I don't mean to turn this post into a which car is better flame war.

I am very curious, which car would handle better? Both cars would be 100% stock, and I assume they will have equal drivers.

Does the Civic SI have a softer suspension than the RSX-S like the base RSX?

Thanks in advance.

 

"Handling" is hard to quantify, but if you look at various magazines' skidpad and slalom results, the RSX-S posts better numbers. By the same token, use the difference in the base MSRP price between the two to modify the Civic, and I believe you could make it handle better, using the above criteria.

 

stock the RSX-S has stiffer or whatever you want to call it handling. There is a warning in the manual about bottoming out on certain hills for the Type S (not like its that low anyway).

Who keeps stock suspension anyway. Im sure they'll both handle good with a nice pair of coilovers/springs.

 

Ive driven both, and the RSX is superior. Stiffer chassis and less body roll, although the stock tires on both are pretty crappy.

 

because of cost the rsx type s has a slightly stiffer suspension but the rsx chassis is not stiffer than the si's.

 

The chassis is the same between the two cars. The RSX-S has slightly firmer suspension and a larger rear anti-sway bar.

Tires are actually a bit better on the RSX-S, accounting for better skidpad and slalom numbers. This makes more of a difference than anythig else. Put a set of Falken Azenis on the Si and it will out handle the RSX-S all day long and you'll still have over $5000 in your pocket.

Any reason why you want to keep stock suspension? If you must and you can afford it, the RSX-S is a better choice.

 

I've driven both pretty hard... and the suspension on the Civic SI seems a tad bit soggier than the RSX-S.

But the SI rolls more than the RSXS

 

Thanks for the info, everyone.