Old shape Civic 1.6 VTi-Opinions?

[The DJ 27]

Just found out that they're not as expensive as I thought they'd be. The 98-2000 cars, probably a three door is what I'd be after. Anyone got any experience of what they're like to drive. And how much tuning potential is there? I know I won't be able to get massive power gains a-la all the turbo-nuttermobile owners on here :gits:

[tuttle]

I like them,sub grp 10 insurance too iirc,but arnt they quite heavy too-(was reading your seat stuff about weight).

[douglasr]

I had the previous version, which was basically the same car (same suspension and engine). My VTI was grp 16 insurance - so I would check that. Engine was fantastic - but apart from an induction kit and exhaust, there is not much more to come from a 1.6 engine (158 bhp as standard). The main areas for improvement would have been the steering (too light), the suspension (too much roll) and maybe the brakes (I always found them to be fine - disks all round and ABS). I found tyre choice to be very important - lift off oversteer on the standard Bridgestone's, rock steady at the back but more understeer on Pirelli P6000's.

[The DJ 27]

tuttle said:

I like them,sub grp 10 insurance too iirc,but arnt they quite heavy too-(was reading your seat stuff about weight).

That is one thing putting me off. Over 1200kg according to the back of EVO!

[Guy Humpage]

As a brief VTi owner (L-reg saloon) check that you can live with its less than ideal motorway cruising ability (90mph = 5000rpm). The low gearing also leads to poor economy for such a small engine. As someone so eloquently put in on this very forum, VTECs are Marmite cars, so either love them or hate them. They perform very well on a testdrive but living with one day-to-day is a different matter.

[DustyC]

I had a MK2 CRX VTi (same(ish) 1.6 engine) and it was probably the best fun car I have had.
Engine was great for the B roads blasts. Used it every day and even for long distance trips like Le Mans.
If I hadnt moved abroad I would have kept it.

I still consider another for the daily drive but the TDi is a pretty unbeatable all rounder.

[vteclimey]

Guy Humpage said:

As a brief VTi owner (L-reg saloon) check that you can live with its less than ideal motorway cruising ability (90mph = 5000rpm). The low gearing also leads to poor economy for such a small engine. As someone so eloquently put in on this very forum, VTECs are Marmite cars, so either love them or hate them. They perform very well on a testdrive but living with one day-to-day is a different matter.

agree on the marmite thing!

They really are not that bad at 5krpm on the motorway. if my wife can manage it without complaining I'm sure any man can.

fuel economy does indeed take a downward trend once you start hitting VTEC, its very good before that though. Economy and performance tend not to go hand in hand

[marco]

DustyC said:

I had a MK2 CRX VTi (same(ish) 1.6 engine) and it was probably the best fun car I have had.

Hi

Between my brother and myself we have had a '93 CRX VTi, a '98 Civic VTi 5 dr and a '99 Accord Type R so I may be able to comment here.

I loved the CRX but it was nothing like the Civic. The off-cam performance was very similar but I found that the on/off VTEC transition in the Civic was much less aggressive and thus somewhat less exciting. It made it feel much slower than the older car.

For me the handling of the Civic never really gelled either. Part of this I thought was due to the LSD which whilst undoubtedly improving grip mid-corner also made the handling a bit trickier. Power understeer in the wet was way harder to control as the diff span up both wheels and ploughed straight on, in the CRX you could steer on the throttle.

The Civic still goes very well and grips tremendously in the dry but it definitely feels like a hot-ish family car rather than a sports car.

It'll never break though!



Marco