My Si just turned one -- and so here's my review

[TigerDave]

I bought my Civic Si to use as a sporty commuter car (110 miles per day) and to keep that mileage off my 2003 BMW M3 Coupe. In fact, I was amazed at how much the Si and The M3 had in common (such as the drive-by-wire throttle).

Here's my list some of likes/dislikes after one year of Si ownership...

LIKES:

• Price! (Although I had to call 8 dealers in So Cal to find one that didn't have a dealer mark up!)
• The huge cup holders. And in the right spot too. My '98 Mustang GT had the worst location for cup holders ever.
• The sliding cover for the cup holders.
• Audio-In jack below the front car charger port.
• Storage space in front of the shifter. Perfect spot for my iPod and retracting audio cable.
• Sliding arm rest. Nice touch.
• Volume, CH/TRACK, and MODE controls on the steering wheel (a MUST if you are used to driving a BMW).
• Attractive interior. Nice seat materials.
• Nice, easy-to-read digital readouts on dash.
• Speedometer is high enough to practically be a heads-up display. Can read it without taking eyes off road.
• Thermometer readout in dash (also a must-have if you are used to BMW's).
• CD player supports MP3 and WMA files! I wish my BMW had that!
• Moonroof switch operation and feel is identical to the M3)
• The way the bac on the RPM gauge fades in when you start the car. The red gradient graphic makes it appear like a sunsrise.
• Two car charger ports! One for the iPod, one for my cell or GPS! Nice!
• Telescoping steering wheel! I'm 6'2" and mostly leg, so I have to slide the seat pretty far back. Having a telescoping steering wheel makes all the difference in the world.
• Factory Trunk tray is nice.
• 8 air bags!
• Fun to drive. Spirited and nimble.
• Great MPG.
• Not a million of them on the road (yet).
• Can program the driver's door to lock when leaving and unlock when turning off ignition.
• Oil Life gauge, and the fact that the user can reset it if they do their own oil change like I do.
• Headrests for rear passengers. Even in the center rear (which will probably never be used).
• Red embroidered "Si" and red stitching in seats is nice.
• Flip down coat hangers on rear pillars (instead of just an ugly plastic hook like cars of yesteryear).
• The little red LED next to the moonroof switch which lights up the shifter area at night. I'm thinking this was ripped from BMW since my M3 had the exact same thing -- but much brighter.

DISLIKES:

• Price! (I had to call 8 dealers in So Cal to find one that didn't have a dealer mark up!)
• Paint scratches if you just look at it wrong. A stray cat hopped on and then off my fiancee's '07 EX and left very noticeable scratches on the trunk lid. I've since installed 3M clear bra material over the front 1/2 of the hood, fenders and headlights to protect it from rock chips.
• Xenon headlights not available (once you go Xenon, it's hard to go back to Halogen). I may go with an after market kit down the road.
• The oil filter on the Si in the WORST place for access compared to our 2007 Civic EX. The EX was cake. The Si required me to remove my right-front wheel and get a special filter wrench for removal. Total pain!
• OEM fog lights are a rip off and appear to be a pain to install based on the directions I've read.
• Factory mudguards are better than nothing, but I still get water splashed up on the side of my car when turning.
• The shifter knob will feel like a branding iron on your palm if left out in the sun to bake.
• The windshield is so huge, you MUST buy a custom-fit sun shade ($30 on eBay).
• No place to store trash (like gum wrappers) since there's no ashtray.
• Wimpy horn. It's going to be replaced soon.
• Insurance coverage is MORE than the BMW M3 costing 3x the price! WTF!?
• Side mirrors do not fold in for protection against breakage.
• Front passenger seat does not always "lock" back into place after using the rear-entry lever. Often feels like there's a bolt or two loose on the floor bracket. I have to mess with the seat-adjustment bar while sliding it forwards and back repeatedly to get it to feel locked down.
• Front driver's seat does NOT slide forward like the passenger's does when you pull the tilt-lever. You have to manually slide the seat forward to get to the back seats by using the seat adjustment bar under the front of the seat.
• Pulling down sun visors require an insane amount of force, but they swing left/right too easily. Can't tell you how many times I take a left turn at, say, 45MPH or faster and the sun visor which was up against the driver's side window swings right and hits me in the head.
• Black cloth interior shows white lint and other debris too easily. Thank God I don't have a dandruff problem!
• Interior front door panels scuff really easily with shoes. One must enter/exit the car with care! I installed 3M clear bra material to the door sills to eliminate shoe scuffs on the paint.
• The passenger seat belt clip sometimes rattles between the plastic of the interior and the plastic side-airbag cover when driving on bumpy roads.

