Honda Civic Coupe / Civic Si 2006+

midnightcowboy

One new one bult in Japan (2006 S2000) and One built in USA (2005 Accord).

But I believe you are right as Hyundai edges up from the bottom and Toyota and honda seem to get more market share, their qulity has begun to fall off.

STI and Prelude both nice; Okay, you know what you are talking about

cruis'n :shades: ,

MidCow

nj2pa2nc

I own a 05 civic ex-se 5-spd., with 37,000 miles, built in Canada. It (knock on wood) has never had any rattles. My next car is going to be a 6 speed manual. either the civic si sedan or acura tsx

fasterthanyou

The quality control should(that's the key word) remain the same. Unfortunately it doesn't. Did you know that all the performance cars from all the Japanese manufacturers are built exclusively in Japan?.... Honda s2000, Mazdaspeed 6, Mazdaspeed 3, Subaru Impreza STI, Nissan 350z, Mazda RX8, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Also their complete line of "luxury" cars from Lexus, Infinity, Acura are only built there. Never wondered why?

How many times did you here about STI's blowing up? Sounds like you don't know too much about this car.

fasterthanyou

Thanks. I like your car too (Honda s2000).Great car.
Get rid of the other one...like I did after 4 months( 2006 Accord LX v6 worst car I ever owned).
Have you ever drove a Hyundai? I did. Not a memorable experience.

kyfdx

Acura TLs are built in Ohio..

carfanatic007

Actually Fast I was pulling your chain. STI's are not my kind of car. Too street racer for me. As is the EVO. RX8 is disappointing they still have the apex seal problems they had in the 1970's with the rotary engine. 350Z is too small for a family, but nice to ride. MazdaSpeed 3, not sure yet, have not driven one. C/D reviewers liked it. I like my SI. I haven't made any mods, and don't intend to. completely stock. It is fast enough for me. Gets pretty good gas mileage. Only costs $1,000 more than an EX Civic.

fasterthanyou

After I drove the new BMW 335 I don't feel so good about my STI either(it is an amazing car but only in the "fast" mode).
Your car is pretty much a street racer too. With 139 pounds of torque you are in one of the slowest cars on the road if you don't smash the accelerator.

fasterthanyou

Acura TL is sort of a project car made in US only for US(zero handling)and just like the american Accord is just over-sized junk.
Real Acuras have a corespondent in other parts of the word Acura TSX(european Accord) or Acura RL(Honda Legend).

pat

Well, the thing is that this discussion is about Civics, not about Accords or Acuras, nor is it about foreign or domestic quality.

Let's get back to the subject.

andysd

I keep nitpicking myself that with a two-car garage for my wife's sedan ('04 Civic EX automatic to be replaced by an '08 Accord) and my '99 Z28 (that I don't want to sell), I can't get an Si (red?) like I want because I don't have garage space. BUT, on the other hand I'm so old that I shouldn't put it off and just park the Si on the street and enjoy it? Right?
:confuse:

carfanatic007

Fast, you obviously have never driven an SI. They are not slow in the low revs. The pick up is immediate. You don't have to "floor" it. When you do floor it, it revs immediately. It is a VERY fun car to drive. Drive it, then decide.

midnightcowboy

buy a new house with a 3 car garage; it works

MidCow

allcarsrcool

The Civic Si is a very fun car to drive, in fact i've test driven one, but, I started a forum way back in the 2nd week of august about fun driving experiences but there has yet to be a post, so if anyone here has had fun driving their Si or any other car of theirs for that matter, the forum is called "driving stories" and is located in the mazda miata forums. So please tell stories to get this forum started... i've already posted 2... hope to read yours! :shades:

fasterthanyou

I did drive the SI. It is responsive and fun to drive if you push it hard. At low RPM I still think is lifeless. As a daily driver I believe is worst than my STI.

carfanatic007

The SI is a car you have to shift, that I will grant you. If you are going 70 mph and need to pass someone, don't floor it in 6th, you will need to downshift into fifth. I don't know what you consider lifeless, but then again, your driving around with a 300 hp turbo!

mtbrider

fasterthanyou,

Obviously your STI will be more responsive at lower RPMs because it is turbocharged and the Si is not; slap a turbo on an Si and I guarantee you would change your mind; by the same token, take the turbo off your STI and it would be "lifeless" (at its roots a four-cylinder engine)

midnightcowboy

Woah misunderstanding of turbos and also apparent misunderstanding of VTEC.

