Faults:

Although my civic is still brand new, I'm slightly upset with the overall feel of the car. It is, overall, a very "marginal" car, and nothing really works excellent, just adequately. For instance, power is just enough, a/c is borderline poor, and ride quality is marginal.

The stock stereo in the car works pretty nicely, but after awhile of listening, seems to sound tinny.

The civic rides nicely, but jolts around a bit and there is too much road noise that permeates the cabin.

Air conditioning really needs to be redesigned, and is probably the worst of any car I've owned. The temperature swings back and forth constantly and violently (a good 15 degrees or so), resulting in a cabin that never really cools down when hot. Honda evaluated it and states that its normal.

General Comments:

For some reason, I can't find anything about the civic that really shouts out excellence.

Faults:

The paint is coming off of the car. Little marks are appearing all over the car (a problem with the black cars, so I am told). The dealer is dealing with this now, but taking there time.

General Comments:

This is a quick car, it goes very well for its engine size.

The noise from the engine at 9000 rpm is superb.

This car handles very well and the six speed box is a joy.

The spec is great, but options are expensive.

There is loads of room in this car, if you are very tall and want a quick car, get one of these.

Faults:

Very little has gone wrong with the car, just the odd vibration which was tracked down and fixed.

General Comments:

The Civic Type R not only provides exhilarating performance to rival even a Porsche Boxster in a straight line, but economy too with 32mpg. The power output rivals 2 litre turbos, yet does not suffer the short service intervals or low miles per gallon encountered in for example an Impreza.

The ride although firm is sporty and well controlled yet does not rattle you or your passengers around, while supportive sports seats in the from serve only to keep you concentrated on driving rather than sliding off the chair.

While performance and practicality rarely go hand in hand there is very usable boot space and split fold rear seats.

Faults:

There is no traction control system for European models which is necessary for wet conditions.

As standard, the Civic as the Integra Type R European models, doesn't come with climate control.

General Comments:

You don't get the feeling that you're really sitting in the car at all, and the interior is so big it feels a bit like driving a Lear-jet. Good Alcantara sport-seats with the Type R logo on them will perfectly maintain the body in all driving conditions.

There is a massive range of gadgets for cola-cans, money etc - a lot more than in the Integra. After that, there's the titanium look centre console with a close six-gear ratio. Its fast and precise gear-change is in perfect keeping with the Civic's high-tech 2.0 L vtec engine. It's a wonderful feeling and it's rally-like.

The leather steering wheel itself is a thin device and detracts from the rally feel of the car, and while the steering is sharp and direct, the electric power steering (EPS) has a numbing effect on the wheel, making it feel slightly detached.

The oversized 4 disc-brakes with EBD support are strong and give a fine feel through the pedal, while the throttle is crisp and makes the Civic feel more lively than the Integra Type R.

Driving the Civic Type R is like having a car with two engines, first the engine pulls happily from 1500rpm to 5900rpm without difficulty, after this moment the engine transforms into a furious beast machine until the rpm rises very fast to the redline of 7900, but with less noise than the Integra due to the exhaust modifications.

Doing this phenomenal acceleration in all gears, you won't have the time to see that you have surpassed 180 km/h so easily.

On wet streets, it's not possible to take this amazing acceleration of the engine because there is no traction control system! Trying anyway can be dangerous!

The bodyshell is reinforced with cross-braces by the front and rear suspension to help give the sharper response promised by stiffer suspension. The car is able to soak up twisty, bumpy roads with so much ease.

In fact Honda Civic is a car, not only for haring around the countryside at warp speed, but at the same time an all-round high-performance car to drive nonetheless.

In general, Honda have managed the art of putting 200 horsepower through the front-wheels superbly.

Honda did a good job with the Civic Type R.