Hands up, I'm something of a VTEC fanboy. Ever since being driven in an EP3 Civic Type R as an impressionable adolescent I've been totally enamoured by high-revving Hondas. It's the engine's duality, the absurdity of having a rev limiter on the exciting side of 8,000rpm in a fairly conventional road car, that had me hooked.
'Pirates Black' sounds cooler than 'Aubergine Purple'
Ergo, when rather unforeseen circumstances necessitated a prompt change of wheels (more on that shortly) with a budget not far from Shed's threshold, a quickish Honda was certainly on the shortlist. The usual French
GTI
suspects were also considered, along with a couple of fast Fords, but that VTEC itch needed to be scratched. [You missed your 'yo' opportunity - Ed.]
So when an MB6 Civic 1.8 VTI was spotted very close to home, it warranted further attention. On arrival, there was already someone giving it a cursory inspection but, fortunately, they didn't proceed any further. A test drive revealed a reasonably tight mechanical package, a complete absence of any smoke, strong brakes and no scary sounds. With six months tax and five months MOT, a deal was done for £795.
It's Pirates Black, the best Honda colour behind Championship White. It had done 83,600 miles with some old main dealer service history (now sitting at 84,500) and is currently rolling on a motley collection of budget tyres (to be replaced imminently).
Dull looks hide exciting mechanical heart
Now the reason for requiring another car quite urgently is that, until I'm paid to waffle about cars full-time, I deliver pizza for Domino's. No car would mean no earnings. And what the first seven months on the job had shown was that any prospective Delivery Expert must own a car that is reliable, tough, cheap and economical (three out of four isn't bad, right?). Ravenous customers will dent parked cars with abandon as they scurry for their Texas BBQ, so pristine wheels are not ideal. Another reason that made the slightly shabby, 15-year-old Honda so appealing; not only should it be reliable, dings and scrapes are far less infuriating on a sub-£1,000 car.
To drive, it's a very different experience to the Mk1 Focus it replaces. Predictably, that B18 engine dominates everything. Whilst it can potter at 30mph in fifth (very helpful with Domino's miserly fuel allowance), the fact that '5' sits in the centre of the tacho indicates where it would much rather be. This is not another VTEC eulogy, but it's just so eager from 5,500rpm to its 8,500rpm limiter that its becomes difficult to resist indulging. Certainly seems fairly quick too, as a rather surprised Octavia vRS driver from the other weekend will attest to...
Pizza delivery just got a little bit faster
Faults? The gear linkage is as sloppy and vague as my first university essays so that will be replaced as the throw itself is quite short. There's no evidence of a cambelt change either, so that will be changed for peace of mind's sake. It appears to have had as many stereos as owners, and the current one loses presets and is scratching CDs; something new will be installed soon. A pair of Continental Premium Contacts are going on the front this week to give the LSD a helping hand with traction, and the rears will be addressed as soon as funds allow too. Oh, and the driver's side window doesn't work. No drive-thrus for a while then!
Cosmetically its alright, a couple of rust patches around the wheelarches and some faded seals being the worst evidence of 15 years use. The Pirates Black paint still has a beautiful purple tinge to it under the correct light, and its something I'm keen to enhance. The 'plates will be swapped for some fresh dealer items as soon as the V5 comes through as I think that will aid the appearance significantly.
Right now, life with a VTEC Honda is sweet. It will hopefully be making a few appearance at PH meets over the summer, and its Shed sticker is due any day. Finally, please do say hello if it turns up on your doorstep in the with pizza from Domino's Kesgrave!
Fact sheet
Car: 1998 Honda Civic VTI 1.8
Run by: Matt Bird
Bought: May 2013
Mileage: 84,500 (and rising rapidly)
Purchase price: £795
Last month at a glance: Farewell Focus and hello Honda, but can a delivery driver run a VTEC without suffering financial ruin?