The 1.6 civic sport is now the second civic I've owned from new and there are a number of reasons why I've stayed faithful to the Honda brand. Honda engines are very reliable and I have yet to have any problems in this regard. Moreover, the dealers are generally easily accessible and most offer a relatively high level of customer service throughout - whether your car's in for a service or just a new set of wiper blades.
The 1.6 engine, as well as being reliable is also economical. I drive the car pretty hard and it still returns in the region of 32 mpg which is pretty good going. Less 'spirited' driving returns an mpg closer to 36. A full tank of petrol comes in at around £35.00 for me and that's at around 85p per litre. I've had the car 9 months now and it's covered around 14k miles. In this time it's had its first service at 12,500 miles which cost
me around £120.00 from a dealer (most of this is labour charges). Nothing to report from the first service - just the usual oil change and the like. A courtesy car is easily available from your Honda dealer if required - all you pay is for insurance cover on the car. Over the last 9 months I've had to top the engine up a good few times with oil - the VTEC engine is known to be more thirsty than other engines but not overly so - just keep your eye on the oil level.
The 1.6 VTEC engine is strong and the exhaust emits a nice note when your pushing it that bit harder. Otherwise, the car is quite in normal driving conditions. While on the top of the range Type R the VTEC 'kick' is much more pronounced, power delivery in the sport is much more progressive and as such, the VTEC kick is absent. The 1.6 is a quick car though - especially when compared with my old civic 1.4 which I also bought from new. The engine revs freely and you never feel like it's being abused when you push it that bit harder. Instead, it just laps it up, taking everything you have to throw at it in its stride.
Inside, the materials used are of a high standard and everything is solidly put together - everything apart from the front windows it seems. Both of mine rattle and having had the sport into the dealers twice I have been informed by Honda UK that this is a known fault with the civic and they have no 'cure' for it - something to do with the window seals if I remember rightly. However, my local dealer offered to try a DIY job on the windows in an effort to stop the movement - with the use of some double sided tape in the door cards. I must admit, this seems to have solved the problem for now. So when you look at a civic at the dealers - check the front windows - there should be some 'give' but not too much. the only other comment I would make is that the handbrake could feel a bit tighter. Mine's was tightened after its first service recently but it's feeling a bit loose again - nothing to worry about as it's not too bad.
The seats are nice and supportive and the leather wheel is a pleasure to hold although taller drivers like me will wish the steering wheel adjusted for reach and not just rake because while I need my seat all the way back for my long legs, I could do with the wheel closer to me. Nonetheless, this is an incredibly comfortable car to drive and I have yet to sit in a car in the same class which can match the comfort levels of the civic. 3 adults can fi in the back no problem and the civic is the most spacious in its class I believe.
The standard CD player is of a good quality although a set of uprated speakers would improve things further. For those worried about the position of the gear knob - don't be! You will soon become accustomed to it and will wonder why all cars don't position the gear stick here - it's so natural and the gear change itself is very slick and precise. The dials are clear and look good at night too.
Outside, the sport is almost identical to the 2 litre Type R with only a slightly different grill at the front, different wheels and a roof spoiler missing. However, 16" Type R replica wheels and a replica spoiler can be supplied, painted and fitted by your dealer although e-bay and a private bodyshop would be a much cheaper bet.
As yet I've only had to replace my near side front tyre (16"). Kwik Fit were asking for £70+ for their budget tyre supplied and fitted but a trip to a private tyre centre got me a tyre for £45 supplied and fitted so shop around unless you're willing to spend that bit extra. The civic sport has a good image and you won't regret buying one.
Best of luck.
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Oct 1st, 2006
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