2006 civic type-r coming to US

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by aki

I didn't see this thread in here, thx for merging

The thing is, what Honda could do is go upmarket for the CTR, to put it into a similar price range as the VW GTI. Put leather seats, have a 220HP engine, Xenon lamps. If it had a limited run, I think people would swipe them up pretty fast. It looks smaller than the Civic coupe, and has a much better interior IMO.

The 99-01 ITR's had a limited run here. And they sat on dealer's lots.

Your post proves exactly what I'm saying.

put it into a similar price range as the VW GTI

Ok. Done.

Put leather seats

have a 220HP engine

Xenon lamps

So if it doesn't have these three things at the price of the GTI, then what? You'd go buy a GTI, right? Why pay the price of a GTI, if you're not getting everything the GTI is getting? So just what ARE you getting?

Like I said earlier, you're paying a mark-up for a badge. That's it. You're not going to get a CTR with leather seats. You're not going to get a CTR in this iteration with a 220hp engine. You're not going to get a CTR with Xenon Lamps. What you want is an entry-level luxury vehicle. Go buy an Audi A3.

[Gonzo]

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

"Yeah, but it doesn't have any cup holders, and the seats just don't...fit me right."

It's a Corvette and the guy is worried about cup holders?! :gaygiggle

What can I say? It's a deal breaker for sure!

I gotta agree with alot of people here, the Si is a wonderful compromise between performance and comfort. It's a great, inexpensive daily driver for the enthusiast that is looking for a car that is easy to live with.

I know alot of diehards in the Si crowd aren't a fan of the idea of an Si sedan, but again, great for a family guy who wants an enthusiast car that he can haul the kids around with safely and take to the autocross, all in one. (Me, I'll take the coupe.)

That's hard for any car, especially one in the Si's pricerange.

Let the car be what it is. It does it very well.

If you want more power and more luxury, fork over the extra cash for something like an IS300. Power and amenities don't come cheap you know?

[Spargo]

My guess is the RSX-S is going to come back with the 220hp engine, and all the bits everyone is asking for as part of branding. The RSX-S is a honda in japan but an acura here and I'd expect the same trend.

PS it will also cost 23-25k, and STILL be a much MUCH better deal than the junky GTI.

PPS the GTI is selling so bad VW has plans to revamp for 2008, usualy cars run for at least 4 years before a revamp, but the 'fast' is selling anything but.

As far as the American Comfort thing, I'd rather the car come with everything and I can take out the bits I don't want, rather than the other way around. This is a civic si, its built to be driven daily, no one is gunna turn this into a garage queen, I mean reality check its a 20k car, its not an nsx or some other weekend warior. Thats what most people want, thats what I want, why have a car that looks nice and drive fast that you can't bring everywhere and show off? I love how the si fits 4, its one of its biggest advantages over mx-5s and solstices etc, because I can bring my girl and 2 friends in comfort and safety.

-Spargo

[8thgenuser]

Originally Posted by Spargo

PS it will also cost 23-25k, and STILL be a much MUCH better deal than the junky GTI.

-Spargo

PPS the GTI is selling so bad VW has plans to revamp for 2008, usualy cars run for at least 4 years before a revamp, but the 'fast' is selling anything but.

-Spargo (again of course :) )

Is the GTI really selling as bad as you say it is? Well, whether it is or not, I don't think that had a huge impact on VW revamping it for 2008. The current look of the GTI/Golf was out in Europe quite a number of years before it showed up in the US. 2008 is just time for another model update.

I know, I know...we're getting off topic here...back on topic...

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Spargo

My guess is the RSX-S is going to come back with the 220hp engine, and all the bits everyone is asking for as part of branding. The RSX-S is a honda in japan but an acura here and I'd expect the same trend.

-Spargo

The RSX-S is done. Being replaced by the TSX coupe. Also, use the edit function next time.

Originally Posted by 8thgenuser

Is the GTI really selling as bad as you say it is? Well, whether it is or not, I don't think that had a huge impact on VW revamping it for 2008. The current look of the GTI/Golf was out in Europe quite a number of years before it showed up in the US. 2008 is just time for another model update.

