2010 or 2011 Civic SI

[markrutherford]

So I plain on buying a new car and have the cb as an extra car/project. And i have been looking at the civic si coupes and kinda like them. Im looking for what people think about them and stories about them bad and good. Much help would be nice

[Nurega]

Definitely drive one before buying; the steering feel is very poor. It has electric power assist, which seriously dilutes road feel.

[markrutherford]

Definitely drive one before buying; the steering feel is very poor. It has electric power assist, which seriously dilutes road feel.

Isnt that good. That it feels like your just driving smooth!

[owequitit]

The EPS problem is overhyped.

They are a little bit lacking in feel, but that isn't different than most racks of any kind on pretty much every modern car I have driven. People want isolation, and then complain about feedback. Go figure. That said, the SI has VERY direct, quick and responsive steering. It is easy to place and control the car, even if direct feedback is not the best, you will have no trouble interpreting what is going on. Honestly, my biggest complaint about the SI's steering is that the small rim diameter is a little fatiguing on long trips. The wheel rim really needs to be larger. But the bumps at 10 and 2 o'clock help that a lot.

The chassis are very responsive, and the 6MT is about the most responsive and direct you can find. There was a previous issue with a 3rd gear syncro problem, but it doesn't seem to be much of an issue on the new ones. I have not had any problems. The gearbox is occasionally a bit grumpy when it is cold, but that might be Honda's newer manual tranny fluid. I have not changed mine to find out.

Overall, the chassis is really stiff and well sorted and factory handling is VERY good. Put a Progress rear sway bar on it, and it is even better. The ride is firm, but not harsh, and I don't find too many issues with it on the highway. It tracks straight and true, and handles the bumps pretty well for such a sporty car. Of course, I don't like soft rides, so I may differ in this area.

I find the power to be plentiful, and even on hot summer days at 5,000-6000 feet altitude, I manage to cruise around in 6th gear at about 1500-2000RPM with little to no trouble at all. I have seen as high as 33MPG city from my Si, although I typically average about 30-31 in the warmer months and 29-30 in the summer due to increased warm up time.

Overall, my complaints are very few. There were a couple of issues when I got the car new, all of which had existing TSB's and were handled by the dealer with no issues.

First was a steering box "clunk" that was caused by improper torquing of the rack bolts. They retorqued the bolts and I haven't heard a peep since.

The second was a window rattle issue caused by loose weather stripping which was also cured in about 2 hours with the previous service bulletin.

Both are probably taken care of on the newer models.

As for complaints, I have very few.

First, the road noise is pretty loud on broken pavement and certain textures.

Second, the seats are hard to clean.

Third, the rev hang is a bit annoying, but is becoming more common on new cars for emmissions reasons.

Finally, the engine bay is pretty tight if you need to do something, and the oil filter is a bit of a PITA to get to.

But other than that, I really don't have many.

They are cheap to run, seem to be pretty cheap to insure, and additional HP is always easy to get out of them. Overall, I LOVE my sedan and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

[Nurega]

Isnt that good. That it feels like your just driving smooth!

owequitit drives the car on a daily basis, so you should definitely go with his advice over mine. I've only driven one for a total of 30 miles.

I'm the type who likes steering feedback (ever driven an older BMW? Simply orgasmic steering.). If you find steering feel to be annoying, then you'll like the Si steering just fine.

[deevergote]

The advice of driving it yourself and making your decision based on your own wants is the best advice that anyone can give.

They are good cars. Safe, reliable, efficient. The engines respond well to mods, and the aftermarket is strong. The suspension setup is decent, and they handle well.

[markrutherford]

Okay thanks guys! Well im most likey gonna get a 09 or 10 once i go to a dealer early next year. Does anybody know the diffence between the two years?

[h22sparkle]

Hmm whats within your spending budget? I hope its not 20 plus because for that amount you can get something more faster with a bit more control stability. What exactly is your driving style spirited or just commuter or both?

[owequitit]

Okay thanks guys! Well im most likey gonna get a 09 or 10 once i go to a dealer early next year. Does anybody know the diffence between the two years?

