Good car!
Not a massive 0-60 machine, but get the gears and throttle position correct going into a corner and it rewards you like nothing else I have driven.
Its loud and teeth rattling on motorways. Your missus/family may not "get it".
Twin round headlights are found on the UK models, oblong lights on the Japanese models. Matter of taste really though lots seem to like the JDM versions, personally I liked the UK model ... so I bought one.
Power figures are 187 bhp IIRC, but you need to remember that its kinda light and stripped out in comparison to other cars.
Definately tunable - though part choice is critical to getting the most out of the already tweaked engine. Go with what others have already tried and tested IMO for the best gains. Just dont expect big gains like a turbo based vehicle without going for a supercharger/turbocharger.
I sold mine to my brother in law about 7 months ago and he took the two mods I put on it (decat pipe and a Spoon airfilter) and replaced them with a K&N filter and some crapola off the shelf backbox not made for the car...its now loud but feels far less frisky than I remember it being.
Reliability - very good and is a car you can use every day without fear of big bills. Servicing, cambelts can all be had cheaply at fixed prices from Honda themselves via the "Honda Happiness" scheme for older motors. Clutch can go from about 50k, expect a cambelt to have been done at around 60k (can depend on model year you are buying though - they changed servicing schedule in mid 1998). Honda gearbox syncros can also be a little hit and miss IMO having replaced on both my teggy and my Civic VTI at not huge mileages.
Common things that you will find - knackered bolster cushions on drivers Recaro (easy fix with parts from capitalseating). Rear bumper sagging (easy fix with a mate and a set of spanners). Rust on rear arches beneath the black rubber covers which can be just cosmetic and need a good clean.
Prices - around £6000 for a 1998 model seems about right IIRC.
Check for oil changes, service history, cambelt change. Passionate owners aplenty and worth buying from an enthusiast as they can be abused by ranting the balls off them from cold.
Best sources of further information would be:
http://www.itr-dc2.com and
http://www.hondarevolutions.com
Hope that helps!