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Best Hot Hatch - SVT, Civic Si, GTI, RSX, Mini, Beetle...
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Please let us know how your Lemon law status comes along!!
http://sourcecodegeeks.com/public/civic/
Edmunds comparison test of the (in alphabetical order) Civic Si, Cobalt SS, Mazdaspeed3, Mini Cooper S, Suburu WRX TR, and VW GTI. Since all (except the Cobalt) are available as hatchbacks, I thought this would be a good place to hash this one out....
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=117762?tid=edmund- s.il.home.photopanel..1.*
Rorr, i wanted to know what you meant by the si being a hatchback...maybe in europe, but its a different animal, the hatchback si is no more in the states.
They only tested what THEY could actually lay their hands on at the time of the test.
Which explains why the Mazdaspeed3 they tested was a fully loaded Grand Touring edition (w/ the optional Nav system) which hurt it in the 'value' category.
Obviously, one can read these things lots of different ways. You might have an issue with docking either the Si or GTI for 'practicality' when they didn't test the available 4-door versions. Fair enough. I might have an issue that they docked the Speed3 for 'value' when they only tested the most expensive version available.
BTW - regarding the Si: for some reason, I've always associated Si's with hatchbacks (going back to my first '86 CRX Si and later on my '92 Civic Si). I had forgotten that this particular iteration was only available as either a 2-dr coupe or 4-dr sedan. Bleah. Personally, I'd rather have a hatch (but that's a purely subjective opinion on my part).
"...the comments on the mini and gti offering the most interesting and uniqe (albeit ultra precise rides.)"
How in the heck did you get the impression that they judged the GTI to have an "ultra precise ride"? I quote: "...and it's the least involving car to drive as a result."
"If honda would turbo and VW would stiffen, i think this would have been switched around a bit."
If. Perhaps. Maybe. But they don't.
"...how practical can an ultra stiff, loud and very-rough-riding-almost-30k hatchback be?"
Again, from the comparison:
"On rough roads this car (Speed3) wasn't always as composed as we'd like, but only the WRX was better over a less-than-perfect surface."
Um, that would mean that it was better than the GTI and Si over rough roads. Almost 30k? Come again? Even a LOADED Speed3 (Grand Touring w/ Navigation, auto-dimming mirror with Homelink, floormats, and destination) is under $27k. BTW - a check of local dealers (central Texas) shows four Speed3 Sports available with an MSRP of under $23k.
And from the comparison referring to the Speed3: "...but also the easiest package to live with."
I guess they equate 'ultra stiff, loud and very-rough-riding' with easiest to live with... :confuse:
i saying that they were unique, even if they lacked precision. Why is that hard to understand? i typed it clearly enough. The civic si stopped being a hatch aroun 96, then came the 2 door coupe si and then the hatch from 02-05. That hatch, although i loved the styling, would have been much better suited as an ex only model, an exclusively trimmed hatchback, but not as an si.
And i'm through arguing about the ms3. Cabron.
Must be: 4 door, automatic, decent mpg, reliable, comfortable/confident at 80+ mph, and FUN to DRIVE.
So far, I’m considering the GTI (4dr), GLI, S40, TSX, WRX, Accord V6, and Legacy GT. Your advice, experience, or opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
go_snail_go
Turbo + automatic is not a good equation, so that rules out the WRX, S40 T5, and Legacy GT.
The GTI is also a turbo, but by all accounts its got very little lag and a great auto tranny. Problem is, I don't trust VW reliablity enough to purchase one. If you are leasing, it might be a different story.
honestly, I don't find the Accord all that fun, but it would be my pick out of this particular automatic-hampered list.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
www.honda.co.uk/ look for Civic Type R
www.skoda.co.uk/ look for Fabia vRS or Octavia vRS (gasoline or diesel)
Enjoy.