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

- 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.

Excellent review, I also own a civic vti, but not the jordan version, put a performance air filter in and the sound when in vtec is awesome, it sounds like a proper f1 screaming down the road.

I've been in a Integra, and I all I can say is that the car is mental when in vtec; it's so strong like a turbo.

I actually own a Honda Integra Type R turbo, and it's rapid to say the least. Turbo power from 4500rpm, then vtec comes in at 5500 with a vtec controller, and over 300 bhp is unleashed to play with. I've had it 3 years now, tho and time for a change.

You must feel like the king of the road in that machine. What cars have you beaten?

M5 looks boring, by the way a friend of mine has a civic type r tuned to 300bhp and on a rolling race he was neck on neck with an audi RS6, and I think they are faster than the m5.

An M5 has 507bhp; miles faster than an RS6, and miles faster than any Honda. And I don't want any silly comments saying "I have a Civic with 508bhp" because I won't believe you.

I totally agree with the first comment.

I've just got my Jordan through another MOT, and the only problems were the rear brake caliper had seized, and front brake pads were low, but other than that, she's passed with flying colours; well yellow anyway.

You have got to love the shade of yellow on this car; I've never seen a better yellow. I've even had an older woman come up to me in the street, and say how much? They love the colour.

It's got a few stone chips on the front of the bonnet and splitter, but she is now sitting on 108,000 miles, and I've never had a problem with the engine. She just keeps singing after 5600 rpm.

I've always kept her oil refreshed, and I know she will never let me down, but it is time to let her go. I think it's hard to put a price on her, as the prices vary quite a bit, but I'm selling her at £5000. I've done a lot of work to her, and I hope someone else enjoys her as much as I have

So if you are looking at a Jordan, don't hesitate, just buy her; SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.

ORIGINAL AUTHOR OF REVIEW.

Glad to see so many people have read and enjoyed the review. It really is an amazing car. Just today someone stopped me in the street to ask me where I bought the car from! It does get compliments everywhere I go, probably because as said before the colour is quite unique.

It is based on the EK4 VTi which for a 1600cc all motor goes like a bullet. You sort of have to learn to drive these cars, you have to keep the revs up and really drive them hard. OK it can be tiresome when you want a wave of torque at low revs, but that's what Honda VTEC's are about! With these you don't have to worry about pushing them to hard and the whole winding the revs up to crazy 8000rpms is more involving than dare I say 'easier to drive' big torquey, but dull and boring engines.

You can boost these engines with turbo / supercharger with little hassle, as long as you run low boost with a good tune. Turbo + VTEC is in a league of its own!