The urge to shift for myself is back, after 2 years of a car without a clutch pedal. Turning 69 so this will probably be the last one I buy so I want it to last for at least a few years. On the fence to swap my baja turbo for a 5 speed or try a honda. This generation of SI has good numbers, crazy redline and good MPG when driving. So many have been played with, not getting something another person messed with. I hear they can have rust and gear popout but overall are rather sturdy. So all you honda current or past owners, and maybe suby owners, what think you?
When I was sick I couldn't drive anything for a whole year because I was weak and couldn't even walk. When I recovered enough I went straight to the truck (automatic) just to see if my reactions would still be normal. Then, a month later I tried my MINI with a clutch, and that worked, too. Since then I've bought two other MINIs and upgraded my old NB Miata to an ND-RF. I'll have something with a clutch until I can't operate it any longer. I vote you get the Civic and enjoy it as long as you can. Life is too short not to enjoy what you like.
Edit: Read David's take on things.......Why I'll always autocross | Articles | Grassroots Motorsports
In reply to porschenut :
Not an owner but briefly looked at one and test drove both a terrible, rotted rocker, E36 M3ty coilovers example and a nice, stock, clean example. Didn't love the steering but the chassis felt great and the engine was awesome. Loved the shifter too - very positive engagement and very precise.
I looked for them briefly and found tons of SI's under $10k. Rust seemed to be the biggest issue but I found lots without rust or mechanical issues, though cosmetic paint issues in the clear coat were common among the ones I found.
Disclaimer - I'm a 19 year old buying my first car, take everything I say with a decent helping of salt.
ScottyB has a long build thread on here.
I've owned my 07 Si sedan for several years. I bought it with 172,000 miles and it's now around 226,000. Stock except for minor suspension changes. My only issues have been the well known stuff and high mileage older car stuff. The guy I bought it from had a long highway commute.
Subarus I've driven: 99 2.5 rs, 04 Forester XT, 02 WRX, 05 Legacy GT, 14 BRZ, 16 STi... etc. and I just don't really like the engines. They have their own flavor of fun.
The Si is very rewarding feeling when attacking corners and feeling the diff try and pull you through the corner. The gearing and shifter is such that you don't need to speed shift it to ride the 6 to 8k VTEC powerband.
Disclaimer I am a Honda fanboi. For small displacement 4cyl engines Honda knows how to gear them to make the most fun and engagement out of them.
Evanuel9 said:
In reply to porschenut :
Disclaimer - I'm a 19 year old buying my first car, take everything I say with a decent helping of salt.
If 8th generation Civics rust a lot where you live, it's clear that a decent helping of salt must be involved. 
In reply to MadScientistMatt :
Oh yeah - chicago rust is awful
I was trying to find an 8th gen SI for months, that wasn't ruined and would still be something I would own. A non SI five speed manual coupe popped up, and I went ahead and bought it.
A friend sold me used Koni sport shocks, a 24 mm rear sway bar, and some Enkie wheels.
It does everything I wanted from an SI, including frequent autocross wins (when I leave the Miata home), track sprints, track days, and 30+ miles per gallon.
lnlds
Reader
3/17/24 9:35 p.m.
I've seen clean coupes pop up recently.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
The numbers I saw showed the SI is capable of 30 mpg. Fuelly showed users average about 28.
I drive a lightly tweaked turbo Baja automatic is my daily. I could see a STI 6-speed swap and a healthy whack of lowering being an absolute hoot after a retune. Probably far cheaper then the Civic SI and a much better known quantity as well. If you still love the Baja and want to keep the devil you know, I don't see why this would be a bad idea. Especially with a lightweight flywheel and some speed parts to make it faster. Should come in at far less than the Civic SI purpose
clutchsmoke said:
ScottyB has a long build thread on here.
heyo! here's my diatribe over 7 years of ownership.
owned it for almost 50k miles over 7 years and absolutely loved it. never had a single major issue. i got rid of it for a RWD/V8 experience and will always have fond memories of it. its "heavy" for a civic but has a really good chassis. solid geometry for a strut car and very stiff. tons of room inside for what they are. oddball ergonomics but it works. super easy to drive quickly and it asks for it.
if you're looking for a clean coupe, there are plenty still out there. sedans? not so much and they command a premium. 09-11 MY are ideal but they're all basically the same.
my car prior to this was a 2005 2.5RS - not too far removed from a Baja. it was also fun but the chassis was so dull compared to the civic. between the 2 I'd never choose the subaru unless it was for a LOT of gravel driving.
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
The 5 speed is cheaper and has the ratios I need. Not doing this for speed, I miss shifting. Mine is set up pretty well, crash bolts to get some neg camber up front and soon to get more caster. I like the handling, for my use it is fun. The cost is surprising. Can't do this myself, no lift and not laying on my back for hours. So one shop quoted 4500 with unknown quality components to 6500 for rebuilt mechanicals, and new rubber where needed. I know how "since I am in there" can inflate a bill. The decision has a financial and emotional side, but there is a lot of knowledge in this group and I do benefit from their experience and opinions.
First SI test drive was a failure. Car was lowered with some sort of gameboy steering wheel. And the back half of the exhaust was in the trunk. Car was so low turning the steering resulted in tire smoke from the front wheels. All the dash light were lit up due to the aftermarket wheel(?) and it pulled to the left on acceleration and right on decel. Car was advertised as stock, but the guy needed google translate to communicate. So that didn't impress me.
Then automotive Karma gave me a huge gift for my birthday. A MGB with a v6 swap came up for crazy low money. Car was done right, steel flares, panasports, wilwood, GM EFI and a ton of very nice custom work. Car hasn't been driven for a few years so I had to buy on trust but not very concerned. Car dynoed with over 250HP at the wheel! So time for fluid dumps and a new battery. No honda, no manual trans swap suby now!
Unexpected, but freaking fantastic thread end! Please start a build threat because of V6 swapped MGB has always been on my radar.
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
It is done! Minor things to clean up but once the fluids are fresh and a new battery is in I will be driving it. But I can put it in with pics, as it looks like this one was done right.
