Hard one to call I think. They are great engines, I don't think anyone with half a brain would deny that.

BUT, they're not everyone's cup of tea. For a track/fun car, I can see appeal. Even the 1.6 SOHC vtec Civic I had was fun if you abused it. They're not really my thing in a road car though, as I prefer the oomph you get from a turbo car, or even just a bigger engine. Top end power isn't that much use for a road car I don't think, so I wouldn't have one.

Some are better than others I think. I've been in a couple of EP Civic Type Rs, and I thought they were nothing special at all. A very lardy modern car, that you need to rev the bollocks off to make it move, and even then it doesn't feel quick. I think things like the Golf GTI and Focus ST just take a dump on it from a great height, as they're far more useable.

However, I went in a DC2 Integra Type R, and thought that was brilliant. Much more raw and aggressive, not really an every day sort of car, just a thrash about thing, and it was really good, felt lighter, more poised, more aggressive power delivery.

I think vtec engines are great, and they work in lightweight, weekend cars, or track/race/rally cars. But I wouldn't have one as an every day car I don't think, especially not one of the new, very much heavier, ones.

I'm sure some people are the exact opposite of me of course. And then there's all the scene freaks, with their vtec y0! and this obsession with natural aspiration. They probably make it all appear worse than it is