Well here soon I am going to buy a 06+ Civic. I'm not sure yet if I plan to get a new one or a used one. Probably a used 07 or 08. I was thinking about getting a Si but have noticed the gas mileage isn't that great. I'm buying the car because I want amazing gas mileage, however I'm very much a car guy so I do not want a pos **** box base model/crank windows and manual locks. I figure here is best as any place to get the know down on whats what with the new Civics. I need a daily driver that gets great gas mileage and I plan to drive the wheels off it.

Can you guys tell me what the major differences are between the LX and the EX? I did alot of reading and I know how the i-Vtec works on the 1.8L. It kicks in at 3,500rpms so to get the best mileage shift before 3,000rpms. And what is the major differences between the EX and the Si besides the 2.0vs1.8 and the 5 speed and 6 speed.

 

honda.com

base model for better gas milage....SI not so much

 

Thanks, I already checked out Honda's website. I'm looking more for the pros and cons from the actual owners of the cars, not the manufactuer.

Oh and I forgot to add that the car has to be a 5 speed. I have yet to drive a 06+ Civic but yesterday I did drive a 06 RSX 5 speed and I must say it drove very nicely! It had decent throttle response (I'm coming from V8s so I was expecting no throttle response at all) however the car was a bit slower than I expected. The dealership was a Honda dealership and he told me the RSX has 155hp stock. The 06+ 1.8L has 140hp so is the performance similar or what to the RSX?

 

never drove the single cam civic so i couldn't tell you. I have a base model RSX and an SI and i can tell that it's night and day.

but once you throw gas milage into the equation then you throw the SI out. you can't have both performance and gas milage.

 

So basically right now I am torn between the LX model or the EX model. I plan to mod it alittle like wheels and maybe a lip. Is there any mods that make the gas mileage better such as intake or something? I know making it faster will probably be pointless so I'm more focused on gas mileage.


Wow this car looks good... What headlights are those? I'm open for ANY appearance mods. I just don't want to put alot in performance mods. I'm more all show and no go lol

 

mods dont really help mpg IMO. the ex has a sunroof anf lx dosnt. ex has alloy rims and lx has hubcaps. basic diff to help you choose.

 

Well I guess its an EX for me...Gotta have da sunruf! Is it standard on the EX? Now I just gotta find a black 5 speed with black interior or a white 5 speed with black interior!

 

mods? you don't even know what car you want yet. figure out which one you want then worry about mods. appearance mods are interchangable between models so it's not a big deal.

EDIT: nevermind....i guess you decided on the ex.

 

Exactly, parts are interchangable so it doesn't matter. And I've made my choice on a 07+ EX. Mod suggestions?

Ok I'm looking and I see some with a 2 spoke steering wheel and some with a 3 spoke. I want the 3 spoke one, which ones have this?

 

If gas mileage is really a concern, you should buy a TDI or a Hybrid. If you can't afford to pay for the extra 2-3 gallons of gas every 2 weeks in the SI, you shouldn't be buying a new car anyway.

 

Exactly...the Si doesn't get amazing gas mileage, but neither do the R18 Civics. The Si does well with gas mileage for being a sport model car.

If you're truly a car guy, driving both will decide for you. My sister has a 2006 EX and night and day between our cars (I have an '08 Si) is an understatement.

 

Read through the threads.

 

on an EX, white with black interioir was only available in the 06 model. anything newer would be tan.

as far as base models go, the 4 doors have 2 spoke, 2 doors have 3. Si's share the steering wheel design.

 

I just now happen the 2006 Civic EX on top of my old hybrid 1998 Honda Civic 4 door. I am also going to have my younger brother clue in because he worked in Honda dealership.

In combined mileage in Las Vegas I get 25.5 mpg on majority of street driving and shift at 3000rpm.

The noticeable difference between the EX has rear disc brakes which work well, it has the volume/search/mode for the stereo on the left with the standard cruise and such on the right. That radio doo-dad has sold me Plus that moon roof and those 16 inch alloy rims. That is pretty cool, too. Oh, and my brother noted the EX has a bit better speakers than the LX but you really cannot notice it. Painted mirrors on EX. He says that the EX might have heated mirrors but not too sure.

The EX-L comes with leather as a standard and a touchscreen navigation system.

My younger brother says he is not impressed with the SI at all. The suspension is pretty much thicker sway bars and doesn't help on the new generation's top heaviness. Brakes are good but the suspension is terrible and the car just rocks back and forth. Steering is sloppy in comparison to the older generations but not as sloppy as the EP, period. He says the ride felt like a family car and doesn't feel like an SI supposed to feel in comparison to the older generation. Needs higher spring rate and dropped at least two inches.

He says he would rather step it up to a Honda Accord coupe with the V6 manual with the XM radio and premium sound.


My little brother is unbiased as a critic as he can get. I feel he judges cars equally depending on its class and never on a brand.

In my opinion I would buy an EX any day of the week over the LX and I hope this helps.

 

What generations are you comparing it to? The suspension is great, for a $20K vehicle. Especially in comparison to anything offered by the American companies for that price. .

