Hi I am about to make a purchase very soon on a vehicle and just wanted some opinions. I am stuck between getting a honda civic si sedan (manual) or a civic ex coupe (automatic). Was wondering what's the different maintenance things I would have to perform on each car. I know theres the clutch. But how long does it take before a clutch starts to slip with good normal driving? Does anyone know if the SI is considered a sports vehicle for insurance reasons? But yeah, I'm just doing the pros and cons. If anyone can put there two cents in and give me some input, that would be great. Thanks ahead of time!

Civic SI Sedan:
manual tranny
sedan so more convenient
better engine and interior
worried about clutch

Civic EX coupe:
Automatic tranny
cheaper
a little more gas efficient
my sister and mom can also drive the car

 

Automatics arent gas efficient. In the long run you'll have more fun in the SI to be honest. If you get the automatic EX, you'll be pretty bored out of your mind, but I guess the only pro about an auto ex is the fact that if you're stuck in traffic you dont have to keep shifting to 1st -.- Insurance will be more expensive on the SI, but I dont think it'll be that much more.

ps: The EX is a rip off, LX or SI IMO

 

i got ex..i say go with lx..

 

Can I ask why it is between an Si sedan and an EX coupe? Why not Si sedan and Si coupe? Or...EX sedan and EX coupe?



The EX is more fuel efficient than the Si...automatic or not.

Probably.

I have quite a driving record and my insurance quote was the same between the Si and an LX.

 

drive both cars before you pick which one you want. . .for me the choice was clear si hands down. . .

your mom and sister could drive it to. . .no need to worry about the clutch ive got 43k on mine with nitrous so yull be ok

 

not a bad route...unless you want navigation

 

WTF? Most automatic trims in all new vehicles either meet or exceed manual transmission EPA ratings.

Definetly go with the Si, the r18 is boring.

 

I have a 5-speed 2000 ex coupe and its fun enough for me. But I think it would be a completely different story if it was automatic. A new coupe has a few more hp (13 hp) than mine - I would still want a manual so I could downshift if I needed to get in front of someone on the highway. The two extra doors also come in nice if you ever have to drive more than one person around in your car - its pain when people have to crawl in and out of your backseat. As far as clutches go, it depends on how you drive. My co-worker has a 1st gen Saturn with 170k on the original clutch, he drives about 100 miles highway round trip a day. My civic has 130k on the original clutch.

 

If you have to ask, get the EX or LX. Realize that you will have to put in premium fuel in the Si and you will get less MPG's. But I would get a 5-sp EX or LX instead of the auto. More fun to drive, unless you're in traffic a lot.

 

Have you ever driven a manual before? Get the SI, but don't get it if you don't know how. The clutch won't wear out for 50-100k depending on the driver. Its cost around 350 to replace. I hate slush boxes. The new CVTs are nice though. If you're going to get an EX for fuel economy, just wait for the Insight to come out or get a Fit.

 

depends on what you define as boring. i mean R18's arent THAT damn slow. sure my car will lose to an Si on the straights but in the turns i shouldnt be too far behind.

during a premeet caravan i met up with 9 other Si's. my only mod was springs and i was the first one there. well 2nd becuase i had to slow down becuase i didnt know where to go after the exit.

remember, the car is only as boring as its driver

as for fuel enonomy i average 320 a tank. used to be about 360-380. i dont know what happened. but if its a main concern for you get a Fit, or even the hybrid civic

 

R18's are plenty fun to drive. It's not like the Si's are powerhouses either. I went to an ITR after an LS, and although I enjoyed the ITR immensely, I still had lots of fun in my LS with Eibach pro-kits and ITR sway (the LS was a 5-sp).

 

There's nothing like the feel of a manual-powered k20, in relation to an automatic powered r18.

 

Yes they are slow

 

Do you need an oil change really badly? Those are horrible numbers for an R18. I average that in my Si, with many trips to VTEC.

 

is it auto though? I think my gfs R18 auto only gets like 300 miles/tank max. Could depend alot on how you drive. My d16y7, I get anywhere from 25mpg to 39 mpg.

 

Go with the Si hands down.The ex is just boring...

 

I think the OP already settled on an EX.

 

What the hell? I thought this was an enthusiast site? Auto or manual?! Pick the freakin' stick! What's with all these posts asking about a comparo on SI vs. a non-SI?

 

not explicitly. its anything from enthusiasts to grandma's trying to figure out basic car problems.

SI isnt always the answer. for the "good normal driving" in question i think the ex was the better option. it is pretty hard to pass up an SI for the price if stick and gas mileage isnt an absolute deal-breaker though. you only end up paying maybe $1-2k more MSRP (closer to $1k if you're getting the ~$600 foglight upgrade at the dealer anyway)

 

Some people have other priorities. I'm an enthusiast also but I'm also fan of Honda's reputation for efficiency and longevity.

 

The Si sedan is so sexy.

 

I'll second that.

On paper they do. I think in the real world the manual is still going to get better mileage depending on how you drive.

To the OP, for the most part honda manual transmissions are far more reliable than their mechanical counterparts. Clutches when not abused can last a long time (i've seen several outlast the vehicle they were in, including a couple in 5th and 6th gen civics that had over 500,000kms (300,000 miles) it depends largely on the driver.

 

Foglights are standard on the Si now! New for '09.

 

to that! The car looks so much better with them.