2009 Honda Civic Si Review

Pros:

Cons:

By Matt Brogan | April 06th, 2009

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Price: $14,400 to $24,360

Our Rating:

Performance, Ride & Handling	3.5
Comfort and Interior	4
Quality & Design	4
Value & Features	3
Safety	4
Green	4.5

As we arrived at our lunch destination for the all-new Honda Odyssey launch that CarAdvice attended on Friday, a small, sleek hatch-shape sat tucked in one corner of the large function room veiled in a soft satin cover.

Through lunch my fellow motoring writers and I debated what was underneath, awaiting our prying gaze. Was it a new Type-R, was it a Civic Hybrid hatch, or could it be the long awaited five-door Civic?

The latter soon proved to be the case.

With coupe styling, but hatch practicality, the five-door Civic Si is certainly a good look, having retained much of the Type-R’s aggressively futuristic themes.

Hidden rear door handles mask the rear doors completely from a distance, especially when viewed from a front-side angle (as shown above).

Distinctively different, the Civic Si features many of the same stylistic traits as seen in the Type-R including its unique ‘face’ with the headlamps blending seamlessly with a central glazed panel; triangular front fog lamps, a design motif that is repeated by the integrated exhaust tailpipes positioned at either side of the rear bumper; the aforementioned ‘concealed’ rear door handles; and tailgate glass that is split horizontally by a rear spoiler.

At 4270mm long, 1765mm wide and 1460mm tall, the Civic Si is proportionally not a great deal bigger than its three-door sibling, but clever packaging has allowed the available space to be used quite wisely.

Honda cites issues of difference between the Australian Design Rules and EU regulations as the main reason in delaying this premium model hatch to Australian shores with differences such as windscreen thickness, front three-quarter impact regulations, child seat attach point locations and other slight specification differences as the cause.

It’s a sticking point in many instances for imported cars and indeed something Honda plans to work on with government agencies to make more globally uniform.

Back to the car in question though we draw focus on a centrally-mounted 50 litre fuel tank beneath the floor that permits useful flat rear footing for rear seat passengers while allowing at the same time increased cargo space of 415 litres (seats up), which can be expanded to 1282 litres via 60:40 split fold rear seats.

Entry and egress is surprisingly easy for a smaller hatch meaning as a five-door, the practicality availed is a step-up from the more sporty three-door model. Unfortunately however rear passenger headroom is a little tight at 956mm.

Features include 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, front fog lamps, rear park assist, ‘magic-fold’ seats (as seen in Honda’s Jazz models), tyre deflation monitors, heated front seats, remote keyless entry with alarm, power windows and mirrors, rain sensing wipers, auto headlamps, cruise control, trip computer, a single CD tuner and push button start.

The Civic Si is powered by a 1.8-litre, i-VTEC, SOHC, four-cylinder petrol engine developing 103kW at 6300rom and 174Nm at 4300rpm via either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

Honda claims a 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds with fuel economy figures of 6.9 litres per 100km (ADR combined) for the manual variant and 7.2 litres per 100km (ADR combined) for the automatic.

With a five-star ANCAP rating the Civic Si includes such safety features as dual front, side and curtain airbags; ABS with EBA and EBD; and ESP with Traction Control – all as standard.

The bad news is however that the Civic Si is of limited availability with supply restricted to 420 units.

Pricing starts at $38,990 (RRP) for the six-speed manual and $41,290 (RRP) for the five-speed automatic.

Metallic paint is an additional $395 with Civic Si available in four colours: Milano Red, Galaxy Grey (M), Alabaster Silver (M) and Crystal Black (M).

Expect a full review from the CarAdvice team within the next few weeks.

To arrange a test drive of the new Honda Civic Si, click here.

