First published on autoshopper.com on July 15 2013, worthy of a rerun since the Honda has just left us Since publishing this, I discovered James Ruppert is still using the Bangernomics handle I remember from my teenage years – imitation sincerest form of flattery etc In this culture of...

42 miles: Pick up, at a Starbucks in Redwood City. We met them there to minimize the miles driven by someone other than me. Handbook recommends no running in period. I set a 4k rev limit 82 miles: Noted a “birth mark” paint blemish in the hood. Probably picked it up sitting in...

1996 Honda Civic 1.6 litre inline 4, 5 speed manual 130hp Acquired 2015 In 2013 The Cyclist offered me use of his Civic while he was abroad for the summer working. I put more than 2000 miles on it, and it won me over by its astonishing minimalism. Let me clarify what I mean by minimalism...