Personally, I would go with an 09 if you can find one in good shape. It will be a bit cheaper (although not much, as mine still books for less than $500 below what I paid for it).

The differences are really minor. The 09 had a silver painted i-VTEC cover, and the '10's is black. The only other main difference I can think of off the top of my head is that they got rid of the center console courtesy LED for 2010. It is a little amber LED up in the map lights that lights the shifter and cup holders. But it is red, so the overall effect is probably not that big of a deal. Other than that, they are identical as far as I know.

Also, I would try to stick with 09 or newer as the TSB list is MUCH shorter (as to be expected), but the stanard USB interface is really fantastic to have. You can add them to the older ones, but it is like $300 including installation.

[owequitit]

owequitit drives the car on a daily basis, so you should definitely go with his advice over mine. I've only driven one for a total of 30 miles.

I'm the type who likes steering feedback (ever driven an older BMW? Simply orgasmic steering.). If you find steering feel to be annoying, then you'll like the Si steering just fine.

I like steering feel, and I have driven many cars with good steering feel. That is how I know the problem is overhyped, because rack tells you everything you need to know, it just does it through other means. Besides, those old BMW's (and old Hondas, or just about any other car lauded for steering feel) doesn't provide the refinement and isolation people seem to demand in newer cars. Unfortunately, for every yin, there is a yang.

[markrutherford]

Hmm whats within your spending budget? I hope its not 20 plus because for that amount you can get something more faster with a bit more control stability. What exactly is your driving style spirited or just commuter or both?

Well i plain on spending 20k on a nice car. I see 09 SIs for about 18-20k in mint shape with under 9k miles on them. But what else is out there thats good? I want something that will last me and wont give up when i hit it and such. And i like to do both kinds of driving

[h22sparkle]

Well i plain on spending 20k on a nice car. I see 09 SIs for about 18-20k in mint shape with under 9k miles on them. But what else is out there thats good? I want something that will last me and wont give up when i hit it and such. And i like to do both kinds of driving

Buy an evo or sti or srt4 or cobalt ss. They are affordable and wont break the bank. If your growing out of that phase and your getting out of it buy a BMW or lexus. Not for nothing I think later one prolly when im in my 30's perhaps move onto the lexus ISF.

Of course it will be more srt4 or cobalt ss if you want the money left over to get soemthign else later on down the line. The srt4 is loud but can be made quiet and handles well. The cobalt ss or turbo its your choice costs around the same is still front wheel drive plenty of potential,bolt-on essential bang for the buck.

Still holds the same platform and is excellent on gas mileage even when you have your foot on it most of the time. The cobalt you wont have to worry about cops or theft same shit with the srt. The evo or sti good for the driving money not a problem to repair just got to be smart about it and shop around.

Works great in the snow and rain so-called great re-sale value doesnt matter now its a recession why sell now lol. The civic is good dont get me wrong but I want more for my money.

The srt and cobalt have the same platform as a honda and lasts just as long and doesnt attract too much attention as a civic would especially when visually upgraded. The comment for last is every car has its moments as long as you take care of it when the problem arises it wont be a problem. Take care of the car and the car will take care of you. If you mod it do it properly without fail.

[owequitit]

Buy an evo or sti or srt4 or cobalt ss. They are affordable and wont break the bank. If your growing out of that phase and your getting out of it buy a BMW or lexus. Not for nothing I think later one prolly when im in my 30's perhaps move onto the lexus ISF.

Of course it will be more srt4 or cobalt ss if you want the money left over to get soemthign else later on down the line. The srt4 is loud but can be made quiet and handles well. The cobalt ss or turbo its your choice costs around the same is still front wheel drive plenty of potential,bolt-on essential bang for the buck.

Still holds the same platform and is excellent on gas mileage even when you have your foot on it most of the time. The cobalt you wont have to worry about cops or theft same shit with the srt. The evo or sti good for the driving money not a problem to repair just got to be smart about it and shop around.

Works great in the snow and rain so-called great re-sale value doesnt matter now its a recession why sell now lol. The civic is good dont get me wrong but I want more for my money.

