Honda Civic Si / SiR 2005 and earlier

rivertown

you might wanna consider where you are 3-5-7 years out.

I loved the Ford fun car I bought; but resale - UFDA!

anonymousposts

It all boils down to the fact that I would rather DRIVE my car than look at it on the dealership lift. If the Focus is the right car for you, good. But keep the SI bashing out of here. As good as you say the Focus is you should be out driving it, not worrying about the SI.

doorstopdriver

period. Nothing else to it, the car isn't the absolute best car on the market, but I believe its the best value of any car I could have saved up and bought. Sure there are some things that I would have changed, but nothing that some mods won't help. And plus, I love the fact that its such a rare car. I saw my first ever fellow si driver yesterday and the two of us beeped and flashed as we passed. It was so cool - like a knowning understanding that we've got a great/fun car. Foci are cool, but how many foci do you see per day?
anyway - my .02

revka

Hi Everyone - For those interested, I've just re-opened our Ford Focus ZX3/SVT vs. Honda Civic Si discussion. Let's continue comparisons of these two vehicles in that discussion. Thanks!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

kauai215

You wrote that resale was UFDA.

Umm. . . UFDA?

Could I have just a hint, please? :-)

rivertown

Hi, Kauai

UFDA isn't an acronym; it's an expression of dismay, LOL. Used a lot in the Dakotas and Minnesota. See the movie, 'Fargo'? Sorta the sound you make when someone socks you in the gut.

Down here, the 4 letter word for excrement communicates the same thing.

azaharchuk

I have yet to drive either the Ex coupe or the Si Hatch. Went tonight to the local dealer in Tempe, AZ after they closed. Looks like they have two '02 Si's in stock. About six '03 Si's in stock.

I was able to really look over a used 2001 Civic EX coupe. Perfect condition. Asking $14595. One thing I noticed is how much better the '03 coupes look compared to the '01 and '02 coupes due to the now standard alloy wheels. They make the car look so much better.

I am 6'2" and found that I had plenty of room (including head room) in the EX coupe. I tend to drive with my seat tilted back a little. I have long arms.

dmould

My previous post wasn't meant to bash the Si. I was just expressing my experiences with the Honda EX and Si and a competitor.
I agree that the Focus SVT MAY not hold it's value as well at the Civic Si, but I didn't get the car as an investment (we will only know how the value holds up for sure in a few years). I picked the SVT because it was more fun to drive than the Civic Si, and I preferred some of the features the car has. I don't expect it to spend anymore time in the shop than the Si would. For anytime the car is in the shop, SVT provides a free loaner, as well as washing and vacuuming the car.
Any new car can have problems, as shown by the Civic EX I previously had that required a new strut assembly - twice! I am happy to report that my SVT did not burn oil during break in, and the parking brake works great!
Personally, I still like the Civic Si. I like the fact that it is rare, just like my Blue SVT (of which there are maybe 120 in Canada). Not meant to bash - I like reading this forum, if just to confirm that the Si is keeping people happy.

revka

As I mention before, let's please continue further comparisons about the SVT vs Si in our Ford Focus ZX3/SVT vs. Honda Civic Si discussion. Look for a direct link to that discussion in my previous post. Thanks!

Revka
Host/Hatchbacks & Wagons

dudka

first of all, $18,400 is allot of money for any Civic. I would have never bought it at that price. If the price indeed included taxes and Title, then you are not telling the whole truth. Let's assume the pirce $18,400 was out the door price, then your purchase price must have been about $16,500 -- $17,000, which is still too much for a civic. But, you have not mentioned how many miles you had on the car at time of trade.
Let's see my example, I bought my Si for $15,500 out the door, which corresponded to purchase price of $14,500+6% state tax, title and registration. If I were to trade her in now, at 3000 miles, and got $13,500 on trade, which i think will be more like $14,000 since I have low miles and the car is still in showroom condition. I would say GREAT RESALE VALUE, as most cars once driven off the lot are depreciated by 30% ($10,150 for my purchase price). I lost $500 in three months, that is allot cheaper than renting a Dodge neon or Ford focus from enterprize for 3 months ($30/day x 90 days=$2700)
this is from Edmunds' used car guide:
 
2002 Honda Civic 2 Dr Si Hatchback
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $13,104 $14,013 $15,528
Optional Equipment $0 $0 $0
Color Adjustment
Black $29 $31 $34
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 06902 $37 $39 $43
Mileage Adjustment
3,030 miles $622 $622 $622
Condition Adjustment
Outstanding $377 $394 $446
Total $14,169 $15,099 $16,673
 
