1998 Honda Civic VTI-S review from UK and Ireland

Nothing at all.

I remember being unsure as to whether I should buy this car... but was converted after the test drive. Hit 5500rpm and all hell breaks loose. Hitting 60mph in 2nd gear whilst the car is bouncing off the rev limiter is one of motoring's finer moments.

As for the every day grind, the car hasn't missed a beat, and given that the VTI-S was a dealership special, it came with air con and a sunroof as standard, all the better to hear the VTEC howl.

As a cheap, second hand hot hatch, the car has been unbeatable, and having used it for the occasional track day at Donnington Park my respect for the car gets ever higher. It's so easy to control the car on the limit (using Toyo Proxes T1-R tyres) and yet when you need it to, it will do the Tesco shopping run with ease and still return 30mpg in the urban cycle.

The only modifications to the car have been a K & N air filter and a Recaro Seat (the original driver's seat was awful, and it's good to see that the current Civic Type R is now fitted with Recaros).

Age may wither her, but I plan on keeping the car, buying the newer Civic Type R, and using the VTI as a trackday car. Long live Honda. Long live VTEC.