Something I've not heard many people complain about with this thing is the strange behaviour at highway speeds from the rear-end. I've driven quite a few of these, two private and four or five rental. All exhibit a trait where the back end wanders around slightly. It feels like a combination of an overly biased front/rear weight bias, and being under-damped at the back end. I guess the torsion beam at the back can't help - maybe there's some wheel hop too.
It's the strangest sensation as the back wanders around very slightly, almost harmonic (but not quite as predictable) even at steady speeds. Accelerating doesn't bring it on as much, I'm guessing because it squats back and the weight balance changes. Braking there's certainly some fishtailing, but I'd say no worse than any other front wheel drive compact.
Anyway - I wouldn't buy one just for that reason. It's very disconcerting to me. I never trust a car where I can't be sure how it's reacting dynamically with the road.
Otherwise it's fine - the 1.8 feels stronger than it is. Cheap inside, but no worse than anything else (I have a Mazda). Seats are middle of the road. I'd say it's quieter inside than a Civic - and potentially better seats too. I could never get on with the Civics between the mid 00s and the latest when it came to comfort.
