Faults:

Since I bought the car over twelve years ago, I've had to replace three mufflers (typical) and the usual regular maintenance things: brake pads (twice), spark plugs, filters, timing belt (twice) etc.

Had a small crack in the the top radiator housing. When my thermostat stuck, the car ran warm and the crack split open. I replaced the radiator, hoses, thermostat, drvie belts and (while I was at it) water pump and timing belt.

Replaced alternator twice. Need to replace struts and front left CV joint + boot.

General Comments:

Reliable car for over twelve years. Except for the radiator, very little unexpected maintenance.

Driven it from San Diego to Chicago, Albuquerque to New York, and Chicago to Portland, OR, no problem.

I drive it EASY (<70mph, usually 65) and get 40+ mpg.

Faults:

Front seat vinyl is completely dead (I'm looking for another)

CV boots on the drivers side wore out and had to be replaced.

Other than that, there really hasn't been much wrong with this car.

General Comments:

This is an excellent car. I am 17 years old and worked for 2 summers to afford this car, and it hasn't left me stranded once. It is incredibly cheap to maintain, and to buy gas for (It gets around 35-37mpg). Perfect for a teen that has a tight budget.

Drive performance is pretty good. The automatic transmission tends to waver sometimes at highway speeds, but acceleration, turning, and power delivery are all really good considering the car's size.

The ride is OK, better than a truck or van. It handles small bumps and railroad tracks with ease. However, large slopes and driveways can be a problem (sometimes the car scrapes going down my steep, oddly shaped driveway).

Overall, I love it. I have tinted windows, AC, and a CD player. Couldn't ask for much more. This definitely won't be my only Honda.

Faults:

Radio/Cassette Deck only works sometimes.

CV boots/joints seem to wear out, although the car is very old.

The battery wasn't secure in its cage.

Burns oil. People behind me on the road cover their noses and mouths - it's that bad.

The vinyl on the seats was quite worn.

Parking break broke.

General Comments:

I bought this car old, and didn't drive it very much, but I'm impressed that any car this old and this poorly maintained can take me where I need to go, without fuss. Things continued to deteriorate, but only minor inconveniences.

The burning oil was the major problem. I've heard others Civics of the same age have that problem, too.

But I got excellent gas mileage - I'd fill the tank only once or twice a month, and I drove every day.

Never had a problem getting it started, even in New England winer.

Faults:

Rotary button fell off.

Radiator busted (thanks to some guy at the service station) and had to be replaced.

Muffler rusted through and fell off.

Drivers seat nearly worn through.

A/C doesn't blow air on first setting, must be set on 2 or higher.

General Comments:

Overall, this is great vehicle. It's nearly impossible to get gas mileage below 30 mpg.

She's fairly quick, but getting sluggish. I have tried to tune her up, but there seems to something wrong with the aftermarket rotary button; it has come off three times since replacing it, and even my mechanic cannot get it corrected.

The driver's seat is somewhat stiff, and I'm thinking about replacing it. Aside from that, it is wonderful inside, plenty of room for anything in this little wagon.

It has survived mud-bogging, road trips, and being worked like a mule. Over 25K in about 8 months. I would definitely buy another one.