Specifications:

Engine: 1799cc SOHC four-cylinder
Power: 103kW @ 6300rpm
Torque: 174Nm @ 4300rpm
Induction: Multi-point
Transmission: Six-speed(M)/five-speed(A)
Driven Wheels: Front
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
0-100km/h: 8.6 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 163g/km(M)/172g/km(A)
Fuel Consumption: 6.9 litres per 100km(M)
Fuel Consumption: 7.2 litres per 100km(A)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres
Fuel Type: 91RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: Five-star
Airbags: Front, side & curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Space-saver
Cargo Capacity: 415/1282 litres
Tow Capacity: 1400kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 5.54 metres (at wheel)
Warranty: Three Year/100,000km
Weight: 1285kg (M)/1320kg(A)
Wheels: 17 x 7.0-inch Alloy

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January 12th, 2012

By: TJ

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When I set out to buy a hot hatch I went through the WRX, XR5, Golf, Megane, Lancer Ralliart, etc. The Type-R w... Read more

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When released in 2006, Honda Civic was streets ahead of the competition. In terms of design, it still holds it... Read more

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Reliability and fun to drive – the Civic is a car that embodies the philosophy of Honda that has made it such a... Read more

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This is my first Honda. I looked at the Holden, Mazda and Corolla but the roomy feel and the engine performanc... Read more

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riceboy

seems a bit expensive, considering all the hot hatches are around the $40K mark… who would buy this when you can have Mazda 3 MPS or Golf GTI for similar money? or even a Type R for not much more?
Hummerbug

Did you manage to keep your lunch down after seeing this ummm car i think??
WVB

i love hondas but 1.8L vtec with only 103kws/174Nm seems pretty tardy especially in the $40k mark!!.
Ryan

That’s a beautiful looking car.
But way to expensive, even more so considering this is made in Thailand…
adam (aka mada)

Incorrect package and poor timing for the current new vehicle market imo.
adam (aka mada)

Ryan,

Very good point about being assembled in Thailand and the asking price.
http://skyline The Salesman

$40k, for anything with a 1.8ltr non turbo SOHC motor and two doors is pure stupidity. Unless its a 2nd hand Lotus.
Pon

Sorry, what the? It costs more than an Accord Euro? For what, exactly?
nick

I was under the impression this car was manufactured in England, hence the time delay with exchange rates and why its design is more in line with the type r than the civic sedan which is focused on the US market
http://www.caradvice.com.au Matt

Nick, you are correct. The car is made in Swindon, UK.
http://caradvice onepoppa

Adam is not correct – this one is ex UK.

Which brings us to the point of price for this lovely car I sat in one at the Melbourne Motor Show – great interior room and quality, so there is no cricism of the car.

In the UK where it is made in 1.8 SE manual form it costs STG 14,860, compared to an imported VW Golf VI which in basic 90KW manual form with S trim costs STG 15,105. An Accord Euro ( also made in the UK ) with a 2.4 engine in EX trim costs STG 21,829.

Now look at the Australian prices – VW Golf with 1.4TSI manual in Trendline trim – $25,990 – Civic manual $38,990 -Accord Euro $33,990 (Standard) or $41,990 (luxury) – both manual.

Lovely car it may be – but the price is eye watering.
RoFlmaTiC

I will be surprised if they even sell 420 units at that price range.
Erwin

Claimed 0-100 in 8.6 second, That is totally Fraud figure.
With 174Nm torque and weight 1320kg, there is no way it can do it in 8.6sec.
What is honda thinking ? :S
absi

isnt the type r cheaper than this shopping trolley?
ChineseDriver

anyone suspect the 0-100 time in 8.6 sec??

Looks like its the same SOHC 4 cylinder engine in the standard 1.8 Civic (not even the 2.0 in civic sport), and this car isn’t lighter than the standard civic as well.

They used this trick for Civic type R anyways, claimed 6.6sec 0-100 while it really does it in sth like 7.6 sec.

Honda is seriously going down, look at their poor resale values for the type R.
Alan

i was quite excited when they first announced they will bring in the 5 door civic from uk, but it is way too expensive. i know its due to made in uk n poor exhange rate, but at this price, they should not have bothered. may be thats why its a limited edition as they want to judge public reaction before deciding on larger volume
Ravith

Ugly, weak, expensive, car. The only plus point may be that it may be somewhat more comfy with teh interiors.

Way way too much overpriced. Like Kia Soul – with a bit of the wit in their backside, they are releasing this in a small number to test how many they can fool.

