squelchy451
Member
- First Name
- Tim
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2017
- Threads
- 12
- Messages
- 42
- Reaction score
- 23
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Vehicle(s)
- 2014 VW GTI (RIP)
- Thread starter
- #1
Had a coupon to use with Turo, so got myself a silver Civic Si coupe for the weekend. I was always curious how these things would be, as the GTI was a known variable, BRZ, while sublime, trades a lot of comfort for that last bit of responsiveness and lacks in torque that makes for a breezy daily driver.
Most of the complaints levied against the new Si seemed to be that it wasn't exciting enough, and with how lengthy my commute has become, I personally didn't feel like that would be such a big negative for me personally.
So after 72 hours, how did I feel? It's not perfect, think there's potential with a few mods.
Likes:
1. The engine is competent. If you're looking for VTEC, tons of power, exemplary NVH isolation, or an exciting soundtrack you'll be disappointed, but for an A-to-B machine with a bit of pep, it's not bad
2. Steering was really nice. I think it's 80% there compared to a BRZ and a little better than a GTI.
3. Phenomenal MPG.
Dislikes:
1. Rev hang. I had to really take my time upshifting because of how slowly the revs fell. I don't think I'll go and get an aftermarket clutch if I do get a Si, but a mild tune with rev hang disable would definitely be in the works.
2. Sport mode suspension. I think even the comfort mode was a little too harsh for my liking. I would look into a suspension mode defeat, so that the Sport button only changes the throttle and steering settings. The Comfort mode isn't jarring but I wouldn't want it to be much stiffer than it already is, and I really like the steering settings in the Sport mode.
3. A bit of ergonomics. Seats, when set low, mean my forearm gets in the way of shifting. I think there are 30 or so (!) pumps from bottom to top, and I can't go below 10. Even at that height, i don't feel like I'm sitting in a minivan or a CUV, so not a major complaint. If I were taller, it probably wouldn't be an issue. The seat back doesn't adjust in small enough increments to really get comfortable. I'm either bolt upright or sitting in a La-z-boy.
4. Sound deadening leaves a little to be desired. My top complaints with my previous 2016 Mazda 3 was that it felt unstable on highway and lacked sound deadening.
The Si is much nicer to drive on the highway and the sound deadening can be taken care of easily. It includes sliding sun visors and a trunk release button which the Mazda did not have.
It's a very well made car and it does a lot of things well. For a manual die hard it's difficult to find a car I really like but this hasn't let me down massively as had certain cars.
Most of the complaints levied against the new Si seemed to be that it wasn't exciting enough, and with how lengthy my commute has become, I personally didn't feel like that would be such a big negative for me personally.
So after 72 hours, how did I feel? It's not perfect, think there's potential with a few mods.
Likes:
1. The engine is competent. If you're looking for VTEC, tons of power, exemplary NVH isolation, or an exciting soundtrack you'll be disappointed, but for an A-to-B machine with a bit of pep, it's not bad
2. Steering was really nice. I think it's 80% there compared to a BRZ and a little better than a GTI.
3. Phenomenal MPG.
Dislikes:
1. Rev hang. I had to really take my time upshifting because of how slowly the revs fell. I don't think I'll go and get an aftermarket clutch if I do get a Si, but a mild tune with rev hang disable would definitely be in the works.
2. Sport mode suspension. I think even the comfort mode was a little too harsh for my liking. I would look into a suspension mode defeat, so that the Sport button only changes the throttle and steering settings. The Comfort mode isn't jarring but I wouldn't want it to be much stiffer than it already is, and I really like the steering settings in the Sport mode.
3. A bit of ergonomics. Seats, when set low, mean my forearm gets in the way of shifting. I think there are 30 or so (!) pumps from bottom to top, and I can't go below 10. Even at that height, i don't feel like I'm sitting in a minivan or a CUV, so not a major complaint. If I were taller, it probably wouldn't be an issue. The seat back doesn't adjust in small enough increments to really get comfortable. I'm either bolt upright or sitting in a La-z-boy.
4. Sound deadening leaves a little to be desired. My top complaints with my previous 2016 Mazda 3 was that it felt unstable on highway and lacked sound deadening.
The Si is much nicer to drive on the highway and the sound deadening can be taken care of easily. It includes sliding sun visors and a trunk release button which the Mazda did not have.
It's a very well made car and it does a lot of things well. For a manual die hard it's difficult to find a car I really like but this hasn't let me down massively as had certain cars.
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