#2088076 - 12/01/07 03:30 PM
test drove 08 Civic Si
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cliff st-clair
Post Master Sr
Registered: 01/03/00
Posts: 6000
Loc: Queens Village, NY
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Test drove a 4 door Si today.
Likes: Great little car, fun to drive even at moderate pace. Not a torque monster but enough torque to say, take off on second gear from a stop, drive around town etc... It makes sexy noises as you rev it up, even though you aren't really going that fast. Vtec crossover is purely aural, you cannot feel it lol. The shifter is smooth as butter, as I was expecting. No notchiness, no slack. The throws are a little long though, relative to my current car.
dislikes: interior. The whole feel of it is like a spaceship; so much glass all around you, and even though the beltline is low you sit high, so I felt weird. I don't know...I guess I could get used to it, but the feel of the cabin is downright cheap, and that I don't know if I could get used to again.
Not enough go power. OMG. this is a low 15sec car right? It just doesn't feel anything like it. I know that with Hondata and boltons this car can run low 14s or even high 13s but it just feels so much slower than my Z in stock form it's hard to believe.
The exterior styling isn't that bad from the rear, but that ultra short hood gives it that hybrid look which I just can't stand. They even had the Mugen Si there and with the body kit the overall look is vastly improved but for 29000 dollars they can suck my left nut.
The ride is definitely on the stiff side, though quite bearable, but it's stiff enough that I'd be worried of rattles developping in the future. You feel every imperfection, but the car I drove had no rattle sound or flex. Felt very solid and well put together, but most new cars do.
Overall, it's a good car, but I think Honda missed the boat on the styling inside and out, which is why I probably will not buy this as a replacement for my Z. The interior is what pisses me off the most. If they had modeled the interior styling of that car after say, the TSX interior styling, it would be a different story.
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#2088381 - 12/01/07 05:41 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Impulsive]
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Adam G
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Registered: 06/07/00
Posts: 34415
Loc: Chicago, IL
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I'm mulling over picking up an '08 Si as well.
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#2088443 - 12/01/07 05:56 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Adam G]
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spotch
Post Master Sr
Registered: 07/25/00
Posts: 24276
Loc: Columbus Ohio
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I didn't like the interior of it *at all* when I sat in my first Si. I had an LX loaner for a while and it actually grew on me quite a bit rather quickly, I actually enjoyed driving that after a day or so. Far from perfect but it definately grew on me.
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2001 Suzuki SV650 1995 Chevy Silverado, 305+auto. - Like driving a a 1970s livingroom with 255s at each corner. PM me if you're giving away GM V8s or SBC performance mods  2008 Honda Fit - Way cooler than it sounds... "on the street where there is no lap timer, feel is all that really counts." - Scootergeek "IN THE GLORIOUS PEOPLE'S REVOLUTION, THE FIRST TO DIE WILL BE THE BOURGEOIS TOW TRUCK DRIVERS!!" - Syhopeful
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#2088799 - 12/01/07 08:58 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Euphoric]
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cliff st-clair
Post Master Sr
Registered: 01/03/00
Posts: 6000
Loc: Queens Village, NY
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You do get used to it. Though I never really paid any attention to the ten foot dash. For what the car is its great step interior wise compared to the Em1. I dont know how you can say its cheap or has a cheap feel. I disagree. its no mercedes but common its a 20k civic.Its not liek 350's are known for fit and finish 
I wasn't talking about fit and finish. The fit and finish are ok. I was talking about the overall feel, which is of a cheap econo car. 350zs aren't the best interior wise, but there is not mistaken the interior is that of a sports car.
But I guess when you've been driving an econocar for 80% of this decade, you wouldn't know what I'm talking about. That's ok.
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03' 350z
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#2090293 - 12/02/07 12:00 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Impulsive]
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xxbodkinxx
Jr Poster
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 173
Loc: Central US
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I love my FA5. The interior is a huge step up from my 00 ex. the car is very well put together. A few guys on 8th gen are running 14.1's in stock form. Oh well he is a pic of my car, great daily driver in my opinion.
quick vid of a friends SI
I/H/stock exhaust
hondata
TSX cams.
