Honda Civic Si

PerfectCreature

So, I have been long debating on a new vehicle. I have done some researching and have done some window shopping on cars and decided I really like the Honda Si. There are a few others that I had interest in, but due to insurance reasons, I have to pass.
I am looking for opinions from those who own an Si and how they like the car.
I plan to purchase after winter is over, so to get a couple more months out of my current car.
Looking for any opinions that could either turn me away from the car or turn me more towards and solidify my decision.
If all goes well, I should have enough for a down payment and a trade in by around March....less something happens that depletes my savings.
So, I am asking for your opinions and feelings about this car.

Please limit comments to those who have driven a Honda Civic Si.
Thanks.

dorokusai

I have a solid experience with Honda with 4 vehicles of various model years and couldn't have a more positive opinion overall. It's an excellent vehicle brand and series with a well deserved sporty reputation. The car is quick and the interior/exterior is easily the most modified import next to Subaru, which means if you choose to do a couple cool things....the world is your oyster. The VTEC engine is a staple for Honda and a very nice high revving, reliable motor. The interior is sensible, classic Honda but may be a bit plastic and rigid for some and it's not a long distance type car to me.

Resale value is almost always the biggest draw for ppl not 16 yrs old and they retain much of their value over the long term. That's a big deal but you're also in a bracket of other high target models from Toyota(Scion), Subaru, etc as an example.

There's nothing like having a vehicle with a warranty, with enough zip to make every day enjoyable. You can add things if you want, or don't but just having that option is pretty cool. I bought my new vehicle with the aftermarket in mind since it's just for fun. Do I have to? No, of course not but it's fun and weekend projects are just plain neat.

The only consistent problem I had with Honda/Acura is brake rotors, since every one I've owned has been prone to premature wear or warp. Perhaps I'm hard on vehicles but the reality is that a upgraded rotor pair is <200 and worth the upgrade anyways.

I believe you're making a good decision. I'm sure there are anti-Honda folks out there for some reason or another, EVERY manufacturer has them and EVERY manufacturer has issues of some sort, so good luck.

bigaudiofanatic

X2 on the experience, however I to was looking at the si but than found the nissan altima coupe. I love it!!!!

mole'

i have driven a few of them. nice lil car. has ok power, ok MPG. they hold their valve really well.

what are you looking for in a car?

zingo

Agreed. Resale value is good and they are solid and reliable cars with good power, but not a sports car.

devani

I don't know what year SI you are considering, but 2012+ 9th gen civic SI can be had for a good price since many people consider performance same as 8th gen model 2006-2011. interior not upto 8th gen either...co-worker owns 2012 EX sedan....

if you are set on 2012 SI, then I would consider 2013 model...there's going to be an update on the current model, and if you sat in one you would know between 8th gen and 9th gen civic...

I own 2009 Si sedan and it's my daily driver....it does well in snow and like it alot....insurance is a little higher than other cars because most of people driving civics are teenagers and 20's....

test drive both 8th gen and 9th gen and see which one you like better....

exalted512

Just FYI, the newer civics haven't been getting great reviews from consumer reports, but take that with a grain of salt.
-Cody

PerfectCreature

I am aware of that, and will be shying away from the 2012 Civic, unless I can see some better reviews. I spotted a 2010 one in a dealer lot, but I did not inspect it much since I cannot afford to buy at the moment. I am hoping that I will be able to find one like that after winter....
I am looking for a car that I can have immense fun with, a car that I can mod when I please and does have the aftermarket support I need for mods.
I also need one that is good on insurance and not heavy on the wallet.

I currently drive a Grand Am 2003.

tonyb

Another Honda fan here. Have owned many over the past 30 years. Have an 1998 Accord in the garage right now that has never needed a lick of repairs and never failed to start. The best part....it's been paid for along time ago. Have owned prelude si's in the past that were fun to drive too with never a lick of problems. Sold most my Honda's when they had 200,000 miles on them. You definately get your coin's worth out of these cars.

BlueFox

Get a Mazda3. Hondas are like Yugos comapred to it.