I think I have made my point. Just beacuse you paid $18400, whether with taxes or not for a civic does not mean that car has bad resale value. To me the car was only worth $15000, and I paid that. Your price probably included the cost of being one fo the first Si drivers in town, and that is why you are paying for it now in seemingly bad resale.
Just my 2 cents

arriflex

My silver 02 Si that was vandalized in my parking lot is fixed and in my hands. After 37 days. You can tell that work was done if you look at the door at an angle you can see the difference in paint shading, the door handle is not flush like the other plus the bottom of the door handle dips in and is not flush. The tarnished my Honda and Civic emblems on the car with some chemical, plus the chipped the paint on the silver part of the dash which was just replaced due to bubbling of the paint. They also scratched the silver on the passenger side door handle. So much for quality workmanship. My next car is going to be a Miata. Yeah baby!

rivertown

It was a Honda bodyshop which did the work on your Si?

arriflex

Yes I did have it repaired at a Honda Body shop. I really forgot how much I love my car. I am going to college to get my RN degree and plan to move to CA and after getting settled I want to get the next version of the Miata. I have to wait four days to get my alarm put in so I have parked my car on a side street close to my apt. complex out of fear. Thanks.

rivertown

What a bummer. I'm sorry.

'Tween the illigetimi on the street and in business, it isn't hard to have a bad day/week/month.

But then there's Si driving to compensate!

muffin_man

My next car is also going to be a Miata. It is heaven driving that car.

njcar1

Does anyone know the price in the Northeast of a 2003 Civic Si (blue) in this area. I am curious what others are paying for this vehicle in this area. Has anyone purchased this car in the Northeast? How much did you pay? Did anyone get a quote on this vehicle recently?
All responses are welcome as I am looking to buy in a few weeks.
Has anyone heard anything about a stronger type Civic Si comming to the US this year??

rsanges

I just paid $18,000 even for a blue Si (w/o side airbags) in Enfield, CT.

Question: What are the extra, blanked-out, tail light locations for? They are next to the back-up lights. From the inside, it sure looks like a bulb should go there. Are they for another market/model?

gee35coupe

It's probably for the very bright tail light that most European cars have.

bnadroj

Speaking of tail lights, does anyone know why the Si (along with the other current model Civics, and the last two generations of Accord Coupes) doesn't have amber turn signals in the rear? Is it for cosmetics or just to save money on an extra bulb? I find that pretty annoying; it seems like amber turn signals are more visible especially in the daytime. I wonder if there is any sort of retrofitting one could do with this empty space mentioned in post 2210.

That aside, I really like this car! I test drove one yesterday and was very impressed. The handling and power were great, and it seemed very refined overall. I just can't believe it's so unpopular. For the prices they're going for it seems like a really good deal -- one dealer's initial quote was $16,900 + TTL, including destination! (And yes, I realize that the unpopularity is responsible for the current pricing, but still...)

Jordan

rivertown

That's a nice price. Edmunds shows invoice at $17,822 with $500 dealer cash, i.e. dealer dead cost at about $16.9 counting holdback.

Of course, LOL, that doesn't mean there are aren't other, secret incentives.

I love my '02.

tprice

I've had mine since November and am very happy witht he decision to purchase. I've had a couple of annoying warranty repairs previously posted. I think the "unpopularity" is easing - in the past month or so I've spotted a number of Si's on the road. I've also had a number of unsolicited compliments - at the post office, parking garage, grocery store, etc. So, even though perhaps a slow start, I think things are looking up. When I first looked at the Si a year or so ago there was not any negotiating the selling price. I think that's the pricing luxury Honda is used to for new models such as the Odessey (sp?) and the Pilot. To their credit Honda has very competitive pricing even at full MSRP. We've had some Chrysler T & C vans that we've gotten heavily discounted with rebates, huge dealer discounts and other incentives - ending up where Honda is at MSRP! They appear to have gone a little high in the case of the Si and it just didn't work out for the Si (and many of us have "benefited"). Again, I'm very happy with my '02 Si and enjoy it more and more every day.

artford333

In response to njcar1's question about NJ Civic Si purchases, I just bought an '03 for $16,400 + tax / title / etc from Route 22 Honda in Hillside.

Go to carsdirect.com, print out the sheet with an '03 Si for 16,471 and they'll match the price (in my case they beat it by $71). It may not be the "best" deal out there, but it's pretty reasonable and with 1.9% financing the payments are manageable.

