And yet, as you and many other have found, a 1.4 engine is easily able to pull a Octavia or Superb along.

Torque must be the difference. I'm no boy-racer, but I like to get a move on; and engines which are at their best only at the top end of the rev range don't suit me. I never liked SWMBO's succession of Mini Coopers for that reason.

I suppose it depends upon how sedate someone is as a driver, what car they owned before (i.e. what they are used to) and wheteher their requirements have changed.

Obviously a N/A 1.4 will have nowhere near the torque, let alone the power of a turbocharged version, even a lightly turbocharged one like the 122PS VAG 1.4 as a minimum, never mind the higher output versions.

I once had a mid 90s Nissan Almera 1.4 for a day when my Micra 1.0 was in for service - obviously a smaller car than the Civic (about the size and weight of the Jazz though), but compared to my Micra, which wasn't the slowest car on the road (VW Polo 1.0 40PS) at the time, the Almera went like a rocket.

I suspect that, like with yourself and Skidpan, once you've driven a car with a more powerful engine, especially one renowned for mid-range grunt, going back to an older-design concept N/A engine and having to rag it to make decent progress to match just doesn't cut the mustard.

By all accounts, the previous gen Civic with its 1.4 and especially 1.8 petrol engines are somewhat of a 'Marmite' experience - you either love them or hate them. Once again, I find it a right shame that certain aspects of VAGs really lets the side down, such as those of us who would like an auto box that actually is smooth, safe and reliable over the long term in all driving circumstances.

Looks like you guys got the sweet spot with those chosen - its a shame that the decent amount of goodwill gained by the 1.4TSI manual has taken a big hit with its replacement in the 1.5TSI EVO, as we can see on the thread on that engine's continuing issues.

I've made plenty of sensible life decisions, and indeed a few reckless ones along the way. The latter were, by and large, way more fun, in their defence. ;-) "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy S--- what a ride!' " ~ Hunter S. Thompson.

I trust you either do not, or did not, plan to blow your brains out aged 67 as per Mr Thompson - who thus thankfully ensured the world was spared any more of his alcoholic ravings.....

And yet, as you and many other have found, a 1.4 engine is easily able to pull a Octavia or Superb along.

Avant, have you not read the specs.

The VAG 1.4 TSi 150 has 150 PS from 5-6000 rpm and 184 torques from 1500 to 3500 rpm.

The 1.4 DSi in the Civic has no turbo for starters, it had 80 bhp @ 5800 rpm and 88 torques @ 2800 rpm. The later version VVTi still had no turbo but had 98 bhp at 6000 rpm and 94 torques @ 4800 rpm.

Go figure why the VAG engine will pull an Octavia or Superb yet the Honda engines struggle with a Civic.

To be honest I’m a bit James May when it comes to cars. Outright power and performance aren’t of much importance to me.

Me neither but I want enough performance to make the car pleasant to drive and capable of making the occasional safe overtake.