After having numerous faults with newer, more computer based cars (all diesels too may I add) I decided to go for an 'older' petrol. Honda seem to score pretty high in the reliability stakes so I picked up the last of the 01-05 batch of Civic, you know the one without that doesn't feel you're sitting in a flight simulator? Mine is a 1.6se which carries a decent spec - remote locking, leccy windees, air con & most importantly, that wee beeper that tells you you've left your lights on when you've parked up.

Flash it's not, fast no but it's also a big no to any problems yet. So far so good as they say, servicing and mot straight forward. Thank goodness there are cars still available that aren't overdosing on faulty sensors and reliant on computerised diagnoses. Acceleration isn't great for a 1.6 but handling is better than expected and surprisingly this 5dr is very spacious inside.

Sure it's no head turner, but rather that than a head melter. Oh, the dash mounted gear knob's good.

Did you find this review useful? Yes  No (18/3)