Honda Civic - is it dolled up with alloys, skirts, spoliers etc ?
If so stay away from it because the guts will have been driven out of it by some boy racer.
Honda 1.4 is good engine by 1.4 standards plenty of poke compared to other 1.4s but as siad a diesel would be better buy for long miles.
Look at TDi as they have accleration as good as most cars, particularly if driven and the fuel economy is better.
Also you may be able to convert to ecodiesel down the road for better economy.