That's all for now. Will add more later as they come to mind.

[nayilsi]

On a score of 1 to 10

compare ur M3 and the Si. I mean score them.

[Tom1222]

I have my Si now for 16 months and I agree with most of it. My insurance hasn't gone up but it hasn't come down either and I was coming from a 06 350 HP Dodge Charger Daytona to the Honda Civic Si and they are almost the same insurance coverage which is insane. I guess they think the Si is a temptation for young drivers to go COO COO or something.
I put a Sock over my shift knob so this 98 degree heat wont burn a permanent 6 speed logo in my palm

Overall the Si is a fun little car with spunk. The main reason I replaced my Daytona was Gas Mileage. Our office moved to a new location which requires me to drive a lot further than before and the Daytona got about 13-14 MPG average compared to 28.5 mpg to my Civic. When the Gallon of gas reached almost 4 bucks a Gallon I paniked and traded my Daytona in for the Civic Si and I am not sorry one bit. I don't miss the HP of the Charger at all but I do miss the Roominess. 4 doors come in handy when you have friends and if you want to drive around 4 people comfortably. The paint on this car is the
worst I have ever seen. It has paint defects from the factory and little dirty imperfections that stick up from the paint. That is probably my biggest gripe. The car runs great and gets good gas mileage are the two biggest Pluses. Maybe next year I may trade it in for an Audi TT or maybe an S4.
I need a little bit more room and the Si just lacks a bit in that department.

I would give the 06 Si an 8 out of 10

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

I bought my Civic Si to use as a sporty commuter car (110 miles per day) and to keep that mileage off my 2003 BMW M3 Coupe. In fact, I was amazed at how much the Si and The M3 had in common (such as the drive-by-wire throttle).

Here's my list some of likes/dislikes after one year of Si ownership...

LIKES:
- Factory Trunk tray is nice.

What trunk tray? Mine didn't have one.

DISLIKES:
- OEM fog lights are a rip off and appear to be a pain to install based on the directions I've read.

Honestly, they're not much more than something like Catz fogs, but they come with a new headlight/turn signal stalk. Catz isn't giving you one of those. Sure they're harder to install, but you're essentially doing an OEM wiring install. I'm sure you could rig it like an aftermarket setup but I'd rather have it be OEM.

- No place to store trash (like gum wrappers) since there's no ashtray.

With the myriad of pockets in the console you can't find one place to put a gum wrapper.

- Insurance coverage is MORE than the BMW M3 costing 3x the price!

This is the one that stood out most to me. My insurance is lower than it was on my Passat and lower than it currently is on my 05 Jetta GLI. Weird. What's your driving record look like? Married? Kids?

[TigerDave]

Originally Posted by nayilsi

On a score of 1 to 10

compare ur M3 and the Si. I mean score them.

Well, if it's any consolation, I love my Si so much, that I recently sold the M3 and stuck all that money (it was paid for) into the bank and opened a new CD as well.

[spocheld]

nice review, I agree with just about everything you stated. I found that the leather wrap is a life savior in the heat (when it gets 110* here during the summer). And I always get my oil changed at the dealership, it's only $25, you get a free carwash, and get to go look at all the new cars for about an hour

[nayilsi]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

Well, if it's any consolation, I love my Si so much, that I recently sold the M3 and stuck all that money (it was paid for) into the bank and opened a new CD as well.

so no regrets ?

[TigerDave]

Originally Posted by quality_sound

What trunk tray? Mine didn't have one.

Honestly, they're not much more than something like Catz fogs, but they come with a new headlight/turn signal stalk. Catz isn't giving you one of those. Sure they're harder to install, but you're essentially doing an OEM wiring install. I'm sure you could rig it like an aftermarket setup but I'd rather have it be OEM.

