Topic: Inside Story: 2010 Honda Civic Si Coupe

[Autos_Editor]

Now into its fifth year since a redesign, the Honda Civic’s interior design is holding up quite well considering the number of new competitors that have come on the market since then, says interior reviewer, Michael Clark.

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[John MacDonald]

I've always loved this generation of civics interior and exterior of the coupe.  I've only ever driven the non-si civics and think they are good little car.  I can see why so many are sold.  I think the engine in the Si is fantastic and few out there are better.  But that being said if I was looking for a performance car for $25K(ish) I think I would go for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe base.  Doesn't offer the same amount of performance or anywhere close to the same resale value but the vehicle itself drives well, has a lot of content, is a more comfortable (not back seat mind you) vehicle.  Plus if you keep it past the warranty for about $3,500 USD you can fully mod the turbo, intercooler, exaust, etc, and get a 300+HP rear drive weekend racer.  Here's the link to the mods -
turbo-kits.com/genesis_coupe_turbo_upgrades.html

[Erik]

Can't believe it's been 5 years already since Honda did this car to Civic fans. As a long time Civic fan, this car was and still is a huge disappointment to me.

The small, cheap car performance mantle that Honda dropped has certainly been picked up by the Cobalt SS. Best bang for the buck performance car you can buy.

Civic Si = Snack food, for this:

[b16vtec]

the way i look at it, this car is actually closer to 8-9 years old, since its underpinnings are based largely on the now defunct Honda Integra/Acura RSX.  I love that the engine can rev to 8k, but you can only enjoy the VTEC into second, maybe third gear, before you are way past the highest posted speed limits.  The chassis is still good, but the handling and ride has been eclipsed by newer cars such as the Golf GTi and Mazda 3.  The short gearing is fun, but it appears to have a dramatic effect on fuel consumption, especially in the city....many mid-full-size sedans with 3.5+L V6's with over 270hp do better than the Si in the city.

I am curious how Honda follows up on this generation of Civic Si.  More power?  Lighter weight?  The market is now loaded with many competitors offering more power, better pricing and more standard features.  It seems that the only people driving Si's these days are the 40+ years olds that grew up on CRX's back in the late 1980's.

[John MacDonald]

Can't believe it's been 5 years already since Honda did this car to Civic fans. As a long time Civic fan, this car was and still is a huge disappointment to me.

The small, cheap car performance mantle that Honda dropped has certainly been picked up by the Cobalt SS. Best bang for the buck performance car you can buy.

Civic Si = Snack food, for this:

What I don't think you grasp is the Civic Si will still be working at 100,000kms (300,000kms for that matter) where as the Cobalt starts to fall apart after 30,000 kms.  That's why I didn't mention it.

[Erik]

Can't believe it's been 5 years already since Honda did this car to Civic fans. As a long time Civic fan, this car was and still is a huge disappointment to me.

The small, cheap car performance mantle that Honda dropped has certainly been picked up by the Cobalt SS. Best bang for the buck performance car you can buy.

Civic Si = Snack food, for this:

What I don't think you grasp is the Civic Si will still be working at 100,000kms (300,000kms for that matter) where as the Cobalt starts to fall apart after 30,000 kms.  That's why I didn't mention it.

What problems did you have with your Cobalt at 30,000 km?

I'll happily take an extra trip to the dealer every year, to get more fun, better handling, MUCH higher performance and save $10,000.

[vdk]

Can't believe it's been 5 years already since Honda did this car to Civic fans. As a long time Civic fan, this car was and still is a huge disappointment to me.

The small, cheap car performance mantle that Honda dropped has certainly been picked up by the Cobalt SS. Best bang for the buck performance car you can buy.

Civic Si = Snack food, for this:

A friend of mine has the turbo version. I'd take it over an Si anyday. He got it really cheap too, ~$26k + tax IIRC. And it flies.

