i cant belive how cheap

[Special Ringpop]

Tommy, emptying your PM box. I have a response for you (it's good, no worries), but I don't want to post it here and drag the thread off topic.

Thanks!

[AllShowNoGo]

Originally Posted by Special Ringpop

I didn't really notice it heavily until around 7-10,000 miles or so, from what I remember.

The notchiness of 3rd was always kind of there, but it never grinded or popped out until there were a several thousand miles or so on it.

when you say "notchiness", what do you mean exactly? like it's rough going into gear? and when ur third gear grinded, does it grind when shifting from 2nd to 3rd or when ur coasting and u just decided to put into third? i have 6.5k miles on my car and the only issue that i have is how my radar detector's wire kinda melted/left a mark on the dash.

[Special Ringpop]

When I say notchiness, I mean that you can definitely feel a little resistance when shifting into third, whether from second or from a coast, especially compared to the other gears. It's as though there are two gates to get into third. The times when it does pop out, I am starting to realize after studying it, that it was in the "first gate", so to speak, and not fully engaged, as you can feel the transmission wanting to kick out, and when you let out the clutch, it does one of two things: pulls itself into third or kicks out. Usually the latter.

I've only ever had the gear grind in 2nd and 3rd when it was a direct, accelerating shift. Not from a coast, I don't think. I do, however, notice that there is almost always a loud mechanical "clunk" sound when shifting into third. You can hear it inside and outside of the car. Odd.

[Leonard1818]

If the definition of "notchiness" is "hesitation to get into gear, feeling like there is a bit of a pause" then every honda I've ever driven is "notchy". None of them have shifted butter smooth...

[Special Ringpop]

I don't believe that for 20,000 dollars you can get a more smooth, sporty transission. The Si has a wonderful shifter, a great gearbox.

I would be perfectly okay with the third gear issue if I knew it wasn't detrimental to the vehicle in terms of wear and tear, particularly the syncros. I don't want to have to deal with that, ever. If it was just a tranny quirk, so be it. No biggie, but I don't know if it is or isn't.

Notchy I can deal with. I can't handle it popping out or grinding.

[Leonard1818]

Originally Posted by Special Ringpop

I don't believe that for 20,000 dollars you can get a more smooth, sporty transission. The Si has a wonderful shifter, a great gearbox.

I would be perfectly okay with the third gear issue if I knew it wasn't detrimental to the vehicle in terms of wear and tear, particularly the syncros. I don't want to have to deal with that, ever. If it was just a tranny quirk, so be it. No biggie, but I don't know if it is or isn't.

Notchy I can deal with. I can't handle it popping out or grinding.

I agree with the last part. I want my next car (be it an Si or not) to be my DD/beater for 10+ years. Yes, I'll have to put some $$ into it... but I want to be able to keep it for a looong time... If I don't see that happening, that just sucks.

[Special Ringpop]

^ Hard part about that is that its next to impossible to know how well a car is going to hold up until you drive the car a considerable amount.

One or two test-drives is initial quality, not long term quality. I do sometimes question the long-term quality of the Civic, in terms of materials, not mechanics. The mechanics are fantastic (with perhaps the exception of the third gear).

[Johnold]

Yeah, I think I know what you're talking about OP. I'd need to see pix though. Mine is doing the same thing on the pass side tough.