Best of luck,

aj

john355

I am currently living in Baton Rouge, LA. The Honda Civic SI's are being discounted quite a bit here. The sticker price is $19,460 and one Honda dealer (Richards Honda) is currently selling the 2003 Honda Civic SI's (all 5 2003 cars on the lot are the same discount price) for $14,995. I've never seen Honda dealers discount new cars that much. Does anyone know if there are major mechanical problems with these cars?

The dealer claims that the body style is not selling in this part of the country. I took a test drive, and although the car is a little slow, the ride was quite smooth. I like the appearance and drive of the car, but I am concerned about quality because of the severe discounting.

rivertown

Read back in this thread. You'll see a few folks have had a few probs with build quality, but most have been more than satisfied (I'm one of the VERY satisfied ones). You can make up your own mind that way.

IMHO, you can't buy a better car for less than $20K+.

anonymousposts

Never had a problem in 12,400 miles of ownership. Just make sure you put the car in gear when parking and keep and eye on the oil for the first few thousand miles.

gee35coupe

It's just as fast as any other car out there. It ain't no SR-T but dang.

njcar1

What did you pay in dealer fees? Is in the price you mentioned included the $460 Destination charge?

rivertown

Hi, Kauai

Did ya'll ever get a thaw? Enough to see what buttering an Si is like?

joe70vw

I'm ready to put my hard earned money work and buy me a Blue 2003 si. I live in central CA and I am willing to drive anywhere in CA for a good si deal. If anyone knows of and dealers giving killer deals on 2003 si's please post the dealer name and price here so I can contact them. This will be my 4th pocket rocket. Two Mitsubishi Mirage turbo's and one VW GTI. Time to move up to a HONDA!

anonymousposts

You may want to give carsdirect a shot. Or e-mail a bunch of dealers and see who has the best price. Good luck.

rivertown

Joe, if you'll go to the Honda site, you'll find a dealer locator that will get you to links for Honda dealers that have websites. From those sites, you can check inventories for the car you want and also request quotes from the dealers' internet sales depts.

That way you can find a dealer you want to work with.

http://www.hondacars.com

kauai215

There seems to be a bit of a lull in activity here. Sorry about not responding sooner.

Do you know, we actually had sub-freezing overnight temps last weekend? But it's been warmer most of the time. I just haven't gotten around to buttering the car yet. It's a nuisance to swap cars around in the garage, which only holds one car, and the Si is always in the driveway. I'm reluctant to butter the mirror overnight, lest the deer, or some other critters decide butter tastes good. . . and they decide to try to eat the mirror!

But I'm gonna get to it. Really I am. Real soon now. ;-)

-Kauai (who's resting quietly in his corner, and making room for others, after his period of Epic Posts. :-)

rivertown

I'm glad you're breathing - if shivering, too.

LOL, 80's/90's (temp/humidity) here, with T-storms and tornadoes. Wanna trade?

I've been garaging mine, to keep the illigetimi from stealing it like the last one. No deer in my urban mess, just illegitimi (and the durned cat that sprayed the intake vent a couple of years ago).

Meddling me remembers the sap that ate right through the clearcoat umpteen years ago. 'Twas summer, though.

noseats

Over the weekend, someone smashed the passenger side window on my black 2002 Civic Si and stole the front seats. They ripped up the carpet and gouged interior panels in the process.

I like the car and I enjoy driving it, but beware if you live in southern California. You're going to be the target of the tuners looking for parts to customize their street cars. I'm considering selling mine before someone shoots me to get a cool instrument cluster or steering wheel.

dudka

it seems to be common on the OTHER board to hear about someone's seats stolen. So far no one has been able to drive off in the Si. Most likely since the thieves have not figured a way around the immobilizer. But to prevent seat/cluster/radio theft a simple alarm should do.

revka

Very sorry to hear about your bad news. I second dudka's opinion on getting an alarm. Also, here's a Town Hall discussion that you may find helpful: Aftermarket Sound Systems. Good luck.

Revka
Host/Hatchbacks & Wagons

kauai215

River! It worked!

I am amazed at how well an application of butter to long-hardened tree sap on my paint softened the sap and allowed it to be easily removed with no damage to the paint.

I let the butter set on the paint for about two hours. Most of the hardened sap, which had been on the paint for six months, or more, wiped off with a towel as I wiped off the butter. It required a bit of rubbing, but it came off without undue effort, whereas before. . . a chisel seemed necessary. The remainder of the sap came off with Turtle Wax Bug and Tar (and Sap) Remover, leaving the paint in like-new condition.

