Are you one of those people who just loves to drive?
Sometimes it seems like there’s not too many of us left.
And let’s up the ante and ask one more question….are you one of those people who still enjoys changing gears…actually using that extra pedal on the floor and that stubby little shifty thing and changing gears all by yourself?
If so, you’re a member of a pretty small club these days.
But for those few of us who match the above description, Honda has a perfect prescription…their Civic Si.
And actually, Honda’s been accepting members in their Si club for 34 years now…with the first Si arriving on our shores back in ’86. So while it may be a small club, Honda apparently knows it’s got a good thing going with their little Si.
This year’s version comes only as a 4-door…with Honda’s fairly new 1.5 liter turbo putting out 205 HP and running only through a 6-speed manual. No automatic is offered.
Something that IS offered, though, is Honda’s new HPT option, which gets you a set of 235 /40 R18 high performance summer tires. This $200 option seems to do more for your performance than another 20 – 30 horsepower would do. These gummy treads will have you braking later and cornering faster than you probably ought to…but darn, it sure is fun! Consider it $200 well-spent.
Other Si improvements over the past 34 years have brought us 10-speaker premium audio, Apple and Android connectivity, heated seats, a moonroof, LED lighting, a spoiler, and “Honda Sensing”…Honda’s standard safety package that includes collision mitigation with emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Plus you’ll have a “Sport” setting that firms up your suspension and steering, plus gives you a little faster throttle response.
The price? Pretty competitive for a sporty performance machine that can still carry four and a bit of luggage...$26,130…and that includes transportation.
And one more thing that you get for that 26K price…an economy car. The EPA rates the Civic Si at 26 city and 36 highway. We actually did a little better than that. Even with spirited around-town driving, we never got less than the low 30’s…and that’s darned good mileage for a performance car. Follow AutoNSider on Facebook for review videos and more!