PerfectCreature

I was very interested in the Mazdaspeed 3, but the whole hatchback look really turn me off. I find most hatchbacks extremly ugly.
I have been looking and going back and forth on decisons for a few months now.
The Civic seems to have a HUGE support for aftermaket products, good reviews for saftey, decent insurance, the same gas milage rating as my Grand Am, and from what was said it handles nice in the snow, which I get ALOT of.

I am open to other suggestions of vehilces if anyone wants, but I would like reasons why I should look at that car over the others. Budget max is aroun the 20,000 mark.

Thanks.

shawn474

tonyb wrote: »

Another Honda fan here. Have owned many over the past 30 years. Have an 1998 Accord in the garage right now that has never needed a lick of repairs and never failed to start. The best part....it's been paid for along time ago. Have owned prelude si's in the past that were fun to drive too with never a lick of problems. Sold most my Honda's when they had 200,000 miles on them. You definately get your coin's worth out of these cars.

I have a 1998 Accord with 180,000 miles on it right now. Its my daily driver and has never left me stranded. I bought it from my grandfather 2 years ago and all he did was scheduled maintenance and tires, etc. Never one repair to it. I have owned two corollas as well and never had a problem with those and are in the same price range. If I was shopping for a daily driver, budet minded car, I would definitely look long and hard at the Civic. Consumer reports is something that I will nver rely on to make a purchase. Do your research (which it sound like you already have) and get what you want. My vote is civic.

Are you set on getting a new car or are you considering used as well? I am thinking of a 2007 or newer infiniti g35x right now and it is pretty surprising how cheap you can get them. Its a beautiful, sporty car with a lot to like IMHO.

PerfectCreature

Just a little information on my budget.
Well, as it is now.
Per Month:
Cell Phone $85
Car Insurance (Grand Am) $100
Netflix: $9
XM Radio $14
Gas $175 (Fill up tank every Friday)
Loan Payment $50 (For next 3 years or whenever I decide to pay remaining balance)
Food is normally $5-$10 per day depending on how much time I spend at home.
So, my rough budget as is now is:$~440-Static, and Anywhere from $100-$300 Dynamic for Food.
I normally take in a $1000 or so per month, depending on how much I work and am scheduled.
That leaved roughly a $200-$250 car payment that I can afford.

That leaves me comfortably at leasing, and a tight fit with financing. I have not gone much into detail on what my APR will be or what have you, but I am hoping that the Graduate Program that Honda has will still be available to me after winter is over, seeing how I will have a year left before I graduate, possibly less than that.

Danny Tse

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I am looking for a car that I can have immense fun with, a car that I can mod when I please and does have the aftermarket support I need for mods.

Why not a late model Subaru WRX (but not the STi)?

exalted512

unless your current car is needing repairs beyond the worth of the car, there's no way i'd be looking at buying a car making $12k/yr
-Cody

PerfectCreature

exalted512 wrote: »

unless your current car is needing repairs beyond the worth of the car, there's no way i'd be looking at buying a car making $12k/yr
-Cody

I am aware of this, I also have my wife who is a CNA and makes roughly $25k per year.
The total income is around 35-40k depending.
I was planning to take on as much of the bills in regarding to the car as I can since she just finished paying off her car which was a Pontiac Vibe. So, naturally its my turn.....
My vehicle was purchased for $4000 two years ago, and is suffering from rust and is beginning to tack on repairs due to age.
I just replaced the transmission in the vehicle last year, and it needs an alignment. I will have to replace the battery before winter, and it needs new o2 sensors as well, they are aging and not functioning as well as a new one would. That will have to be done before summer or sometime during winter. The cooling system has issues in high heat causing the car to overheat in some cases. The paint is fine though, and the interior is well kept. I have washed and waxed it every couple of months and keep a nice coat of armourall on the dash. I plan to private sell for $4000 or around there and get my money back. It has 93k miles on it, so I want to run it through winter and trade in (if no one buys) before I have to but summer tires and or replace more parts on the car.

shawn474

In that case, I would be definitely looking at the used market. With your budget, there is very little room for error if something unforeseen comes up. I would drive the grand am into the ground and then consider purchasing another car. Even with the occassional repair, it still wouldn't be as much as a monthly car payment unless it is something catastrophic, in which case you might have a little money saved up from not having to pay a monthly car payment. See where I am going with this? As much as it would be nice to own a newer car, from the things you list, I would still not consider trading the grand am to absorb a monthly car payment.

