i can only agree with the mpg, it is just very hard to achieve the figures honda gave us, but still the mpg is great for a 1.8 petrol with 140 bhp.
I went on a 'spirited' drive this afternoon and at one point i still had 46 mpg.
I especially disagree with what you say about the handling, i find the car to be very firm on the road. Even on my drive while it was raining the car had loads of grip.
I wonder if you even test drove the car properly since you criticise about every aspect of it
and ow yeah, if you have problems with your auto wipers, just put them on manual, its still on there for a reason

its only a computer programme that decides when to wipe, what you talk about is something i even experienced on a 2004 audi a4