[Dragon75]

Worth a mention Civic's for quite a while have had timing chains not belts, so the article correctly should say Civic's only really require 1 thing, but if I owned an Si why would I take it on bumpy roads .
As far as this Cobalt comparison all I need to say is that it will suffer the same fate as Cavaliers/Sunfires a few years down the road. 2005 Civic Si 's are still in demand who wants a 2005 Cobalt? Show some longevity, create a dynasty like the Civic then we are talking apples to apples. A one show pony is never a good bet. Unless you leased it, then you can return it before things turn sour. Mazda Speed3 is definitely more comparable , with many good years of under its belt.

[Winterpeg]

The Cobalt does offer decent value (ie.more options) for the price and it might be a better "bang for your buck" and easy on the eyes BUT it has not earned the stellar built quality like the Civic has over the years.... their resale $$$ are still high while Cobalts are dropping like a lead zeppelin (my apolygies to the rock group).        

[Winterpeg]

And P.S.....

What is with those stupid, luggage robbing hockey stick trunk hinges? Is it that much to retool them for gas struts or does our winters here in the great white north still take a toll on their operation?
Fellow 'Pegger Michael Clark...Any answers?
Tanks     

[vdk]

The Cobalt does offer decent value (ie.more options) for the price and it might be a better "bang for your buck" and easy on the eyes BUT it has not earned the stellar built quality like the Civic has over the years.... their resale $$$ are still high while Cobalts are dropping like a lead zeppelin (my apolygies to the rock group).        

It might be so but every Si owner with a fart can will be disappointed if they decide to race a turbo SS.

[Vmango]

I went through this decision with my last car. Chose the Cobalt SS/SC (with Recaro sport package) over the Si.

I don't regret my decision at all.

If I was 25 again, I probably would have looked into the Cobalt when shopping for the WRX. The Cobalt is not a car I'd want to turn 30+ in.

[Zombie]

Driving a Cobalt SS is like dating a fat girl.
They are fun until someone sees you with her.   

Just kidding. I like both of these cars but for different reasons.

[Dragon75]

The Cobalt does offer decent value (ie.more options) for the price and it might be a better "bang for your buck" and easy on the eyes BUT it has not earned the stellar built quality like the Civic has over the years.... their resale $$$ are still high while Cobalts are dropping like a lead zeppelin (my apolygies to the rock group).        

It might be so but every Si owner with a fart can will be disappointed if they decide to race a turbo SS.

As I am sure a Turbo SS owner would be if they raced a Turbo Si. It's still one of the best stock naturally aspirated cars available reasonably close to the Godly Honda S2K. Any car can go fast in a straight line, it's in the curves that will Si dominate. MSRP's are even close, mind you Chev is currently giving them away $5,000 discount I guess sales are slow.

[Careener]

@Zombie

Rofl..good one. 

[Flinter]

The Cobalt does offer decent value (ie.more options) for the price and it might be a better "bang for your buck" and easy on the eyes BUT it has not earned the stellar built quality like the Civic has over the years.... their resale $$$ are still high while Cobalts are dropping like a lead zeppelin (my apolygies to the rock group).        

It might be so but every Si owner with a fart can will be disappointed if they decide to race a turbo SS.

As I am sure a Turbo SS owner would be if they raced a Turbo Si. It's still one of the best stock naturally aspirated cars available reasonably close to the Godly Honda S2K. Any car can go fast in a straight line, it's in the curves that will Si dominate. MSRP's are even close, mind you Chev is currently giving them away $5,000 discount I guess sales are slow.

I have not driven the Cobalt SS or the Latest Civic SI, but it certainly appears that the Cobalt SS is no slouch in handling department either.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q1/cobalt_ss_v_wrx_and_5_more_sport_compacts-comparison_tests/2709_chevrolet_cobalt_ss_page_6

Check out the chassis numbers as well: first place in skidpad (an impressive 0.92 g) and second place through the lane change. Whoever was in charge of setting up the Cobalt—we suspect GM’s performance pooh-bah John Heinricy had some input—got it dialed in perfectly. The Cobalt is fun to drive, but it’s also amazingly well composed, and not just for a Cobalt. The steering, brakes, transmission, and suspension are all contenders in this class.