The srt and cobalt have the same platform as a honda and lasts just as long and doesnt attract too much attention as a civic would especially when visually upgraded. The comment for last is every car has its moments as long as you take care of it when the problem arises it wont be a problem. Take care of the car and the car will take care of you. If you mod it do it properly without fail.

I was waiting for this and sorry, but neither the Cobalt or the SRT-4 are nicer to own and drive than the Si. A little bit faster, maybe, but they are WAY more boy racerish (ESPECIALLY in the SRT form), and nowhere near as reliable. Yeah, yeah, your SRT-4 was the shit and was the fastest car ever made, blah, blah, blah. They aren't going to run as long, or as well. Period. The EVO drivetrains don't like regular abuse, and have problems if they receive it. That is also a well documented fact. Not saying he should necessarily get an Si, but I would refrain from holding either of those up as shining examples of a superior automobile. They aren't that fast in the grand scheme, and they aren't that reliable.

Have you seen the interior of a Cobalt? Talk about junk. They don't even come with a center armrest in the coupes. And for the price? I don't care if it will accelerate fast enough to hit Earth orbit. It isn't worth it.

If he wants a BMW, that is OK, just make sure the damn thing is under warranty. Lexus has 1 sporty car, and I would rather take my chances with an M3.

P.S. there are a lot of advantages to going with a new (newer) car than a used one. Especially a "sporty" model.

[h22sparkle]

I was waiting for this and sorry, but neither the Cobalt or the SRT-4 are nicer to own and drive than the Si. A little bit faster, maybe, but they are WAY more boy racerish (ESPECIALLY in the SRT form), and nowhere near as reliable. Yeah, yeah, your SRT-4 was the shit and was the fastest car ever made, blah, blah, blah. They aren't going to run as long, or as well. Period. The EVO drivetrains don't like regular abuse, and have problems if they receive it. That is also a well documented fact. Not saying he should necessarily get an Si, but I would refrain from holding either of those up as shining examples of a superior automobile. They aren't that fast in the grand scheme, and they aren't that reliable.

Have you seen the interior of a Cobalt? Talk about junk. They don't even come with a center armrest in the coupes. And for the price? I don't care if it will accelerate fast enough to hit Earth orbit. It isn't worth it.

If he wants a BMW, that is OK, just make sure the damn thing is under warranty. Lexus has 1 sporty car, and I would rather take my chances with an M3.

P.S. there are a lot of advantages to going with a new (newer) car than a used one. Especially a "sporty" model.

Okay this has nothing to do with my car or the comments I speak through my experience. You can talk all that shit you want ...who cares.

[h22sparkle]

Well i plain on spending 20k on a nice car. I see 09 SIs for about 18-20k in mint shape with under 9k miles on them. But what else is out there thats good? I want something that will last me and wont give up when i hit it and such. And i like to do both kinds of driving

When you beat on a car its going to overtime have its wear and tear use. The main reason why not alot of underpowered cars break down is because just that not enough power and lack of torque. It has nothing really to do with reliability,just how the other person drives it. When you drive a sports-car its going to undergo abuse no matter what you do to it. That goes for every car point blank. You should really give a look at the cobalt ss the 2008 model. It's around the same price it moves out pretty well without modding the drivetrain and suspension. The 2007 and down model handles well but without the use of the 2008 upgraded eibach suspension it even has launch control at the track.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FJd733C7kU. The Si is a racerboys car its been known fact and it was mostly hype sorry man its the truth. I rather be different out of the norm. If you see the civics out there with the sticks on it. The tow-hooks in the front or the back? the jdm stickers,the exhaust notes. Not racer boyish??? you say everytime im driving they seem to want to race and they lose time and time again but hey that's besides the point.

I grew out of that era and quite frankly ...have no time for it. Markrutherford overtime you will want something different. Im sure you dont want to keep that car stock and sooner or later you dont want to get harrassed or find something stolen off of your car just because its a honda or have to rock a wheel lock on your wheel just for that reason. Now you have to ask yourself do you really want to go through that kind of a headache all the time? the srt is not different either or the cobalt or the evo or the sti. These are the for now cars it's only for the meantime. I personally love the lexus ISF. The BMW has its fair share of headaches too and so does every car, re-calls,driver error,engineered faults etc.