IT was while sitting in traffic musing over what car I would buy when I finally won the lottery, that it struck me.
There was one thing that I really, really, loved about the Honda Civic 1.6 Sport - the silence.
Imagine sitting in a sound-proofed booth in an empty library on a deserted desert island. Well, that only goes part of the way to explain just how quiet this dream ma-shhhh-ine is.
Reducing noise levels was a top priority for Honda engineers working on the 2004 Civic. Upgraded and more extensive noise insulation materials, as well as front dampeners have been employed to quell noise and vibration from all sources.
Particular attention has been paid to reducing wind, road and engine noise through interior and exterior body refinements and aero-dynamics.
And boy, does it all work!
At rest in traffic you genuinely cannot hear the 1.6 VTEC engine. I found myself having to occasionally lift the clutch just to ensure I had not stalled!
But the Honda Civic three door hatchback Sport has much more to shout about than just its quietness.
This is a great-looking vehicle which has sharp body styling and 16ins alloy wheels that set it off a treat. The distinctive 'H' imbedded in the mesh grill, which looks plain ugly on older Honda models, adds to its distinctive appearance.
And if the Sport looks good on the outside, it excels on the inside.
It has a stylish red fabric trim woven around its comfortable seats, door panels and a small, sporty, steering wheel.
The five-speed gear-stick is sited on the dashboard which was surprisingly easy to adapt to for a dashboard novice like me.
And despite only being a three door, the Sport has a very spacious interior and a generous boot.
It also drives pretty darn good too.
While not the quickest car in its class - the VTEC engine offers 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds - it has enough acceleration and power to handle inner-city driving and longer motorway journeys.
The power steering and suspension are also first class and the car handles corners and bumpy roads as well as any vehicle I've driven.
Fuel performance and emissions for the Sport are also among the best in its class, offering a combined 42.8mpg and a CO2 emission of 157g/km.
A great car which is obviously proving popular with drivers, as world-wide sales of the Honda Civic continues to rise.
So when I win the lottery, I have no doubt which motor I am going to buy - a tyre-screeching, petrol guzzling, bright red Ferrari!
Oh, and a pair of ear-muffs.
FAST FACTS
Honda Civic 1.6 Sport
Price: £13,600
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,590cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 116mph
0-62mph: 10.2 secs
Combined mpg: 42.8
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 157g/km
BiK rating: 17%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust