'12 Civic SI?

[JHZR2]

Anyone have one?

While the fuel economy is in a way perpetually disappointing to me, it is one of the more interesting cars on the market, since it is a good combination of small car practicality with more of a performance bias. Kind of like my beloved 318i.

Granted, I can pull 31 MPGs all day in my 135i which has far more performance (granted it is only rated at 28 MPG hwy vs 31 in the SI), and I think a new 328i that is EPA rated 36 hwy would be as fun of a ride, but you could buy two SIs for that price.

I like the styling of the '12 better than the last gen. I wish that 34 MPG hwy was doable in that car, with regular gas, then it would truly be ideal.

Still, likes/dislikes?

 

[dparm]

It's down 50-100hp over the competition. Long in the tooth. That formula of a high-revving 2.0L NA motor was great about 10 years ago.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: dparm
It's down 50-100hp over the competition. Long in the tooth. That formula of a high-revving 2.0L NA motor was great about 10 years ago.


It isn't that anymore. The 2.4 is torquey with a modest redline.
The '12 SI I thought was pretty fun. I almost bought a sedan.
the 2.4 is really torquey and you'd never know you were in a Honda with the powerband it has. Shifter is great as always too.

 

[BigBuck]

Not as good performance wise as the 06-11 models depending on where you read. More torque makes it a better DD driver. Same engine as the TSX.

I also like the styling better of the 8th gen. Honda is doing a refresh earlier than usual so just wait for the refresh.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: dparm
It's down 50-100hp over the competition. Long in the tooth. That formula of a high-revving 2.0L NA motor was great about 10 years ago.


What competition? Turbocharged other cars? Im looking for simplicity in a good driving vehicle, like my 318i, not some overly complex power monster. I have my 135 for that.

Considering that my 318i has about 138 hp, Im not really concerned besides having a nice small car with good driving dynamics.

Frankly, if the SI had 140 hp, id be happy too (granted it is probably 1000# heavier than my 318i).

2.4L is a big-car engine. A bit of a turnoff for me.

Too bad the SI suspension cant be had on a regular car.

 

[hardcore302]

they went to the 2.4 with the same hp but more torque so you don't have to rev it to the moon just to get moving. a real complaint people had.

my buddy was sooooo excited to take me for a ride in his 09 si. i was thoroughly unimpressed... it only got going at the top of the tach. horrible from light to light.. nice car other wise.

this is why they went with the 2.4

 

[BigBuck]

Originally Posted By: hardcore302
they went to the 2.4 with the same hp but more torque so you don't have to rev it to the moon just to get moving. a real complaint people had.



Who buys the Si? You have to think about the type of people who buy this car. The high revving engine is what people liked and what made the car noteworthy/fun.

Working at Honda, I have heard more complaints from enthusiasts about the new car.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah but I have no real practical need for more than about 135 hp, even in a heavy car.

We can play performance wannabes all day long, but a civic will never do it for me.

So I could care less about 2.4L to get the car moving at 7000 RPM or whatever.

What I like is a good suspension and brakes on an efficient, light, compact car. Most run of the mill models dont have it, and they stopped building E30 BMWs a long time ago.

Im unimpressed trying to play racecar driver in a 4cyl civic...

But I want a good driving small car that can handle and maneuver well. Seems to me that is where the si sweet spot is. Its never going to be a challenger to a run of the mill V6 midsize sedan in a race.

 

[BigBuck]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah but I have no real practical need for more than about 135 hp, even in a heavy car.

We can play performance wannabes all day long, but a civic will never do it for me.

So I could care less about 2.4L to get the car moving at 7000 RPM or whatever.

What I like is a good suspension and brakes on an efficient, light, compact car. Most run of the mill models dont have it, and they stopped building E30 BMWs a long time ago.

Im unimpressed trying to play racecar driver in a 4cyl civic...

But I want a good driving small car that can handle and maneuver well. Seems to me that is where the si sweet spot is. Its never going to be a challenger to a run of the mill V6 midsize sedan in a race.



Sounds like the perfect car for you. The car will keep you happy by reading your post. But I do urge you to wait for the refresh next year.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah but I have no real practical need for more than about 135 hp, even in a heavy car.

We can play performance wannabes all day long, but a civic will never do it for me.

So I could care less about 2.4L to get the car moving at 7000 RPM or whatever.

What I like is a good suspension and brakes on an efficient, light, compact car. Most run of the mill models dont have it, and they stopped building E30 BMWs a long time ago.

Im unimpressed trying to play racecar driver in a 4cyl civic...

But I want a good driving small car that can handle and maneuver well. Seems to me that is where the si sweet spot is. Its never going to be a challenger to a run of the mill V6 midsize sedan in a race.


Sounds like you'd be a prime candidate for the Sonic, eh?

 

[BigBuck]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah but I have no real practical need for more than about 135 hp, even in a heavy car.

We can play performance wannabes all day long, but a civic will never do it for me.

So I could care less about 2.4L to get the car moving at 7000 RPM or whatever.