I also would not say the steering is sloppy at all, unless the tires are lacking, and/or varying in pressure

It may be no Porsche, but it certainly is not what I would consider, "top-heavy". When I think, "family car", I think "Toyota Camry". I feel like I'm going to roll over whenever I'm in my friends Camry, on turns which are barely felt in the Si. I assume a similar feeling in the Accord.

5-speed, more power, leather seats, shorter wheelbase.

Si offers XM(if it exists anymore?) and premium sound. And better paint choices, IMO. At least through 2006-2008 models. (Has anyone even seen a DBP FG/FA on the roads?)


As a former EX-coupe owner, I can say that you will not be disappointed. Honda makes a great vehicle, but personally, I love the feel of the K20.

 

Stop taking advice from your younger brother.

 

Oh god you own a 95 Mustang?! Anyhoo, you can always head on over to the dealership and test drive both cars you speak of. I'll give you some advice that you'll end up spending a crap load more money modding the EX over the SI which is already good out of the box.

 

just get a Si coupe. The gas mileage isnt that different. And if you going to waste that much money on one of the new models why not get a Si.

 

Well to each his own. My brother and I are comparing a 1999-2000 civic SI or even an older DC2 Integra. We just see the older cars feel better when mods are placed instead of blowing over 20,000 for a Honda Civic SI which gives quite comparable results. Modding the new Civics would start cutting in into the warranty which in our minds keep it up while the car is on it. I am just sharing his opinion about it. Obviously, you guys own the SI and will defend it which is natural. So just let it be. My brother and I have summed up the most unbiased points about the EX and LX and that was the main point.

Seriously, we were not trying to step on anyone's toes.

If you get the EX I will suggest you to buy a K&N drop in filter for 50.00 or so. I have posted a link of my initial impression and two posts down I have placed my final assessment which you probably will find it interesting.

http://www.militarytuners.com/vbulle...ead.php?t=2351

 

Hi... "Friend"

this is CastanagaJT's younger brother...
guess what?
over the past 2 years I have worked in 3 of the largest dealerships in town here in Las Vegas, NV...
Peoples (both sides) and Findlay Honda Northwest...
don't listen to me, eh?
guess what... working at Peoples Pontiac/Buick/GMC, then switching over to Mazda/Suzuki, and later Findlay Honda Northwest, I gotta admit...
It was a HUGE letdown going to Honda's lineup and driving their "top-of-the-line" models stepping down from driving, on a daily basis:
Pontiac GTOs (fun car, has cooling issues, interior quality's terrible, but a fun car nonetheless),
F-Bodies (you know... Camaros and Firebirds? crap...),
Corvettes (fun, hella worth the money on the used market ^^),
Vipers (FUN STUFF!!! but not quite as good a handler as the vettes), Mustangs of all types (GTs=tune it yourself, Roushes = CRAP!!!!),
Lancer Evolutions (older gens are worth it... the new ones are terrible, on all trims),
Sti (my bro had one with a reflash, fun stuff ^^, but poor build quality),
Mazdaspeed 3s (pretty good power, snappy handling for it's size)
RX-8s (WASTE OF time)
Saturn Sky Redlines (pretty good car for the price, handling's on par, power's good, and it actually squeals it's wheels on the first 2 gears ^^)
Pontiac Solstice (both trims are crap... yeah, same body code, but noticeably crap...)
Civic Si's (Ep = Terrible, i consider it a manual Odyssey, and the new one.... terrible to what I expected... EK's still takes the cake... oh yeah... trade it in and get a Mazdaspeed 3, you'll thank me)
Mazdaspeed Miatas (fun stuff ^^)
Eclipses, all trims and generations (HAHA!!! crap...)
350Z (take a hammer to it, and it'll look the part for what it really is)
3000Gts (cool looking, overweight, crap)
E36 M3s (good car, sucks in auto, look at the body for rust...very prone to it)
Mercedes S-Classes (sluggish... garage it, detail it, show it off, but not a driver's car)
Volkswagen Phaeton (sucks.... but a nice cruiser ^^)
Volkswagen GTIs (last 2 gens,... this one sucks, the older one's FUN AS HELL, but.... shifter sucks)
MR-Ss (better than a Miata, HELLA GREAT HANDLER!!! get rid of your Si and save 10 grand for more fun, swap to a 2zz and you'll spank yourself for not doing so earlier)
Porsche 911s (great car, but the ergonomics, like VWs suck to me)
SRT-4s (HELLA worth the money!!! sell that Si if you find a good one! ^^ HONESTLY...)
Toyota Corolla XRS (so not worth anything, even though I'm a Toyota loyalist, their lineup in the past decade has really made my... yeah.... go soft)
Charger SRT-8 (handles like a boat, but still has nice get-me-up)
300C SRT-8 (hella worth it if you're looking for pimp status with a little bit of grunt, and it's a better handler than the Charger)
Volkswagen Beetle Turbos (crap, but a nice car for your chick! HAHAHAAHA)
Ford Thunderbird (really NICE cruiser car, interior's cheap, but still a nice car nonetheless)
Mini Coopers (good cars, but not worth the price that they ask for on em'... wait a few years past warranty to buy one if you REALLY want one)