Like someone said earlier – this price can get way more quality and powerful cars.
Sam

I was happily reading with interest until you mentioned the price! I am shocked. No value there at 40k.
Frontman

With Swindon massive amount of production days so far this year (read almost none ) I’d be checking th build date on every one of the 420 comming in!! Sounds like they are tarting them up, making them a limited run & trying to sell the unsold at a premium price???? Knowing what is happening with Honda stock control at present I’d be very very sceptical.
Chris

Pushing 40K for this!!!! Give me an Accord Euro anyday.
macca

If this is futuristic, then there gonna be some uuuggllyy looking cars coming our way!
george

Ugly interior!
adam (aka mada)

onepoppa,

Ryan suggested it was made in Thailand.
Mike

Is this some kind of joke? Honda aus are just clueless sometimes. Bring the USDM civic si, if anything. 41k for 103kw. WTF. My accord v6 costs a couple k less than that and is 100x the car and 100x better looking.
Pious

I like the looks (reminds me of those robots from battlestar galactica), like the brand, not the price, though the quality is probably very good. I’d pay more and take a c30/s40T5. For the same dough you’d be spoiled for choice, both new and near new.
Tony

I think this one came out close to 2 yrs ago in the UK.

Why would you even bother to bring such a car here if you know that you’d be charging $38K for a SOHC non sporting hatch?

Ok I can understand $40k for a Type R which is a halo model that all the rich foreign students buy but a plain hatch?

Defies all common logic. Unless you are a fashion tragic who must have the UK domestic market model… does such a person even exist? Only Honda knows…
Jake02

I know it’s exxy but it’s still quite nice. On the value equation, I reckon if a Golf (why do people always compare cars to the Golf? The new one is awful) were to be options up to the same specification as the civic I reckon it’s be the same or maybe a little bit less in cost than the civic. Counter in the fantastic design and you have a car luggtyears ahead of the new Golf. Apparently these 420 are a test batch and if they sell quickly they may put it onsale permanently at a lower price with different specs available. I would like a diesel though! Actually any diesel honda since you can’t get one!
Frenchie

Too expensive, too ugly and where are the rear door handles?
QwkEddie

I don’t mine the look of the car.Yep, it is on the expensive side though but it makes the Golf look like it belongs in the 1970′s.
@Chinesesdriver
Your comments are nothing but dribble.You put forward a weak argument on only one aspect.For your information Honda has it head above water and looks like making a reasonable profit giving the current circumstances.You
have a history of juvenile comments,how old are you,twelve?
@Frenchie You reckon this is ugly just wait until the new Megane comes out.The designers must’ve got their inspiration from having stepped on a turd on the footpath.
There are no rear door handles,the key control lowers the rear windows and you just slip your body through into the rear
Jimmy James

Honda are on a massive price gouge at the moment and its going to hurt them, badly. First the new Odyssey’s price, and now this.

Here is a bread and butter hatchback designed to compete with a bread and butter VW Golf, yet the Honda is $6000 more than the equivalent Golf. I dont care where its built, you can’t justify that.

The whole reason for the delay in bringing the 5 door Civic here (ADR rules aside) was problems with the exchange rate…that was the original reason given by Honda Australia for the delay in launching the 5 door. They said at the time if the numbers don’t add up we wont be importing it. They should have stuck to their word.

The bottom line is this (and every Japanese manufacturer needs to pay heed here) – If you are coming up with a car to compete with the germans, it needs to be priced less than the germans. This is why the Accord Euro has been so successful. Its great VALUE FOR MONEY!

Bringing in a Civic at 38k and the new Odyssey at $43to49k (a huge increase over the previous model) does not add up and I hope Honda suffer because of it. And this from someone who urged his brother to buy a Euro (which he loves) – in fact I have successfully managed to steer many people in the direction of the Accord Euro because its a great package. So I am not a Honda hater.

Where is the Odyssey built? How have Honda justified the $4000 price increase.

And all this during a time when manufacturers are having their pants pulled down – its a time to offer sharp pricing to move units for God sake!

This is all a real shame because the Civic is actually pretty cool in my opinion, has an extremely clever folding rear seat arrangement and with the diesel engine is a nice little jigger…at $30 to $34k it would have made sense.

