Quality of the Body finish on the 8th gen

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by PT34

Wow...I read so much negativity on this Si. It's got me 2nd guessing picking my Si up on Monday.

I did however drive an Si and an EX 4 comparison purposes before I decided 2 truly buy the Si. I was getting the Si, but just wanted 2 compare the 2 so I could say that I did in fact try out the normal Civic and have grounds 4 comparison.

Now, saying this...The EX's Shifter material was JUNK. Never seen such a shitty looking Shifter. The finish was honestly chipped all off of it. The EX had RIDICULOUS Rev-Hang. In fact, it shot up while pushing in the Clutch.

I then drove one of the Salesmen's Si's that work with my Dad. It was a TW Sedan. Nothing wrong with that whatsoever. He even told me 2 put it through the gears and let him know if I noticed anything that would/should make him concerned 'cause I asked him if he's experiencing anything of the sort.

He then went and talked with the Head Mechanic right as I was leaving (right after I informed him about it, and he was pissed saying "Why the **** wasn't I made aware of this by them?!?!?") When I came back and told him his shit was straight, he then let me know that the Mechanic said that it was prevelant with the '06's, and that Honda has corrected the issue since then. Sure some of the new '07's might suffer from the Rev-Hang and some other issues, but I think that it's mostly the '06 People that are having the most issues.

Whenever a new Car is unveiled, there truly is several issues 2 work out of 'em. I apologize 2 those that made themselves the "Guinea Pigs." But, when I pick mine up on Monday, don't think that I ain't going over it with a fine-toothed Comb before signing my life away 4 the next 5 Years.

-PT34

Don't be fooled thinking that all the problems were left behind with the 06 models. The same problems still exist with the 07's. The Rev Hang, the 3rd gear grind, the bad paint... etc... Make sure you "DO" go over the car with a fine tooth comb and test drive it like you stole it and watch out for the 3rd gear issue. Mine is an 06 and I never had that issue but there are ton of 06 and 07 Si's that do have that problem. I think it's a manufacturers flaw and you either have a bad transmission or you don't.
Putting in aftermarket MTF may temporarily mask the problem but it isn't a permanent fix.

Good Luck with your new 07 Si

[PT34]

Oh, and I got a few Pics of my Si 'cause my Dad took 'em while he was at Work (He works at the Stealership where I'm getting it obviously). It says that my Tranny was made in Japan right on the Sticker. I don't know if that's where they're all built, but it kind've makes U wonder.

I can't see the Japanese doing wrong by their Transmissions...But it makes me think.

-PT34

[Special Ringpop]

This problem has existed in every vehicle the 2.0L K20 engine has been in, to my knowledge. RSX, 06+ Si, and I believe one other Acura.

Honda still claims they've never heard of it.

[06CivEXJon]

HOA has a serious problem.

[BLU BY U]

the third gear grind has existed since the late 80's d-series engines. my 90 crx si had it, along with my 91 si hatch. I blame both of those cases on lazy drivers that dont shift properly though.

/hijack

[kronusthebonus]

I've got about 5 days on my new FA5. I guess I just don't see what everyone is complaining about... yet. Although, I have yet to wash my ride yet, which is when I usually see all the imperfections in the paint. The interior seems to be okay, cept that tiny rock or grass particle on my shoes are now on my black floormats. Oh well, a bit more vacuuming couldn't hurt.

As far as the transmission. I think it shifts great. I do notice that sometimes 3rd gear is a little more, how would you say, notchy? But I'm used to driving DSMs and EVOs, so this transmission feels like butter.

Love the exhaust note from the FA5, and it handles great. Can't wait til I actually open it up on some backroads and learn its capabilities.

[BLU BY U]

Originally Posted by kronusthebonus

I've got about 5 days on my new FA5. I guess I just don't see what everyone is complaining about... yet. Although, I have yet to wash my ride yet, which is when I usually see all the imperfections in the paint. The interior seems to be okay, cept that tiny rock or grass particle on my shoes are now on my black floormats. Oh well, a bit more vacuuming couldn't hurt.

As far as the transmission. I think it shifts great. I do notice that sometimes 3rd gear is a little more, how would you say, notchy? But I'm used to driving DSMs and EVOs, so this transmission feels like butter.

Love the exhaust note from the FA5, and it handles great. Can't wait til I actually open it up on some backroads and learn its capabilities.

give it time, im at 23k miles and ive got little chips all over the front bumper. everyhwere else is fine though

[ronin]

Kronus if you've owned a previous generation Civic and took a careful look at the new car. You will see that the fit and finish isn't as good. That is my main complaint.

