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Comments
I'm probably a bit harsh on Honda, but I don't trust them and have taken a vehicle to them where I already knew what the problem was but just wanted their "expert" second opinion in writing and was surprised that they couldn't figure the problem out. I know some folks at a Honda dealership that employs a family friend and you'd be surprised to hear how bad most of their mechanics are; usually they have one or two skilled mechanics to supervise the difficult work, but this now seems to be they have one or two competent mechanics to supervise the rest of the parts-changers. I try to take my vehicle to an independent Honda-trained mechanic.
Barretthead, glad you still enjoy it too. On mine, it's very minor. The dealer commented it's probably just NVH, since it is a more performance oriented suspension. Could be...
I've luckily never dealt with dealers, mechanics and all that, Dad's a mechanic and all his buddies are. So, I benefit from their knowledge and I just do the work. Luckily one family friend does work/worked for a local Honda dealer. If something goes wrong, I'm gonna be real chummy with him.
Of course, this car is under warranty. Other than maintaining it, I'm not fixing anything that is their obligation.
I was pleasantly shocked reading the owners manual (yeah I'm a geek and actually did) they tackle oil changes, headlight replacements... Simple stuff (even had the front and rear alignment specs!). But the wife's '98 Beetle owners manual basically referred you to see the dealer for maintance (the guys at VW parts counter were always great though).
For those that have this noise, I would first try to isolate the noise. I found out the problem was my rear shock by pushing on the body and locating clicking sound. When you go to the dealer, you have to be specific and tell them that it's the suspension. This noise is definitely unacceptable for a new car and should be repaired under warranty. If the dealer doesn't do the repair, try another dealer or file a complaint with Honda.
I bought my SI-Sedan 4 Weeks Ago, and can't wait to get into my SI everyday. But Im getting 17 MPG combined city/highway driving. Current odometer reading is 1000 miles. I always try to keep the RPM around 3000.
I see others are getting high 20's. Is there anything
wrong im doing.
your suggestions or comments is greatly appreciated.
John
I always use premium gas. I drive 50%(Highway) and 50% (City). On a full talk for my first 2 fills, i got 210 miles. The next several tanks I got 220 miles. I don't
use the car to race or anything, just normal driving.
Do you guys think it might be a manufacturer defect?
Appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Thanks,
John
Did anyone ever get those numbers on a full tank? (~220 Miles)
Thahks,
John
I'd say something isn't right. Try a different gas station, and being light on acceleration (I was moderatly aggressive).
A lot of people accelerate too hard in normal driving. And your elevation could have a lot to do with it.
When you do fill up at 210 miles, how much gas goes in the tank? And be consistent on fill-ups. Don't add more fuel after the first time the pump shuts off.
And just to be sure, you are calculating this right? At 17 mpg and the tank being only 13.2 gallons. You are bone dry at 224 miles!
How many gallons of fuel did you put in?
Maybe the fuel gauge/sending unit are bad if it says you are on E?
I just thought of another possibility, though I'm not sure it's actually a cause, or even logical... I just bought my own Si sedan about 6 days ago, and I'm not even completely through my first full tank, but I read through the owners' manual (yes, I'm one of them), and it recommended downshifting at speeds of ~17, 28, 37, 48, and so on (or something like that)... At least in my car, those speeds consistently put it right at about 4000 rpm's. I know this engine's designed to run at the higher rpm's, maybe it's actually better for it to run up there as opposed to the 3000 you've been trying to keep it at? I'm no expert, so don't take it as gospel though...
Really, the best idea I've heard so far is what aaron just said. All of the things we've said so far have been things that will knock you 3-4 mpg, but to lose 11-12 mpg off of what most people are getting seems really weird. A trip to the dealer might be in order, to check the fuel gauge...
Just for your comparison, when I first got mine I had to drive it ~150 miles to get it home, so just for interest, I filled it up to check mileage. I got ~28.4 mpg. I was intentionally varying speeds ALOT (55-95 mph), varying how I accelerated, and I picked it up with all of 5 miles on it, so it's just starting to break in. So in all, I expect that to go up over time, especially after break in, and when I'm actually using cruise control. We'll see what happens.
Good luck.
I think for the most part when I'm just cruising around though, I'm only hitting in the 3K range.
