With the new Si’s and the new RR that we won’t be getting is it really just a Civic like it used to be? Honda stepped up the quality of the Civic with the new Si and RR. I guess what i’m trying to get at here is that the K20 is a fantastic motor and is def the future of Honda. And it handles pretty damn well for Civic the way it comes and the RR is just awesome. Also, the interior of the Civic isn’t all that chincy anymore especially with Nav being available, I test drove a Si sedan with Nav and I know that I was impressed by it. What do other import, mostly Honda guys think about the new Civic. I know the domestic guys will still just say its a Civic but your honest opinions are welcome as well whether you agree or give your reasons why you disagree.
It is still a Civic, but it has moved upmarket a bit. With the new subcompact market booming, the Fit holds the lowest rung like the Civic did for years. They are becoming very nice cars, not bottom of the line econobox. Not like the domestic guys will stop giving you shit for driving a Civic though:wtcslap:
As I said in the other thread earlier today, I found the EX sedan and Coupe very boring (I was in an auto for both test drives, but still…). I am definitely a Honda guy, but I did not get excited driving this car. It was a little too much for me, the ride was too soft and not sporty at all, the transmission felt slow and clunky, and the handling wasn’t what I expected it would be; it felt like I was driving a camry. Now the SI on the other hand is a great car, I would love to have bought one, but with the extra cost, the higher insurance, lower MPG, and premium gas, it just wasn’t for me (that and the wife doesn’t drive a stick). All in all, the new civic is a nice quality car, but if you want to have a kind of peppy, sporty car right out of the box, this is definitely not the right car unless you get the SI. Seemed like something that a 50 year old would drive. Just my 2 cents.
If I could focus on the Si and RR for a moment, K20a is an awesome motor, and with the RR pulling 240hp out of a 2.0 is absolutely incredible, downfall to the RR will be like every other sweet Japanese car like the silvie, skyline, etc. that will never make it here to the states.
May I ask the domestic crowd if they have ever been in one or drivin one at all? Obviously its not gonna be a v8 becuz torque is not gonna be there and its a different side of the spectrum.
And try to ignore the name Civic and be associated with the econobox it was for so long, even the Camaro was a shit box at one point, may I say mullet ride?
Sure the civic has some higher end models such as the SI and RR that are excellent sport versions. My sister has a 2006 EX that I would say is still a “civic”. It has loud interior noise, handles ok for stock, and the motor is equal to any other Nissan, Toyota ect… 4 banger. In my opinion the standard civics are still a civic. I have yet to be in an SI model but have seen some pretty good road course tests with them.
On another note, a 17K+ pricetag for the EX model IMO is VERY hefty for what she got.
Don’t get all starry eyed by options. Honda is merely keeping up with everyone else. Mazda 3 is a good example, it has a option list about a mile long with HID’s, Nav, etc. Their top end model is the mazdaspeed 3 (figure its around the Si/RR of the civic range). Hell back when mine was made back in 89 people were all amazed when you could get a civic with power sunroof and AC. Few years later they adopted power windows, power steering standard. Now you can get Navi, twin cam over the SOHC, etc. Look at any other compact car out there like the Mazda 3, Sentra, GTI, and you’ll see their story is the same. But for what its worth the current civic is a good all around package, after having driven some of the other newest offerings in the same segment I still have to go with the civic.
I see what your saying. To really say “the civic is not a civic anymore” would be if it became mid engine or RWD. But for the life of that car its been the FWD bread and butter mobile for Honda. Its taking advantage of manufacturing techniques that the other civic didn’t have, so its going to be a nicer car in every aspect. Compared to previous years the current civic is a pretty big step. Though I think the new GTI was a even bigger step from the previous model than the civic was.
Like the new RR is putting out as much power as the s2000 does and a few months back i saw in hondatuning magazine that either spoon or mugen built a civic sedan that beat a stock s2000 in a time attack in Japan.