Thanks, River, for pointing me to that useful discussion revealing this remarkably effective solution.

kauai215

This is a bit late, but just in case you might still be able to "benefit" from your misfortune, I'd like to suggest that you consider replacing your Honda OEM seats, nice as they are (Recaros, I'm told), with even better seats.

The replacement cost of a pair of these seats is, no doubt, astronomical. Get the money from your insurance company and consider getting after-market Recaros, or Corbeaus, or ? There are a lot of seats you could get, including leather, that would be better still, and cost less than replacing the Honda OEM seats.

rivertown

Very cool; very, very cool. I'm real glad that worked. Slickest Si in town, to boot!

I was reading in that same board and found the best wash and wax routine I've ever used. Wash and dry as usual. Use a product called Clay Magic that cleans without abrading the paint. Wax with a product called Liquid Glass. Liquid Glass goes on & comes off so easily and worked so well, I am amazed. All available at AutoZone.

hogsi

Has anyone tried putting seat warmers in their car?

noseats

Thanks for all of the comments.. 2 weeks and $3,000 (paid by my insurance minus a $250 deductible later, my Si has a passenger window and front seats again. I might of gone with after market seats had I known the price, but I had it towed to the dealer the day it happened and wasn't thinking about customization. I'm had a Clifford alarm system installed today to hopefully deter further seatnapping.

Moving on, has anyone had any luck playing home-computer-buned CD-R audio discs in the factory CD player? I've tried TDK and Verbatim with no luck. They work fine on my home players.

rivertown

Noseats, cd's burned on my HP drive play fine. The two brands I just checked are Dysan and HP; but I've had no hitch with any, including Verbatim.
Tried cd's burned on a different drive?

P.S. Glad ya got seats!

dudka

i had problem with imation, but TDK and Verbatim play fine. It may be the burner too. I have a 48X TDK burner, and burn on 48X Blanks. The player also played CD's burnt on girlfriend's 8X plextor burner

noseats

I've tried Sony, TDK, and Verbatim burned at various speeds, but all of them get ejected without playing them. The same discs work fine on three different household players, including one that's over ten years old.

I'm burning with the SuperDrive of a G4 PowerMac, which is the only drive I have.

Thanks for your responses. Based on your feedback, it's probably not the media. It's likely either the burner, or my particular Si's player. I'd still be interested in hearing about others' experiences.

dfbidwell

I've tried only one CD-RW in my player and it didn't work...the CD just got spit back out. It was burned on a Mac; though I'm not sure about the specific kind of Mac or burner...would the fact that both our CDs being burned from a Mac have anything to do with this weirdness? (I'm not a Mac guy) Also, it was burned on an "Office Depot" brand CD-RW...that could be another reason it didn't work. BTW, that particular CD-RW plays just fine in my PC CD-ROM.

dudka

most players will not play CD-RW, even if you completely close the CD, it may not play in a player not specifically designed to play CD-RW. Try burning a CD-R and playing it. it well maybe the fact that both of you burn it on a MAC. See if you can chose the format such as Jouliet.

noseats

I tried a few audio format CD-Rs burned on my old Mac's Plextor CDRW drive, and they work! Therefore, the problem is a lack of compatibility between the Si's player and the Superdrive (Hitachi) in my new Mac. Unfortunately, that means if I want to make CDs to use in the car, I'll have to buy a new CDR drive and hope it's compatible with the Civic's player.

BTW, I never tried a CD-RW, all CDs were audio format (unlike Jouliet, which is a data format) and all worked fine in household audio players. I've read online that the laser systems in car CD players are different that those in household players and can be more picky about playing CD-Rs.

Everyone, thanks for all the help!

rivertown

Prob identified! Cool, Noseats.

reward

Wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for avoiding those unsightly door dings. I have a black 02 Si that is now sporting a 2 inch long crease in driver's side door. (Must have taken quite a wallop) Yes, I TRY to park away from SUV's; I look for corner spots and walk the extra 100 yards to avoid conjested areas, but sometines you have no choice. Given the large exposure of sheet metal with no bumper strips, are such "accidents" unavoidable? What can be done about the existing crease?

rivertown

I got my first ding last week.

Got the transferred paint off with Clay Magic and restored the shine with wax, but the durned ding winks at me allathetime.

So, any good suggestions out there?