and when it comes to the current Honda lineup:
Ridgeline (want an Accord motor, shoved into a box?)
PIlot (Want an even more Overweight Ridgeline? do yourself a favor and buy a real truck...)
Odyssey (fun van! really! blast the XM, lay down the middle row, and it's great to burn your shift off in)
Honda Accord Sedan (like the coupes... not worth the money if you don't get the V6)
Honda Accord Coupe (get it in a manual V6, SOOOO worth the money if you want a great looking cruiser, especially with the optional lip kit and HFP wheels)
Honda Element (SC, and normal.... not a bad car for a young family, very utilitarian, seriously worth the price if you got a family... if you don't mind the look XD)
Honda Civic Si (it's okay, just not what I expected.... when I see that Si badge I EXPECT an Si, not an EX with a K20 swap.... seriously... there's A LOT of better cars on the market for the money...)
Honda S2000 (good car, HELLA good car, but.... save a few more grand and get yourself a corvette... much better bang for the buck... nothing says FUN like fishtailing on all gears on str8s, yet the handling's rather predictable if you can control it ^^)

Sedan form =
(1)MazdaSpeed3, though not a sedan, but a hatch, has great power, pretty decent suspension, pay a little more and get the optional handling package and you'll run circles, AND have fun doing it! around ignorant Si Owners....
(2) Lancer Ralliart, c'mon... it's got a great motor.... and will also run circles around Si guys... but.... it's still a Mitsu...

Coupe form=
(1)Saturn Sky Redline, if you don't mind bringing it in for warranty work once in a while, it's a fun car... as I said... if you don't mind warranty work...
(2)Mazda Miata, not as fast, but if you want a car that'll scare the crap out of you by how well it handles through the turns... SOOOO worth it... don't even call it a "woman's car" until you actually test it's limits...

well, that's about it... that i could think of...
2 years passes by pretty quick in the Dealership world...
but, yeah...
if you really wanna get the feel for the majority of average people's (middle class income) cars out there, get a job at a dealership for a few months, then reformulate what you say....
cuz' obviously... this guy's viewpoint is extremely biased...

 

I'm not your friend. I've never met you, and already I can tell you're one of the kids that I'd to chain to their cars and push off of a cliff.

Well...I've learned a couple things from your cute little rant:

1) You can't hold a job, which could mean:

a) You're indecisive, just like your cars.
b) You're just an idiot who can't hold a job.

^I'm leaning towards B!

2) You have no clue what you're talking about. The only car that even hangs with the Si FOR THE MONEY is the Spec V and the Si runs circles around that in the corners. In fact none of the cars you listed (that are available brand new right now) are within $1000 of the Si's price. Maybe if you mentioned a Cobalt SS/TC, I'd have a little respect for what you said.

Your review of nearly car made me LOL.

The Corvette outhandles the Viper?! You've never driven either obviously. I love Corvettes and would never get a Viper over one, but the SRT10 outhandles the Z06 easily.

350z=worthy of the hammer? Come on...I mean, I knew you were a douche, but that takes the cake. You rave about the Sky Redline, but the Z walks all over that, in looks, quality and performance.

I'd go on, but I have to go.

Crawl out of your imaginery driver's seat that is your computer chair and get a clue. You've never driven half (or any) of those cars.

 

imaginary driver's seat, eh?

want me to post a picture of my work shirts then, ya ***?
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

solid proof...
and...
if ya want more proof...
here...

Peoples Las Vegas
Service: 702-784-1168

Findlay Honda Northwest
702-982-4200

call em' and ask...

oh yeah... and as to being chained to a car and pushed off a cliff...
I'd be MORE THAN happy to be chained to yours and pushed off so i can get another one of those pieces of crap off the road...

I like my hondas, but the NEW Si's not deserving of such a legendary nameplate....

 

A Lancer Ralliart running circles around the Si?? Are you f**king kidding me. The car has 40 more HP than the Si but also outweighs it by more than 600 lbs.

Ever heard of power to weight ratio? I put two boltons on my car and KNOW I am capable of outrunning a car that heavy on the streets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfufMF39EdU

It holds .81g on the skidpad...which is TERRIBLE. Si stock holds .91g. Si also has a better slalom performance as well....by more than 4mph. And while the car beats the Si in the 1/4 mile (barely)....like I said with the Intake and Race Header I trapped 96mph and a faster E.T. as well.

Running circles around the Si?? I don't think so. I can't wait to see one of these things on the streets so I can rip it apart. JUST FOR YOU!

As for your other comparisons....I won't even get started on those since it's painfully obvious that you're just some sort of over-analytical fanboy who probably hasn't even driven 95% of the cars you've listed in comparison.

So the next time you call the Si a piece of crap....think of the fact that it won the Motortrend Car of the Year Award in 2006. That award is given out for a reason!

 

I could care less if you worked there. Did I say you lied about working at the dealerships? NO! Learn how to read.

I bet you push the mop across the floor and dream of the day you can drive a car other than your '89 Tercel.

 

[Get's popcorn and sourpatch kids.]