I think the thing to keep in mind is the "standard" setting in the Si should be sportier than the base Civic. It's got a completely different suspension so the base mode should be noticeably sportier.
I would leave it in sport mode even if I'm running errands!...or at least make it remember the last setting, instead of defaulting to non-sport. Maybe Honda did some good research that supports that decision, but I really think the vast majority of people buying the Si will use that mode as their daily default. Regardless though, remembering the last setting would have been a really easy and good solution for this issue... Oh well.
Maybe that'll be an easy-enough tweak, or even something buried somewhere in the "hidden"/system settings...
Yeah it's a minor gripe and likely something I'll get used to quickly enough, but man it's just really annoying. Plus I'm afraid that button will eventually wear out, since it's probably not designed to be pressed as frequently as some others like 'Start', etc. (?)
Honda should have asked us first.
Yeah that's definitely a big unknown - how stiff these modes are, both in relation to one another and to, say, a Sport Hatch...
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This is straight from the Honda press release. Combination of stiffer springs and bars alone will make it feel more sporty. Adding the solid bushings should make another difference as well.
Things like original sportiness and how much sportier does the sport button make.... are my "feel" questions for the test drive.
I've never owned a turbocharged vehicle. I did drive an old, worn-out Chrysler Conquest years ago that had a 2.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder that had absolutely awful turbo lag. I swear it took a good 2-3 seconds before the engine made any amount of power. Worse, it did so unpredictably (likely because the car had problems) - I never knew when it was going to take off. That experience alone turned me off of turbochargers. I'm sure they've come a long ways since then.
I remember test driving a new, early-90s Buick Skylark Gran Sport that had adjustable suspension with "soft" and "firm" settings. The soft setting felt like the wheels were made of toasted marshmallows just before they start to melt - typical of a Buick. The firm setting resulted in a teeth-shattering ride sure enough, but there was no improvement in handling - if anything, it made handling worse.
On the BMW it's not so much turbo Lag that's the issue. The throttle response isn't super crisp unless you go into sport mode. Like when you hit the gas pedal, there's maybe a quarter second delay before the throttle responds. If you go to sport mode the response is instant. I hope that's not something that you need to be in sport mode for on the Si.I've never owned a turbocharged vehicle. I did drive an old, worn-out Chrysler Conquest years ago that had a 2.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder that had absolutely awful turbo lag. I swear it took a good 2-3 seconds before the engine made any amount of power. Worse, it did so unpredictably (likely because the car had problems) - I never knew when it was going to take off. That experience alone turned me off of turbochargers. I'm sure they've come a long ways since then.
My experience with the GTI suggests many will keep the mode off unless the environment call for it. The tighter steering can get a bit annoying on the hwy. Every little twinge from the wheel telegraphs to unwanted weaving in the lane.
These are very interesting points because I can see how annoying a bad throttle response would be for me, too. At the same time, long highway driving should not be uncomfortable in a vehicle like the Si. My curiosity is piquing to find out to what degree Honda has decided to set default on such things.My experience with the GTI suggests many will keep the mode off unless the environment call for it. The tighter steering can get a bit annoying on the hwy. Every little twinge from the wheel telegraphs to unwanted weaving in the lane.
From the fact guide:
I want to feel it with my own hands, arms, and feet! I'm hoping my dealer will let me go on a longer test drive to try both modes enough and feel the differences while driving. 5 minutes on each mode ain't a test drive! By the time you get out of traffic enough to test it, your 5 minutes is over.From the fact guide:
When Civic Si drivers push the SPORT button, three systems respond to take the performance experience to a higher, more exhilarating level.
- All four adaptive dampers make the ride firmer, reducing body roll and allowing greater cornering precision.
- The electric power steering system (EPS) becomes firmer as well, rewarding the driver with greater feedback
- The Drive-by-Wire throttle system mapping software trades smoothness for a more direct link between throttle application and induction-system responsiveness.
Not sure exactly how that's going to translate to the experience on the road, that'll be something found out in the test drive