What I like is a good suspension and brakes on an efficient, light, compact car. Most run of the mill models dont have it, and they stopped building E30 BMWs a long time ago.

Im unimpressed trying to play racecar driver in a 4cyl civic...

But I want a good driving small car that can handle and maneuver well. Seems to me that is where the si sweet spot is. Its never going to be a challenger to a run of the mill V6 midsize sedan in a race.


Sounds like you'd be a prime candidate for the Sonic, eh?



Nope, the Si

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: hardcore302
they went to the 2.4 with the same hp but more torque so you don't have to rev it to the moon just to get moving. a real complaint people had.

my buddy was sooooo excited to take me for a ride in his 09 si. i was thoroughly unimpressed... it only got going at the top of the tach. horrible from light to light.. nice car other wise.

this is why they went with the 2.4


I love the K20 screamer.. Makes such a great noise up high int he RPM range. I still think the 06-11 SI is my favorite one to date. I would love to get my hands on one and drop in a Comptech supercharger. I <3 the SI sedan.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: BigBuck
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah but I have no real practical need for more than about 135 hp, even in a heavy car.

We can play performance wannabes all day long, but a civic will never do it for me.

So I could care less about 2.4L to get the car moving at 7000 RPM or whatever.

What I like is a good suspension and brakes on an efficient, light, compact car. Most run of the mill models dont have it, and they stopped building E30 BMWs a long time ago.

Im unimpressed trying to play racecar driver in a 4cyl civic...

But I want a good driving small car that can handle and maneuver well. Seems to me that is where the si sweet spot is. Its never going to be a challenger to a run of the mill V6 midsize sedan in a race.



Sounds like the perfect car for you. The car will keep you happy by reading your post. But I do urge you to wait for the refresh next year.


Less the 2.4L gas hog. Give me a bit less output and 34 MPG, Id be happier.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah but I have no real practical need for more than about 135 hp, even in a heavy car.

We can play performance wannabes all day long, but a civic will never do it for me.

So I could care less about 2.4L to get the car moving at 7000 RPM or whatever.

What I like is a good suspension and brakes on an efficient, light, compact car. Most run of the mill models dont have it, and they stopped building E30 BMWs a long time ago.

Im unimpressed trying to play racecar driver in a 4cyl civic...

But I want a good driving small car that can handle and maneuver well. Seems to me that is where the si sweet spot is. Its never going to be a challenger to a run of the mill V6 midsize sedan in a race.


Sounds like you'd be a prime candidate for the Sonic, eh?


if the sonic is as go-kartish and tossable as an E30, then maybe. Seems to me that the Si is the only thing, but all options would be on the table.

 

[rationull]

The Mazda3 would be another potentially good fit for you based on this discussion. Although historically they haven't been quite as fuel efficient, the new SkyActive takes care of that if you aren't afraid of direct injection like I am. My wife's 08 Mazda3 2.3 gets around 30 mpg on the same commute that my 07 Civic used to get about 33 mpg on. Not bad, and a more fun car to drive.

I think the '12 Si makes the most sense as kind of a baby TSX. It doesn't seem fast or sharp enough to compete with the "hot" compacts that are more sport focused. To be fair, though, I haven't driven one.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: rationull


I think the '12 Si makes the most sense as kind of a baby TSX. It doesn't seem fast or sharp enough to compete with the "hot" compacts that are more sport focused. To be fair, though, I haven't driven one.


A baby accord???!? Well, isnt that what a civic is?

TSX does nothing for me. Seems that the SI is designed to be more of a tossable little car than a TSX ever would be. After all, there is no accord SI, thus why we have the TSX, but it is too much of a luxury car approach, IMO.

A TSX is not a 3-series.

And my 318i is not an M3. Just a nice, tossable, small car. Rough in some ways, wonderful in others.

Which is why a 2L Si getting 34 MPG with a well tuned suspension would be a nice approach.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: rationull
The Mazda3 would be another potentially good fit for you based on this discussion. Although historically they haven't been quite as fuel efficient, the new SkyActive takes care of that if you aren't afraid of direct injection like I am.


Given that I own a >$40k DI twin turbo car, I cant say Im that scared of a DI econobox.

I always liked the protege. Seemed like a nice car from that approach. The 3 doesnt do it for me somehow... While it strikes me as a spiced up corolla or civic, it seems that the SI is in the sweet spot between being higher performance without being a turbo'd, blown, attempt at being a WRX wannabe in FWD. Im not looking for a hot hatch type car. I have a car that can get to 60 in 5 seconds. Im looking for a better handling and driving version of the econobox, like my 318i is.

But I may be wrong on that.

 

[OVERKILL]

If this isn't going to be an immediate purchase, I would consider waiting for the Focus ST.

http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/focusst/

 

[JHZR2]

A bit too racer wannabe for my taste.

Will have to see what it looks like in final form, plus MPGs.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
A bit too racer wannabe for my taste.

Will have to see what it looks like in final form, plus MPGs.


The regular Focus hatch is rated for around 40 IIRC, but may not have the handling characteristics you desire, which is why I brought this one up.

I know it looks a little "boy racer".