what ever choice you make they are both superb, reliability issues is pot luck diesels usually suffer with the clutch slipping not all though but if your lucky it could have been replaced with the modified version worth mentioning if you go for the diesel,petrol Ive had two enjoyed them both 5 door and three door all i can say on the reliability on mine was minimal bump stops and door handle replaced that's it it wouldnt put me off buying another, if i was you test drive the two the 1.8 petrol gives a nice sound and performance when driven hard but the power of the diesel at low revs is very impressive,i bought a 07 plate type s gt with 36k last october for £8300 from a car supermarket honda dealer wanted a grand more, you could by this type r gt same money.
2007 (07) Honda Civic 2.0 Type-R GT 3 Dr | Used car for sale - Arnold Clark