BlueFox

So, the phrase

So, I have been long debating on a new vehicle.

means a new vehicle to you, not a 'new' vehicle.

deronb1

BlueFox wrote: »

Get a Mazda3. Hondas are like Yugos comapred to it.

That is a ridiculous thing to say.

dorokusai

deronb1 wrote: »

That is a ridiculous thing to say.

Agreed but I think the emoticon is supposed to cover all legal and intellectual problems with said statement. It's the idiots way of punching you in the face but laughing, patting you on the back and saying, "Its all good bro...."

Oh...

deronb1

Gotcha. I find it hard to fathom that he REALLY believes that. Probably just more of a hard-on for Mazdas.

exalted512

shawn474 wrote: »

In that case, I would be definitely looking at the used market. With your budget, there is very little room for error if something unforeseen comes up. I would drive the grand am into the ground and then consider purchasing another car. Even with the occassional repair, it still wouldn't be as much as a monthly car payment unless it is something catastrophic, in which case you might have a little money saved up from not having to pay a monthly car payment. See where I am going with this? As much as it would be nice to own a newer car, from the things you list, I would still not consider trading the grand am to absorb a monthly car payment.

get out of here with your financially sound advice. This is America.
-Cody

deronb1

exalted512 wrote: »

get out of here with your financially sound advice. This is America.
-Cody

Ha! Too Funny. BTW, I use your tagline at the inner-city school where I work. Really gets under the kids skin! Love it!

dorokusai

Agreed Cody, that's just crazy talk and completely uncalled for.

mdaudioguy

PerfectCreature wrote: »

Just a little information on my budget.
Well, as it is now.
Per Month:
Cell Phone $85
Car Insurance (Grand Am) $100
Netflix: $9
XM Radio $14
Gas $175 (Fill up tank every Friday)
Loan Payment $50 (For next 3 years or whenever I decide to pay remaining balance)
Food is normally $5-$10 per day depending on how much time I spend at home.
So, my rough budget as is now is:$~440-Static, and Anywhere from $100-$300 Dynamic for Food.
I normally take in a $1000 or so per month, depending on how much I work and am scheduled.
That leaved roughly a $200-$250 car payment that I can afford.

That leaves me comfortably at leasing, and a tight fit with financing. I have not gone much into detail on what my APR will be or what have you, but I am hoping that the Graduate Program that Honda has will still be available to me after winter is over, seeing how I will have a year left before I graduate, possibly less than that.

Uh, I don't see a line in that budget for sunscreen, young man. :redface:

shawn474

exalted512 wrote: »

get out of here with your financially sound advice. This is America.
-Cody

Sorry; i make a habit of being unreasonable!!!! :-)

BlueFox

Gas $175 (Fill up tank every Friday)

Wow. I just saw the $175 dollar a week for gas. I spend $20 a week and it bothers me. A car with better gas mileage will help with the car payment. Get the gas down to $100/week, and you have $300 extra a month.

PerfectCreature

BlueFox wrote: »

Wow. I just saw the $175 dollar a week for gas. I spend $20 a week and it bothers me. A car with better gas mileage will help with the car payment. Get the gas down to $100/week, and you have $300 extra a month.

I meant that per month. Sorry, It is around $40-50 per week. Depending on how much running around I have to do.

PerfectCreature

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Uh, I don't see a line in that budget for sunscreen, young man. :redface:

Sunscreen? Nah, I don't get enough summer for a need of sunscreen.

mdaudioguy

PerfectCreature wrote: »

Sunscreen? Nah, I don't get enough summer for a need of sunscreen.

Learned your lesson? http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?103827-Got-Burned!

PerfectCreature

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Learned your lesson? http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?103827-Got-Burned!

Yeah, I have SPF 9000.
Goes on like grease.