I've owned my 2007 Civic Si for a month...so here's a review :D

"Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
04/27/2016 at 11:55 • Filed to: oppositelock review

No I won’t sit at a red light and rev my engine at you...I promise.

The 8th gen Honda Civic was produced from 2006-2011. It’s quite possibly the most popular car on the normal college campus or among seniors in high school. Being the Honda fan boy I am, I had to get my hands on a Si.

First day home

The 2007 Civic Si coupe, aka FG2 for those crazy about codes, came with Honda’s tried and true K20 series engine producing a mind blowing 197 hp at 7900 rpm and an earth moving 139 lb-ft at 6200 rpm. All that insane power is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. Aside from the bump in power, helical limited-slip differential, and close-ratio 6 speed, the Si’s of the time also got a 7 speaker sound system, upgraded brakes, ‘sports’ seats, a rear wing, different gauges, and a ‘leather’ wrapped steering wheel.

Extra JDM yo

Exterior: It’s bland....I’m not even going to try and justify anything here. The entire 8th generation of the Honda Civic is bland, forgettable, and boring. There is nothing striking about this car, nothing that makes it look different, and nothing that makes me think this wasn’t designed the way it is to fit in. The only thing I can defend about this design is the wing. It’s not STI “In yo face” large but it’s also not “I’m just adding some extra exterior trim” small. It’s a nice touch.

All plastic everything

Interior: It’s simple, well laid out, and it shows it’s from an economy car. There are plastics everywhere, in fact I’m pretty sure I’m sitting in melted army men. The ‘sports’ seats aren’t as comfortable as the other cars I’ve owned, but they hold my 5' 10' self nicely. The rear seats are absolutely useless for people if you have legs.

RED KNOB!

Audio: The Civic Si came standard with a 7 speaker sound system with a sub woofer standard, a 9 speaker system was an optional extra. It’s not a great sound system but I have no plans swapping out speakers and going that extra length to have some bangin’ system. All I need is a aux port, which is has, and I’m a happy man.

It’s nice having all the information necessary right in front of your face like this. Also, 420 BLAZE IT!!

Acceleration: I can beat a Ferrari to 60....if I have 6 or 7 second head start. The K20Z3 is a screamer and you have to rev the nuts off it to really get any where somewhat quick.

No, I don’t actually have this sticker

Transmission: I learned to drive a manual on my dad’s Scion XB. In that toaster the clutch is as light as a feather, throws are long, and you don’t have to be as precise with the shifting. Step into the Si and it’s on the opposite end of the spectrum. The clutch is a heavier and if I don’t shift precisely into gear...the car throws a fit. 1st gear is not as short as expected while 5th and 6th are longer than expected. The sweet spot is definitely 3rd and 4th gear when you’re hovering around or above 3,000 RPM; I can keep it in 4th on the way to and from work and let the k20 scream.

Throws are nice and short

Braking: Disc brakes all around with ABS standard. The rear brakes are 10.2" the front brakes are 11.8". They’re always ready and able to stop me when i-Vtec kicks in (yo!).

Ride/Handling: It’s a lot harsher than my TL and makes me more aware of potholes than I already was. It’s definitely more tuned towards driving around holes rather than gliding right over them.

The Civic Si coupes received a MacPherson strut front suspension, four wheel independent suspension, a double wishbone rear suspension, and a front and rear stabilizer bar. On top of all those goodies, the chassis itself is already pretty rigid so it makes twisty roads fun. Thank god I take the back roads to work these days.

These had a solid rear axle in the back; for once American Honda got the better end of the deal

Value: New these were in the mid 20's and now you’ll probably find them anywhere from 8k-12k. I stumbled upon a deal and jumped on it because I needed a car. That all being said, I fully expect Si prices to take a nose dive whenever Honda decides to bring the next generation Si out with their turbocharged engines. If you don’t need a car tomorrow, I’d say wait.

Verdict: I’m in love.

JKM’s most favorite thing in the entire world is in this picture

Snug as a bug

DISCUSSION (18)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 11:59

I’ve driven a similar car. It was a 2013 ILX and that was miles of fun. Especially compared to the 4runner which fells like it wants to fall over and is very slow.

scoob > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:05

TOWWWWWWW HOOOOOOOOOOOOOK

WRXasaurus > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:12

I have always thought this would be a good commuter car for me. I could replace my old craptastic CR-V and maybe actually get some decent mileage. Glad you like it.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:18

Your favorite thing in the world is a Jetta Wagon?

Also: OMG, so much revving to squeeze anything out of that motor. Probably a lot easier to drive smoothly than my manic puppy, though.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:18

I demand a drag race

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/27/2016 at 12:21

loser buys lunch

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
04/27/2016 at 12:21

Yes, as is JKM’s

interstate366, now In The Industry > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:23

I test drove one a few years ago. It was pretty much how you describe, but it just felt sterile compared to Hondas from the glory years. Not a bad car at all, just a letdown after wanting to check one out since they were new.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:40

Haha, misread.

Rock Bottom > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:46

I bought a 2008 Si sedan new and drove it until a couple summers ago. Loved every minute in that car. I kept mine stocker than most. Long tube header, gummy tires, solid shifter bushings, EBC brakes, and Koni Yellows.

Get Koni Yellows. On full-soft they rode better than stock, and on full stiff they’d rattle your fillings out. I spent a few weeks messing around with the front and rear settings and was seriously pissed I didn’t install them sooner. Best modification I’ve ever made to a car, and I’ve messed with a lot of cars.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 12:56

That tow loop tho... Too much rice for me. But these cars are awesome, perfect for a sporty commuting mule.

Shift24 > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 14:04

Watch out for the 3rd gear synchros, eventually (if you haven’t already) when you shift hard expect it not wanting to into 3rd and if it does it might grind. Rear tires will go before the front due to camber, major rev hang, and some spongy brake petal under hard consistent braking due to the plastic master cylinder.

Even with that, I would still buy one with 300k+ miles. My buddy has an 06 and my dad has the fabled fiji blue. And they beat the crap out of them and they take it like it’s just another day. One of the best cars for FWD, I’d consider it almost like a FWD Miata.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Shift24
04/27/2016 at 14:06

transmissions good and the I’ll probably have new wheels + tires for the summer at least. I plan to hit 200k or at least get as close to it as can

That One Kid in HS > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 15:06

Confession: I have a high school with over 700 students who drive. Not one Civic Si!

Shift24 > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 15:23

Yep it will hit that no problem. My dad’s is around 170k now and the most expensive thing he has done to the car is buy tires. He only gets top of the line Michelin so it gets expensive quick.

yitznewton > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/27/2016 at 18:44

Nice review! Jelly of your cloth seats :D

I gotta say, when the 8th gen design came but, particularly the sedan, it struck me as original and pleasantly quirky. Oddly enough the tail on the coupe is way bland by comparison.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > yitznewton
04/27/2016 at 20:18

I wish i had a sedan honestly only because i like the rear end more

Akihiko > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
01/18/2018 at 16:45

How ironic. You post about a front wheel drive car on a website called opposite lock.

Jk.

I have a 2006 model. No, it is not Fiji blue pearl :(. I came here to find out what others thought of the handling. I watched the top gear review of the FN2 and was disappointed (and a bit nervous) when it was outperformed in both the corners and straights by the EP3. I’m relieved to know the FG and FN have different suspension setups.