2001 Honda Civic LX review from North America

- A rubber seal is loose around the rear right window, causing noticeable wind noise at higher speeds (fixed under warranty)

-paint chips very easily when hit with minor road debris.

I really love this car for what I paid. the engine is smooth and I love its high-revving nature (all the way to 6800 RPM!). The 5-speed manual tranny is also excellent Its light weigh and decent power allow me get ahead of most people with ease - passing is a no-brainer.

That light weight is also a fault because it gets blown around easily on a windy day or when you get in the wake of a tractor-trailer.

Fit and finish are superb, and it is roomier than my 1997 Accord, with much more headroom and even more trunk space. My only major gripe is that it feels less stable at higher speeds (above 100 mph) than other cars because of its tall profile. I partially solved that by getting a new set of Michelin T-rated tires (118 mph). I was really dissatisfied with the original tires (Firestone FR690s) that were rated for only 112 mph when it easily goes a governed 117 mph.

Other than that, I get excellent gas mileage and have never had even one mechanical problem. Hondas kick serious butt, and that's why I bought another one just a few months ago.