so my mom wants to get me a new car cause ive been driving a 91 camry station wagon for like a year. ive had two cars before, but died, 98civic and a 95teg. we went to a honda dealership the other day, lookin around for cars, and my mom saw the civic si and she loved it and wanted me to get it... but really im looking for a simple car, so i was wondering if anyone could give me a difference between the lx, ex, and si coupes, like what's better for our money. cause really, i was looking for a used car for around 10k-15k, but she said she would get me the 09 si. the si drove so sexy, lol. auto or stick, i dont care. so if anyone could help me out to decide which one i should get, that would be awesome!

 

if you want power, get the si. if you want to save money and good gas mileage, get lx,ex, etc.

 

Well, IIRC...

Honda Civic LX

Engine : R18
1.8L SOHC I-VTEC
5-Speed MT or "4-Speed" AT

Honda Civic EX

Engine : R18
1.8L SOHC I-VTEC
Sunroof, Optional Trunk Spoiler, 5-Speed MT or "4-Speed" AT, Optional Premium Sound System(might be standard in EX-L)

Honda Civic Si

Engine: K20Z3
2.0L DOHC I-VTEC
Sunroof, Bucket Seats, Trunk Spoiler, Premium Sound System, 6-Speed MT only, 17" Alloy Wheels or Optional 18" Alloy package.



The 7th Gen EX/LX differences were much more apparent. The LX had black mirrors and black trim on trunk, while the EX was color-matched. I believe the 8th gen LXs are color matched.

 

All Civics are 5-speed transmissions, besides the Si.

 

Seems like you answered your own question. YOU like the Si and the way it drives.....your MOM likes it to and is willing to get it for you and actually WANTS you to get it (something that's very rare in moms).

So I think the decision has already been made for you.

The only thing the base models have over the Si is fuel economy.

 

Yea that ^^^^

Dude, the SI is literally like 10x better than the R18 and if you get the r18 im sure you will have wished you got the SI. Teh SI is more sleek and sexy looking while still having great MPG's and makes decent power which is alot more over the R18. If your mom is willing to get the SI, then I say go for it since the SI would be a blast to drive every day. Its a great DD with more power than most the cars on the road so it makes it alot funner weaving in and out of traffic OK dont do that but its a way better car IMHO.

Dont get me wrong the R18 is a great car but most R18 owners will tell you themselves that htey should have gotten the SI.

 

I want to be executed the day I ever say that. How can someone have others decide for them on such a big purchase?

 

I like how everyone that answered has an SI and went for the SI :d

NHBPR18 needs to chime in lol, He gives good info about R18's.

 

get the Si, yur mom wants u to get it, she'll pay for it, like comon get it 6speed, nice buckets, decent torque, LSD, 8k redline, a bit lower MPG's compared to R18 but u get more power, but u styll get good gas milaege

 

Get the SI. I drive a LX= ...but its not that bad...but yeah go with the SI. Once I'm done paying for this LX I'll prob get one myself or mabe a S2k.

 

Why don't you get a brochure?

Like others have already said, it's up to you because you're the one that's going to shell out the cash and drive it.

 

my 7th gen lx had color matched trim on the trunk.

 

Id say get the SI. has power of you want it and its not hard to get good gas mileage outta em. I get about 25 mixed city driving and its driving it how i want it...

if you want even better mpg high flow intake and such will help give you a few more.

 

I just bought an LX-S manual and its a great daily driver. it has the sport seats similar to the Si and some nice alloy wheels but it also had a nice low pricetag compared to the EX and Si. the fuel economy and saving $$$ by using 87 octane in the non-SI models really makes the Si a lot more $$$ per year if thats of any concern to you, as well as its more $$$ tires, etc. to replace.

 

Here’s how I see it…

The SI is a more powerful car, but …
1) it does require Premium gasoline not normal 87 octane gas,
2) it has worse fuel economy than the LX or EX, and
3) insurance is higher.
With these 3 factors, you will have noticeably higher reoccurring costs, especially if you drive a lot.

If your mom’s paying for your car and its gas/insurance,
then go for the SI.
If you want extra power and don’t mind the extra reoccurring costs,
then go for the SI.
If you don’t want to spend extra for gas/insurance, and don’t care about extra power,
then go for the LX or EX.

But since you mentioned “im looking for a simple car” and “what’s better for our money” the answer would be the LX or the EX.

 

thank you to all that replied! but what i was really waiting for was smxcan's post, thanks! the only option for me, manual transmission-wise, was the SI. because, maybe its just me, but i felt a difference between the ex and si. i thought the si was smoother. so now its the waiting game, next week we'll decide whether i want the ex auto, or an si. thank you so much everybody!

 

Good luck in your decision.

 

First and foremost, ALL Honda/Acura automatic transmissions are DOGS!!

Stay away from them.

Get the manual LX, zip around town, and consider the Honda upgrade suspension.

I have both the 06 EX w. auto DOG and the 08 SI. The SI is alot more than I need and nobody in my family likes driving it, because it is too loud and that 6 speed is not good for anything , except going fast. The LX manual trans, is zippy and I wish I had it instead of either of the 2 civics that I bought.

 

Your name says it all

 

haha i agree. he must be quite the exciting person to hang out with. an si is loud? maybe he's never driven any hondas from the 90's. the si feels like a luxury car compared to them.

 

anyways, to the op: get the si. if your mom is willing to pay the extra money for it you might as well go for it; it's much more fun to drive. it's well worth the extra $2 you spend on gas with every tank. the only reason i'd consider getting an ex in your shoes is if there will be some crazy difference in insurance cost.

 

Unfortunately, my SI is louder than my Type R. The 5 speed is effortless, but with the 6 speed I am always looking for the correct gear.

I am a cautious driver, but it did not keep my daughter from wrecking the front of that Integra. I did post some photos of the damage.

I do not think that 'auriken' is looking for a car to modify, or else he would not be in the new car market.

 

i'm assuming you're talking about an integra type r, right? integras are known to be really loud, especially the type r. i have a hard time beleiving your si is louder inside than an integra. i had a 99 gsr before my si, the integra sounds like sitting in a tin can compared to the civic. also, nobody mentioned anything about modifying a car, not sure why you said that.

 

O.P. get the SI you will love it!

 

thanks everyone! everything was finalized this week and i started driving my si today!