I know, I know...we're getting off topic here...back on topic...

No it's not selling as bad as he says it is....

[atruhondagrl]

Should this be true, my job just got a whole lot more interesting?

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Should this be true, my job just got a whole lot more interesting?

What? About the TSX coupe? It's been confirmed by Honda.


Or were you talking about the R?

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by RedSIinPA

they can have it. I daily commute in my FG2 and I need my A/C, I like my moonroof, and I like my kidneys to remain intact over our famous philly potholes. And while I am a little biased, I think our coupes look better than that hatch. And I like hatchbacks - been a secret obsessor of the pudgy but so hot R32 for years now.

Thanks for the headsup. I maybe making a daily commute to Philly for a month of so come August. I haven't driven in Center City in years. I usually avoid it and go straight to Jerz (family) or catch a ride.

[MyFordAtenzaSucks]

Originally Posted by Janizary

Yep, Skittles hits that right on the head. I'd like a (new) G35 6MT or IS350 for under 30K

I'd pay 30k if they could just make something with a tad bit of luxury and four doors that didn't weigh more than a Mustang. 3600 lbs is inexcusable. An E36 BMW weighed 2700 lbs, and that was certainly a car with some amenities. 4 doors, RWD, and a good handling car. For god's sake, my SUV weighs less than 2900 lbs. The IS350 is just a diet away from being a sweet car.

As far as a Type R is concerned, if you want a Type R Accord, get an Acura TSX, it is the Euro Type R.

Personally, I would love a K23-engined Civic with 4 doors that weighs less than 3000. RWD would be nice, but any four door Si would be welcome. I would seriously consider up to paying up to 40k for a quad-coupe S2000 GTS that weighed less than 2800 lbs.

But maybe Honda is seeing the light. After all Hell has frozen over and they are making a low-end torque turbo engine.

BTW, that Type R looks like a FordUK Ka. Gross.

[aki]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

The 99-01 ITR's had a limited run here. And they sat on dealer's lots.

ITRs were overpriced, and gave much less bang for the buck than the current Si. I never cared for the ITR, or any Integra for that matter.

So if it doesn't have these three things at the price of the GTI, then what? You'd go buy a GTI, right? Why pay the price of a GTI, if you're not getting everything the GTI is getting? So just what ARE you getting?

I have no idea what you're talking about. So you're saying a bump in 20HP plus retuned suspension would put the price of a fully loaded CTR w/o Xenons or leather would be at $28k? Are you kidding? At most it'd cost $24k w/o those luxury options, and would bump up to $28k (the price of a fully loaded GTI) with them. And isn't it a bit simplistic to think that you're getting less with a CTR w/o those accoutrements? How about reliability issues with VWs? Lack of LSD? The fact that a loaded GTI WOULD cost more than a similarly equipped CTR due to higher production costs in Germany--the *main* reason why they are discontinuing the current gen Golf so quickly? A CTR, if not marked up could even be a couple thousand cheaper. And even if it isn't cheaper, you still have a car with a little more horsepower, better handling (less roll in corners, LSD), better steering feel, and better reliability reputation.

The GTI isn't selling well because it's expensive, and it's expensive because of high production costs. Honda doesn't have that same problem of high production costs. That levels the field in terms of price point. And if the CTR would only see limited importing of a couple thousand units/yr, you wouldn't have VWs problem of GTIs languishing in lots.

[iVTEC]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

To be perfectly honest? Because the Americans like being comfortable. The European and Japanese are willing to sacrifice comfort for performance. Americans have to have both. No true Type-R is really going to have both. Which is why we get a compromise called the "Si". Si standing for "Sports Injected" means you get a basic car, but with a little spirit added onto it.

Have you actually been to Europe? Many of the streets are tiny and you share them with huge crowds of pedestrians without a sidewalk. A larger US-sized car would not fit or be very difficult to fit in older parts of many European cities. Plus gas is $5-6 per gallon. Most people take the bus, metro or walk wherever they need to go. Maybe that's why there aren't as many fat people over there versus over here (and consequently more HOT women).

