wouldn't hesitate to grab another 96-00 Civic for a commuter any day.

Faults:

I bought this car for a run to work & back for my wife, & she loves it. Great on fuel, & is quick & nimble.

Nothing has gone wrong with car, except it requires new CV joint & a lower ball joint.

General Comments:

Brilliant car; economical & nippy.