Cheers
JJ
Jimbo

Stupidly overpriced! I was expecting a figure like say $29,990 at a reasonable guess. Honda is delusional if they think anyone at all would pay that much for a Golf wanna be!
At that price I don’t think there is a single knucklehead out there that is dumb enough to sign on the dotted line for this one, and that is a big call!
ABC

First the City, now this. Has Honda got used to the habit of overpricing their cars these days?
Jimbo

QwkEddie,
What does this Civic have over the Golf, other than an abundance of gaudy shiny plastic? The engine and trany sure don’t stack up against the German.
http://Antilag.com Joe

Isn’t the Civic Type R cheaper than this??

Maybe the price is a typo? 10k less and they might be slightly more on the mark.
Andronicus

My brother has the Type R and I have to say it is a really fun zippy car to drive. I really enjoyed my time in it………. BUT is this car necessary?

I guess they do not have a large amount of risk with only 420 units and the popularity of the badge but when the current Civic style is selling so well why offer this style in a five door? So now they have the City, Civic and Civic Si all doing basically the same thing. Screw wasting time on this and move forward with a new s2000 or Integra. Hell I’d even prefer a new MDX if Acura have one floating about.
http://juiced.wordpress.com Juiced Pixels

OMG, I can’t believe how expensive it is!
I used to own a 2004 vi hatch which was lovely but it wasn’t a $40K car!
Alex

Pricing aside, I think that that is one of the ugliest cars on the market. The back looks horrible! I don’t mind the front view but I think that the back doors not having any visible handles is something that went out five years ago along with the Alfa Romeo 156 and the front looks a little MPV-ish because of the sloping bonnet. Works as a hot hatch but not so much as a family one.
And obviously that is too much money. I’m guessing that’s the same engine as the normal Civic? The normal Civic that starts at $22,000 and isn’t exactly lacking in quality? By the time you got one on the road you would be looking at 1 Series money and Honda aren’t that good.
If they could do a five door Type R with a DSG like gearbox then thy might sell some but I think those prices are just too high. Especially in these times.
Honda Australia would have done much better to bring some diesels in for the other models instead of spending the money to bring this in. You can get an Accord (Euro) with a diesel automatic now. That would sell well here and fix the low power problem that some have.
arlester

Alot of you guys are wrong.

The reason for the delay with this car is: Honda Australia commited to bringing this car to the country but after such time the Swindon Factory ceased production for a while. Thats the reason for the delay.

I have to agree with some people that if you optioned up the Golf or any other hatchback on the market almost and it will add up to either the same or a tiny bit less than this car. That is based on same sort of engine specs.

People say that the Accord Euro is cheaper. Yes it is but only in standard form. If you want to compete on luxuries then you have to look at the luxury model which is ($44,000 for Manual or $46,680 for Auto).

This car has alot of standard features like listed Leather (which can be a few thousand dollars extra over a standard hatch.) Also things like Dual climate and better looks than any other hatch on the market
GETREAL

$38K? Are they out of their mind? The new Golf with 1.4 twin charge engine produing 118kw is only 30k! 38k buy u a 3 boor GTI! WRX only 39990!
Alex

@ Tony – this shape and model did indeed come out in the UK a while back, closer to or over three years ago. It was followed by the Type-R, which itself came out a good year or so before Australia saw it. I rented a 1.7 litre one weekend and loved it, but there’s no way I’d get one over a Golf especially at this price.

Plus, when it came out it looked different, but now it looks tame and boring next to the Type-R.

Fail all round from Honda.
Aleks

Man thats an expensive corolla. Thats all im going to say
Jake02

I totally agree with everything Alex says, this car is really a car to shake up the hatchback industry.

Alot of you are complaining about the price, but if you think about it, Honda Aus was comitted to this in early 2007 but because of the STUPID AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULES it took so long for the issues to be fixed specifically for this market that by the time the Global Financial Crisis came along, the exchange rate had gone up crap creek and this is why its so expensive (although its not thaaaaat expensive).

My real anger lies with Honda Australia. Here we get some of the worst and worst-equipped Hondas in the world, and Honda Aus says they are fantastic value! Think about it.

Jazz is quite average in equipment levels (not bad, but not particularly good either), and worse still the old Jazz had more stuff standard. There should be a Jazz VTI-L where leather, panoramic roof, electronic folding mirrors (with LED indicators) and climate control should be standard along with ESP.

City is just a Jazz with a boot, so the same criticisms stand.