It isn't good to lug the engine though. That would hurt gas milage and the engine eventually.
Can anyone tell me how comfortable the seats are, especially when it comes to lumbar support. I can handle a stiff ride, but need a lot of lower back support. I was also curious as to the age of most people buying this car (just making sure I'm not too old !
thanks in advance for any input...
The ride is stiff, but not obnoxious at all. It is a choppy ride and you really only notice that on highways with expansion joints every 20' (like the east-west ext. of the PA turnpike.)
And I'm 35. I'm not sure how that fits into the age range of owners either.
I got mine in the silver and its honestly the only one I've seen in that color. Its also the only the 2nd Si sedan I've seen on the road period.
If you're in the market for a new car, dont test drive the Si sedan unless your ready to buy. lol :shades:
I'm 25 and 5'9" (but sit as high as someone a couple inches taller... curse my disproportionately short legs)
I haven't had a new car since 99' (Maxima SE), and am starting to get the itch.
I've seen quite a few on the road lately. I've seen a woman driving a black 4 door about 5-6 times. I've seen about 6 (or so) other 4 doors as well. So, it seems like it's catching on in this area. Still, the 2 door SIs out number the 4 door.
Im actually surprised considering I live in SoCal that I havent seen more Si sedans. The dealership where I bought mine (pacific honda) had like 5 FA5s on the lot but mine was the only silver. Im sure in the coming months as the word spreads, i'll see more.
So Red, as for the seats, they're GREAT. I can drive for 5 hours straight without really getting at all uncomfortable in the seats. Also, I LOVE how they hug your sides. You feel it especially when you do some hard cornering, they hold you in place real well, and again, are VERY comfortable. Finally, one cool feature is that you can adjust the height of the seat by quite alot, so it's pretty open to how you want to sit.
Also, Red, I'm 20 yrs, a rising senior in college, and this was my first new car to buy myself.
Blair, I also have a silver one, and have only seen two other '07 Si's on the road with me. One black, one red.
Another thing I'd like to put on the board since I'm at it... someone was mentioning gas mileage earlier, and I'm kinda OCD about numbers like this, so I've tracked mine very carefully since I bought it. I've gotten about 25 MPG around town, and between 32-39 (!!!) MPG on the highway. If anybody is interested in long-drive performance, let me know.
with regards to seeing many si's, i live in nc and i see just the same amount of sedans as i do coupes, if not more.
Personally, unless you are hooked on the styling, i don't think there is a reason to get the coupe over the sedan, it just makes so much more sense. (some of the colors look fantastic on the sedan as well, such as the fiji blue, ralley red and habanero red.) and its nice being able to get a 4 door civic thats white on the outside with a dark interior for once!
How do the others break down - ie age of owners and age of those considering.
I originally wanted the fiji blue REALLY BAD, and would have gotten it if my timetable had been more flexible, but I ended up with a silver one because I had to buy within a 3-week period, and there wasn't a blue available from the factory quite early enough for me. Oh well, she still looks GREAT.
Oh, also, I've only seen sedans, and I agree with eldaino... The sedan is SO worth it. $200 more, but the car is only like 2 inches longer (negative? maybe just barely), and you get a better wheel base too. The utility/ease of having those two doors for the back is huge. Having done this long drive, being able to easily store some things in the back seats has been very nice.
Unfortunately, I don't think this is the car for me for reasons that have been mentioned by others. IMO there is too much silver plastic, the flimsy sun visors and the entire dash did not work for me (I.e styling,material quality).
At the same time it is a great car, and I can understand why alot of people have chosen this fine vehicle. With the rising cost of fuel, it's difficult to find a car that can give you a 50/50 compromise of performance and economy.
Keep this thread alive, as it was a great source of real world information for myself, and will continue to be for others.
Oh, by the way NOWAK, I'm 37 going on 27.
Thanks for all your help guys, I'm goingto push my walker over to the TSX forums......
Okay - anyone 40 or older that owns a Civic Si sedan or is considering one? Its one heck of a value!
I test drove a Mazda 3 Grand Touring and while it was OK, it wasn't nearly as fun to drive and I doubt it will hang with the Civic when it comes to resale as well. For $22K out the door, its a great value.
