A Case for The Civic SI- A FWD Coupe

"GoliathRex" (GoliathRex) 01/21/2014 at 00:45 • Filed to: FWD, Honda, Civic, SI

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After test driving virtually every "sporty" car under 25k at least once- I ended up with an SI coupe. I have no need for a spacious backseat. Although I am greatly biased toward hatchbacks- nothing else could match the mix of attributes the civic offered.

I recognize that there are options that would fit my criteria on the used market. I decided to buy new. Oddly- at the urging of my girlfriend.

It rides nicely, but also handles (unlike C30/Veloster too soft, Mazdaspeed3- too hard) The 2013 update fixed the handling you'll read about in reviews. Since the car launched as a 2012 most of the cars have the old suspension.

The shift action is lovely (unlike Mini S)

It makes nice noises and reasonable torque (unlike BRZ/FRS)

I am confident it will not fall apart or make me look like an idiot (500 Abarth)

It is compact (unlike a Mustang or Aamaro)

The seats are just "right" (unlike GTI- I am not very tall and these seats do not work for me)

It is not a convertible (unlike Miata- personal preference)

I like the way it looks (unlike ST- both of them)

....

Mathias Rios > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 00:54

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It VTECs, bro.

Manuél Ferrari > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 01:01

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Interesting about the shift action. An opponaut told me that he loves the MT in his Mini S

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 01:06

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It's too bad you don't like how the STs look, since I think from a performance/fun aspect they're far superior but if you don't like how they look then they're not the car for you.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 01:11

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Why didn't you go used? You could have literally had a Ferrari.

Mathias Rios > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 01:14

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NICE. Yeah I would never buy a used car... meh.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 01:14

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While I fully respect that you like the civic's looks over others, I am curious which ones you drove/test drove beforehand to come to the conclusion you did. ALso what was your final price, if you don't mind me asking. I have a theory that honda is trying to move civic SIs for cheap to counter the rising tide of other cars thanks to a lack of competition causing them to get weak. No more cobalt SS, no more SRT-4, no more SVT focus let them get lazy IMO.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Mathias Rios 01/21/2014 at 01:23

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Why? Do you think driving a new Honda Civic impresses people more than driving a well maintained classic? The only car less cool than a new Civic is an old Civic.

Mathias Rios > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 01:27

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I'm stupid, I'm so sorry I made a typo. I meant *NEW car. I would never buy a new car. Unless I was ridiculously rich and it didn't matter.

Mathias Rios > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 01:27

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PS I'm not the OP ;)

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Mathias Rios 01/21/2014 at 01:28

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Ah, that makes much more sense. Although sometimes buying new is better than buying used... sometimes.

Mathias Rios > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 01:33

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I really never see an advantage to new cars, unless, like I said above, money is no object and you can afford to have the latest and newest stuff. Otherwise, all the good cars are older.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Mathias Rios 01/21/2014 at 01:38

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Most of the time, used is the way to go. But there are times, like after cash for clunkers, when used car prices were so high it could be cheaper to buy new. Other times, cars just hold their value so well you may as well buy a new one. Cheap leases on luxury cars can be cheaper than buying used and maintaining it.

Mathias Rios > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 01:39

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Which cash for clunkers? They've tried that program more than once I believe...

Scott Keelan > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 01:47

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I fully support your recent purchase and unfortunately I think most people overlook the Civic SI coupe. It may not be the latest and greatest turbocharged hot hatch but that doesn't mean it's a bad choice.

Every time I see one on the road I always think to myself that it would make a smart purchase for all of the reasons you listed above.

Congrats on the new car.

Burrito de EJ25 > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 01:53

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It makes a nice noises and never feels under powered (unlike BRZ/FRS)

Uhm. It weighs more and makes the same amount of power.

Burrito de EJ25 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 01/21/2014 at 01:57

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They're far, far superior cars.

Honda Sis, in my opinion, seem like the worst option in today's affordable sports car market. Unless we're counting the Veloster Turbo. Then it's that.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 01:58

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Would've gone with the sedan, but that's only because I'm outgrowing my own FWD coupe.

Shift24 > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 03:00

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Great choice but like the K20Z3 better. No offense but dont need a gauge to tell me that Vtec kicked in yo. Love the rev out to almost 9K, 0-60 in 2 gears (K20 is faster zero to 60 because the k24 needs 3 though its not by much 6.3 to 6.4), dat stock rear camber, overall look 06-09, and dat fiji blue. The 9th gen civics are great dont get me wrong, that added torque is probably nice and again if you wanted new great choice but i just rather the 8th gen SI. Though if it were me with $20k+ it would be a low mile 06 LS2 GTO 6 speed since i wont buy new

AthomSfere > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 06:30

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Also - Honda has an unholy ability to retain residual values. As far as buying in that segment goes, his Si will still be worth 50% or more of its new value in 5 years with 60k miles on it.

AthomSfere > Burrito de EJ25 01/21/2014 at 06:38

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I don't really see how you could arrive at this conclusion.

I can see see:

Low HP

No turbo

FWD

But, in its favor:

The Si VTEC sound is just as intoxicating as a small turbo

The Si doesn't really lose much in performance to the higher HP cars (The 2013 Focus ST vs Si 0-60 times is only a difference of about .1 seconds for example)

Honda reliability

Honda residual values

Some people would rather have the NA engine

AthomSfere > Manuél Ferrari 01/21/2014 at 06:41

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I test drove a Mini and the shift action wasn't bad... But it was no Honda.