Accord Euro only the lack of the wagon models and the diesel engines are the annoying thing. Also, when the diesel comes out the manual should be available (auto only has been previously reprted on car news websites in Australia). The wagon isnt here yet because the ISOFIX system is on the car (which the ADRs dont allow – there has to be another system) but its crap because the wagon is produced at the same Japanese factory as the sedan.

Accord Seppo – nothing really at all. See this is the problem, they try so hard with this, yet don’t at all with others.

CR-V – they recently got rid of the manual on Sport/Luxury models which I think should be reversed. The diesel should be introduced, and a higher-spec model with HID headlamps, 18-inch wheels and sat-nav etc should be introduced.

Civic Sedan – The Sport should come with different body bumpers etc, to really emphasise the Sport badge – the only current exterior difference are foglights and 17-inch wheels to make it different from other Civics. Sat-nav should be made available. Hybrid Sport model from Japan should be made available here.

Odyssey – new one only just introduced but should be made much cheaper. Interior colours should be black on the Luxury (rather than Ivory or at least people should have an option) and sat-nav standard on the Luxury (if the cheaper Accord V6 Lux has it why not the Odyssey?).

Legend – nothing to say here. Its only abit expensive but really cheap compared to German rivals.

You may criticise me for expecting too much, but all this equipment is available on Hondas on sale overseas (www.honda.co.nz seriously look at how well the are equipped over in NZ, only the majority lack of manual trannys is abit annoying) and Honda Australia should be taking advantage of this, as they are a company who set examples and not follow them.
OilSlick

And Corollas are just expensive Hyundai Accents. But your point is?
Tom

Are they smoking crack thinking anyone will pay this much for it?

Who wouldn’t buy a sport for 30 grand if they must have a civic?

This has no more performance then the base model. Only Honda could possibly think this is a good idea.
Jake02

sorry i meant Arlester in my above comment.
Mega

I find it hard to believe that honda wants 41.3k for the automatic Civic Si. Who are they kidding? You can get a Golf GTI DSG, with the 2L turbo, for that money.

And I don’t believe the 0-100km/h time.
Hjalle

I think that it is way to expensive, today i read that the base price is $29 000. They are pricing themselves out of the market. There are some nice euro cars for less and they have more street cred than a Japanese car…
MazMagic

…and I thought the top of the line SP25 auto (Leather, Bose, Sunroof etc) was expensive!!!! And yet, it competes with traditional, European and Premium (BMW etc etc) rivals. This is what Honda should have been doing.

Reminds me of Mazda in the mid 1990′s!!!! And we know what (almost) happened!!!
Aleks

@OilSlick – Toyotas are not just expensive accents. As i have owned both, the two cares aren’t compareable especially when there is like a $3,500 difference between the base accent and the base corolla. Secondly the corolla is in a different class then the accent, the proper comparison to the accent is the YARIS. The correct comparison for the corolla is the elantra, even though it doesn’t come in a hatch.

But an almost 20 grand difference between a base corolla and base civic hatch. I cant really compare the two as I haven’t driven the basic civic hatch, but I have driven the base corolla hatch and actually think that its pretty good (for what it is).

I hope that explains my point to you
SamR

Who do Honda think they are pricing it at $40K?

Ridiculous
fasthonda

The price is quite high.I think Honda is just taking a gamble,it’s loaded with kit but l don’t know whether they will sell all of the alloted amount.
In Britain and Europe they offer the 2.2L turbo diesel version.
The British pound is quite high compared to the Aussie dollar so that hurts the price.
I would suggest people buy the Euro Accord or if they wanted something a bit more sporty,the new Type R with the limited slip diff.
Frenchie

The inside of the car looks good.
However IMO the outside it looks like a tarted up Prius.

@QwkEddie the Megane way better than this rubbish. The RS250 has more to offer and is price about the same.
HJP

I can’t believe it costs more than Honda Accord Euro Luxury (without SatNav). First, the City…second the new Odyssey but now Civic Hatchback??? Yes I like Honda cars but these three cars I mentioned above are way overpriced!
ChineseDriver

QwkEddie,

Other than making a personal attack, tell me, how does a 1320kg car with 103kw manage to do 0-100 in 8.6 sec?

Or you actually believe this figure?

This is more like some kind of ‘power in dream’ lol
Cupid Stunt

Came out in the UK in 2006 by the way and was selling like hot cakes until the slump. So many around here must mean some folk want something looking a bit meaner than your avg Corolla.