A turbo has to spool up from exhaust gases before it supplies power. Larger turbos not have any appreciable power below 3,000 RPM. Some newere smaller turbos and twin turbos will spool up faster. VW has gotten 90% of Hp as low as 1,800 rpm, but this isn't typical. VTEC used to be twin cam and there was a dramatic power increase arounf 4,500-5,000 RPM. New VTEC is a continual change of cam and the affect is very linear power increase with RPM increase. To drive a VTEC sporty the RPMs need to be kept high. However as opposed to a turbo where you typically have a .5 second turbo lag if it is not already spooled there is no lag with VTEC. Having said all that the STI is a different beast altogether. With 300 Hp there is a lot of horspower there! Even without the turbo there is a substantial amount of horsepower as compared to the standard WRX and most other turbos.

Having said all of that, I like VTEC better than turbo by far. I had one turbo and that was enough. I have had many VTECs two Hondas currently and an IS300 which uses the same principle. To run properly a VTEC needs a manual transmission.

Good Luck in Understanding,

Cheers,

MidCow

midnightcowboy

Si would be a great car! You should get it. And rememember you are only as old as you think you are. I'm still young at heart, got my first converible, a red S2000, after over 40 years of driving LOL.

MidCow

P.S. - Keep the Z28 still a nice muscle car and you'll kick yourself if you get rid of it!

mtbrider

Actually, I understand very well that the STI produces more torque and HP at lower RPMs than the Si...the numbers don't lie. See the new Volkswagon GTI...a turbo that has a sizeable amount of grunt down low. I don't know many naturally-aspirated four-cylinders that can produce greater than, say, 200 lb. feet of torque, below 4000 rpm. The turbo makes up the difference for displacement when compared to V-6s, V-8s.

john500

I've owned both the STi and several Si's. They belong in entirely different markets and are not comparable.

The Si is a reasonable daily driver. It gets good fuel economy, has a fun feel, is throttle responsive and handles reasonably well. The STi gets horrible fuel economy (I averaged 15 mpg) and has a turbo lag of greater than one second unless you pop (and wreck) the clutch. It has great cornering and high speed stability. In my opinion, the STi is strictly a weekend car.

fasterthanyou

Different markets? I don't think so. Maybe if you take price as being the most important factor.
Are you sure you owned an STI? From your description sounds like you had a regular WRX. I have to tell you ...the STI is a completely different beast. It has INSTANT throttle response and due to very close gearing is ready to rip anytime your foot hits the gas pedal.

P.S. Fuel economy ??????????????

carfanatic007

Fast, in all seriousness, the STI is in a different league than the SI, your comparing a 300 HP, 300 lb of torque car to a 197 HP car. You should pick on someone your own size.

ccostable

How come there is no talk of the Car and Driver article in the Nov 06 issue, where the Si's holy pedestal is taken down a notch? Comments on the Si included "weakest breaks", "breaks that faded greatly after 2 laps", and "floppiest body motions". So much for the fun to drive factor. With its gearing, it only managed to beat an MX-5 around the track. All cars were unmodified production vehicles equipped with all the performance options available.

carfanatic007

I don't take Car and Driver seriously. They are usually negative on Honda's (maybe because of ADVERTISING DOLLAR?). Anyway, I don't buy there results.

ccostable

Are you kidding? They love anything with Honda written on it. When put to the test, the Si is just lacking.

carfanatic007

Edmunds liked the SI over the GTI, ditto Motor Trend. So opinions are like, well you get the drift. Personally, I test drove the GTI and preferred the SI.

qnzprodigy

How long does Honda think people will be appeased with a 200 4-cyclinder. Since the ITR the motor has been rated 197 or 200. Come almost 8-10 years later and all they can muster up is 200hp? It's an embarassment that the leader of the compact movement is getting heavier and not upping the power. But thank god for mazda bringing the MS-3 out. This will light a fire under honda's [non-permissible content removed] to fix up there act. You can cry all the high-tech features of our i-vtec, but technology will not steer your soul like some nice adequate power.

droman

I have a 2006 Civic EX automatic and have to say I am also surprised at the lack of quality on this car. I have owned a couple of Preludes and a couple of Accord coupes and they were far superior in terms of quality. Granted they were more expensive cars, so maybe I am comparing apples and oranges. My dealership advisors just get a glazed look on their faces when I try to describe the rattles, as if to say,"Yeah, right. We will be able to fix that(snicker, snicker). Overall, I do like the car. It definitely gets looks. Much more so than my 1999 Accord Coupe, anyway. Gas mileage has been nice compared to the V6 in my Accord. Things I would like to see improved upon in the Civic: quality control (rattles), better interior insulation. My nit picky wishes: fold out mirrors, automatic climate control, power driver seat. Two questions, 1) Does anyone know if door sill plates are available for the coupe and 2) Are the accessory floor mats different from the standard floor mats on the Ex. I noticed on the Honda wed site that they have the Civic logo on them. Mine do not and they are, honestly, the most ridiculously cheap floor mats I have ever seen. I have almost worn a hole through the drivers side after 4000 miles. Thanks for letting me rant!

plekto

It's the same engine, or virtually so. All they've done is gear it for more HP and less torque since HP sells.

