1999 Honda Civic GLi 1.6 petrol
Summary:
Get the VTi if you can afford it, but this is a good second choice
Faults:
I an the fourth owner of this car in 10 years. Nothing major has actually gone wrong with it yet.
Radio aerial fails to come up, but it could be due to faulty wiring, since the entire sound system was changed.
Fuel efficiency is not what it once was, with only about 10.5 km per litre as compared to more than 12.5 when it was new, according to the specifications.
The upholstery tends to get dirty easily for some reason.
Fuel tank only holds 45 litres, while most other cars in its class hold at least 50 litres.
Fuel gauge is not very accurate. It still has 10 litres in the tank when the fuel light comes on. The needle reaches empty when the tank still has 12 litres left.
Only SOHC instead of DOHC engine.
General Comments:
You can take reliability (engine, electrics etc.) for granted.
Engine, transmission and gearbox are excellent.
Accelerates quite fast despite SOHC non-VTEC engine.
Stops in a short space thanks to disc brakes all around, something that many other comparable cars don't.
Climbs steep slopes well.
Handles surprisingly well, despite not having an ABS thanks to a double wishbone suspension, the last generation of Civics to have it.
Sadly, does not have ABS and VTEC, both of which are available on the VTi.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th June, 2010