CTC Review: 2008 Honda Civic Si Sedan

[Skeezix]

The Si Sedan is a good seller here in the US. Most buyers are going for the two-door which is understandable. I used to be a big Honda fan, but ther dealers down here are all jerks! I feel like I walked into a Lexus or Acura dealership with the way I am treated. However, the Si Sedan is a great car. I think Honda needs to address a few issues such as the higher quality interior and maybe styling that isn't so polarizing. I'm glad to hear you guys up north get it too! Hope James enjoys his week with the car. I'd like to hear how it compares to the Mazdaspeed 3 and the VW GTI. I miss the Honda Prelude VERY VERY much!! It was such a good car and so powerful when the last generation came out in 1997. However, I think the Si has taken over that niche even though the styling isn't the greatest! Viva Prelude!!!

[Cortina]

Wing: How do you like the two-tiered digital dash?

Edit: BTW Welcome back......

[carcrazy]

I'd like to hear how it compares to the Mazdaspeed 3 and the VW GTI.

You could read this:
Edmunds Review

[Iso Octane]

Are the Si's still suffering from the drive-by-wire throttle hang?

I love the idea of a rip-snorting top end.  It sounds like a lot of fun, and they sound incredible too.

[Blueprint]

Just to clarify things : the US has had the 4-door SI for 2006, and Canada is finally getting it for 2007.

The SI Coupe is itself quite rare on the roads around Montreal.  Maybe the sedan will catch better ?

[kkintls]

The only things I know is US SI sedan $22000 + 600 pdi but  CAD SI Sedan $26800+1372 pdi and no VSC!!!!

[Leviathan]

Mitlov & Leviathan:
If you want torque, get a v8 Mustang. If you want 4 Door and torque, get a 300C.
Si is about HIGH REVVING FUN & 6-SPEED SHORT THROW Manual trans!!!!!
<snip>
Anyone support my IDEA?

Need a shower now?    Ya, all that sound fun on a track for sure but on public roads going stop light to stop light in bumper to bumper traffic? Oh well, the styling & interior stops me long before I get in one and test drive 

[Mitlov]

Why compromise then .... supercharge it and get 35-40% more power.

http://www.superchargersonline.com/product_detail.asp?PartNumber=JAC-989-320

Interesting option, but (1) pricey, (2) no warranty coverage if the supercharger causes engine failure, and most importantly, (3) no chance to test-drive it before dropping US$4,000 into it.  That's why I'm always hesitant about major modifications to a car.

And even with the supercharger, it's putting out 234 hp but only 171 ft-lbs.

[wing]

Many never understand, it has nothing to do with high revving even.  Torque is ONLY a NUMBER.  Everyone constantly forgets to factor in gear ratio, final drive and weight.

[Zombie]

Many never understand, it has nothing to do with high revving even.  Torque is ONLY a NUMBER.  Everyone constantly forgets to factor in gear ratio, final drive and weight.

Plus HP is just another way to measure torque but over time.
For all you people that think torque is the end all be all of an engine read this
http://www.vettenet.org/torquehp.html
HP is still the number you need to be looking at not torque.

[Mitlov]

Plus HP is just another way to measure torque but over time.
For all you people that think torque is the end all be all of an engine read this
http://www.vettenet.org/torquehp.html
HP is still the number you need to be looking at not torque.

Both HP and torque are "just numbers."  But my understanding is that HP is a better indicator of how hard the car is accelerating when you've got it at full boil, and torque is a better indicator of how hard the car will push you back in your seat (1) from a stop, or (2) when you're cruising along at a constant speed and then you "punch it."  That of course is an oversimplification, but I think there's some truth in there.

The former means a lot more when you're lapping a track and trying to shave tenths of a second off your time.  But in the real-world driving I do, I rarely keep the car at full boil for any extended period of time...so torque means more to me.

...and of course weight is critical with either horsepower or torque.  Tractor-trailers make obscene amounts of torque, but they don't push you back into your seat like my Jetta does because they weigh so dang much.

[soj]

The only things I know is US SI sedan $22000 + 600 pdi but  CAD SI Sedan $26800+1372 pdi and no VSC!!!!

The rip-off continues, so much for the free market.  If rectified, the dealer network would likely scream blue murder when the value of their used stock dropped below cost.

[jcon]

The only things I know is US SI sedan $22000 + 600 pdi but  CAD SI Sedan $26800+1372 pdi and no VSC!!!!