[mellowbob]

I owned a 92 eg6 for 13 years before I sold it. The paint was just a little better than the 06 si but it still chipped easily. I anticipated this going into an 06 si so I slapped on a 3m clear bra on the same day I got the car. Still no chips after 13k mi.

The suede seats are comfortable and grippy but wears too easily. My old eg seats lasted longer. Maybe I should just sell them before they wear all the way down and get a set of Brides.

[kronusthebonus]

Originally Posted by ronin

Kronus if you've owned a previous generation Civic and took a careful look at the new car. You will see that the fit and finish isn't as good. That is my main complaint.

Nah man, never owned any other Honda products. I did have a 2003 CL Type-S that I sold before I got my Si.

It was NHBP and I had about 150 chips in the bumper/hood/fenders.

So, it chipped alot, and it was an Acura.

[BLU BY U]

2003 cl-s FTW , awesome cars!

[robertw]

i have noticed alot of orange peel on my car. i never noticed when i got my car since it was rigt before winter, but lately it seems that since the car has been clean i can see it everywhere. it's on the spoiler, and it is really bad on the side of the car. it goes the whole length of the car. i really don't know how the dealer will fix this since the clear coat and the paint are paper thin. i have addressed this issue and i have an appointment tuesday so they can take a look a it. i really regret buying this car, i think i should have just waited for the speed3. atleast it's 98% made in japan, unlike my junker.

[kronusthebonus]

Originally Posted by BLU BY U

2003 cl-s FTW , awesome cars!

The 6 speeds yes. The automatics are a friggin timebomb waiting to explode and kill you. Good riddance.

[06CivEXJon]

Get this my Civic wouldnt start yesterday after 3 cranks!! WTF is going on!?!?

[roadcarver]

I have had my civic si coupe for over 3 months now with no problems. I wash my car about twice a week and the paint looks fine to me,no bumps,paint runs,etc. I guess I am just lucky. The only mildly annoying thing I have encountered so far is the little handles above front door openings vibrate and make a noise over rough surfaces. I previously had a ep3 that was made in England which I had for over 4 years. It was solid as a rock,no rattles and never saw the dealer for any problems. Im not disputing what you guys are saying, just telling of my experience. As far as rattles, I think most cars produced today have rattling problems. As far as Subaru goes, my wife has a 06 forester 2.5 xt turbo which came from Japan which rattles like a damn tin can all over. I can barely stand to ride in the thing, so Subaru and japanese produced does not guarantee no rattles. I guess only time will tell for me.

[08FijiSi]

Can someone explain what exactly the 3M exterior protection package is? I'm debating having the dealership do this when i get my 08 SI. It is applied only to the front bumper or what? Does it considerably reduce the effects of rock chips? Any info from someone that has had this done would be greatly appreciated.

Also, what about the interior protection package?

[08FijiSi]

how good of an investment would you say 3M protective film is?

[Special Ringpop]

I would watch the insults if I were you: Personal attacks are not allowed.

Tread lightly.

[joedart]

every new car coming to market has crappy paint.....get used to it.

almost all the issues with my car, and i've had many, have been because of poor workmanship from the factory.

[urge31121@hotmail.com]

Most new cars have crap paint jobs these days due to cost cutting by the automakers. It is something you will not see until you have already drove the car off the lot, so it doesn't really affect their sales. As for repeat business though...it is horrible to put such a shit paint job on a car. Just seems like every automaker is trying to lower the quality of their overall product while prices continue to increase.

It is very very clear that all the money used to develop the Si was spent on engine, transmission, and suspension; from a performance standpoint I think our Si's are amazing!!! I have a 200hp car that gets 31mpg on average, that's nuts!

However, my Si has the worst plastic interior I've ever had on a new car...just got it back from the shop with some new scuffs on the door panel...I could bitch at them for it but as you all know, if you look at the door plastics wrong they will f'n scuff!!! What is this shit made of, it's just terrible. I've seen better interior materials in a Hyundai for sure.

Some will say, well this is just a 20K car, but I say...so why do we get the paint and interior quality of a 14K car? This is what I would expect if I bought a Kia or Suzuki, not a new Honda.

I am possibly going to trade my 06 Si for an 08 Si sedan but I will be curious to see first if Honda has done anything to improve quality in the 08's first...if not I'll probably be going for a 08 Mazdaspeed3. I've had several Mazdas and never had any interior quality issues ) Zoom Zoom