1998 Honda Civic 1.4i petrol

Summary:

Handy hatchback

Faults:

Wheel trims are very brittle - club one on a kerb and it's toast. Not expensive to replace at 15 quid, but a pain nonetheless.

Remote central locking has no range.

Door trim rattles if the front window is up.

General Comments:

Nicely made, although the wood trim across the dash is a bit tacky.

Needs to be spinning at 4000rpm to go anywhere - 1400cc is not enough for a car this size. Could have had a 1.6 VTEC SR for the same price, but it was 18 months older and twice the mileage.

Suspension seems to amplify the bumps quite a bit.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2001

12th Oct 2002, 15:47

I know what you mean about the remote central locking having no range. On mine I have to physically aim the remote at the receiver. The performance is unbelievably slow at low revs, but when you really rev the VTEC it absolutely charges.

21st Feb 2006, 13:49

I agree that the door trim rattles with the window up. There was a repair done on the door, so I thought it was a dodgy repair job, but it looks like it might be more common.

I find that just lowering the window a little (so it isn't in contact with the door), will stop most of the rattling.

1998 Honda Civic VTI 1.8 DOHC VTEC

Summary:

Practical for the family and excellent for dad when they get out!

Faults:

Replacement clutch pressure plate at 76000 miles.

General Comments:

Incredible engine delivering fun at high revs, yet economical if not a little docile round town (not a lot of torque).

Real grinning material on the open road.

Positive brakes and steering (Handy).

Well screwed together and good standard specification.

Quite noisy at motorway speeds though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd July, 2001

3rd Sep 2001, 12:02

A tip 4 you - slip the clutch to get the revs up quicker - this produces the torque - but the clutch stinks.

18th May 2010, 15:40

No, don't do that, you'll wear out your clutch quicker. Japanese clutch replacements aren't cheap!

1998 Honda Civic Type-R 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Best car for fun and performance all round

Faults:

Noting except it eats tyres.

General Comments:

Fantastic car.

Cheap to run if you keep it below 5600rpm, after that the fun doesn't stop till 8700, forget your Subaru's and Cosworths.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th November, 2000

9th Nov 2004, 03:52

Is this car faster then the Integra Type R pls?

23rd Nov 2004, 17:06

Allegedly they are quicker in a straight line 0-60, but there's not much in it. An Integra, with equal drivers, should be quicker around a track. Honda's aren't slow for what they are!! They are very nippy NA cars. If you want real speed then go turbo/super charged (You could always turbo/super charge a type r - then it will eat most cars for breakfast!!)

1998 Honda Civic VTEC VTI 1.6 DOHC petrol

Summary:

High performance jet!!

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

Well, this is my first car, I'm 19 years old and it cost me a lot to insure!!! But I think it was worth it. The 160 BHP DOHC VTEC VTI engine really is excellent - no wonder everyone is copying the VTEC engine.

I have had this car for about 9 months, done 15,000 miles in it and enjoyed every inch of it. It's a thrill to drive, it's very very very nippy in low revs but absolutely breathtaking once you take it to about 5000. It redlines between 8000rpm and 9000rpm.

Excellent car, no problems at all. I'm thinking of selling this car and buying a Prelude VTEC 2.2 because I'm in love with the VTEC engine. I have had a lot of races in this car and I can honestly say I have never lost. The handling is great too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th November, 2000

30th Dec 2000, 18:53

The only thing I could say (almost 25 years old and my second car!!!) is that the VTEC is a wonderful machine and I've never lost a race too!!!!!

Once the engine comes near to 5,500 rpm the beast is free and come out of its cage!!

In one word: WONDERFUL!!!!!

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