FINALLY! 2k2 Civic Si Review (w/Pics and Video)
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Finally! 2k2 Civic Si Review (Mod Plz Sticky)
WOW! Today's been quite the day. Being awoken to my answering machine by my hookup at the local Honda dealer letting me know that they had recieved there Si. Well, after taking a little trip to Philly, as soon as I got home I rushed to my dealer to get the lowdown on the new Si. PICTURES DO NOT DO THIS CAR JUSTICE. It looks like [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-puke.gif[/IMG] in pictures, but in person, its completely different...I can only imagine it with a Type R body kit. The Si I tested was Satin Silver Metallic..too bad I wanted white...but it would do.
After looking at the sticker, I will say this ONCE. The engine in the Si is a K20A3. Same as the base RSX, which means it is either detuned, or just dosnt make enough torque as the base RSX (weight maybe?). The engine bay is small. Maybe smaller than a 7th gen Coupe. However the only engine youd want to throw in there anyway would be the K20A, so who cares. Ideas started to run through my head...so I get the keys and open it up.
I'm not too happy with the seats. They're made from suade, and if your in a rainstorm and you need to get in your car and ur seat gets wet it might not be too pretty. They don't hold as well as I thought they would- the seats in my Si from a del sol are better, but the 2k2's seats are way better than a 7th gen coupe. Cupholder's galore, the two in the center are cool, and you can slide them out of the way for a little storage compartment underneath. Pretty cool. Theres a little pull out one next to the steering wheel, but why? Id be afraid to put a drink in there, turn the wheel and knock it out. Stupid if ya ask me. Everything seems well placed, but one gripe, no coin holder.
Now everyones big question. The Shifter. Ive heard everything from ugly to stupid, however I have to say one thing. THE SHIFTER ROCKS. If you could do a conversion in the 6th gen to this style shifter I would. In the 3rd picture you can see how it just sits at arms length- no reaching down for the shifter. Nice and easy to shift...however those who like to jiggle the stick back and forth in neutral at red lights(like myself) will be dissapointed...its hard as hell in this thing. I think this was a marvelous move on Honda's part, whether or not they get b!tched at for it. Just plain excellent. So I go ask my hookup if hes ready so we can go out for the test drive- he says he's tied up, and I could take it out, just to be careful. Just great.
Back out and into the car I sat. Started it up...15 miles on the dash. Into gear and out I go...let me just say I am not used to shifting around 6k rpm. Also the clutch felt way different then the one in my Si. By the time I stepped on it I was already up to 7k and had to shift. This is where Im dissapointed. My 6th gen takes it like a champ all the way to 8k. However for a 7k rpm line this thing gets up. THE STOCK TIRES ARE TRASH. Anyone buying this car please make bigger wheels/tires your first upgrade. I was peeling out in 1st, let alone chirping 2nd gear. Highest I had it was about 95mph...brakes are decent slowing down, corners good...its just the tires that suck. I'd have to say performance wise ITS PRETTY DAMN CLOSE between the 99-00 and 2k2 - I honestly couldn't tell which one would be faster. Straight drivers race most likely...only thing I could say negative would be the weight. People who are eager to hear VTEC might be disapointed- you can hear the engine for yourselves in the video...however there is no intake and exhaust on the car so maybe once that aftermarket is added it will start to hum. The whole time I test drove it, the car turned heads. Pretty much anyone driving a Civic turned and looked. I also smoked a Kia Sephia from a stop light. The whole actual test drive section I recorded and Im going to make it into a windows media player movie file.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE THE ACTUAL TEST DRIVE, Right Click This link, then click "Save Target As". Special thanks to thundercats4ever for hosting the file.
Final judgement is this- after driving it, im seriously considering getting one. My hookup told me hes gonna call me tommarow to let me know if there going to be getting any white ones in. THIS CAR IS NOT AS BAD AS EVERYONE IS SAYING IT IS. DON'T BELIEVE THE BAD HYPE. However 19,440 for this car is @ss rape. 20k for a Civic is a little much. The car may be heavy yes, but even if you have driven a 99-00 Si you probably won't even be able to tell the difference. Let's just say going from a 7th gen EX (LX etc), you WILL notice the difference. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]
Final Judgement:
sorry my fellow Si owners on the board, but it looks like competition has arrived.
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I just got back from the dealership here. They got a black SI the other day, so I went over to check it out. Unfortunately, the dealership was CLOSED...at 5 on a saturday....strange, but anyway. I am definitely one of those people that REALLY did NOT like the car before I saw it in person. I think I have changed my mind. It just looks soooo nice. I cannot say anything about how it drives, cause I didn't get a chance yet....but I think Neo did a good job of explaining it for us. If you don't like how the car looks from pictures, I STRONGLY suggest that if you can, go and check it out!
