Considering buying a Civic Si

Currently have a Mazda3, and it doesn't really do anything particularly well. It's not that refined, not that fast, handles just OK for a FWD car, and if getting the 18" wheels with the summer tires doesn't make things better, I'm going to trade it in. Now, living in Los Angeles I need a car. My options are:

1. GTI. This does everything very well. Not the best at anything (except interior refinement) but doesn't fall behind anyone that far.
2. Civic Si. Probably the best handling FWD car. The 1.5L turbo probably turns off the VTEC purist crowd, but it's probably a better option for daily-ability. LSD, sharp handling, and good MPG to boot. This is a better choice than the GTI if I can stomach its looks and road noise
3. Elantra Sport. A compromise, but not as much as the Mazda3. If the Mazda3 was much faster, I'd have probably held onto it, and the Elantra Sport seems to be a faster Mazda3 while giving up some of the handling chops.
4. Toyobaru 86/BRZ. The sole RWD contender. Probably the most fun, but the most uncomfortable out of the bunch.

Does anyone have extended experience with Civic Si and any of the other cars I'm considering?


Thanks

I don't have any experience with any of the other choices, although, some bad experiences with a couple different VWs tells me I'd never buy another one. Period. But that's just me. I had a '15 Si with the VTEC...and now a '17. Thought I'd miss the VTEC...but I don't. Mileage is awesome, handling is great (I'm too old to be a 'racer' and have more sense these days). I saw a BRZ the other day for the first time - nice looking, but I don't think the mpg is very good on those.

It all depends on what you're looking for. I think at the price point, the Si is about the best bang-for-the-buck as you'll find.

Just my 2 cents.

I have a 17 si and a 17 wrx and both are great cars that I would recommend (completely different cars but still pretty comparable). Granted both my cars are tuned (just a tuner running basemaps) but they really are alot of car for the money. I bet you'd probably be completely happy in a tuned si though. It really is a blast when tuned. If you intend to keep it stock you might be better off with the GTI though u wouldn't keep it past the warranty period.

Disclaimer: I haven't owned them all but I have driven recent versions of all of them. I am also a bit biased.

I like the GTI but I'll straight up say the 10th gen Si is better than the current GTI in nearly every category- better looking, higher quality interior, Honda reliability, superb fuel economy, and a more sporty driving feel. Road noise is very average, not anywhere near a noise level where I would consider it something to be concerned with.

Elantra Sport is just no.

Toyota 86 is outstanding as an economical sports car. The only problem is it is really, really small- makes it being your only car a bit difficult to live with. It is a great 2nd car for weekends.

Si with a Ktuner basemap will smoke them all performance wise.

thatonedaveguy said:

Si with a Ktuner basemap will smoke them all performance wise.

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I don't think this is overstated at all. The SI is a good car. Once you tune it though it really becomes a great car. OP: try to find someone with a tuned 10th SI that will let you drive it ( or ride along). If you don't mind modding it then the SI is the clear choice in my mind (though I have no experience with a GTI).

squelchy451 said:

Currently have a Mazda3, and it doesn't really do anything particularly well. It's not that refined, not that fast, handles just OK for a FWD car, and if getting the 18" wheels with the summer tires doesn't make things better, I'm going to trade it in. Now, living in Los Angeles I need a car. My options are:

1. GTI. This does everything very well. Not the best at anything (except interior refinement) but doesn't fall behind anyone that far.
2. Civic Si. Probably the best handling FWD car. The 1.5L turbo probably turns off the VTEC purist crowd, but it's probably a better option for daily-ability. LSD, sharp handling, and good MPG to boot. This is a better choice than the GTI if I can stomach its looks and road noise
3. Elantra Sport. A compromise, but not as much as the Mazda3. If the Mazda3 was much faster, I'd have probably held onto it, and the Elantra Sport seems to be a faster Mazda3 while giving up some of the handling chops.
4. Toyobaru 86/BRZ. The sole RWD contender. Probably the most fun, but the most uncomfortable out of the bunch.

Does anyone have extended experience with Civic Si and any of the other cars I'm considering?


Thanks

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Extended experience? No, but I did drive dozens of vehicles including a Golf GTI, Golf R, Civic Type R, and Toyota 86 around a racetrack at a media event a couple of months ago during which time I owned a Civic Si.

I'll give a positive and negative first impression of each:

Golf GTI and Golf R
+ Refined, quiet interiors
- Historic reliability

Civic Type R
+ Handling
- Not a good daily driver

Toyota 86
+ Rear wheel drive dynamics
- Needs more power

Civic Si
+ Best value
- Get the summer tires

Mazda3
+ Good rental car
- Good rental car

Elantra Sport
- It's a Hyundai

My biggest contenders were the gti and sub/toy twins. Gti fell out right away when the VW dealers turned me off starting negotiations. You have to get the se model to get the same features as an Si and I’m just not paying that much for that car. And quite frankly, even though I’m 40 and saying this, the gti just has always struck me as a little “dorky”.

Fell in love w the toy 86 at the auto show. But the insurance was a bit more, and again, several thousand more for same features as Si, and didn’t like the gas mileage.

In the end, I wanted something in 2 door and fun to drive. The si coupe fits that perfect w outstanding gas mileage. I average 38 a gallon doing a mostly city commute. The handling is crazy which is what I love more than power. It still amazes me what Honda has done w the car and at 23k give or take, I just don’t think anything can compete with it.