Its pretty quick
Edited by xxbodkinxx (12/02/07 12:03 PM)
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#2090339 - 12/02/07 12:14 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: xxbodkinxx]
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Adam G
Post Master Sr
Registered: 06/07/00
Posts: 34415
Loc: Chicago, IL
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A few guys on 8th gen are running 14.1's in stock form.
Link?
_________________________
Because unlike all the other major league teams in major league cities, the White Sox are local. There is no national following,
not even a city following. Just a few hundred thousand people on one side of town who don't pull for as much as feel for one another.
-Scoop Jackson
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#2090431 - 12/02/07 12:51 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Adam G]
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xxbodkinxx
Jr Poster
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 173
Loc: Central US
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#2090589 - 12/02/07 01:45 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: HoustonRSX]
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NighthawkSiSedan
Major Member
Registered: 02/21/07
Posts: 1448
Loc: Dhaka, Bangladesh
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In mine top of 2nd is 57-59
3rd is 79-81
4th is 104 if i take it to around 8200
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#2090591 - 12/02/07 01:45 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Euphoric]
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xxbodkinxx
Jr Poster
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 173
Loc: Central US
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I think its like 78ish in 3rd I know it 102-103 in 4th cause I love that gear 
Take this as it is, most si's run 14.7-15.2 stock. There are always a few out of the bunch that are factory freaks and have really good drivers behind them.
The factory freaks are putting 195ish to the wheels with just intake.
Edited by xxbodkinxx (12/02/07 01:47 PM)
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#2091056 - 12/02/07 05:04 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: HoustonRSX]
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spotch
Post Master Sr
Registered: 07/25/00
Posts: 24276
Loc: Columbus Ohio
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Its like the GTS Celica that ran 14.0 at 100mph with just an intake. Weather had a major part in this.
He had an intake and an unbolted muffler, I believe.
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#2091072 - 12/02/07 05:10 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: spotch]
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cliff st-clair
Post Master Sr
Registered: 01/03/00
Posts: 6000
Loc: Queens Village, NY
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14.1 will only happen in a stock car with divine intervention coupled with a great driver and great great weather conditions.
After driving that car, trust me, it is NOT anywhere close to low 14s on an average day.
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03' 350z
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#2091076 - 12/02/07 05:14 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Impulsive]
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cliff st-clair
Post Master Sr
Registered: 01/03/00
Posts: 6000
Loc: Queens Village, NY
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I never found it cheap and the fit/finish was nice, but it doesn't impress as much as a GTI's where the materials just seem top notch and really make up for what could be called extremely plain jane otherwise.
I think the coupe looks way better than the sedan as well.
See...it's not just the fit and finish, materials etc...it's the simple fact that this car feels like a Civic too much. The Golf feels like an Audi and even the MS3 feels like a more upscale car. The Si feels econo. That's what I meant. They could have made it spicier. I mean, look at the euro Civic Type R version of this car; much better.
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03' 350z
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#2091673 - 12/02/07 08:14 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: cliff st-clair]
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Poster
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 340
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Test drove a 4 door Si today.
Likes: Great little car, fun to drive even at moderate pace. Not a torque monster but enough torque to say, take off on second gear from a stop, drive around town etc... It makes sexy noises as you rev it up, even though you aren't really going that fast. Vtec crossover is purely aural, you cannot feel it lol. The shifter is smooth as butter, as I was expecting. No notchiness, no slack. The throws are a little long though, relative to my current car.
dislikes: interior. The whole feel of it is like a spaceship; so much glass all around you, and even though the beltline is low you sit high, so I felt weird. I don't know...I guess I could get used to it, but the feel of the cabin is downright cheap, and that I don't know if I could get used to again.
Not enough go power. OMG. this is a low 15sec car right? It just doesn't feel anything like it. I know that with Hondata and boltons this car can run low 14s or even high 13s but it just feels so much slower than my Z in stock form it's hard to believe.
The exterior styling isn't that bad from the rear, but that ultra short hood gives it that hybrid look which I just can't stand. They even had the Mugen Si there and with the body kit the overall look is vastly improved but for 29000 dollars they can suck my left nut.