Between the small streets and the high fuel costs, small cars are in. A US Civic sedan would be HUGE as in limo-size in Europe. There are many cars smaller than the Mini Cooper over there. It's considered normal. I saw a Toyota Corolla and a BMW 3 Series on the streets of Salamanca, a city in Northern Spain. They were the biggest cars on the street! I saw a UPS delivery truck that was smaller than a US minivan! Everything is smaller and in less quantity there. But no one feels deprived. When you're there, you realize how much we Americans have that we don't need. It's a different lifestyle that I recommend everyone try at least once in their lives.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

To be perfectly honest? Because the Americans like being comfortable. The European and Japanese are willing to sacrifice comfort for performance. Americans have to have both. No true Type-R is really going to have both. Which is why we get a compromise called the "Si". Si standing for "Sports Injected" means you get a basic car, but with a little spirit added onto it.

And I'll be damned if it ain't the best Si we've had since the CRX-Si...we don't really need the Type-R, when you think about it. Same engine, same horsepower output as the last model, lighterweight and a more aggressive suspension setup. What's that really mean to Americans? No power evolution, thinner window glass (more road noise), no A/C, no sunroof, choppy, extremely stiff ride....

....basically, we whine. Have you ever read some of the ridiculous posts people write? "Send us the Type-R with 230-250hp, plus A/C, plus a sunroof and mp3 player and a 12" subwoofer, plus interior anemities and price it around $20K."

:rolleyes:

Europeans sacrificing comfort for performance is right on Best Si ever? Yep
But they still have some cars that cost well under 20,000 Euro and will leave you slack jawed.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by iVTEC

A US Civic sedan would be HUGE as in limo-size in Europe. There are many cars smaller than the Mini Cooper over there. It's considered normal. I saw a Toyota Corolla and a BMW 3 Series on the streets of Salamanca, a city in Northern Spain. They were the biggest cars on the street! I saw a UPS delivery truck that was smaller than a US minivan! Everything is smaller and in less quantity there. But no one feels deprived. When you're there, you realize how much we Americans have that we don't need. It's a different lifestyle that I recommend everyone try at least once in their lives.

The first time I saw an Acura TSX it wasn't. It was October 2003 in the suburbs of Catania in Sicily. What I saw was a Honda Accord (Euro Spec) and it was cruising through my neighborhood. I thought, god, that is gorgeous what is it? When I found out it was sold in the states, I was elated! I would have one if the SI wasn't available. A Civic wouldn't be so bad there, even in the city.

Europeans believe in function vs form. Does it have space for people and goods, can it easily navigate the streets I normally travel on, is it affordable and good on gas? Hence why deisels are so popular there. Then they ask themselves, how does it look? What can it do? That is why small, oddly colored hatchbacks with suprisingly peppy engines and tiny turning radius' are so prevalent there.

You're right, living in Europe does give you a different outlook on where you're coming from. You learn to live without convenience. You can't get milk at 2 am in Italy and everything is closed for riposo. In Andalucia region of southern Spain, everything shuts down for siesta and everyone eats dinner from 8pm on. But really, Europe is catching up to us and opulence is becoming just as much a social sport there as it is here.

[iVTEC]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

You're right, living in Europe does give you a different outlook on where you're coming from. You learn to live without convenience. You can't get milk at 2 am in Italy and everything is closed for riposo. In Andalucia region of southern Spain, everything shuts down for siesta and everyone eats dinner from 8pm on. But really, Europe is catching up to us and opulence is becoming just as much a social sport there as it is here.

Ah, yes. A kindred spirit. I love Andalucia. I studied there in 2003 and in Salamanca in 2005. They have siesta throughout the country, even in Salamanca in the North. I'd love to live there for more than a month at a time, maybe for a few years.

[iVTEC]

Here's a picture of an Audi A4 driving through the streets of Toledo, Spain. Can you imagine if you were driving a Buick? Or even the US Honda Accord or Toyota Camry? Small cars rule in this type of setting.

[si_civic]

220hp is wrongo