The rip-off continues, so much for the free market.  If rectified, the dealer network would likely scream blue murder when the value of their used stock dropped below cost.

I believe the dead horse has been thoroughly beaten.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

For $3k more a Mazdaspeed3 can be had which is a far better choice then this bees nest IMO.

 

My bike redlines at ~14,000. It really comes on the cam at about 7,000 or so. This basically means that in traffic, you're either revving the out of it (and sounding like a right twit) to be in the power band, or having to slip the clutch/downshift to get it really rolling. I'm fine with the bike acting like that. Car...not so much.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The CSX-S is the more appealing car to me. Agreed the NAVI should be optional, but wouldn't mind having it. The $5,000 spread is a little rich, but $3-3,500 (which it may be with discounts) would have me going Acura.

I don't really find much to fault with the interior or exterior styling. Found it much improved over the last gen and appreciate the innovation.

With respect to the engine, I'm not a revver but do know doing so puts a smile on my face. Problem is in day to day driving it's not my nature. And on highway jaunts I don't want to have to downshift to go up hills or pass. For sporty cover curving in the city or back roads should be dandy.

[si]

Are the Si's still suffering from the drive-by-wire throttle hang?

I love the idea of a rip-snorting top end.  It sounds like a lot of fun, and they sound incredible too.

the horrendus DBW programming of 2006 MY Coupes, like mine, was updated to a less shitty programming in 2007 along with the 2007 MY Civics.

Take your foot off the gas at about 3-5k RPM and the engine will still hang for a second, so if you make a quick upshift, the clutch will bare the brunt of unsmoothly pulling the car up to the held engine speed.  I hate driving this car in heavy traffic, but the rewards reaped driving it on the twisties are infinite.  The Si is definitely one of the best handling FWD cars around.

Too bad the stock all season tires perform so poorly in snow, even with the LSD.

Oh and FYI for those of you that don't know, this is the last MY for the CSX.

Too bad navi, remote trunk release, and alarm options are not available as in the US...

[Iso Octane]

My bike redlines at ~14,000. It really comes on the cam at about 7,000 or so. This basically means that in traffic, you're either revving the out of it (and sounding like a right twit) to be in the power band, or having to slip the clutch/downshift to get it really rolling. I'm fine with the bike acting like that. Car...not so much.

Oh c'mon now, that's just drama.  The regular Civic actually has less torque than the Si, and nobody complains about torque-less drivability issues for the it.  So the Si behaves as a normal Civic around town, but given the right opportunity turns into something quite fun.  I think it's too easy to get hung up on the numbers.

the horrendus DBW programming of 2006 MY Coupes, like mine, was updated to a less shitty programming in 2007 along with the 2007 MY Civics.

Is the video in your sig before or after the update?

A thorough slaughtering by a small battalion of Si's on the track this past weekend has re-ignited my interest for this car. 

[The Mighty Duck]

  Around town, the torque deficit is barely noticed.  The Si is totally practical around town - my Civic has far less torque, and I've never complained.  On the highway, most four bangers require down shifting to pass...  and the sheer fun of the stupidly high-revving VTEC is worth the lack of low-end torque.

[captain_ron]

I personally love my RSX Type-S around town.  I own a NSX, and have owned a Corvette Z06 in the past.  I really don't feel like it has a torque deficit.  Sure, it isn't a beast like my Z06 was; but 140 tq for a small coupe is pleanty enough for around town.  Reving it to 8000 rpm is fun too.  I just have a AEM Cold air intake on mine, puts down 185.2 HP at the wheels! Very responsive.  Gets better than 10L/100km on average combined (Heavy heavy foot).  Overall, I think the engine in the 05-06 RSX TYPE S, or 06 Civic Si + is awesome. 

[mmret]

HP is still the number you need to be looking at not torque.

Bit of a chicken and egg thing don't you think? HP = T(r) * r / 5250 or something like that.

I would prefer to have accessible go-power at lower RPMs. Makes me wonder why I drive a 4 banger Honda.

In normal driving, I'd probably just barely touch 100hp at the wheels when accelerating (figure 205HP peak at 7100 RPM = roughly 100 crank HP at 3500 RPM, if the torque curve is more or less flat...of course considerably less HP at the wheels). When cruising? Maybe 65-70 HP at the wheels.

I *think* that a high torque, low redline engine is probably better for short bursts of acceleration, and definitely so for comfortable cruising. A high strung, lower torque engine might have more go-power at very high RPM, of course.