Are 99-00 EK Civics lemons? Bad review

Hey Guys, after everyones opinion and experience with 99-00 EK Civics

I am just about to buy a EK GLi Sedan as a daily driver for the next few years, but I just read a bad review of them on Redbook.
here is a run down on a few of the issues apparently associated with the 99-00.

-The engine oil return blocks easily
-The hydraulic cam belt tensioner can also fail and experts advise on pre-emptive maintenance at each belt changeover.
-Distributor is too close to the engine so the electronic sensors are prone to failing, expensive replacement too apparently.

Here is the review if anyone is interested.

http://www.redbook.com.au/car-review...1995-2000-3569

It's redbook - also known as the dreamer's guide to selling your car.

My partner's GLi EK is now up to 200K kms and exhibits none of the issues Redbook states. Only things that we have had to do is:
New shocks
New brakes/machining
Oil leak off the distributor

That's it.

Top of the motor is clean as a whistle, AC/PS etc still works like a charm.

This is probably the most useful comment you can get from the entire article:

Quote:

Providing the price is right, this can make the EK series Civic one of the best small car buys. It also remains the last opportunity to buy a three door Civic hatch.

Lots of bullshit otherwise that could be applied to other cars on the market.

Two things I agree with:

* They were overpriced horrendously by Honda - but who cares, you aren't buying a new car if you are buying an EK are you?
* Rear seat safety in an impact. EKs aren't going to save a rear seat passenger in a hurry if you get hit hard. But how many '90s cars are in a similar boat? When we do long trips, my youngest daughter rides in the ITR and there's not a whole not more safety as both the EK and the DC2R only have 4 belts. I prefer her to be in the E30 as it has 5 belts and she rides in the middle of the car (which is much more solid than an EK) and has a boot to add protection. Then again, my older kids rode in '70s Civic hatches and we never got hit - good fortune is a bonus when you have a family.

Quote:

-The engine oil return blocks easily
-The hydraulic cam belt tensioner can also fail and experts advise on pre-emptive maintenance at each belt changeover.
-Distributor is too close to the engine so the electronic sensors are prone to failing, expensive replacement too apparently.

Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit IMO. These are things that could very well have gone wrong with some cars, but it's a gross over-generalisation.

Cheers for the in-depth reply.

I'll disregard Redbook, I always get the feeling they base their facts off of one persons car experience, or they question a bias mechanic.