1st Gen Honda City Owners - Problems Areas, Fuel Efficiency and more

vishnuvijay · 11th July 2007, 14:18

Hi, I just bought a 2003 Honda City VTEC Type II after selling off my 2001 Honda City 1.3 EXI. I want to more about the car. So I put up a small set of questions which I hope type II VTEC owners would answer.

1.Max speed you have achieved.
2.Fuel efficiency - city, highway, overall.
3.Problem prone areas of the car.

GTO · 11th July 2007, 16:11

Welcome to the Vtec gang, Vishnu! There is no other car under 10 lacs (even today) that offers you the same driving experience.

Quote:

1.Max speed you have achieved.

195 on the dial.

Quote:

2.Fuel efficiency - city, highway, overall.

Am not the right guy to ask this to. You will sell your Vtec if you hear my figures.

Quote:

3.Problem prone areas of the car.

Here are the problems / replacements in 50,000 kms with my Vtec:

1. Stock exhaust system always lost its mountings. Never had a problem since I got the free-flow from Automech.
2. Fuel pump went bust once; usual suspect was adulterated fuel.

EDIT : Two more problems that I missed on. Covered later in this thread.

Nothing else

! Most other Vtec owners have had the 02 sensor go kaput after 50,000 kms. Pre-September 2002 Vtecs had a faulty ECM which caused jerking at low rpms. You obviously dont have to worry about that with a 2003 build. Here are two more links that may interest you:

Ajmats 48000 ownership report

Refurbishing / mild modifications to my Vtec

Enjoy. And dont forget to bounce off the revv-limiter everyday!

ajmat · 11th July 2007, 16:33

1.Max speed you have achieved. - 170 - it flies after that - 140 is safest
2.Fuel efficiency - city, highway, overall. - 10, 14
3.Problem prone areas of the car - can't drive it slowly.

Pankaj401 · 11th July 2007, 16:39

1. Max Speed 175 - on Odo
2. FE - 9.5-12 City 14-17 highway
3. Problems - Jerks at low RPM (Jan-2001 model)

viper · 11th July 2007, 16:58

Hi,

1. Max Speed 190 - on Odo
2. FE - 8-10 City 12-14 highway
3. Problems - Jerks at low RPM (2002 model) Have recently revamped the car as I had purchased it 2nd hand in Feb 2007. Now the car is brand new in almost all aspects.

You can see the below links for updates on my car.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...t-mods-15.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...per-car-3.html

Viper

nitrous · 11th July 2007, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

1.Max speed you have achieved. - 170 - it flies after that - 140 is safest

Even with the psyched suspension job?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

3.Problem prone areas of the car - can't drive it slowly.

hondadude · 11th July 2007, 18:07

1.Max speed:

180 on the dial. Need to rip it on NICE road and go beyond.

2.Fuel efficiency - city, highway, overall.

Sorry. Don't remember when was the last time I checked Fuel efficiency

. I am not too big on FE. If driven with light foot, gives more than 10 in the city but it is extremely hard to drive it with restraint.

3.Problem prone areas of the car.

Jerks at low speed (Nov 2001 model). No other problems whatsoever. The car has run for 49K.

I was planning to mod it, had a quick chat with psycho as well but decided to not do any mods because in very near future, I will sell it and buy a new car and modded cars don't get good resale.

The Wolf · 11th July 2007, 18:09

Max speed: 205kmph on speedo.
Average mileage: ~11 in city and ~15 on a highway
Problems: body rattle.

Note: My car has internal mods, suspension mods and rubber upgrade... dont try speeds in excess of 160kmph on all stock setup.

Caution: Honda speedometers are pretty realistic hence dont try to push few extra kmph numbers in your quest to experience true speeds

A stock car has a tendency of giving you a floating feel at the rear at speeds above 140kmph under mild crosswinds/open highways condition.

Shan2nu · 11th July 2007, 20:28

1.Max speed you have achieved - 195kmph on speedo.

2.Fuel efficiency - city (10-14.5), highway (16-21), overall (14-15).

3.Problem prone areas of the car - A/C compressor bearings wearout (maynot be a common prob) - O2 sensor failure - power steering fluid leakage - tie rod ends become stiff - clutch is showing signs of wear/slip at 64000 kms.

Shan2nu

Ford Rocam · 11th July 2007, 21:13

I dunno what to type, I am a DOHC vtec owner, will update new details when i finish my project.

B.T.W Stock figures

1. Max True Speed achieved is 185KPH when JDM Speed limiter kicked in (stock ECU) but way more capable.
2. Fuel efficiency city (10-11), highway (12-14) light foot, aggressive driving 7-8km/l. (can travel mumbai-pune-mumbai in half fuel tank, light/medium foot & occasinal rip).
3. Problem Prone area of car - well the car was running flawless for the entire year but had to change the clutch which had worned out in beginning.& initial few months with mounts to set right.& small issues pertaining to swap.

iraghava · 12th July 2007, 00:52

Well I do have the maximum mileage VTEC on the forum so I think I'm reasonably qualified to post here!

My answers:

1. 195 on the dial
2. City - 10-12kmpl, Highway - 12 to 16kmpl (Both figures with A/C on)
3. Suspension is not the best around.
Build Quality is flimsy.
No safety aids.
Thin sheet metal, leads to frequent dings & dents.

Apart from that like GTO said there is no car under 10L even today which matches this car's driving experience. It is a great car!

