I was wondering what some of the fellow TMS members thought of the 06-up Civic Si Coupe?

I'm not really talking about the riced-out models that you might see at the tracks, but instead I'm talking about a bone stock Si Coupe. It seems to be a pretty good package for $22k MSRP:
-moonroof
-limited slip differential (helical cut gears like a Torsen)
-197 hp in a 2880 lb package, not on par with a S197 GT, but still faster than a stock Marauder or stock Police Interceptor
-2-door sporty coupe
-6 speed manual transmission with short throw shifter
-350W stereo system, 6-disc MP3 CD player
-optional Navigation unit

The Si uses the same K20Z3 engine as the Euro-spec Civic Type R (197 hp DOHC 2.0L I4 with i-Vtec, 11:1 compression, naturally aspirated). It almost sounds like a tame motorcycle or F1 race car at 8000 RPM.

I was thinking about getting a Si coupe for winter driving in SE MI. The Michelin all-seasons that it comes with is reported to be good enough for light snow. I'd keep the Si bone-stock just like the Mustang.

 

George 1Bullitt has a sedan one. he seems to like it. I guess it works for him since he has the GT500 and then this is his practical everyday car.


But i don't see why you would want the SI coupe when you can get a Mustang GT for near the price.

 

The Si Coupe is $22k MSRP, while a stripped down S197 GT is about $28k MSRP easy. Since I already have a S197 GT for the summer, I was looking for a more practical / disposable winter car that isn't boring. My vic is a 4-door sedan and I have no use for all that extra room, plus I want something that is fun to drive.

 

ok i didn't know you already had a S197 GT.

Depending on what weather climate you are in a WRX would be my choice.

I have a Subaru Legacy that is amazing in the snow.

Honestly if you are looking for a good practical car that also would work in winter you really should get something AWD. I really never want to go back to FWD or RWD during the winter months.

But if you live in somewhere that doesn't get snow...then forget that, you'd never be able to notice a difference if its fwd or awd.

 

The Subaru WRX was my first choice, but it has 4-doors (or 5 doors for the 2008 model) and costs more than a S197 GT. I never had any problems with snow using an open diff on a FWD car. The Si would have a factory equipped limited slip diff, and I would stay home for the heavy snow.

 

hondas rule best bang for the buck imo

 

I would drive one as a daily driver.

 

theres used S197's for 19k i've seen 3 on ebay and several in autotrader but civics are nice too! only DD's though

 

It's no Mustang GT but I have nothing but compliments for it.

It's a great little car, fun to drive, excellent on gas although it requires 93 octane. It handles very well. The suspension is upgraded from the base model, tight and responsive yet it provides a very confortable ride. Top of the line seats, very similar to the Recaro type. Great looking interior and sound system.

In the complaint department, the RPMs stay a bit high between shifts and take a couple of seconds to come down and the most disappoint is I have yet tot figure out how to get the rear wheels do a burnout.

 

Not that it matters, but my local dealer sells stripper 2007 Mustang GTs for $25K.

 

Nice car, no doubt, but I'd rather get a Mazdaspeed 3 -- would blow the Si out of the water in acceleration, handle as well and give you 2 more doors, all minus the alien-pod interior styling of the Civic. VW GTI with DSG would also be interesting, though I'm not sure if VW's tacked its reliability woes of late.

Subaru WRXs are nice, if you can stomach the looks. The Subby Legacy GT is a hugely unrecognized car with great performance, classy if understated styling in and out, all-wheel drive and great reliability and durability.

 

I was just gonna recommend MazdaSpeed3. 268 hp for the same price.

Even Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V (200 hp) is better choice. Or older Dodge (Neon) SRT-4.

 

The Mazdaspeed3 isn't cheap and it is a family station wagon (has 3 doors more than what I want). The old SRT-4 wasn't too bad except in the end it is still a Dodge and a Neon.

 

MazdaSpeed3 is $22,800. Just as much as Civic Si.

 

Rice lover.



All joking aside, the Si is a terrific little road burner. Decent fuel economy, one of the all time best - if not the best - four cylinder engines on the market...all in a sporty, reasonably well-equipped package for the money.

And Honda reliability and resale value are near the top of the industry.

Nothing wrong with that choice.

 

I found myself at the honda website the other day....window shopping of course...

 

Loaded up with what I want, it will be more than the Civic and will look 50x uglier (station wagon... yuck). The Mustang is still faster than both cars. The Civic is the only thing that has a LSD and looks snazzy (2-door coupe) without costing $40k+. The Audi TT would have been my first choice since it is AWD, has a 6-speed manual, good performance, solid German reliability, and has an appealing style (2-door sleek coupe).

 

MSP3s COME loaded. The Mazdaspeed3 is the better/faster/more refined car for the price. But it's your money and your decision, and if you seem intent on talking yourself into the Honda. Sounds like that decision has already been made.

 

The Mazdaspeed 3 is $25k MSRP with what I want, and you can't use the X/S-Plan. I haven't checked to see if there are any ADMs either or how easy it is to factory order one or haggle for a better price.

The Mazdaspeed 3 also comes with summer tires Bridgestone Potenza RE050A in 215/45/R18 which are useless in snow. There are 2 all-seasons available in this size and neither are suited for snow driving. There's a Blizzak snow tire but I'd rather go with a good all-season (like TripleTreds) than a dedicated snow tire since we get maybe 3-4 really bad snow days that I can avoid.

If I were looking for a summer car, the Mazdaspeed 3 would be a nice choice with a 11.9:1 weight to power ratio (S197 GT manual is 11.5:1). But I am looking for something to drive in the winter here in SE MI. I was even looking at the Mazda3 which would be fully loaded at $22k MSRP ($20k after S-Plan). It won't have the power of a Civic Si or MSP3, nor will it have a LSD. But it would be fully loaded with HIDs, LED taillights, moonroof, Bose sound system, foglights, and 205/55R16 sized tires that have more sizing options (TripleTreds).

 

I just wish we got the Euro Civic Type-R. It's an amazing little pocket rocket - loaded with amenities and techno-stuff (including push button engine start) - though the dash might be a tad TOO Jetsons...









For someone who wants an economical runabout - with a strong dose of sport - it sure beats the hell out of anything Toyota puts out.