About the only negative for me would be getting caught in the wrong gear in which case, the engine is anemic but some quick downshifting solves that problem. Upgrades I'd like to see offered are leather seats, Sirius, and nicer stock rims.
Also Honda - please ditch those VTEC stickers on the side of the car, I like the subtle Si badges on the front and back and don't need extra advertising on the car.
I've hit 32 mpg on trips that were mainly highway, and most of that with AC on traveling 70 mph with cruise. I bet it wouldn't take much to get a 35 mpg avg.
I'm just wondering, if filling it up just past click-off, could skew the results slightly higher?
Dude, the fiji blue is an awesome color. That was my 2nd choice over hab. red.
I also agree with you guys. The 4 door is really worth it. Barely a price difference over the coupe, hardly a weight penalty, more convienient and, in my opinion, these cars look so much better in 4 doors (and I usually hate 4 doors).
The door looks longer and lower in my opinion.
most people find it annoying (especially tuners) and its only super evident on the manual transmission civics.
i find it very interesting that there are so many older (well older than me i mean, i'm 22) folks driving the si. Quick question to all; is this your first honda, or more importantly your first si? everyone can be familiar with a brand, but to be familiar with the performance model and its heritage is a very different thing and i'm curious to know who is familiar and who isn't. (case in point: the distaste in the i-vtec decal, leave it on there, wear it proud, there is lots of heritage behind that sticker! )
the first si sedan i ever saw on the road and not on the dealers lot was a very lovely ralley red; and it was being driven by a gentleman who could not have been younger than 45.
I'm 11 years your elder and no, this is not my first Honda. When I graduated from college in 96, I purchased a brand new 1996 Prelude Si VTEC (the first Prelude with the VTEC technology, in 97 and thereon VTEC was in all of the Preludes til they stopped making them). I have never owned a Civic Si and was very happy when Honda decided to make a 4dr model. It allowed those my age and a lot older to enjoy the high revving 2.0 engine and still be able to transport the family. It truly is a great car and for the money, IMO, it can't be beat.
btw, I'm with you, I really dig the iVTEC decals!
I may be in the small minority but I peeled off the silly i-VTEC stickers off the sides. Took nearly an hour since some adhesive didn't wanna come off. But much cleaner look.
I don't need to advertise to every rice boy out there in their mom's Camry looking to race. Plus doesn't every car manufacturer use some form of VTEC now?
eldaino, like I said ealier, I'm 20 years old and a senior in college. This is my first honda (actually my first car at all), but my parents owned an early-90's model of the Accord a long time ago... I'm largely unfamiliar with any brand, let alone a certain model... I'm only now becoming more familiar with cars, and particularly the Si's, as I've been researching cars for the last 7-ish months.
And yea, I agree with you and some of the others... I like the i-vtech sticker on the side... at first I didn't, but it's grown on me. If you've got it, flaunt it. :shades:
I do notice the hesitation on the gas pedal when going from a stop. The pedal just doesnt register quick enough and you end up engaging the clutch too quickly before it starts to rev. Also when you want to ride the revs down instead of using the brakes, the car doesnt decelerate right away. It holds the revs (aka Rev Hang) causing the car to continue to accelerate when your foot is off the pedal for a split second. It was very annoying at first but the more I drive it the more I learn to adjust to it.
Best bet, follow the recommended tire pressure. For long stretches of highway, and highspeed, driving there probably is a higher recommended pressure. You'd have to look that up in the owners manual and see what Honda recomends.
Kork, I just asked about over filling, becuase it could cause an inconsistency. If one time you fill to the 1st click, then squeeze in an extra .5-1 gallon of gas. Then stop 150 miles later, refuel and stop at the first click, and don't add any more fuel, it would look like you barely used any fuel at all. It could skew the numbers higher or lower.
Regarding the hesitation, I've noticed it on warm-up also. But I just chalked it up to owning a vehicle with an aluminum motor. Aluminum expands alot when it gets hot. So, until it reaches operating temps nothing is meshing as it should. My take anyway...
On odd occasions, I hit a slight stumble pulling out in 1st gear. But I think that's more driver related than anything. I feel the same thing driving our 2.0, manual, New Beetle on odd occasions. And that still has a throttle cable. Just a 4 banger that's not particular torquey at low RPMs.