With the myriad of pockets in the console you can't find one place to put a gum wrapper.

This is the one that stood out most to me. My insurance is lower than it was on my Passat and lower than it currently is on my 05 Jetta GLI. Weird. What's your driving record look like? Married? Kids?

I bought a trunk try and mudguards and installed them myself after I bought the car. What I meant by "factory" is "OEM".

Trunk Tray:
http:///ypvcs5

Mudguards:
http:///2bh4aq

I usually stash gum wrappers and other trash into an ashtray so it doesn't go flying around everywhere when the windows are down. For now, I just use one cup holders and slide the cover closed. I keep my bluetooth headset in the pocket below the side mirror controls, a small bottle Purell in the pocket below the AC/heater controls (Germ-o-phobe alert!), my iPod in the pocket in front of the shifter, and my car charger cables, hand wipes (Germ-o-phone alert #2), and SureFire flashlight (a must-have) under the arm rest.

When my fiancee (36) and I (39) had just an '03 BMW M3 and '03 MINI Cooper, our insurance (Wawanesa) was $1100/year. We're in San Diego, no accidents for either of us and no kids (our motto is "Cars, not Kids!").

Now I have an '06 Civic Si and she has an '07 Civic EX and it's $1300/year. Go figure!

[TigerDave]

Originally Posted by spocheld

nice review, I agree with just about everything you stated. I found that the leather wrap is a life savior in the heat (when it gets 110* here during the summer). And I always get my oil changed at the dealership, it's only $25, you get a free carwash, and get to go look at all the new cars for about an hour

Good point. $25 is a great price as it took me 3 hours to change oil (and rotate the tires) in both Civics.

I like to use FRAM filters and Mobil 1 synthetic oil only which is why I do it myself.

[KingMarineM16a4]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

Good point. $25 is a great price as it took me 3 hours to change oil (and rotate the tires) in both Civics.

I like to use FRAM filters and Mobil 1 synthetic oil only which is why I do it myself.

Mobil 1 filters are much better than basically any other filter.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

I bought a trunk try and mudguards and installed them myself after I bought the car. What I meant by "factory" is "OEM".

Trunk Tray:
http:///ypvcs5

Mudguards:
http:///2bh4aq

I usually stash gum wrappers and other trash into an ashtray so it doesn't go flying around everywhere when the windows are down. For now, I just use one cup holders and slide the cover closed. I keep my bluetooth headset in the pocket below the side mirror controls, a small bottle Purell in the pocket below the AC/heater controls (Germ-o-phobe alert!), my iPod in the pocket in front of the shifter, and my car charger cables, hand wipes (Germ-o-phone alert #2), and SureFire flashlight (a must-have) under the arm rest.

When my fiancee (36) and I (39) had just an '03 BMW M3 and '03 MINI Cooper, our insurance (Wawanesa) was $1100/year. We're in San Diego, no accidents for either of us and no kids (our motto is "Cars, not Kids!").

Now I have an '06 Civic Si and she has an '07 Civic EX and it's $1300/year. Go figure!

Ahhhh....I have the splash guards and the full nose mask. :):):):) I was going to do the trunk tray but once I do the system I won't be able to use it anymore.

I put my iPod in the same place!

I think the fact that you're not married, live in SD and drive higher theft cars now is why the rates went up. They'll go back down when you get married.

[TigerDave]

Originally Posted by nayilsi

so no regrets ?

There are some things about the M3 you simply cannot replace with a Civic. I really liked the highly-adjustable power seats with inflatable lumbar and side bolsters. The Xenon lights at night were fantastic. And of course 333HP and a 0-60 of under 5 seconds is sweet -- when you actually floor it (rare).

I loved the paint -- which wouldn't scratch or chip unless you took a chainsaw to it. BMW's unique paint process really paid off.

I also loved the paddle shifters when driving and the SMG transmission for the times where I didn't feel like working a clutch pedal shifting while stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Compared to the M3 which felt so "solid", the Civic felt "cheap" because everything is so light. But then I remembered, light is good! The trunk lid is a good example. It's so feather light.

So will I return to BMW? Maybe. When the new M3 comes out in a year, I'll revisit buying a used current model (E46) when the prices really drop.