The ride is definitely on the stiff side, though quite bearable, but it's stiff enough that I'd be worried of rattles developping in the future. You feel every imperfection, but the car I drove had no rattle sound or flex. Felt very solid and well put together, but most new cars do.
Overall, it's a good car, but I think Honda missed the boat on the styling inside and out, which is why I probably will not buy this as a replacement for my Z. The interior is what pisses me off the most. If they had modeled the interior styling of that car after say, the TSX interior styling, it would be a different story.
Okay, I traded in a 2003 Nissan Altima SE with the 3.5 engine, a little less power than the Z but close. I had an AEM intake and AEM Performance Exhaust. The thing I miss the most about the Altima is the Torque. You punched it, it went, smoked the tires kicked you back in the seat. The Civic SI does not do it. But, when you are on the highway, downshift to third and floor it at about 50, you will feel the ivtec kick in. It is fun, and the car handles well. I plan on keeping it for a few years, then go back to something more powerful, but it is a fun car to drive.
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2006 Black Civic SI (no mods) 1998 VW GTI VR6 (Deceased)
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#2092260 - 12/02/07 10:08 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Euphoric]
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xxbodkinxx
Jr Poster
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 173
Loc: Central US
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When I sat in my new SI I felt like I was sitting in a lexus compared to my old 00ex. The 00 SI was only 4k less then the new si's and as far as fit and finish and the options you get it is well worth the price tag.
30 more hp
Night and Day interior upgrade
Factory 17's
VSA(traction control)
auto open and close sunroof
so on and so forth.
the only car that competes in this price range is the speed3 which is a great bargain for the price. I put alot of miles on my car though and I didn't want the headache of replacing turbos after 3 years or 100k miles.
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#2094206 - 12/03/07 02:31 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: Destro909]
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xxbodkinxx
Jr Poster
Registered: 12/24/06
Posts: 173
Loc: Central US
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i like the front seats in the Si. i dunno about the sedan but sitting in the rear seat in the coupe my head hits the back glass and i'm only 5'9".
I can sit in the back of my car no prob and I am 6 foot. Head is close to the roof but not nearly as bad as the coupe.
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#2094352 - 12/03/07 03:10 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: cliff st-clair]
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JCL_96Stang_GT
I HATE YOU PAT! Make-up sex?
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/15/01
Posts: 5592
Loc: Denver, CO - USA
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I love my Si Sedan. I have been a little dissapointed on the fuel mileage, but that is about it. Everyone who has been in the car asks if it's a V6 lol.
She's a bitch when cold due to the DBW, and 3rd is notchy when cold as well. I really like the interior, remember I came from a Camaro though... but it is comfortable. The A-Pillar is a huge bitch.
The car is definitely quick, it's no race car obviously but the roll on power is nice, and the LSD keeps the corners very crisp. I think the electric steering is perfectly weighted. The ride can be a little jarring, but never horrible. Turn in is quick, and precise. Steering wheel is perfect.
The trans is awesome besides the cold 3rd notchiness. Sound system is excellent.
_________________________
2009 WRX 5-Door
2008 Jeep Patriot FD1 5-Speed
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
HMPH! HMPH! "You what to do to the tree" - stickaz
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#2094876 - 12/03/07 05:20 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: cliff st-clair]
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ReplicaR
Post Master
Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 2904
Loc: E.E.B.
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The cars aren't that bad. There were a few of them this weekend at the Streets of Willow HPDE, both in 2 door and 4 door variety, and I’ve spent one session chasing two of them. One looked factory stock, the other one looked dropped and had exhaust at the least. I was pretty impressed with their acceleration, which was just a bit slower than mine, so I was unable to overtake them on the straights. Handling was nothing special really, because my stock suspension mustang had absolutely no problem keeping up with either one of them, and once I did get the point by after 3 laps of tailing the shit out of them, half a lap later they were nowhere in sight. I suppose with a better driver, those cars could have been quicker, but not much. They just had a LOT of body roll and understeer. Maybe it’s a good new car, but there has to be something better for the money.
