i really need help deciding on my next car as a DD/track car.

I currently drive a 2008 Subaru WRX (automatic ) and want to trade it in for a gas saver but don't want to scarifies too much of the power that i am so use to. I've always been a fan of Hondas and all their Vtec motors they ever produced and i really want to get back into hondas.

I'm trying to decide if it's actually worth trading my car in for a 2008 civic si or a good cheap 2009 civic si (as they look better with the face lift) or just keep my wrx cause i won't save much in gas anyways? (i know i can find this online but i want some real facts from owners)

is it worth just getting the cheaper 2008 civic si or older and make it look like the 2009+ civics or just buy the 2009+ civic si? ($15k budget)

and no i don't want a fit or anything less then what i'm asking about here so lets try to keep this post on topic as my heart is only set on a Civic SI

sorry for the ramble as well. i am a noob at posting in forums as this is my first time ever doing it.

 

Are you going to mod the civic?

 

As far as gas mileage goes, it has allot to do with your driving style (as with any car) if you're dead set on a civic si, get the newest one, affordable within your budget, (lower mileage engine) and better re-sell value

 

I own a 2009 WRX (265HP), and a 2013 Civic Si. I've also owned an 06 STi, and about a dozen other civics/Intergras in various configurations.

The mileage is a world apart. You will save money. Especially if you drive a lot of city. The WRX is a pig on gas, and has a huge tank. If you have the smaller engine on your WRX it's a bit better, but still not what I'd qualify as "good".

If you've been in the Subaru for a while, the Si will take some time to get used to. Especially the 8th gen. There's lots of power on tap, but nothing really happens until you hit about 6K RPM. Nothing like the powerband of the WRX. Things you will notice are that 1) The transmission/shifter on the WRX is brutal in comparison to the Honda. Just utter trash ... complete garbage. 2) The WRX feels like a tank in comparison to the Si. 3) The Si is easier to drive at the limit. 4) The Si has no torque. 5) The Si is a boring car to drive under 6K RPM. 6) Honda's interior ergonomics are much better than Subaru. 7) The fit and finish on the Honda is miles better than the Subaru. 8) You will miss 4WD, but you wont miss the diff noise. 9) Consumables are cheaper on the Honda. I could go on for a while ....

My advice, especially coming from a WRX, is to find a used 2012 Civic Si or go for a TSX. Something with a K24 and torque. Easier transition for you. Don't get me wrong, an 8th gen Si is a super fun car to drive, but after 12 years of driving torqueless Hondas daily, I just couldn't do it any more. For a track/weekend car, sure ... the 2.0L is great and a load of fun. Driving to and from work every day, no thanks. I don't appreciate having to rev the snot out of a motor to keep up with the Camry beside me trying to cut me off during a lane merge.

For what it's worth, the 2013 is probably the BEST daily driver Si Honda has ever produced. Just for context, go drive one and you'll see what I mean. It's a bloody Bentley inside in comparison to previous models.

Good luck.

 

How much torque do you need to accelerate to 35 or 45 MPH?

 

^ A lot more than 130 lb-ft. Especially when that "casual" daily acceleration involves 50-70% throttle and shifting at 4000-5000 RPM just to keep up with the flow of traffic (minivans and such). It's annoying, and part of the reason Honda moved to the 2.4L in the first place. Post VTEC the issue is moot, but for daily driving? No thank you.

 

Right now I drive a stock '00 GSR, and I never have to rev above 4K. I drove an '08 Si for three years, and I shifted even lower than that. For one, torque by itself doesn't tell you anything about a car's ability to accelerate, as HP is how fast torque is applied; and two, it really doesn't take much power to keep up with average traffic accelerating to typical non-freeway speeds.

 

I sacrificed a lot went I bought my DD (2010 Civic DX) but it was the smartest option for me. I travel 50 miles one way to work. I need to save on travel expenses.

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i own both an '09 LX and an '07 Si (came from a '93 single cam)... obviously miles away from where i was, but both were had with less than >65k @ $15k

'09 - 45k @ $13k
'07 - 65k @ $17k

i'm really happy with my purchase(s). if you finance you'll be hard pressed to find an '09+ for > $15k, if you can afford to swing a used - go for it. personally, i think the 06-08 looks better.

 

I have an 07 civic si and it's great for where I live for a daily driver, has enough power to pass people on the highway with ease even up steep hills while loaded with 4 people in the car, but it definetely is harder on fuel compared to a non-si. I get 430 kms to 40l of gas. My 07 ex gets 650kms to 40l of gas.

 

thanks for the info! I'm actually not a fan of the 2012 and 2013 civics, in my opinion it's a great car to drive but looks ugly to me, i think the best civics are from 2009-2011 with the new facelift, looks very aggressive after you throw a lip on it with your fogs turned on.

Yes i do plan on modding it. Just a Asia style front lip and lowered on some rims keeping it simple for now, show and cruise, but after i pay off the car i plan gear it towards track use and DD.

I don't really push my WRX, i just like coasting, but occasionally i'll punch it but no more then a few gears. (automatic) lol and i also live in toronto canada and my travel distance from home to work and back is about 70-80km (highway both ways but when i leave for work theres traffic jam and at night it's a clear way home). In my wrx i will fill up 91 oct about $75 but that will last me from monday to friday night. By the time i reach my house after work my gas light is on at about 410km on the dash