Honda Civic Hatchback (2006 - 2011) 2.2 i-CTDi SE 5d (2008/08) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Sensible, quirky, a dark horse.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Ladies love the looks, gentlemen love the 250 lbs/foot of torque.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Undoubtedly. Would consider upgrading to a last-of-the-line 2011 facelifted model in two or three years' time.

What are you likely to buy next?

Perhaps another large turbo diesel, though I'm intrigued by the new breed of 1 litre, 3-cylinder petrol engines offering tiny emissions, 70+ mpg and 120-odd bhp.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£6,495

When did you buy the car?

April 2015

Did you get a good deal and why?

Sourced via Honda's Approved Used scheme (multi-point & HPI check, year's warranty, MOT & breakdown assistance), so at the pricier end of the spectrum, but compared favourably to other Honda Approved cars. I was happy to pay the premium for peace of mind and - in terms of its condition, history and 43k mileage - was probably a textbook example of an Approved Used vehicle and had also just been serviced. Even gave me £500 part-ex for my old banger, which was pretty generous.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Have loved the looks - inside and out - ever since it came out and the 2.2 diesel promised an ideal blend of reliability, fuel economy and mid-range torque.

What was the dealer like?

John Banks Honda (Ipswich); extremely knowledgeable, helpful and patient - it had been over 20 years since I last spent such a significant sum on a car and I was taking my time and asking lots of questions over a period of a few weeks, yet they never tried to hurry me. Head and shoulders above the four other franchises I dealt with over the period in terms of professionalism and customer attention.

What's it like to drive?

Like most Japanese cars, quick gearshift and light clutch, though floor-hinged throttle takes a bit of getting used to. Ride is firm, but tolerable if you keep the tyres properly inflated. Steering is razor-sharp and has reasonable feel. Handling seems predictable, though I haven't pushed it yet. Brakes do feel a bit underpowered, so best to apply early. Diesel clatter disappears after a few minutes, making for a pretty refined engine. Tyre noise accounts for most cabin noise. Superb pulling power from 2000-4000 rpm as long as you push down quickly on the throttle. 50+ mpg if you resist the temptation to do it too often.

What's it like to park?

A lot is said about the rear spoiler, but it doesn't stop you seeing everything you need to and actually helps prevent headlamp dazzle from vehicles behind. The thick C-pillars are more of a problem when it comes to blind spots, but extra-wide door mirrors help. As there is a very short tail to the car, it's not difficult to judge space when parking. In fact, the short/low bonnet means you invariably leave more space at the front than you think.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Early days, but nothing other than a dashboard buzz, which I noticed after about a week but which could have been there at the start. Kicks in briefly around the 1500 rpm mark, but then this is a 7 year-old car.

What's most practical about your car?

Probably the 'magic seats', which allow huge load capacity, though I haven't had the need to try them yet.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Still that holographic dash display - gets me every time. The 'Start' button runs it a very close second.