Just bought my daughter a 2018 Elantra, not the sport model, and it’s a nice car, just not for me.

Lastly, this is my 3rd Si and likely there will be a 4th pending what the next gen turns out to be. I think you’ll find quite a few of us that have owned several Si’s. There’s a reason for that. But I thinks it’s a you love it Or don’t car for people.

Can’t go wrong with a GTI or an SI (just got my SI 3 days ago) I also have a 13 Golf R so if you’re thinking GTI it would be a fun car too. Goodluck

I test drove the Subaru/Toyota BRZ/86, I thought it was terrible, uncomfortable, road noise, etc. I wrote that car off immediately. Also checked out the 370Z it’s nice but not too comfortable, very small and kind of dated. Hyundai Excel I liked the look, all the electronics but the car rides rough and lot of rode noise. I test drove the Subaru WRX and the WRX STI, I liked them but for winter driving they suk, you need snow tires, no good. Plus the STI is about $40K. Nice cars if you live in a no snow and no ice area. I would never own a VW theyre expensive to fix, I keep my cars for awhile. Then I test drove the Civic SI, and that was it. It rides the smoothest out of all the cars I test drove, also the quietest, I like the look of the Coupe, it has a turbo so it’s quick, i’m getting 50MPG on long trips and 35 combined, plus Honda reliability and resale value, it was a no brainer.

I just bought a 2017 Civic Si(Salvage Title) that just fell in my lap. I had nothing but Honda's from 1989-2001/Acura 2001-2005 and drove the Scion xB1 from 2005-2018. I swore I would never go back to Honda after having nothing but bad luck with my 2000 SI..however, I must say this 10th Gen Civic Si is an incredible car. Honda did all the important things perfect with this car, with the exception of the Infotainment but I've never had a car where I was satisfied with stock stereos/speakers. However, this stock infotainment is good enough for now..some people swear if you just add a small amp(clarion/alpine) for around $200 the speakers and sub sound much, much better.
I've had this Si for about a month..it's a huge car compared to previous Civics, almost Accord sized and hard to call it a compact.
Driving dynamics: A+
Interior quality and ergonomics: A
Tire noise: B or B+
Fuel economy: B City, A+ Highway
Exterior Style/looks: A+
Front seats: A+++
Infotainment/Speakers: C+
My advice to anyone considering a Civic Si: The Si is a very sporty, stylish, and almost classy performance car at a value price under 25k. Unless you absolutely have to have a Civic hatchback this is the Civic to buy.

I drove:

1. WRX STi: Handled great, gobs of power, comfortable, roomy. Ended up not getting it because by the time it was configured to my liking (if I'm spending that much money, it's going to be exactly the way I want it), it was north of $40,000. Became more than I wanted to spend, so I passed. I hated to, because I've been lusting after this car for a long time.
2. BR-Z: Loved the styling, plenty of room, comfortable. It had a paltry amount of torque, which meant lackluster acceleration. If it annoyed me on a test drive, how would I feel about it in 6 months? A year? So I passed on it as well. And the only reason why I didn't drive the Toyota 86 (formerly known as the Scion FR-S), even though it had more power, was because it was lacking the creature comforts I wasn't willing to compromise on.
3. Civic Si: Drove both the coupe and the sedan. Liked the styling and handling of the coupe better than the sedan. Was amazed at the power output of that tiny 1.5L engine. Realizing I was going to get a power moonroof, heated seats, a kickass stereo system, and a powerful car for less than $25,000, I did the deal. I canceled my appointment to drive a Golf GTI.

As a long time Mazda lover (currently driving a 2016 Miata and recently had a 2014 Mazda6) and a driver of a 2017 Si, you cannot go wrong with the Honda. It isn't perfect but for the price you cannot find a better handling FWD car. The torquey little turbo motor is imminently entertaining and gets unbelievable gas mileage to boot. I was within handing my keys to the dealer for a 2017 GTI SE but we couldn't make the numbers work. I honestly feel the GTI is faster and more refined and would have been more than happy had the deal worked out. I highly recommend you drive them all and see what you like and how the numbers work out. Then make a decision. Lastly, I do not envy you having to drive any car in LA traffic

krees said:

I have a 17 si and a 17 wrx and both are great cars that I would recommend (completely different cars but still pretty comparable). Granted both my cars are tuned (just a tuner running basemaps) but they really are alot of car for the money. I bet you'd probably be completely happy in a tuned si though. It really is a blast when tuned. If you intend to keep it stock you might be better off with the GTI though u wouldn't keep it past the warranty period.

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This. I really liked the GTI when I was shopping cars, but I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on a VW. I had harbored some regret about that. I recently went and tested a manual Golf R and I left thinking that I'd rather have my lightly modified Si. And that's even before considering that the VW costs half again (and then some) more than a Civic. As a DD you just can't touch a lightly modded Si in terms of price, performance, economy, and versatility (yeah, it's not a hatch, but the trunk is big and so are the back seats). And I'm not even running any kind of an aggressive tune, basically a stage 0 just getting rid of rev hang and having some better throttle response.

I have an '04 SI I bought brand new. 228K miles later it still runs strong and never left me stranded. The only things that went bad was the CAT and O2 sensors and a window regulator recently. It was so good to me, I just bought an '18 SI to replace it. They are fun cars for daily.

I test drove a 17' WRX (Non-STi) and the Hatch Sport before buying my Si sedan. I would buy my car again.

I don't really know how to describe it, the Si 'felt' better vs. the WRX.