You can read more about my car's maintenance & work done on her here:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...fter-pics.html (OHC VTEC Repainted, Before & After pics)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...ne-my-car.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Rocam

1. Max True Speed achieved is 185KPH when JDM Speed limiter kicked in (stock ECU) but way more capable.

Yeah, and even with the passengers combined weight over 300 kgs. in the car she was pulling hard before the ECU cut her off at 185kmph! I should know, I was the one driving

ajmat · 12th July 2007, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Even with the psyched suspension job?

I probably have gone faster but:

Car is so frantic at those speeds, I am focussing on the road and not the speedo
Braking is dicey at those speeds

Hence, I really focus on enjoying the acceperation and not the speed

mclaren1885 · 12th July 2007, 09:17

Aren't the Vtecs electronically limited to 180?

alabjarus · 12th July 2007, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper

3. Problems - Jerks at low RPM (2002 model)

Viper

I completed the 3rd free service of my 2006 Dec model NHC VTEC last month and since then I am facing this 'jerk' problem at low speeds. Anybody else with NHC VTEC has faced this ?

GTO · 12th July 2007, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Aren't the Vtecs electronically limited to 180?

Not that I know of. Been over 180 several times.

11th July 2007, 14:18	#1
vishnuvijay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cochin Posts: 173 Thanked: Once	1st Gen Honda City Owners - Problems Areas, Fuel Efficiency and more Hi, I just bought a 2003 Honda City VTEC Type II after selling off my 2001 Honda City 1.3 EXI. I want to more about the car. So I put up a small set of questions which I hope type II VTEC owners would answer. 1.Max speed you have achieved. 2.Fuel efficiency - city, highway, overall. 3.Problem prone areas of the car.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 16:33	#3
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,152 Thanked: 30,520 Times View My Garage	1.Max speed you have achieved. - 170 - it flies after that - 140 is safest 2.Fuel efficiency - city, highway, overall. - 10, 14 3.Problem prone areas of the car - can't drive it slowly.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 16:39	#4
Pankaj401 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 215 Thanked: 7 Times	1. Max Speed 175 - on Odo 2. FE - 9.5-12 City 14-17 highway 3. Problems - Jerks at low RPM (Jan-2001 model) Last edited by Pankaj401 : 11th July 2007 at 16:40.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 16:58	#5
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 20 Times	Hi, 1. Max Speed 190 - on Odo 2. FE - 8-10 City 12-14 highway 3. Problems - Jerks at low RPM (2002 model) Have recently revamped the car as I had purchased it 2nd hand in Feb 2007. Now the car is brand new in almost all aspects. You can see the below links for updates on my car. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...t-mods-15.html http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...per-car-3.html Viper
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 18:07	#7
hondadude Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,044 Thanked: 70 Times	1.Max speed: 180 on the dial. Need to rip it on NICE road and go beyond. 2.Fuel efficiency - city, highway, overall. Sorry. Don't remember when was the last time I checked Fuel efficiency . I am not too big on FE. If driven with light foot, gives more than 10 in the city but it is extremely hard to drive it with restraint. 3.Problem prone areas of the car. Jerks at low speed (Nov 2001 model). No other problems whatsoever. The car has run for 49K. I was planning to mod it, had a quick chat with psycho as well but decided to not do any mods because in very near future, I will sell it and buy a new car and modded cars don't get good resale.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 18:09	#8
The Wolf Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,120 Thanked: 75 Times	Max speed: 205kmph on speedo. Average mileage: ~11 in city and ~15 on a highway Problems: body rattle. Note: My car has internal mods, suspension mods and rubber upgrade... dont try speeds in excess of 160kmph on all stock setup. Caution: Honda speedometers are pretty realistic hence dont try to push few extra kmph numbers in your quest to experience true speeds A stock car has a tendency of giving you a floating feel at the rear at speeds above 140kmph under mild crosswinds/open highways condition. Last edited by The Wolf : 11th July 2007 at 18:11.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 20:28	#9
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	1.Max speed you have achieved - 195kmph on speedo. 2.Fuel efficiency - city (10-14.5), highway (16-21), overall (14-15). 3.Problem prone areas of the car - A/C compressor bearings wearout (maynot be a common prob) - O2 sensor failure - power steering fluid leakage - tie rod ends become stiff - clutch is showing signs of wear/slip at 64000 kms. Shan2nu Last edited by Shan2nu : 11th July 2007 at 20:31.
	() Thanks

11th July 2007, 21:13	#10
Ford Rocam BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai-India Posts: 878 Thanked: 23 Times	I dunno what to type, I am a DOHC vtec owner, will update new details when i finish my project. B.T.W Stock figures 1. Max True Speed achieved is 185KPH when JDM Speed limiter kicked in (stock ECU) but way more capable. 2. Fuel efficiency city (10-11), highway (12-14) light foot, aggressive driving 7-8km/l. (can travel mumbai-pune-mumbai in half fuel tank, light/medium foot & occasinal rip). 3. Problem Prone area of car - well the car was running flawless for the entire year but had to change the clutch which had worned out in beginning.& initial few months with mounts to set right.& small issues pertaining to swap. Last edited by Ford Rocam : 11th July 2007 at 21:15.
	() Thanks

12th July 2007, 09:17	#13
mclaren1885 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore (the city of modded cars) !! Posts: 4,820 Thanked: 46 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	Aren't the Vtecs electronically limited to 180?
	() Thanks