Honda Ferio Vi-RS 1.5 3 stage VTEC

heartofwhite

Hi All,

I was down with the father in law over the weekend and stored away in the back of a shed was a 2000 Honda Ferio Vi-RS 1.5 petrol. It is a jap import with an automatic transmission. It is left hand drive but more interestingly, I checked under the hood and it has two VTEC solenoids which suggests a D15B 3 stage VTEC.

I asked about it and he has stored it there for 5 years. Got the keys and it started straight away. Needs a bit of work alright for NCT but my question is whether or not it is worth the effort to buy it off him, get it through the NCT and back on the road?

It seems to be a rare car in Ireland and this appeals to me.

Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

Andrewf20

Insurance could be a real headache with that car so check that out. May have to be on a classic policy.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I had one years ago, mine was a 99 manual version. Absolutely beautiful car. The 3-stage VTEC engine is a little gem. The 1st VTEC stage is for economy just like the D15b engines found in the 1.5LSi EK3 civics sold here are was purely for economy. At certain engine speed/load the VTEC closed 4 valves and the little green economy light came on. The 2nd VTEC stage was for performance and the VTEC activated a high lift cam lobe like in the DOHC VTEC engines. It came in around 5800rpm. The engines were rated at 130bhp yet still returned mid 40’s MPG. The interior, brakes and suspension were from the EK4 SiR model.

The 3-stage title is a bit misleading, there’s only 2 VTEC stages but 3 engine stages:

1. No VTEC
2. Economy VTEC
3. Performance VTEC

There are still a few of them about. There was one for sale not so long ago on DD and AFAIK it sold for around €2000. It was manual model. The car your looking at being auto takes away slightly from it but nonetheless they’re still a rare car. I’d love one again.

As for restoring it, like I said above parts are readily available. Everything bar the engine is identical to models that were sold here (EK3 & EK4) The engine shares a lot of parts with the single stage VTEC D15 engine found in the EK3 so you should have no difficulty in getting parts for it if needed.

Is the car completely original or has it been ‘modified’ in any way? Post up a few pictures of it, I’d love to see it.

One thing though, you say it’s LHD??? If that’s the case then it’s a Malaysian import as JDM cars are RHD and like said above, insurance would be hard enough to sort for a 20 year old civic but a near impossibility for a LHD 20 year old civic. Classic insurance might be the only option but I’d say you could find it difficult too as most companies only insure cars older than 25yrs.

heartofwhite

Thanks for the detailed response! It is actually a right hand drive, my mistake. I think it is completely original, the media unit flips up and has a CD, tape deck and TV?!? Also, it is all displayed in Japanese! I have attached a picture of it, will see if I can get him to take a few more.

I read up on the 3 stage VTEC and the gist I got was that it developed for a balance of power and fuel economy. Seems like a nice mix.

Good to know that parts are easy to come by. It might be worth a look so!

Cee-Jay-Cee

It doesn’t look like it needs too much in terms of bodywork. A good service and possibly a freshen up of the brakes should have it back on the road.

If it’s for sale and you don’t intend on buying it let me know, I may be interested.

heartofwhite

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

It doesn’t look like it needs too much in terms of bodywork. A good service and possibly a freshen up of the brakes should have it back on the road.

If it’s for sale and you don’t intend on buying it let me know, I may be interested.

Bodywork wise it is grand, a few scuffs but nothing major needed apart from a rear wind deflector. If the insurance quotes are too high and I don't purchase, I will let you know.

Titzon Toast

That's lovely, OP. I don't think it's the one for you though. Send me a PM and I'll make sure it finds a good home here with me...

EDIT

I didn't see what what CJ had posted there, I was only messing!

millington

Nice little car. Wouldn't have a big following in automatic. Front bumper has been painted, probably nothing untoward but worth checking for accident damage.

Cee-Jay-Cee

millington wrote: »

Nice little car. Wouldn't have a big following in automatic. Front bumper has been painted, probably nothing untoward but worth checking for accident damage.

Also missing the front lip but theyre easily got.

Eg9

Did u buy the car.. Big into my Honda... I own eg8 at the minute