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For those interested, be sure to check out our Honda Civic Owner's Club. From there, you'll also find direct links to many Honda Civic discussions throughout Town Hall. Look for a direct link to our Honda Civic Owner's Club on the left side of this page (Helpful Links).
And please return to this discussion to keep us posted on your Honda Civic Si experience.... Happy motoring! ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I'll forward your message on to my manager. Also, you can submit your question using this feedback form. For future reference, look of this feedback form in Edmunds' "About" section. Thanks for your participation. ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
How did the handling of the Si compare to the base RSX? Since they are the same price what made you choose one over the other?
1. what is your engine spinning at at 70 or 80mph?
2. is it loud at these speeds?
I only ask b/c I had a '99 Si that was a great car, but annoyingly loud while cruising on the hwy at 80mph (trust me, it gets old after a couple of hours).
Thanks.
Comparing to the RSX. The Type gets a sports suspension, not the base. The SI is far more taut than the base RSX, giving (I think) a better feel for the road. RSX has std. ratio 5sp. Acceleration feels less sensational than SI. Type S gets this back with 200hp & 8K red line tied to 6sp gear box. SI experiences more body lean in corners but I've found it takes a set well and accelerates through the turn very nicely. You might say the SI is more high strung, while the RSX more refined. In a nutshell, the SI handles more like a Euro sports car while the RSX is tuned like you'd expect from the Japanese. They definitely are not the same car in different skins!
I guess that makes a little sense with the RSX having a wider track and a 4mm larger rear swaybar. But wouldn't that also help with the turn-in (reduce understeer)on the RSX? What was the difference in steering feel between the two?
Why'd I choose the SI? I've owned a number of British and German sports cars, as well as a few Civics and prefer the taut suspension for better road feel. Mostly I chose the SI beacuse of this and the drive train. The gearing and torque curves are well matched. Also SI back seat has more room. I suspect that the RSX is somewhat (~1-2k) more than the SI. The SI seats are really firm and don't allow one to slide. But most importantly, my wife liked the SI better.
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
in the engine when accelerating. The hesitation got worse, until the engine light went on, and then followed by the oil light. By that time the car had only about 1 quart of oil in it.
Oddly enough, there wasn't any signs of leaking. The oil must have leaked out during driving because I never saw any oil on the ground. Sure enough, though, the dealer found oil splattered all around the oil pan.
So much for Honda's reputation. The one thing that I thought I wouldn't have any problems with, the powertrain, has turned into a nightmare. Right now they have both my money and my car because I am dead in the water with this car.
to go? It either leaks or is burned off. Sound like you have the same problem my car has.
It's an engine defect.
Check underneath your pan and look for leaking oil. As I indicated in my original post, I had lost over 3 quarts by 4000 miles. Sorry, but break-in doesn't cause this, but probably a defective pan seal does.
Once the piston rings are fully worn-in the oil comsumption should stop, but you'll probably still lose some it you spend alot of time in the upper rev range.
Now, a bad oil pan seal is a different matter, but still not an engine defect. I haven't heard about any RSXs suffering from the same malady, and they all use the same block and pan fitment.
What ever your particular trouble is/was, I hope it's corrected ASAP. Sounds to me that if you were down to one quart, you're probably within your rights to insist upon a new motor.
4000km - and had to add a litre of oil yesterday. 5W-20 is not easy to find. Will keep an eye on it and let you know. Vehicle is scheduled for oil change at 8000 km, per Honda Canada specs.
The main reason we took the care in is because the driver side power window has jammed up. When it was lowered all the way, it came out of its guide and would not track properly. Got it back in the track, but now the glass is binding and the window rolls up very slowly. Taking it back in on Friday to have door panel removed and window loooked at.
Let me know if anybody knows anyting about it.
I'll be checking the oil in response to earlier posts. So far no probs. Have any of you upgraded tires yet?? Not happy w/ the tiny 15" rims--possibly looking to upgrade. Otherwise, a very happy si owner
2) It is not unusual for a higher performance engine to consume oil during break-in. Simply take a look around at a majority of S2000s, Porsches, Vettes. If this behavoir continues as the car's life progresses beyond 10K miles or so, it may be problematic...but give the little car a chance.
In no way am I supporting the new Civic Si. I do not own one, nor will I. I do drive the last Civic hatchback. For autox and track duties it works okay for me now.
The Si uses a very light-weight oil, so some blow-by as the engine breaks in is to be expected. Once the piston rings are set, the oil loss stops.
As for mileage, the engine stays pretty busy at highway speeds. I think Honda should have dropped a really tall overdrive 6th gear in the tranny. Bigger wheels would've helped, too.
Looks like Honda might have another Prelude on its hands.
That would not seem to be the case.
While it's a fine handler and is the most refined car in its class, it lacks the kind of hardware and styling that would have guaranteed it to be a success. As is, it's unquestionably wholesome, but terribly uninspiring. Kind of like eating a bulk fiber cereal every morning of your life.
Since they're not selling as briskly as was expected, I wouldn't suggest that anyone hold their breath while waiting for a US-spec CTR.
Compared to what? Your idea of fast?
One guy has a problem so its "not the most reliable either"?
It may be more than you want to spend, but "grossly over priced" is a stretch. What are you comparing the price to? $18k for a 2000si with 30k miles is "grossly over priced." Why would I buy a used car when I can buy a new one for the same amount? Because its faster? Because it looks better? Why?
How could I have spent my money better? You say "grossly over priced". By how much? To me grossly would mean $4-5k. So, what car that costs $13k is a better deal?
Nonetheless, for Honda to market it as a "performance" model is fairly suspect. They might better have reduced the spring rates and marketed it as the "EX Hatchback," reserving the "Si" badge for a car more deserving of it.
Were I shopping for a car under $20K, I would have driven the Si out of curiosity. But, at the end of the day, I would have found more fun, grip and utility in a Subaru Outback Sport.
Compared to what? Your idea of fast?
One guy has a problem so its "not the most reliable either"?
It may be more than you want to spend, but "grossly over priced" is a stretch. What are you comparing the price to? $18k for a 2000si with 30k miles is "grossly over priced." Why would I buy a used car when I can buy a new one for the same amount? Because its faster? Because it looks better? Why?
How could I have spent my money better? You say "grossly over priced". By how much? To me grossly would mean $4-5k. So, what car that costs $13k is a better deal?
- a limited-slip differential (available on aftermarket)
- a motor borrowed from the (previous generation) Integra Type-R
Other than those two things, the car is the most comprehensive "factory hot rod" compact sold in North America since the ITR.
Too bad about the Blue Oval, though...
The Honda B18R is the LT1 of the sub-two liter world.