CTC Review: 2008 Honda Civic Si Sedan

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2008 Honda Civic Si Sedan


Day 1:

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After a short hiatus of sorts I am back with another car. This time, something a little sporty in nature yet still reasonable on the pocket book:  the much debated and perhaps anticipated 2008 Honda Civic Si Sedan. Originally, rumours had this car as only being available in the U.S., but Honda has decided to bring it to Canada.More ...

[Mitlov]

The chassis is, by all accounts, fantastic.  And the car is so shockingly ugly inside and out that you might be distracted from the total lack of torque.

[Loudpedal]

I'm glad Honda decided to bring the Si sedan to Canada.  Question though wing, is that rear wing standard? 

[Demosthenes X]

Bitchin'!  Torqueless is might be, Mitlov, but that engine makes for a ridiculously entertaining drive nonetheless.  8000 rpm redline is nuts, and you do feel a major surge of power at around 6000 when VTEC kicks in.

Buy-bye CXS-S...

[prufrock]

I wonder if the Mugen version will be available in Canada or the US only.

[JSCC]

The CSX-S died the first day it was launched.

Make the Navi optional, and set the MSRP below $30,000.

[carcrazy]

Great car, but ugly looking IMO. I cannot stand the front end and the dashboard.

[Zombie]

I wonder if the Mugen version will be available in Canada or the US only.

The Mugen version is 30K in the US what the hell would they charge us here 37K that might be a tough sell.

[Zombie]

I'm glad Honda decided to bring the Si sedan to Canada.  Question though wing, is that rear wing standard? 

Yup

[Leviathan]

Don't care for the looks or the dash. The coupe looks pretty good though.

197hp @7800 rpm, 139 lb-ft @ 6100 rpm. With that little torque at so high rpms how does it compare to your Mazda3 for daily stop 'n go driving?

[JT816]

My friend's friend has this car (in the US) and let me tell you, he doesn't like it. NOT very commuter friendly, especially if you have rougher roads. The ride is unforgiving. The crazy bump ride actually caused a speaker to malfunction already and it's only been 1.5 months.

Personally, I think Honda/Acura has screwed themselves over the past few years with overpricing their vehicles and the attractiveness of being on par or slightly cheaper than their competition is no more. TSX and TL are both no longer bargains considering their swift price increases the last 2-3 years. CSX is ridiculously priced since getting one with leather is more or less the same price as an 4cylinder Accord/Altima/Camry with leather. CSX-S is way worst and now this SI sedan.  

[Zombie]

The chassis is, by all accounts, fantastic.  And the car is so shockingly ugly inside and out that you might be distracted from the total lack of torque.

The point of the engine is that you have to wind it up to get to the power band. If you don't like revving the engine and changing the gears then this isn't the car for you. I have a the 2000 civic sir and I have driven the RSX type-s and you done really notice the lack of torque once your past 3000 RPM in first gear because it is all butter after that. Plus the sound of the engine when the vtec kicks in is nice also.

listen to it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0XuDIXx_5A

[garytam]

Mitlov & Leviathan:
If you want torque, get a v8 Mustang. If you want 4 Door and torque, get a 300C.
Si is about HIGH REVVING FUN & 6-SPEED SHORT THROW Manual trans!!!!!

If you do not understand the fun behind the VTEC HIGH REVVING fun, you should go to a Honda dealership and try the following:
1.First gear REV Up to 5000 rpm, launch.
2. Hit 8000rpm!, make sure to HIT 8000 rpm!, use the SHORT THROW to shift to 2nd.
3. RPM DROP to around 5500 to 6000 Rpm, REV to 8000 rpm!!! ENSURE TO HIT the REV Limiter, you will experience what a HIGH REVVING ENGINE MEANS!!!!
4. Change to 3rd gears, continue to floor the gas and HIT 8000 RPM ...... AGAIN
CHECK OUT THE REV LIMIT indication lights on the dashoard (part of the UGLY two tier setup) from time to time before you hit 8000 RPM.
5. Make sure the road ahead is still clear, by the time you HIT 8000 RPM on the fouth gear, you will FULLY UNDERSTAND what it means by the HIGH REVVING ENGINE/SHORT THROW SHIFT Honda SCHOOL!!!!

I am not saying torque is no fun, dont get me wrong, I RENT a 300C for my wedding and my best firends wedding!!!!  BUT the 300C is not compatible to the 6000RPM VTEC SURGE with short throw shift!!!!!!!

Anyone support my IDEA?

[rrocket]

^^^^No...you are correct, 100%.  Honda engines are about revving, revving, and revving some more.  I'm a bit of a torque whore myself, but I do understand the appeal for those who enjoy a very revvy engine.  You get to play boy-racer without having to drive crazy speeds and you get to row the gears alot....some people really enjoy that.

[Mitlov]

Garytam--My Suzuki SV650 has a 10,500 rpm redline.  I get high-revving engines.  That said, I personally prefer the torquey surge of a forced-induction engine.

My comments about the car were meant to be my own personal opinion of it, not an ultimatum that no one can like it.

[Zombie]

Garytam--My Suzuki SV650 has a 10,500 rpm redline.  I get high-revving engines.  That said, I personally prefer the torquey surge of a forced-induction engine.

My comments about the car were meant to be my own personal opinion of it, not an ultimatum that no one can like it.

Why compromise then .... supercharge it and get 35-40% more power.

http://www.superchargersonline.com/product_detail.asp?PartNumber=JAC-989-320

[Snowman]

For $3k more a Mazdaspeed3 can be had which is a far better choice then this bees nest IMO.

[JJohn]

Terribly disappointed with Civic interior. Honda, are you listening?

[gotak]

The interior is a bit lacking in some ways. It just doesn't feel like a quality product.

The engine well I am not really sure I like that either. Sure it sounds nice when you push it but how often do you get to do that in a city? The ride is quite hard as well so it's not really for people who wants some comfort.

[scottmcphee]

Is this car what pocket rocket motorbike guys grow up into, when she's tired of sitting on the back?   six speed short throw rev happy... but with 2 more wheels