I like the interior, it's a nice place to be. Handles pretty well, but the diesel is pretty slow, but on a long motorway run with cruise control on set at 79 (don't know why, I always set it to this speed) I get around 45mpg on average (including going up hills etc...). Gearbox is nice and accurate, steering is a little light and does dilute some of the feedback. Easy to park, and turns on a sixpence.
It has all the toys, ipod connection, auto everything. The only thing it doesn't have (mine doesn't anyway) is lumbar adjustments and the seat doesn't go low enough for me - I like to sit low in a car.
Visibility is generally good (I'll explain in a sec), steering is sharp, and handles well. The spoiler is annoying but you get used to looking "past" it after a while.
The dials and the driver controls are easy to use - the central console is poor though unless you get the one with sat nav. Stereo is a little basic, could do with some better speakers really.
Servicing - I have no idea as it's all done for me, as is oil top ups and all fluids bar diesel. However, I check the oil and for 12000 miles that I've done in the 9 months I've had it it's only needed a slight top up for oil. The A/C works well in the summer. It's easy to park, and has a surprisingly tardis like rear seats - I'm just under 6'1" and a 6" person can comfortably sit behind me. The boot is pretty big too. Only thing is it doesn't have a spare tyre, so that can put some people off.
If I were buying one I'd go for the Type R really - I'm glad to have owned own but I much prefer RWD cars so that would be one of the factors putting me off, otherwise for a FWD hatch it's a pretty good all rounder, there are better cars out there, but at the level of driving I do, and for town and motorway cruising, they're all much of a muchness. I think it looks pretty cool too.
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