Kind of like computers. Gotta have the bigger number, despite that Word runs exactly as fast on either machine.

carfanatic007

I see your the owner of a 2005 Civic Si that has 160 hp and made in England. This is a different car than you own. Have you even driven a 2006? Believe me, it has ample power.

pat

This discussion has been reopened in accordance with this post: Sylvia, "Forums Software! Your Questions Answered..." #3319, 12 Nov 2006 2:43 pm.

mhattrup

The Si has a nice combination of price, modern design look and decent performance (and hopefully Honda reliability). I was very surprised that the car felt so responsive with as little tourque or horsepower as it has down low. After reading about it I was sure I'd really have to wind it out with the tourque and horsepower curves being maxed out pretty high up in the rev range but I found that wasn't the case. It's quite easy to start out and gain speed relatively quickly without running it up to 6000 (which BTW is very fun to do :-).

I'd been looking at the Subaru Legacy GT pretty hard and loved the vast reserves of torque but just didn't like the color choices (any color you want as long as it's gray, dk gray, or lgt gray... ok it isn't that bad but it's close). That car also didn't look particularly sporty (the ultimate sleeper) but dang it will flat fly (best test I've seen 5.2 0-60)! I found it VERY difficult to feel any turbo lag in that car. I mean how much could it have if it lauched to 60 in under 6 seconds? (which it does in virtually every test I've seen). Note to other Si owners (and S2000 owners for that matter) - if a sleepy old Legacy GT pulls up next to you don't be surprised if it blows past you.

I ended up buying a Rallye Red Si a couple weeks ago because it appealed to my inner child. It "feels" almost as responsive as the Legacy and it sounds great. I think the sound has as much to do with that "feeling" as anything because it sounds fast it makes you think it is fast :-). It was a bright shiny true red which is and always has been my favorite color and I could put my golf clubs and push cart in the trunk with a little room to spare.

So far I love the car it handles like a go cart and doesn't lean as much in the corners as the Legacy Gt did. I read that review of the VIR lap times as well. It's a good thing I can't drive as hard on the roads to work everyday as I'm sure those guys were pushing the cars around that closed race course, because if I could drive it that hard then I might be upset to find out my car has a floppy suspension and brakes that burn up quickly... but since I have to drive in the real world I doubt I'll ever experience brake fade or feel like I'm driving something "floppy".

Incidently - I'm coming out of a "German made" VW Passat which is another reason I'm back in a Honda! I don't care what the car mags say when it comes to any German (make that any european car make). They may well have the best ride, handling, performance etc... but their reliability SUCKS! I loved my Passat it was a lot of fun but it was also a great way for me to get to know Earl and Chip by name ... they are two of the nicest service managers you could ever hope to meet. I almost felt like I had a reserved plated parking stall just outside the shop entrance! I should have made a xerox of my "early bird" drop off envelope! I don't care how many times the VW beats the Si in a comparison I won't venture to a german dealership until I see some solid red circles under a bunch of VW/Audi/MB/BMW's products in Consumer Reports. US automakers have actually surpased the european makes in realiability.

I'll be driving the Si until the next version of the Accord, Legacy, Impreza and Evo are out on the market - I've been looking at spy photos of those vehicles and am excited about what the next few years will bring. In the mean time I'll drive my floppy Si around and pull over and offer assistance to anybody parked on the side of the road in a VW (it's the least I can do since I got the shop on speed dial :-)

harleyrider41

Silly question...

Just bought an 07 SI. Where's the oil filter located.

iorozco13

Does anybody know where the Intake Air temperature sensor is located at on the intake pipe? Your help is appreciated.

autoedu

"The C30...won a major design award in Germany: the Auto Bild Design Award. The automotive magazine Auto Bild asked its readers what they thought was the world’s most beautiful car. The Volvo C30 won the “small and compact-size cars” class ahead of the Opel Corsa and Honda Civic."

German Design Award



Volvo, a class above the Civic SI, is entering sport hatch/compact coupe segment along with BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. I was a big fan of the Civic CRX, but this Volvo is sexy. So many offerings are popping up in this segment, beatle, mini, now the c30, anything to do with gas prices?

wayland1985

I'm in the market for a new car. One car I keep looking back at is the new Si.

