I didn’t get a chance to enjoy the Civic’s most juicy part very often. The 11km that separates the BSM office and my residence is usually filled with a lot of cars, irrespective of the time of the day or direction. Sometimes, when I touch double-digit speeds, I brake out the champagne. Actually, its not that bad, but you get the idea. What that means is that the jewel of a 1.8litre is reduced to a mere commuter, a tool to get to work and back. It performs its duties without a fuss, and that 132 bhp/ 20kgm is adequate enough for the 5-speed automatic not to sap it. But on some days, like when there is a truck or taxi strike, the civic is not a tool, it’s a weapon. Oooh! The i-VTEC motor reverse like a banshee, the tacho needle flies into the stratosphere and the rev limiter. What rev limiter? I swear there is a turbine inside not an IC engine.

I drove the civic for just 1700km in three months before Honda asked for it back. But those were three brilliant months of being pampered by a very efficient, thoughtful and cheerful automobile. Living with it was so good that I began to search for center arm rests, gearshift paddles and large close able storage compartments in all other cars. The stereo is brilliant, the dash is of course simply out of this world, the driving position is sporty, and the steering wheel is amazing.

The biggest grouse had with it was its ride quality on even slightly bad roads. On smooth tarmac, it is acceptable, but when the going gets a little iffy, the civic does not want anything to do with it. Like a bureaucrat, it transfers the shocks to you even if you are in the drivers or the front passenger seat. Besides that, with a full compliment on board, the civic tends to scrape its underbelly on speed breakers.

Other cribs include not having adjustable space for the intermittent setting for the wipers and the plasticky gearshift paddles. The gearshifts too are a bit slow and are no match for the quick silver engine. Upshifting or downshifting using the paddles takes a palpably longtime-Honda R&D, help! The dash has different types of plastic surfaces which is good in terms of appearance and keeping the overhead Sun from reflecting on the windshield, but sections of the plastic, like for instance on the doors, have a faded a little bit. One of those car care treatments will make it look as good as new.

But that’s about it when it comes to negatives. The tubeless Bridgestones grip the road well and a nail that went into a tire deflated it overnight and not immediately when we have taken the car out on the highway. 100 bucks for a repair job and the unused stepney remained just that. The tan leather upholstery is comfy and is surprisingly maintenance free. The digital displays and trip computer are all easy to use. Perhaps, Honda could make them even more useful by adding more features like fuel consumption, distance that can be covered with existing fuel etc.

In the period it was with us, it didn’t need any top-up of fluids, except for the windshield washer. Come to think of it, the spray from the windshield washer nozzles is very effective and spreads well…too trivial? Hello! This kind of thing is usually found only in premium cars. Again, the boot stays (the things that hold up the boot) are enclosed and you do not have any exposed fiddly cables clipped onto them. I told you, it’s a well thought out car. Goodbye Civic, you will be missed in our fleet.