Shed Of The Week: Honda Civic VTI Aerodeck

A limited-slip diff, 8,500rpm and perhaps the best estate name ever - here's why the VTI is worth a look

Would you go on a date with someone on the basis of a few pictures and no more information other than 'details to follow soon'? Probably not. Shed did, and that's where all his troubles started. The pictures Mrs Shed sent to him via the lonely hearts column in the local parish newspaper had been taken 20 years earlier, just before she began a determined and continuing experiment to prove that, with the right mental approach, you really can eat as many chips as you like.

Why aren't more estates called Aerodeck?

Like Mrs Shed, this Honda estate holds no apparent promise of excitement. But hold fire before you pen that feather-spitting post about 'worst Shed ever'. What you're looking at here is a VTEC Aerodeck, and that's a lot more exciting that the sight of Mrs Shed reversing into an HGV-sized parking opportunity.

The underbonnet view may deter the casual viewer. It's not what you'd call clean, and despite this area obviously never having seen the wet end of a hosepipe, big chunks of the black engine paint have flaked away over the last 17 years.

But the mystical remnants of the VTEC legend are still just about visible, and the strut brace confirms that this Aerodeck is a rare and sporting estate with the potential to send a warm breeze of anticipatory gusto up even the stiffest skirt.

Not much to look at, but it revs past eight...

You get more than enough power to go around, a sweet double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension setup that's not a whole lot different to the Integra Type R's, plus a torque-biasing slippy diff. The gearbox is excellent, and the VTEC engine, well, we all know about how that kicks in. 8,000rpm? Why not?

Cambelts need replacing only every 70K miles and Stage 1 mech mods will get you up to somewhere near 200hp. If you think the handling can be improved, you're right: it can. There's no rear anti-roll bar, but one from an MG ZS 180 will fit right in, detox the understeer and point it up nicely.

The roster of points in our Shed's favour is rather longer than the list of negatives. This one is bone-stock original right down to the wheels, with no apparent sign of rust. It's not painted in Pirates Black, the PHer's favourite, but the mileage is relatively low for one of these and there have been just three owners, which again is low.

Standard level of 90s Japanese glamour

The only thing you can't really get around on the VTEC Aerodeck is the small fuel tank. It's only good for 200 miles or so if you're using the full performance, or doing a lot of motorway miles: gearing is low, with 3,500rpm showing at just 70mph. Realistically expect best mpg in the low-30s, but you won't be able to resist dragging that figure down.

Replacing the headlight bulbs is a royal pain, but anyone who's ever owned a Mk 4 Golf will already have the leathery knuckles required for this job. Unless you enjoy the cooling effects of rain on your pate keep the sunroof greased or shut. On the plus side, insurance is traditionally much lower on the 'deck than it is on the regular VTEC Civic.

No doubt there will be those calling it a pensioner's car and wittily asking if it comes with a bifocal windscreen, but name us another family wagon that will be as reliable and quick (at the same time) as this, and as good an all-rounder, for an even grand or less. Try before you decry.

Here's the ad, such as it is.

HONDA CIVIC AERODECK VTI DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON.

N.B. Since selecting this Shed, the advert has been amended by the vendor to reflect a different sale. The pictures are from the original listing when it was just the single car for sale; it was deemed interesting enough then to make it SOTW-worthy.