Si vs. SS vs. WRX vs. GLI- Si, biggest bang for buck under $25K

[skittleslegend]

I just thought it was worth mentioning. Not that this car needs any more magazine accolades (Geez, I wanna drive the damn thing, enough already...), but the December Issue of Automobile mag chose the 2006 Honda Civic Si best overall among the 2006 Subaru WRX, 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS and 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, in a group of cars under $25,000.

"the Si badge is back on top of the hot-compact heap..."

People talk about how heavy the Si is, but I thought this was interesting....

Si- 2860 lbs
SS- 2991 lbs
WRX- 3192 lb (note- they tested the WRX Limited manual but I didn't find a weight for the manual. The auto is 3296 lb)
GLI- 3308 lb

So all ya'll complaining about it's weight, be thankful it's not the piece of pork the GLI is. The Si is little Oprah....the GLI is big Oprah.

[Janizary]

For myself it came down to:

FI: WRX
NA: Si

Clincher for me was price to features comparison, comfort (compared using a Civic EX at the time), and summer heat effect on turbo.

I really liked the WRX, quite a lot. As I could not really compare handling given the EX has less 'ooomph' and no LSD it was a hard call, but I can say I had a blast test driving the WRX (took one out on two different times, once at night and once during the day). Unfortunately, to get the features I wanted I was looking at the LTD WRX which runs in about $27K at my local dealer. That was a big chunk of change over the Si and left a LOT of room for add ons to the Si.

Frankly, if the Si had not moved into the scene, I would probably still be agonizing over the WRX vs. G35 6MTC(same issues with the G25 being quite a bit more than the WRX). No, the STi was never considered, it is a little overkill and, if and I was going to drop that amount of money, the G35 coupe would certainly be the winner.

GLI was never even considered, though that is probably my own prejudice. I have no experience with that vehicle and never considered a VW for my purchase.

I would purchase the Ion Redline before the Cobalt.

[Ryouko]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

People talk about how heavy the Si is, but I thought this was interesting....

Si- 2860 lbs
SS- 2991 lbs
WRX- 3192 lb (note- they tested the WRX Limited manual but I didn't find a weight for the manual. The auto is 3296 lb)
GLI- 3308 lb

So all ya'll complaining about it's weight, be thankful it's not the piece of pork the GLI is. The Si is little Oprah....the GLI is big Oprah.

VW's are always heavier than their competition. But because of it they feel like tanks (in a good way!). I was amazed when I traded in a 3rd generation Eclipse for a 2001 GTI Vr6. Though the GTI was a much smaller car, it was also much heavier, yet faster, and handled tons better. Our 330ci was the same way, very heavy, yet light on its feet and handled like a dream. That car was the one I always felt resembled a tank the most!

Anyway, I digress. The Jetta chassis is larger than the civic's, also lending to its higher weight. I test drove a 5 cylinder base model Jetta before deciding on civic, originally wanting to stay in the VW family. I ended up with the civic because I felt I got a much better bang for my buck, but the Jetta is a great car. Heated leather seats (I've been hooked on those for years) and a higher level of sophistication. Only problem was it looked like a Corolla!

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Janizary

For myself it came down to:

FI: WRX
NA: Si

Clincher for me was price to features comparison, comfort (compared using a Civic EX at the time), and summer heat effect on turbo.

I really liked the WRX, quite a lot. As I could not really compare handling given the EX has less 'ooomph' and no LSD it was a hard call, but I can say I had a blast test driving the WRX (took one out on two different times, once at night and once during the day). Unfortunately, to get the features I wanted I was looking at the LTD WRX which runs in about $27K at my local dealer. That was a big chunk of change over the Si and left a LOT of room for add ons to the Si.

Frankly, if the Si had not moved into the scene, I would probably still be agonizing over the WRX vs. G35 6MTC(same issues with the G25 being quite a bit more than the WRX). No, the STi was never considered, it is a little overkill and, if and I was going to drop that amount of money, the G35 coupe would certainly be the winner.

GLI was never even considered, though that is probably my own prejudice. I have no experience with that vehicle and never considered a VW for my purchase.

I would purchase the Ion Redline before the Cobalt.

Interesting....the Ion is actually a second faster than the Cobalt. How Saturn managed that, I don't know, since they're (fraternal) twins. If it weren't for that stupid coat-hanger on the back of the Cobalt SS Supercharged, it would look ok. Actually, it would look like an older Civic....

And the GLI has the best turbo engine on the market. No lag whatsoever, thanks to FSI direct injection. Take one for a test drive. They're so smooth they feel NA.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Ryouko

VW's are always heavier than their competition. But because of it they feel like tanks (in a good way!). I was amazed when I traded in a 3rd generation Eclipse for a 2001 GTI Vr6. Though the GTI was a much smaller car, it was also much heavier, yet faster, and handled tons better. Our 330ci was the same way, very heavy, yet light on its feet and handled like a dream. That car was the one I always felt resembled a tank the most!

Anyway, I digress. The Jetta chassis is larger than the civic's, also lending to its higher weight. I test drove a 5 cylinder base model Jetta before deciding on civic, originally wanting to stay in the VW family. I ended up with the civic because I felt I got a much better bang for my buck, but the Jetta is a great car. Heated leather seats (I've been hooked on those for years) and a higher level of sophistication. Only problem was it looked like a Corolla!