List price UK inc VAT (GST) at 15% is about Au$33K, a bit more attractive and sensible. Must cost circa $7/800 to ship down under plus import duties. Don’t suppose the Au Gov’mt give concessions to commonwealth countries despite the fact we eat lots of your sheep. tee hee
Cupid Stunt

Chinese twit – check out the honda Uk website, think you’ll find the 1.8 SE does 0-62 in 8.9secs (UK Spec) so not so far away.
My 1.680Kg lump with a diesel does it in 8.6 so a high revving petrol without the lard will easily do it as the figures say.
Humble Pie on its way, Cream or Custard?
Yanzo

exterior look sokay, interior is one of the most disghusting interios i’ve ever seen, and top gear did a comparison with the civic type r vs the previous model civic type r. and the dad won.
QwkEddie

YANZO

It seems to me you have no idea about the functionality of the interior but anyway you are entitled to your opinion however misinformed you seem to be.
Have you driven both the EP3 and FN2? You know how they drive do you?I think the answer to that would be no.
So that leaves me to the conclusion you are twelve years old and therefore so gullible that you believe everything you see on TV.Clarkson doesn’t like Porsche,does that make them rubbish?
Anyway the current Type R FN2 I believe has a LSD and it would easily beat the EP3.
Don’t be a zombie and just follow and agree with everthing Clarkson says( he’s first and foremost an entertainer) there are many reviews/comparisions whereby the FN2 comes out on top!
Sam

GETREAL hit the nail on the head. Same price as WRX = FAIL.
ChineseDriver

Cupid Stunt,

Engine: 1799cc SOHC four-cylinder
Power: 103kW @ 6300rpm
Torque: 174Nm @ 4300rpm

In your mind, this is a ‘high revving engine’?
Even a Toyota vvti is more ‘high revving’ compare with this one.

And it’s pretty sad to see, that you are still worshiping figures from Honda’s official site (Civic type R 0-100 6.6 sec, wow it’s beating Golf Gti and Focus XR5 turbo, LOL).
Cupid Stunt

Chinese – I’m no Honda fan believe me. Never owned one, never, driven one. I was just dispelling your myth that that a vehicle of given weights and capacites cannot perform as they state. I think I pretty much proved my point.
It is not “sad” to refer to manufacturers given outputs, possibly more sad to dispute them wildlessly. Cheers
Yianni

Honda have seriously lost the plot with their latest models.

First the City is overpriced for what it is. Basically a Jazz with a boot that’s expensive as hell.

Then they come up with this laughable Civic hatch which is overpriced by at least $10,000 and offers nothing over the competition.

Then they increase the price of the Type R by $2000 and a few other models by $1000.

The new Odyssey costs $10,000 more than the starting price of the outgoing model.

And to top it off all this happened during the economic crisis when the last thing thing on many peoples mind is to go out and purchase a new car.

Car sales are dropping like flies and Honda is putting prices up like crazy.

Honda, you’ve lost all my respect and will never be recommended again. I honestly hope all this comes back to bite them and I feel sorry for all the people that will get ripped off with some of their models/pricing.
http://caradvice onepoppa

Nobody should be fooled by the cries about the “low dollar”. The pound Sterling has tanked.Against Sterling it hasn’t been this high for ages at around 47+ pence per dollar. Except for a very short while last year we have been at around 40 pence for yonks.

Add to that the fact that the Swindon plant is being idled for months this year should indicate that a substitute right hand drive market should be a godsend to Honda, ADR problems and all.
Andronicus

Plenty of people will buy it around my area – ie. chinatown
Lynn Ambler

I am a total Honda fan. I have a 1999 Civic VTEC dohc 1600 which is superb nick. 2000 was the last year that Mercedes Benz built honda in South Africa. In original condition it developed 118Kw and was governed to rev to 8300rpm Mine is chipped, has a free flow exhaust. It now develops 145Kw.
I also have a S2000 (2004). If I had more space I would buy a Type R Civic as well. My wife has a 5 door civic ( they have been here since 2006) All of them are fabulous to drive, superbly built and totally trouble free.
I am a convert from Mercedes Benz which I owned 6 models continuously from 1971 until 1999.
fasthonda

