1997 Honda Civic 2 Dr CX Hatchback Reviews

Performance - 1.6 vtec 118kw (STD)
Build quality  - Solid mac build, few rattles due to sound
Apperance   - full trim leather interior, 2 door coupe hatch,    lowered suspension , 17'' mags
Cost of ownership - fuel eco is not bad 700km to a full tank driving norm/ maintenance is abit pricey
Fun factor - wait for 5500rpm and watch the acceleration

  I enjoy this car, its smaller than I m used to n for a rebuilt its fantastic..it shifts effortlessly..the engine doesn't have anything really wrong with it..all in all i m happy with finding this car n could not ask for more!

It is often said that the Italian Government is capable of making a lot of noise without actually getting anywhere...well this must be the automotive alternative. Performance wise, 115bhp is all you get from a 1.5, and that is only available at about 5,000rpm (the engine can rev to 6,800rpm easily!). Handling and acceleration are a bit to be desired, but that is my own fault, due to the 'sound system' in the boot. Understeer is horrendous on any surface and the brakes have a tendency to overheat quickly...so it is not reallt a car to push on in.
Not much to be said about build quality, other than it's built like a Honda (the only problems so far have been losing ABS and the indicator cancelation...but they have repaired themselves)
The appearance is enough to make children sick, it is ugly! The exterior looks like a Bee with a bit of botox, and the inside is just grey plastic on top of grey plastic. The seats are extremely uncomfortable, and the ride is not helped by the stiff suspension. Overall, not very plesant.
Fuel consumption is terrible, especially if you drive it properly, which in turn would mean you get through quiet a bit of engine oil.
More importantly, however, is the driving experience...which is brilliant! Thanks to a new intake and exhaust, the noise it makes is biblical, and if you rev it into the Vtec, it just goes mental. Even when you drop it down to 3rd at about 70mph, you have silence followed by a kick followed by a loud electronic scream, which is exciting.
So if the road is clear, no speed cameras and you have enough fuel, it would be hugely fun, but on the other 364 days of the year, the ride and the greyness is impossible to live with...logic says I should have just kept the Corsa and undone all the crap modifications I did on a budget!

Too many things to love about the car, tons of aftermarket stuff. Many engine mods available, from full swaps to internal upgrades on the stock motor itself. Very great on gas even with it heavily modded, which not only makes it easy on the wallet but even more of a joy to drive.

I bought the car completely stock and unmollested as a daily driver, and loved the fuel economy and go cart handling.  I soon blew the clutch, then decided i might as well blow the engine as well, wchich led to the first build.  Even with the interior, engine, suspension, and wheels redone, it was still a practical daily driver, but it was now loud, had more guts, and handled better.  Now in the middle of its second build, it will loose all practicality, but should be the fastest, best handling, best looking car I have owned yet, but with the money I am dropping into it it should be.  Not the quickest car I have owned by any means, but one of the best handling, this car is by far my favorite to drive