1999 Honda Civic VTi-S Jordan review from UK and Ireland

- Rear brake caliper binding; replaced with reconditioned caliper. Not really disappointed as it was still the original caliper, and realistically it's bound to go sooner or later after 8 years.

- Replaced front brake pads; a consumable item and will wear down, especially if like me you drive enthusiastically, and floor it all the time given the opportunity.

I currently own a 1999 Civic Jordan (aka EK4 VTi hatch B16A2 160bhp), and cannot begin to describe the power delivery and almost brutal nature of the DOHC VTEC engines. OK, they may not be the fastest cars out there, but the way the power comes on, and the driving pleasure provided by the excellent combination of high revving engine and balanced chassis, is totally unmatched in most hot hatches of today.

The Civic Jordan is a limited run of only 500 cars in the world, produced in 1999 to commemorate the Honda Jordan F1 racing team managed by Eddie Jordan. The cars came in a very nice shade of yellow, with matching colour coded black/yellow leather interior, yellow leather gear gaitor and yellow piping on the doors. Also, on the seats, the Jordan Buzzin Hornet logo is embroidered in full race colours.

The car is based on the 1999 facelift Civic VTi-S (aka VTi, SiR or Si), and sports 160bhp from only a 1600cc NA DOHC engine (100bhp/litre), which is a remarkable feat of technology.

In a straight line VTEC powered cars are quick, but around the twisties and on an enthusiastic late night drive on the back roads of the UK, your heart beat will race, your fingers will tingle, and you will grin from ear to ear with the sound of the VTEC high-cam crossover singing when exiting a corner and flooring it again... and again. Addictive??? You'll find yourself attacking twisty roads, and indeed any form of smooth tarmac, unnecessarily taking the long way home, waiting for the scream at crazy high rpm's!

Like all Hondas's, these cars and especially the engines, are almost bulletproof. You will be extremely unlucky or have no mechanical sympathy whatsoever to experience any major mechanical problems. All they ask for is a regular oil change, and just a little TLC from time to time. If you are looking for a Honda VTEC, then no doubt you will spare a little time and money to keep your pride and joy in pristine order.

They are excellent daily drivers, and comfortable enough to drive to and from the shops, but also on longer journeys.

If anything, the body is prone to picking up dents and scratches, as the shell is quite thin, as is the layer of paint covering it. I suppose this is to keep weight down, and is very common with many Japanese performance vehicles. The dashboard is plain to the eye, and the performance nature of the car only given away by the high redline at 8000rpm.

Overall highly recommended, and I will only be changing this car to purchase its bigger brother, the Honda Integra Type R. I have considered other performance vehicles like the Subaru Impreza STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution range, but there is something quite unique in extracting screaming performance through the use of superior engine technology and mechanical wizardry from a naturally aspirated engine, not to mention the superb reliability and fuel economy, which are sacrificed with the aid of a turbocharger.