I have some concerns regarding the reliability. I've heard many new civic owners are dealing with many quibbles. I'm sure some of this has to with the 2006, being the first model year, and there being issues with the new model. Perhaps they have been remedied for 2007? The other concern about quality, is the model being made in Canada, and not in Japan any more. Any Comments?

Overall, I'd love to know what the 2006 and up civic owners (especially SI owners) feel about their car, the value, and quality of their vehicles! Thanks!

rascal99

I had a '06 Si that I recently had to trade for a larger car. My two cents...the drivetrain and mechanics of this car are bullet proof. Any problems you are likely to have are niggling type problems that would take a trip to the dealer to fix under warranty (e.g. rattles, alignment issues, etc.). You have to remember this is a $20K car and is built like a $20K car. In other words there may be some perceived "cost cutting" done on these cars; however, they are put together pretty well.
My opinion is don't focus on the unflattering message board posts, or overzealous car guys saying it is the best car every made, just go judge the car for yourself. I will say my issues were more driveability issues than quality. My biggest gripe was the steering; it is over-boosted in my opinion. And the alignment of this car is VERY sensitive. If you are going to do a lot of highway driving make sure you can tolerate the sensitive steering. Take the car for a long drive and make sure it does not "drift". My Si had a tendency to drift very easily in response to road conditions. For instance, if I took my hands off the wheel the car would drift off the road fairly easily. This car takes your undivided attention to drive. Make sure that is what you want. Hope this helps.

ezpilze

I thinks its because sedans tend to have rear window defoggers, while hatchies and suvs have the open latch door, so installing one in those would not be possible or would be more costly. I'm pretty sure the rear wiper is for defogging purposes only, rather than for rain or mud or such.

si07

I just bought 07 Si a couple of days ago. The car is very nice. Only one concern I have at this point is that I hear squeaking sound from wheel spring (I think) whenever I go over bumps.

Maybe because it's too new? Or maybe because it's too cold out here (below 0 degree Fahrenheit)? Has anyone had this type of experience when you bought a new civic? Any advise would be appreciated. :confuse:

zacware

I was all excited to pick up a shiny red civic ex coupe after driving an LX when i was shocked to see that even with the seat all the way down my head was bumping against the ceiling. and i'm only 6 ft. tall (barely). Beautiful car, but the only way I can get red, 60/40 seats and disc brakes is with the moonroof. I just thought I would post this as I was amazed I couldn't find any comments about civic ex coupe headroom.

rmrkj2

I'm the same height as you, but have a Si sedan. No problem in it. I'm surprised that there would be that much headroom difference in the Sedan versus coupe

carfanatic007

After and during the 17 plus inches of snow we had here on Tuesday night into Wednesday, the all season performed adequately. Their were times I thought I was going to be stuck but I made it home. If I had summer tires on I doubt I would have made it home.

themage

Yup, I'm 6'2" and I barely fit inside. It's not the most comfortable ride, but it's cheap and reliable. You can't have everything 8^)

I am using it for light commuting, no more than 10-15 miles one way, so it's not too painful.

When I bought it, I also tried an Accord Coupe and there wasn't any difference in headroom. So I stuck with the Civic.

droman

I just can't believe what a rattletrap this car is. I anticipate the "rattle" of the week and cannot believe that I am actually got myself in debt with this vehicle. Honda should bow their heads in shame for producing such a subpar vehicle. In addition to the rattles, vibrations, squeaks and pops, I have to deal with a car that 50% of the time does not turn over on the first try, has a "really weird" a/c system (hot air at idle), brakes that feel like I am stepping on a sponge, 350 watt audio system????? ( sounds worse than my 1986 Camaro)and to top it off, floor mats that I have literally worn a hole through after 6 months of ownership. I have loved my Hondas (I have owned 5) , but never, ever again.

francey

I can hardly believe that you are talking about the same car as mine. I bought my Honda Civic just a year ago and have nothing but the best comments to make about this car.
It's quiet, wonderfully sensitive to drive, very comfortable, gives great mileage, is good looking, easy to clean the upholstery after my companion dog frolics around in the rear and I haven't one criticism that I can even think of after a year's driving it locally.

After driving a 300ZX for 18 years and hating to part with it because of it's exceptional
good looks and such, I thought I couldn't possibly get another car as nice... but, this 2-door Honda Civic is a wonderful replacement, especially when I fill it up with gas.... And, I love that Moonroof. I'd never be without that again.