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Rep Power: 0 I wouldn't say owned...each Si has its advantages and disadvantages. I definately wouldnt want to give up my 8k redline.
But I will defend the car from HARSH attacks now.
But I will defend the car from HARSH attacks now.
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Rep Power: 0 yes I did however it was supervised- I really didnt even get to take it over 4k into VTEC.
All I can tell you bout that test drive was that the car felt cheap- REAL CHEAP.
All I can tell you bout that test drive was that the car felt cheap- REAL CHEAP.
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Rep Power: 0 dang I hate to hear that it felt cheap. I hope the type S is better. I plan on either getting the Type S within the next 2 years (I should be through college - I'm on a 21 year degree plan !![IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]:laugh[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG] or maybe keeping my 2k1 and talking a guy at the DET out of his Electric Blue ? DOHC SI. The SI's like yours are still my favorite and I love that light metallic blue. I'm not really sure what color Honda calls it.
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Rep Power: 0 Yea, Im thinkin the leather would feel a little bit better. The cloth sucked...so did the interior, whatever it was made out of.
Electron Blue Pearl (B95P) is the official name and code- but be careful...most Si's were that color so its sorta played, also you can't make that a sleeper...so if theft is high where you live no fooling a thief, he'll know that B series engine is under your hood. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/IMG]
Electron Blue Pearl (B95P) is the official name and code- but be careful...most Si's were that color so its sorta played, also you can't make that a sleeper...so if theft is high where you live no fooling a thief, he'll know that B series engine is under your hood. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/IMG]
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Rep Power: 0 What's the world come to??? Neo supports the new Si. Well I'd like to thank you for actually taping it on your test drive. Too bad I didn't put a deposit on this car. Looks like I'll have to be waiting a couple of months. Since I've never been in an Si, how would you compare it to your 7thgen power wise?
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Rep Power: 0 << who was the dork in the pic???? >>
LOL ... So we finally get to see what this famous Neomagus looks like...
I sat in one at a car show a few months ago, and just by playing around with that shifter, I could tell that Honda had a hit on their hands with that shifter design. And I agree... it feels totally natural in that position. Although it's been done before, I believe Honda is the first to really implement it in a mass-produced economy car. I can now see many other models copying Honda in the near future.
You mentioned that you were not used to shifting so early cuz of your 99 Si, but you own a 2k1 too, don't you? And handling-wise, do you think the 2k2 Si could outhandle your 99 Si (stock for stock) ?
And about those alloy rims, I still can't believe they are using the exact same 15" rims as what we get up here in Canada for our EX coupes (stock). That just puzzles me. For that price, you would think they could put on a better set of alloys, like the 99-00's.
No question that this car is over-priced. But Honda's are always like that I guess... you pay a real premium for their name and reputation. And the fact that people have been waiting for this model for so long means they could jack up the price a bit more. I mean, think about the fact that you don't get fog lights standard, you get mediocre 15" rims, and crappy tires.
In the price range of $19,000 US, you're getting into some very tough competition from other car-makers, in terms of features, value and performance. But in spite of all this, there is little doubt in my mind that these units will sell out in no time... cuz it's still a Honda Si, after all
Very nice review, dude
... So when are you gonna pick one up? Thread Starter
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Power wise to the 7th gen- my 2k1 is auto. So of course the its got way more kick, also I wasnt used to shifting that early because my 2k1, well, I dont have to shift. Handling wise stock for stock, on crappy tires, id still give it to the 99- they get a front tower bar stock, the new 2k2 is missing that. The price is a little out of it. If I worked for the dealer and could get it hookup it'd still be a maybe- you could get more power out of a few cars that are in the same price range. As for me getting one, even if they get white, I highly doubt it- I'll wait and see if the Type R makes it over here, if it does we got a winner.
Power wise to the 7th gen- my 2k1 is auto. So of course the its got way more kick, also I wasnt used to shifting that early because my 2k1, well, I dont have to shift. Handling wise stock for stock, on crappy tires, id still give it to the 99- they get a front tower bar stock, the new 2k2 is missing that. The price is a little out of it. If I worked for the dealer and could get it hookup it'd still be a maybe- you could get more power out of a few cars that are in the same price range. As for me getting one, even if they get white, I highly doubt it- I'll wait and see if the Type R makes it over here, if it does we got a winner.
I went and saw it today and both the dealerships I went to had white ones. I must say that it looks much much better in person than on the computer or tv. I didnt want to drive it because I knew I would of wanted it. Im going to wait and see if the Type R comes here next year.