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#2101266 - 12/05/07 11:35 AM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: xxbodkinxx]
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DrR
Jr Poster
Registered: 03/20/03
Posts: 131
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http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67420
Few others, I will have to dig around.
I think that guy is responding in the 06 Si Forum. Scroll down for his post. http://forums.clubsi.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2095472
I offered myself to inspect the car, probably after winter. Could anybody from SVA in the MD area with mechanic expertise might want to help me? I don't know all the tricks and I'm really curious to see if this is legit. Thx.
Edited by DrR (12/05/07 11:35 AM)
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#2101668 - 12/05/07 01:19 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: DrR]
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Design
Post Master Sr
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 5171
Loc: The OC
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http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67420
Few others, I will have to dig around. I think that guy is responding in the 06 Si Forum. Scroll down for his post. http://forums.clubsi.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2095472 I offered myself to inspect the car, probably after winter. Could anybody from SVA in the MD area with mechanic expertise might want to help me? I don't know all the tricks and I'm really curious to see if this is legit. Thx.
I was guessing nitrous and open intake, but the reflash seems more fitting.
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#2102509 - 12/05/07 05:58 PM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: DrR]
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cliff st-clair
Post Master Sr
Registered: 01/03/00
Posts: 6000
Loc: Queens Village, NY
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http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67420
Few others, I will have to dig around. I think that guy is responding in the 06 Si Forum. Scroll down for his post. http://forums.clubsi.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2095472 I offered myself to inspect the car, probably after winter. Could anybody from SVA in the MD area with mechanic expertise might want to help me? I don't know all the tricks and I'm really curious to see if this is legit. Thx.
I believe the car was stock. I just think the guy ran on a really cold day on a track that's known to run really fast when it's cold. No biggie.
He should leave the car stock and run it again in the spring or when it's 60 degrees out. I bet he's running a 14.8.
I'm tired of reminding some of you, but when I had my EM1 with only boltons I ran multiple 14.67-14.7 @93-94mph when it was 39 degrees out. Came back on many occasions after that and was stuck mostly in the low 15s. And the only other time I ran 14s was a 14.9.
Some cars run much better when it's cold. The only problem with cold weather is traction, but the dense air adds quite a few whp. You can't overlook that.
I really want to take the Z out on a 30 degree day and see what she'll do. My best time so far is a 13.89@100.7mph in 50 degree weather, but I've never dragged it nearly as much as I did my Si. Bet I can get a 13.6 out of her when it's real cold. And everyone will think I did a VQ 35hr swap
Edited by cliff st-clair (12/05/07 05:59 PM)
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#2104180 - 12/06/07 07:44 AM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: CrazeD_Z06]
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JCL_96Stang_GT
I HATE YOU PAT! Make-up sex?
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/15/01
Posts: 5592
Loc: Denver, CO - USA
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What's with people trading down or wanting to trade down?
G35 to Tc
350z to Civic
STi to Fit
Fail. Almost like you want to be back in tha strugglez
Perhaps because people have grown up and realized that the street racing life is over and they want to have a nice quality car that gets good fuel milage?
_________________________
2009 WRX 5-Door
2008 Jeep Patriot FD1 5-Speed
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
HMPH! HMPH! "You what to do to the tree" - stickaz
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#2104283 - 12/06/07 08:41 AM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: CrazeD_Z06]
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cliff st-clair
Post Master Sr
Registered: 01/03/00
Posts: 6000
Loc: Queens Village, NY
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not everyone is a baller that doesn't care about $4.00/gal gas prices or $600.00.+ car payments. I really want a 335i but I don't want to break the bank to do it. might have to wait another year...
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#2104355 - 12/06/07 09:20 AM
Re: test drove 08 Civic Si
[Re: CrazeD_Z06]
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HoustonRSX
St | | | | |
Stock? I don't think so. I've run a few, my car is chipped running 14.5s, and they couldn't pull on me. I have a hard time believing they're low 14sec cars in stock form. Maybe with some Hondata.
But I think it could be much better when compared to the other sport compacts in that class. Again, I know how hard you swing from the nuts of the Civic so it's going to be hard for you to agree, so we'll just agree to disagree. We are entitled to our opinions, after all. 
