1999 Honda Civic SIR review from North America

Bought the car used with 118000kms, fully certified and etested from a genuine Honda dealership (Unfortunately with no warranty).

When I bought the vehicle the power windows worked OK. They've progressively gotten worse, and I'm just waiting for the day they don't go up, or down for that matter. I've neglected to fix this problem because of all the money I paid for the vehicle and all the repairs I've paid for so far in the 6 months I've owned it. I've heard power windows can be a problem in all types of Civics though.

At 120000kms both front wheel barrings went. Unfortunately this being a Canadian car driven in the winter not only the barrings, but the hubs had to be replaced because the barrings couldn't be removed from the hubs due to rust. All this at a cost of just under $1200CND. I wonder how that was missed during certification?

At 128000kms my engine light came on and my wheels were making a squeaking noise. All it took was 4 new sets of brakes and an O2 censor. At only a cost of around $700CND.

Things seem fine now, but I think I'm going to sell the car and get something just as reliable for half the price I bought the SIR for.

I wanted a reliable car that is quick, but good on gas. And I almost got that after I worked oot all the kinks. The engine never failed me and always worked smoothly. As for good on gas, ya it is, but you have to fill it with premium.

The B16 DOHC VTEC engine Honda put in this vehicle really purrs when you're just cruising, but once you open it up it has such a satisfying roar. It gets pretty good gas mileage like I said, but if you're always opening it up it can really go down.

For a compact sports car this car almost has it all. The looks, the feel, the sounds, but there's one thing that it is lacking, and that's comfort. I'm 6'6" and I just barely fit into this vehicle. That part I don't mind much because it's hard to find many 4cyl cars that I fit well in. The part I really mind is the cheap quality seats. I've driven to and from Toronto to Sault Ste Marie (aboot 900km) twice with this beast and it's the most uncomfortable car I've ever driven (and I used to drive a Hyundai, one of the cheapest cars made on the market). There's very little back padding, and the seats are constantly squeaking because of the cheap springs in them. I also think that the lack of a lumbar support contributes to the uncomfortableness.

This cars is of course a sports car so it doesn't have that much cabin room. Forget aboot rear passengers unless they are toddlers, or small. The trunk provides pretty good room considering.

Overall this car is a power house considering the engine size. Unfortunately I guess the dealership I bought it from neglected some things, leaving a sour taste in my mouth, but I do believe the Honda reliability does exist in this car. If you don't mind paying high premium fuel prices, high oil change prices for synthetics, high price for parts and labour, and the high cost for the vehicle overall and can stand some lack in comfort, but desire a fairly quick and reliable car smaller engined vehicle, the Honda Civic SIR is for you (or SI in America).