To Lynn Ambler

I had the the single ohc version 1998 Civic until I traded it in for a Civic Type R.The EK was quite amazing because the 1999 Japanese Civic Type R produced 133kw from the 1600cc.
Although I love my Type R I wish Honda had also imported the JDM 4 door Civic Type R with 166kw.A magazine described the JDM version as a mini NSX-R!
At this point in time Honda seems to have put it’s sporty cars on the back burner.I hope when economic conditions are more favourable that we will see Honda once again producing affordable high performance cars and not to mention the very high performance sports car,the new NSX.
http://zerocars.blogspot.com مصطفى طه السخرى

mersiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
http://zerocars.blogspot.com مصطفى طه السخرى

Nobody should be fooled by the cries about the “low dollar”. The pound Sterling has tanked.Against Sterling it hasn’t been this high for ages at around 47+ pence per dollar. Except for a very short while last year we have been at around 40 pence for yonks
eh179driver

I looked at one recently at a Honda dealer. Nice car but is it expensive! IMO, not worth the coin!
Lukaas

Fasthonda,

Just want to know which media said, the JDM Civic type R is a mini NSX-R.

They need to be shot.

That model of Civic Type R was very good and well respected, but to compare it to a mid-rear 2 door “super” car is ridiculous…. were they comparing handling?, power?, drivability?… I dont see anything that is worth comparing except the Honda badge.
Alan

Lukaas, if i remembered correctly, it was “evo” that described JDM Civic Type R as a mini NSX-R in their ECOTY 2007. And they were talking about the handling and driving thrill offered by the CTR, obviously the power won’t be comparable, but they rated the chassis and steering of the JDM CTR very highly indeed.
fasthonda

@Alan

Yes Alan you are correct.
The Mugen R version is even faster with 176Kw(10Kw increase)NA of course.The Mugen website also has a Mugen RR 2.2L NA pumping out 190Kw and 240NM.
I don’t know what Honda’s future plans are for the Type Rs,but enthusiasts(like me!) in Honda’s international markets(including Australia)are becoming impatient and dissapointed of not getting the same Type Rs that have been available in Japan!
Alan

Fasthonda, i agree with you, i’m a big honda fan, and would love to see JDM CTR sold here instead of the soft UK spec CTR, with torsion beam rear suspension that we have here. Honda was once seen as the fast cars brand from Asia, but sadly it seems to be concentrating on hybirds and hyrdrogen fuel cell nowdays. They’ve dumped the F1, next NSX, next S2000, and took up FCX Clairty and Insight instead. I might not be able to afford a NSX or S2000 replacement yet, but if they ever get around to making another Integra, i will be in the queue for sure.
matt

niiice
mrengine

put big wheels on these new honda civics and there you go a CIVIC 4WD how ugly old civic still wins!!!!! by far!!!
Devil’s Advocate

Jake02, where did you get this info about ISOFIX not being allowed under ADRs?? That is not true. Our Mazda 6 has an ISOFIX system. Not to mention all the BMWs, Volvos etc with ISOFIX. I know ADRs are unique and cause a lot of grief for manufacturers to meet, however in this case I don’t think it was ISOFIX.

Sure the Civic Si may have a svelte body etc, but underneath it is old school. Over $40K on the road for a small hatchback with SOHC and torsion beam rear suspension? Even the Civic sedan, let alone most of the competition in Australia except for the Astra, have a multi link rear end. Not to mention pretty much all of the competition have DOHC and variable valve timing of some kind or another as a minimum. As others have mentioned, I would rather get a base model Euro. Who cares about auto lights and wipers. If you can’t work out for yourself when to, or how to turn them on you shouldn’t be driving. And the push button start/tyre pressure monitor/heated seats….. It sure makes the price of the Mazda SP25 easier to swallow!!
Jake02

I can understand why people are complaining about the price, but what about the Audi A3? $40k doesn’t even buy you cruise control!

Devil’s Advocate:
I never said that ISOFIX wasn’t allowed on Aus-spec cars, I was suggesting that the cars have to have another system of child-lock (my Skoda Octavia RS has anchors on the back of the rear-seats, instead of the ISOFIX on O/S models, and it also comes with a section in the owner’s manual about the child-seat system specifically for the Australian market), which is true.