Weird, I looked at their site the other day and didn't see it. But, I see it now. Looks like a great little car.

 

The GTI is a great overall car, but the 1.8 is problematic and you live in CEL hell as it gets older(not to mention the interior dyes peel). If they have gotten a little more reliable, I would say go for it...

 

Having never driven one, I can't really give an educated opinion on that aspect of the Si. However, its engine has been proven to be very responsive to bolt-ons and a tune, getting many RSX-S drivers into the low 14's pretty easily, so that's definitely a positive. I also think it's a pretty decent-looking car, with the exception of the place where the A-pillar meets the front fender. I can't stand how the window digs into the fender below the waistline of the car at this point, looks completely un-athletic to me, and this is a trend that a lot of cars are following nowadays (at least compacts).

Plus, realistically, for a few grand more, you can get a Mustang GT. Although the sticker on my 07 Premium GT was ~$29,000, I got it for just over $24,000. I don't think Honda will be marking down Civic Si's anytime soon.

 

I have a 06 Si I got last year for a DD. I have to say I love it. Car runs strong for a NA 2.0 liter. Had it at the track once just for the fun of it and ran 15.4/92mph every pass launching at 3K and shifting at 8100 . I think I could get a 15.0/1 out of it with practice but Im not too concerned about it. On the dyno it put down 180hp/135tq to the wheels(dead stock) with 1200 miles on the clock.
Transmission has short precise throws and a light clutch. Car feels solid and handles excellent for a front driver. Has good brakes but not spectacular. Also has great supportive seats and a good stereo. I average 27mpg around town and I got 30mpg with a passenger and luggage runnin 70+ on a road trip.
The all seasons lack grip but are ok for everyday driving. The sunvisors are cheap feeling and want to come apart at times when moving them. Other than that I don't have any real complaints about it.

 

I like the Si. I think the WRX would be more practical for winter driving, but the Si is just designed great (except for all the digital stuff on the dash... I like needles & dials). Call me a Honda fanboy, but those Honda guys know how to squeeze alot of reliable hp out of a little engine and make butter-smooth manual trannies.

Every day I wish the Si had a rally trim with AWD with a factory turbo that brought it up to 300hp for $30-35k. Like an evo, but it won't ever blow up. brb, removing honda **** from my mouth.

 

The GTI now has a 2.0 with the new body style. I don't know how reliable it is or anything, but they've changed the engine in the car.

 

How do you figure i/h/e/t netting 1.23474 hp is "responsive"?

I'm sorry, but an enconomy car is an economy car... no two ways about it. I owned a Type SH Prelude for many years and it was my rude awakening to "economy performance". I was so to close to super or turbo charging it before I came to my senses: why waste the money on making a slow car, slightly less slow (i.e. 15.5 secs to 14.5 secs)?

If you're gunna get an economy car, use it as such and forget about performance.

That being said, the Civic Si looks like a really fun daily driver. I wouldn't mind having one.

 

Don't forget that an RSX is capable of 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. That's pretty good for an "economy" engine...and smack in the middle of what V8-powered Mustangs were doing in the '60s.

Times have changed, and Japanese 4-cylinder engines have evolved far more dramatically than American V8s, relatively speaking.