[jcp123]

Yeah, it's maybe the newer Hondas you are thinking of. I rock the non-VTEC! Although if VTEC burns your biscuits, you probably could level the same criticism at the vast majority of the cars in the last ten years with some sort of variable valve timing. One of the only things I ever replaced on my Echo, for instance, was the variable valve timing actuator.

On the other hand, I do agree that the idle control valve is kind of a strange bird. Flip side of that is it has a degree of cleanability and servicibility most others don't, so that might save you from having to replace it when it gives trouble. And I'd classify underhood access as very good on my Civic. I can't say whether that's true or not for other mid-90s Honda products, but I'd wager it is. If my experience with the Civic is any good indication, Hondas are more well-engineered that I'd ever have thought. It's actually cured me of the Honda hate of my youth.