I'm so sorry to hear that some folks get a lemon, and have nothing but trouble. Isn't there someone you can write to and complain forcefully about this and perhaps get Honda to replace it with a car that has no troublesome faults. After all, a customer's satisfaction is the primary reason they sell so many of their cars. And lemons do happen in all makes and models of cars. It's just a darn shame that it had to be you and a few others who have written in to complain. Bye. Francey

willowct

Hi droman, Francey will remember me from last year. In November of 2006 I leased a new Civic coupe, and in 2 months the back windshield lifted off 2" from the back frame. Had I been on the highway with the windows open, a horrific injury would have occurred to the car behind me. Because the new Civics do not use a rubber frame around the windshields, but are flush with the exterior, many noises and rattles occur. My Honda dealership was shocked. They'd never seen a windshield peel away from the frame before. I complained to the Transportation authority, and this past fall received a recall notice, identifying this problem, so I do hope that you have gone to your dealer to see if either your front or back windshield was not glued in securely.

As Francey may recall, I really wanted to unload the car. It is the first, and last, Honda I'll ever drive. However, I'm in a iron-clad 4-year lease with this thing and will just have to gut it out. The best thing is that the gas mileage really is remarkable, so I can pretend I'm saving some money, even though the monthly lease amount was higher than I expected. To prove how I hate to drive the thing, I've put on only 4,500 miles on it in the 1 year, 4 months since I've had it. I use it only for local driving, as when I drove it up through New England last fall I felt it did not hug the road properly.

There are plenty of people who love their Civics; I don't and am embarrassed that this is the first time in my life I made two mistakes with a car: the Civic and stupidly getting talked into a lease instead of buying it.

dan07si4dr

Well id have to say I just love it..if you have a need for speed this is all you need. The thing I love about the deal is..I drive to work..never get rever the engine over 4thousand rpm..cruise in 6th and i save a ton of gas...can drive all week and get over 300 miles to a tank..about 30 mpg on average id say...on the other hand..if you want to pour it in ..keep it above 5 grand ..you better have both hands on the whel cause you feel like you just jumped on a nitrous bike....driving on the interstate in this thing is instane!!! at over 120 when you let off the gas it pulls wicked to the right...and does drift on concrete highways and interstates..and not just a little...you have to pay attention to what your doing like your watching a 2 year old with add..so.if your one of those idiots that like to text..read your paper..play on your computer..do your makeup...over 70...eating your fast food...talking to friends...or just plain not smart enough to pay attention...you shouldnt buy this car..your going to hurt yourself,....and ore importantly someone else...but if you drive sane...sit back and enjoy the ride..i do daily and i save money =:} I am looking to see how to get this issue fixed about the pull to the right I just dont wanna walk into the dealer and say hey at 120 my car is pulling to the right when i let off at 7 thousand rpm =:} so ill take it to a pro shop and see if i cant get it fixed there..I do know they put a bigger sway bar in the rear..it seems way to light in the front of the car..i think this may be due to the added trunk space of the sedan...i am sure it will fix itself..oh and by the way the tires are michelin mtx's..i know of thers have had similar problems with the other brabds for these cars...so i dont think it is a tire issue..i wonder if the 18in alloys do the same? anyone own them?

xmontx

Because I'm not a mechanic and I'm not sure exactly how Civic SI are built to take punishments.

Anyway, I have a 2007 Civic SI, I was wondering if there would be any damage kicking the car at 6rpm when the vtec kicks in. I did let my car break in (~1200-1400) before going that high.

Also, because there is a REV limiter on the civic SI, if I went beyond and held the car at the redline to the point where the engine chokes for a 1-3 secs...Is that going to break the car? or is that the whole purpose of the REV limiter?

Thanks for any feedback from knowledgeable civic SI members!

john500

The rev limiter is not designed for routine use (it will actually limit your speed if rely upon it because of the delay in engine power return). Your shifting skill should be sufficient that you make the shift about 100 - 300 rpm prior to the redline (i.e. the maximum horsepower is listed at 7800 rpm - there is need to rev beyond 7800). Based upon my experiences with prior makes of Civic Si's, you will not damage the car with occasional rev limiter cut-offs (occasional for me meant about once per month). The "true" redline (i.e. where engine damage occurs) is well beyond where the rev limiter kicks in.

eldaino

yes thats the purpose of the rev limiter. And like john500 said, the actual point where its bad for your engine is even higher up! The k20 loves to rev.

One thing though; v tec hasn't been 'kiking in' at 6k rpm's since 1999; b series v tec is different than the i-vtec on your si. The switchover occurs when the engine starts being driven more aggressively; hence why they call it i vtec (i for intelligent.)