"I LOVE THIS CAR!!! Honda hit a home run with the Civic Sedan Si !"
Pros
great power, handling & brakes, great navi/sound system, love the styling
Cons
needs premium gas, just a bit noisy inside
Summary
I've had this car for about a month and I LOVE IT!
Positives:
Driving the Civic sedan Si is a blast! Acceleration is very strong and has a broad power range in each gear. The limited slip differential works well, and really helps when turning out into traffic and ... Read full review
I've had this car for about a month and I LOVE IT!
Positives:
Driving the Civic sedan Si is a blast! Acceleration is very strong and has a broad power range in each gear. The limited slip differential works well, and really helps when turning out into traffic and getting up to speed. Brakes stop well. Suspension/tires are very athletic and capable when pressed, yet comfortable in casual driving. The shifter and clutch work well together (exept 3rd gear is sometimes difficult to engage).
Controls are very well laid out, and everything is within easy reach. The two-tiered dash layout might be unconventional but functions well (I like it--some may not). Buttons and switches have a good feel. This is my first experience in a Honda, and I'm impressed. Everything in this car is put together in a way that just makes sense--why don't other car makers build cars this way???
The navigation/audio system is VERY thorough, accurate and helpful. Techno-phobes might be afraid of it because of it's complexity, but it's not really complicated. It's controls are pretty strait forward, and with practice it gets easier to use. The visual and turn-by-turn prompts are spot-on accurate. There's even a button on the steering wheel so the driver can give a multitude of voice commands to operate the nav/audio system. This helps keep your eyes on the road, but the semantics and language take some practice. Overall, the nav system can take a while to play with and learn. It cost alot, but I'm glad I got it. The stereo has great sound, thanks to the powerful amp, subwoofer and component speakers. The tweeters are located on top of the dash, next to the A-pillars and give good sound imaging.
Honda has made it really easy to decide which Civic to buy. The list of options are basically paired up with the different trim levels. I had also considered a VW Jetta and was very confused by all the engine/trim/option combinations (how does anyone decide which Jetta they like the best?!?)
Negatives:
Exhaust/road noise is a bit loud, but this IS a performance edition car. Maybe Honda could have used more sound insulation for the cabin, but I'm kind of splitting hairs on this... For the most part it's only a minor nuisance, only noticeable when the stereo is off and you're having conversation.
Premium gas is required for the high compression engine. I'd prefer not to spend the extra money at each fill up, but it only adds about $2.50. I think it's worth it for all the added performance this engine gives compared to the standard Civic engine. It's something to consider when weighing whether to get this car or not.
This is the first time Honda has made an Si edition for the Civic sedan. I think this car has the perfect combination of performance, styling and practicality. It's loaded with power, technology and features of cars costing much more.