Until then, I am loving the new gen Civic. What a great value! And now we have TWO!

[hatr3d]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

Compared to the M3 which felt so "solid", the Civic felt "cheap" because everything is so light. But then I remembered, light is good! The trunk lid is a good example. It's so feather light.

I feel the same way. After owning American cars all my life, the Si felt "cheap". The interior door panels feel like I'm going to rip them off when I close the door. When I close the door with the window half open, it sounds like teeth chattering! I've found myself being "gentle" in this car. (Not that I was an animal in my previous rides.)

I haven't had any issues with the paint so far. (Knock on wood.) The body panels sound real thin. When I wash it, the sound of the water hitting the car sounds "tinny", like the panels are made of 28ga. sheet metal.

[TommyD]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

I bought a trunk try and mudguards and installed them myself after I bought the car. What I meant by "factory" is "OEM".

Trunk Tray:
http:///ypvcs5

Mudguards:
http:///2bh4aq

I usually stash gum wrappers and other trash into an ashtray so it doesn't go flying around everywhere when the windows are down. For now, I just use one cup holders and slide the cover closed. I keep my bluetooth headset in the pocket below the side mirror controls, a small bottle Purell in the pocket below the AC/heater controls (Germ-o-phobe alert!), my iPod in the pocket in front of the shifter, and my car charger cables, hand wipes (Germ-o-phone alert #2), and SureFire flashlight (a must-have) under the arm rest.

When my fiancee (36) and I (39) had just an '03 BMW M3 and '03 MINI Cooper, our insurance (Wawanesa) was $1100/year. We're in San Diego, no accidents for either of us and no kids (our motto is "Cars, not Kids!").

Now I have an '06 Civic Si and she has an '07 Civic EX and it's $1300/year. Go figure!

It went up because of the year of the cars you are driving now. Older cars = cheaper insurance. It will drop if you keep the cars long enough. A brand new car cost more to insure than something 2-3 years old or older.

[Rallyecivic]

I'd definently love an M3 omg...
But I just got my SI and I love it plus im a honda man so that helps...
Yea i'm dissapointed in the interior that is so easily scratched. But whatever it's a car...for some reason I want to eventually buy an S2000...

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by hatr3d

I feel the same way. After owning American cars all my life, the Si felt "cheap". The interior door panels feel like I'm going to rip them off when I close the door. When I close the door with the window half open, it sounds like teeth chattering! I've found myself being "gentle" in this car. (Not that I was an animal in my previous rides.)

I haven't had any issues with the paint so far. (Knock on wood.) The body panels sound real thin. When I wash it, the sound of the water hitting the car sounds "tinny", like the panels are made of 28ga. sheet metal.

LOL, Yup I know what you mean. It's the only car I have owned that the roof collapses if I wash it. I try not to put pressure on it and rub too hard but it always pops down and back up. Real cheap metal. I hope I will never be in a wreck with this thing it will disintegrate.

[windsurf7]

Originally Posted by Tom1222

LOL, Yup I know what you mean. It's the only car I have owned that the roof collapses if I wash it. I try not to put pressure on it and rub too hard but it always pops down and back up. Real cheap metal. I hope I will never be in a wreck with this thing it will disintegrate.

I agree about the roof! When I wax the roof or polish it, i feel like Im gonna dent it. I do have to disagree about the interior though. The only car that I owned that felt better was an old bmw 320 IS That had the black leather inside with recaro seats. (I could get in that car and drive for days and not want to stop, the si reminds me of it)

[quality_sound]

I don't think it's a lack of strength, but a lack of bracing. It doesn't feel any thinner than the metal on my Passat wagon, but the Passat wagon has a LOT of bracing on the roof.

[Checoman]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

ashtray.
- Wimpy horn. It's going to be replaced soon.

I dunno why Honda doesn't pay attention to all the complaints about the horn .. If you don't want to spend more money on production costs just place it in a freakin reachable place , damn it !!!!!

[MellowGato]

Originally Posted by quality_sound

This is the one that stood out most to me. My insurance is lower than it was on my Passat

Me too. The Passat was a POS! It fell apart 500 miles after the warranty was up.
Mine insurance went down enough for me to bump my coverage up and still come out ahead...