Actually, what surprised me was the friction point for the clutch on the pedal. It was so high up it reminded me of driving a truck. It felt like a foot of travel and all the work was done in the first two inches.

Makoyouidiot > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 07:14

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Only one problem. Needs a boy racer wing. All cars need boy racer wings, regardless of drive or type.

Sinanigans > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 08:11

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Congrats! I was close to buying a new '08 Si years ago but had a hard time justifying spending 25k on a Civic. This is when the new ones were out so no one wanted to neg on the price. Personally I love the K20A and its batshit crazy nature.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 10:27

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Yay! Another new Civic buddy!

Even though mine is an LX Sedan with an auto... screw the little details!

Manuél Ferrari > AthomSfere 01/21/2014 at 12:17

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Interesting. I wonder if they corrected that in the new car

No Prius Needed > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 19:30

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Which could have then been turned into a Stratos. http://jalopnik.com/the-lister-bel…

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GoliathRex > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 01/21/2014 at 21:40

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I do not make decisions to impress others- at least not primarily.

GoliathRex > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 01/21/2014 at 21:44

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I agree with you. I struggled with the decision to *not* buy the fiesta ST. In the end I just liked the intangible aspects of the SI and disliked the aesthetics of the ST enough.

GoliathRex > AthomSfere 01/21/2014 at 21:46

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well stated. Prior to the SI i was driving a Mazdaspeed3. It had wonderful GRUNT, but I appreciate the smooth powerband of the NA SI K24. It is more fun to push the civic fast. The Mazda required a very firm hand on the wheel (and some puckering) to keep in a straight line- especially on an autocross course.

GoliathRex > Shift24 01/21/2014 at 21:50

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Good choice. If I had bought used I think I would have paid less and got an Acura RSX or paid the same and driven a 128i.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 21:54

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That wasn't aimed at you, it was aimed at the "I would never buy a used car" way of thinking.

GoliathRex > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/21/2014 at 21:56

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I drove all of the cars listed in the post and more:

Mini S (2x), Veloster Turbo, RSX (used), Mazdaspeed3 (my prior car), GTI, Altima coupe, Fiesta, BRZ, FRS, TC, Volvo C30 (2x)....

I paid 21k out the door and they threw in nice summer tires (I autocross). This is a ~$2500 discount (no destination, added options, and tires thrown in).I think you are correct.

GoliathRex > Burrito de EJ25 01/21/2014 at 21:58

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Indeed you are correct. The civic make more torque lower which is nice poking around in traffic. If I am 100% honest the biggest reason I did not get a BRZ is because the dealers were all price gouging. I got the civic for ~4k less and it is more feature packed.

The Toybotaru is a superior drivers car and would be fun at my monthly autocross.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > GoliathRex 01/21/2014 at 22:12

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Fiesta ST or normal fiesta?

GoliathRex > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/21/2014 at 23:35

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Normal Fiesta. The ST wasn't out for another 2 months or so... then I would have to wait through the initial price gouging on top of that...followed by the daily eye gouging every day when I walked up to it IMHO :)

That car has received unbelievable praise on its driving dynamics. Id love to hoon one eventually. I imagine its like the Abarth with less noise and more competence.

I really enjoyed driving the Abarth and if there is one car I feel a little remorse for not picking its that. It sounds fantastic- if not a bit too loud for pulling up to work in. The (important) interior bits feel great- namely the steering wheel and well placed arm rests. Dealers are motivated to sell them well under sticker price too. Its tiny! (and I like that).

Textured Soy Protein > Burrito de EJ25 01/22/2014 at 11:19

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Speaking from my long-ago experience owning an Integra GSR, almost buying a Fit as a DD to pair with a Miata but backing out, test driving an '09 Si a couple times, and my gf having a '13 Civic LX sedan:

Sporty Hondas aren't necessarily impressive on paper. But there's a certain general goodness to the way they feel that makes up for the not huge amounts of power and not particularly stiff suspension setup. They're...nice.

Yeah the STs will probably be faster than the Si but that doesn't mean the Si is a bad car.

GoliathRex > Textured Soy Protein 01/23/2014 at 00:19

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yes! I am.. a list maker. I make big decisions like buying a car with charts. For around 6 months before purchasing I began making a spreadsheet and came up with a scoring system for cars- this sounds insane I know. For the first ~ 4 months I forgot the SI even existed really, or rather I dismissed it. I even went to some manufacturer car shows and didn't bother with the honda booth. One day I saw one drive by and on a whim decided to test drive the civic. I had already test driven 5 or so cars and was blown away by how much I liked the civic. In other words- I agree with what you said.

GoliathRex > Manuél Ferrari 01/23/2014 at 00:21

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Yeah I was also surprised. Enough so I went back and test drove another car- and a non S (3 cars). They were all the same- notchy, high friction point. It was not as bad as my Mazdaspeed3- but not smooth and easy to drive like the Civic Si, BRZ, or even the veloster turbo.

GoliathRex > Scott Keelan 01/23/2014 at 00:22

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thanks dude.

Manuél Ferrari > GoliathRex 01/23/2014 at 00:36

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Weird the Mazdaspeed3 is like that too.

During the development process someone should have said "this feels off"

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > GoliathRex 04/20/2016 at 04:23

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Hey, still active? I can tell you've been busy.