FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
As an owner of 2016 WRX LImited new, and 2011 Mazaspeed3 (put 60k miles on it), the Civic Si of course don't have the power or panache of that. I just wanted to get that out of the way.
I have been out of the Honda game a long time. TSX Wagon doesn't really count. That said, when I got my GS-R sedan last year, the magic was back. All my cars that were 10-15x the cost, all sat, while I enjoyed the GS-R. Kids loved it. It was lowest powered in the fleet, but the fun of driving in the daily grind was back.
When I sold the GSR (about 205K miles) to a GRM member, I was looking for kind of a replacement. I want to stay on the low end of the budget (all my colleagues/friends/neighbors all drive AMG/Rolls/Ferrari/Tesla), but I like the cheap/fun cars.
I really thought the 13-17 Accord SPort 6MT would do it. But after a disappointing drive in that, I was kind of thinking, forget it, lets get back to a LS430 again. But I wanted to give the Si a try.
I took the Si for a 50 mile test drive. Twisties, city, and highway.
Space wise, It has a little bit more legroom in the rear than the GSR sedan. The trunk is much bigger. Length wise I think they are the same, with the Si being a little taller.
Since I have been out of the Honda game, I don't know much about regular non s2000 honda engines after the B18C5. So the K series 2.0L, I have never driven. My k24 in the TSX is great, but with the auto, I never really wind it out.
So after sitting in the front of the Si, I knew I was sold. The seats are amazing. REminded me of a much better 91CRX/Civic Si I used to have. Ergonomics wise, it was hands down better than the GSR. The Shifter is MUCH better than the GSR, it is much crisper and more "snick snick" but was the same as the Accord Sport in feel. So I was hoping the power wouldn't leave me high and dry, because yesterday I had the great shifter in the Accord Sport, but no power relatively speaking.
I would say if my S2000 shifter was the best I ever owned, the Si is a close second.
I drove it around the city. The clutch isn't as soft as the Accord Sport. It had much better feel. Around town it was quieter inside than the GSR.
When I got on the highway, and romped on it, the VTEC changeover is MUCH Louder on the Si than the GSR. On the highway cruise, at 80mph, it is much quieter than the GSR, of course the car being so much newer. The NVH is much better. It is no LS430, but it is totally doable for a 1000 mile day trips that I like doing.
Took it up to the twisties. Given I didn't have that much experience in the Si compared to the GSR, pushing it, the steering feel wasn't as sharp as the GSR, but it was close enough for me. My GSR runs AD08 Yoko tires, and these has Falken All seasons. If GSR was 8/10, this was a close 7/10
After the power/driving characteristic made me happy, I knew this was the one. Essentially to me it is a great replacement of the GSR. Quieter, better road manners. I will miss the leather of the GSR, but it is made up by the bolstering of the Si seats.
So that was it, thats why I bought it. I need to order a trailer hitch for it tonight.