[vdk]

The Cobalt does offer decent value (ie.more options) for the price and it might be a better "bang for your buck" and easy on the eyes BUT it has not earned the stellar built quality like the Civic has over the years.... their resale $$$ are still high while Cobalts are dropping like a lead zeppelin (my apolygies to the rock group).        

It might be so but every Si owner with a fart can will be disappointed if they decide to race a turbo SS.

As I am sure a Turbo SS owner would be if they raced a Turbo Si. It's still one of the best stock naturally aspirated cars available reasonably close to the Godly Honda S2K. Any car can go fast in a straight line, it's in the curves that will Si dominate. MSRP's are even close, mind you Chev is currently giving them away $5,000 discount I guess sales are slow.

I have not driven the Cobalt SS or the Latest Civic SI, but it certainly appears that the Cobalt SS is no slouch in handling department either.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q1/cobalt_ss_v_wrx_and_5_more_sport_compacts-comparison_tests/2709_chevrolet_cobalt_ss_page_6

Check out the chassis numbers as well: first place in skidpad (an impressive 0.92 g) and second place through the lane change. Whoever was in charge of setting up the Cobalt—we suspect GM’s performance pooh-bah John Heinricy had some input—got it dialed in perfectly. The Cobalt is fun to drive, but it’s also amazingly well composed, and not just for a Cobalt. The steering, brakes, transmission, and suspension are all contenders in this class.

Touche. That SS is the best handling FWD car on the market. The Si has nothing on it. Sorry.
Wasn't it faster than an EVO on C&D's lightning lap?

[Vmango]

That Cobalt was faster than a lot of cars. Some costing more than twice (or more) as much.

In terms of performance it's an incredible car. But.

The interior is crap (except the Recaro seats (05-07), it's a total boy-racer, and no one (except those who really know cars) respects it.

The quality of mine was fine, and the engine was bulletproof.

That said. I could drive an Si at 30 or 35 - not the SS.

[Erik]

That Cobalt was faster than a lot of cars. Some costing more than twice (or more) as much.

In terms of performance it's an incredible car. But.

The interior is crap (except the Recaro seats (05-07), it's a total boy-racer, and no one (except those who really know cars) respects it.

The quality of mine was fine, and the engine was bulletproof.

That said. I could drive an Si at 30 or 35 - not the SS.

You say all of that as if it were a bad thing.
Who respects a Civic Si outside of the Fast and Furious crew? Nothing says I am a punk more than driving a Civic.

And who cares what the rest of the world thinks, if YOU know you are driving one of the best handling, quickest cars for anywhere near the price.

As far as interior quality goes, I don't see why people knock it so much. Interior quality is certainly equal to anything I have seen in a Hyundai in the price range, for instance. No, it ain't an Audi A3, but it certainly isn't horrible.

[Jaeger]

The small, cheap car performance mantle that Honda dropped has certainly been picked up by the Cobalt SS. Best bang for the buck performance car you can buy.

Well, Government Motors got the cheap part done in spades, I'll give you that.  I'm not a huge fan of the Civic, but I'd take it over that POS anytime.  Absolute performance matters only on the track - and not being a complete moron, I don't street race.  So the chance of me "losing" to a Cobalt would be, essentially nil.  What matters most to me from a performance standpoint is simply this: is it fun to drive?  Zero to 60 counts less than smiles per mile.  The Civic SI is a seriously fun ride - though not in the same way, obviously, as a big-torque turbo motor.  But it communicates precision, athleticism and quality to the driver.  The Cobalt communicates big power and utter bargain-basement cheapness in every other non-performance respect.  And 5 years down the road, you could probably trade it in for a cheesburger.  No thanks.

Jaeger