VW's are porkers . But they're very sophisticated on the inside and you're right, their chassis' are larger. I actually think, though, that the Civic's chassis is tighter and more refined. But the Jetta has the best interior under $35K, period.

I like the front end a lot, but, yes, from the back, it does look like a Corolla. ewww....lol.

[Ryouko]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

VW's are porkers . But they're very sophisticated on the inside and you're right, their chassis' are larger. I actually think, though, that the Civic's chassis is tighter and more refined. But the Jetta has the best interior under $35K, period.

I like the front end a lot, but, yes, from the back, it does look like a Corolla. ewww....lol.

Do you really think the civic's chassis it tighter? I didn't drive the Jetta as I have my civic, but I'm just so used to German cars that I would assume the Jetta has a better chassis and better handling capabilities. In all honesty, to me, I feel like driving the civic is reminiscent to driving a stick of butter. For as much as I love the car, cornering is slow and painful compared to German cars I'm used to.

Perhaps for my situation, it's the feedback in the steering wheel that I miss. I'm used to cars that you have to use your biceps to steer. I don't know how to describe it correctly, but the civic, to me, lacks responsiveness in steering.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Ryouko

Do you really think the civic's chassis it tighter? I didn't drive the Jetta as I have my civic, but I'm just so used to German cars that I would assume the Jetta has a better chassis and better handling capabilities. In all honesty, to me, I feel like driving the civic is reminiscent to driving a stick of butter. For as much as I love the car, cornering is slow and painful compared to German cars I'm used to.

Perhaps for my situation, it's the feedback in the steering wheel that I miss. I'm used to cars that you have to use your biceps to steer. I don't know how to describe it correctly, but the civic, to me, lacks responsiveness in steering.

Si takes the GLI in chassis. I think though, the Jetta takes the DX/LX/EX sedan's however in chassis.

And I know what you mean as far as steering response. I had the problem went I went test driving. I would've bought an EX coupe b/c I was tired of waiting for the Si (was tired of playing the "no-price-til-Dec-1" game) but steering response is what...um...."steered" me away.

But the Jetta is, I believe, even heavier than my Legend and THAT tank has some weight to it.

[Jaranath]

Originally Posted by Ryouko

Perhaps for my situation, it's the feedback in the steering wheel that I miss. I'm used to cars that you have to use your biceps to steer. I don't know how to describe it correctly, but the civic, to me, lacks responsiveness in steering.

That's a complaint I'm hearing often in the Civic, that the steering is overboosted. That's not so much a handling issue as it is a choice on the engineers' part. "Hm, we want this thing to require X amount of force to steer, so let's provide Y pounds of boost." Just a bad judgement call (if you don't like it).

But (I think?) some aftermarket work can be done to change that amount of boost, if you're so inclined.

[CivicWithNav]

2006 GLi(4th gen) isn't FSI engine

the NEW 5th gen will be 2.0T FSi engine

I'd go with the SI, WRX(awd Turbo), GLi(MK4), SS

[Ryouko]

Good for you for holding out for what you want, Skittles. What "steered" me to the ex coupe instead of the si was gas mileage. Besides, perhaps you'll see someday, that a stiffer suspension, low profile tires, and less than stellar gas mileage does get old after awhile.

Originally Posted by Jaranath

That's a complaint I'm hearing often in the Civic, that the steering is overboosted. That's not so much a handling issue as it is a choice on the engineers' part. "Hm, we want this thing to require X amount of force to steer, so let's provide Y pounds of boost." Just a bad judgement call (if you don't like it).

But (I think?) some aftermarket work can be done to change that amount of boost, if you're so inclined.

If only that wouldn't void the warranty!

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by CivicWithNav

2006 GLi(4th gen) isn't FSI engine

the NEW 5th gen will be 2.0T FSi engine

I'd go with the SI, WRX(awd Turbo), GLi(MK4), SS

2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI:
Base price: $23,790 plus destination
Engine: 2.0-liter FSI turbocharged four-cylinder, 197 hp/207 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual or optional six-speed DSG sequential automated gearbox, front-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 179.3 x 70.1 x 57.4 in
Wheelbase: 101.5 in
Curb weight: 3308 lb (manual); 3354 lb (DSG)
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 25/32 mpg
Safety equipment: Dual front, side, and side curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; stability control; and brake assist
Major standard equipment: Sports suspension; 17-inch alloy wheels; sport seats and steering wheel; six-CD audio system with Sirius or XM pre-wiring
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

from http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...184.A9186.html

[NBP RSX-S]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

Interesting....the Ion is actually a second faster than the Cobalt. How Saturn managed that, I don't know, since they're (fraternal) twins.

Do you mean a tenth faster? IDK the times bu i dont see how the Ion Redline could be so much faster then the Cobalt SS, a second is a few car lenghts.

[CivicCilla]

What about the Spec V???

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by NBP RSX-S

Do you mean a tenth faster? IDK the times bu i dont see how the Ion Redline could be so much faster then the Cobalt SS, a second is a few car lenghts.

Nope
from Edmunds:

Cobalt SS-
0 - 60: 7 sec
1/4-mile: 15.4 @ 97 mph

Ion Redline-
0 - 60 (sec): 6.7 sec
1/4 Mile: 14.62 @ 97.19 mph

Civic Si-
0 - 60: 7.2-sec
1/4-mile : 15.1 @ 93.8-mph

please keep in mind that the Si has 61lb/ft of torque less than both of those cars.

[CameronJr9]

Damn. This repost got more love than my original post. WTF?