09 Cooper S with a 6MT and mechanical LSD.

 

I hear this is the reliable mini ticket as well, along with the 06 models. Can't really verify however my girlfriend drives an 06 cooper S. She's had it for a while and is almost at 90k - no problems thus far.

 

After owning my '12 Si for over a year now, I can definitively say this post is complete nonsense. It's a great car and makes a great DD.

Ugly? You can't count on one hand how many cars Honda has made over the years that are actually pretty. And when you compare it with other cars in the same category from other manufacturers, it's exterior isn't so bad. I won't sit here and say it's a great looking car, because it really isn't - but calling it ugly is an exaggeration. I'd call it average at worst.

Cheap materials? C'mon. It's a Civic, not a TSX. You don't throw premium interior parts on a low-$20K car. What are you expecting from a car within this price range?

 

After owning my '12 Si for over a year now, I can definitively say this post is complete nonsense. It's a great car and makes a great DD.

Ugly? You can't count on one hand how many cars Honda has made over the years that are actually pretty. And when you compare it with other cars in the same category from other manufacturers, it's exterior isn't so bad. I won't sit here and say it's a great looking car, because it really isn't - but calling it ugly is an exaggeration. I'd call it average at worst.

Cheap materials? C'mon. It's a Civic, not a TSX. You don't throw premium interior parts on a low-$20K car. What are you expecting from a car within this price range?
[/quote]

I figured you'd come and defend it since I knew you owned one and we've had the talk before lol. Bottom line is looks are subjective so I'll give you that, but the OP can look for himself online... almost all of the reviews for the '12 Civic did not have great things to say about it. I can't recall the last time (if ever) Honda refreshed the look of a new car model after only 1 year... that says something. They had to respond to the negative press and feedback from their customer base and improve the car from how it debuted in 2012. I think for 2013 they did just that and did a good job. I do agree on the materials, no they won't be the best but if you look at even the subtle changes that Honda made on the '13 vs. the '12, it just looks and feels a lot nicer... it's pretty easy to see.


Just one example of what I'm talking about: http://jalopnik.com/5974526/how-hond...vic-get-so-bad

I don't think the OP is really going to be looking at a '12 anyway so this is probably all a non-issue, I just wanted to give him some feedback. At the end of the day it's just my personal opinion, nothing more.

 

My wife had a 07 Rallye Red Si coupe...loved it, had nearly 90,000 miles so she figured it would be a good time to upgrade to a 13 White Si coupe with HFP suspension, wheels, front spoiler. Picked it up Good Friday...so far she loves it.

Levi

 

Our has a few small stuff that needed replacement like the thermostat and a axle seal leak (probably from auto-x abuse). Other than that it ran pretty well.

 

To OP, I know you mentioned you prefer not to get a used car. But for the money, you do have some great choices out there.

- '07 to '08 Acura TL-S 6MT
- '07 to '08 Infiniti G35S 6MT (I own one and its my DD)

Either one should be pretty reliable as long as you get one with known service history. They have more luxury features than a Civic Si, and they are pretty quick. The down side would be there are heavier, lower mpg and possibly more expensive to maintain cause they are "luxury" brand.

I test drove a few Civic Si with 2.0L engine and TSX 6MT with 2.4L engine. The additional low end torque noticeable and made the TSX a lot easier and effortless to drive around town. Its a difficult choice between high rev and DD drive-ability.

 

If you plan on doing bolt on mods, I heard the the way they designed the intake system or exhaust system isn't mod friendly with the new K24 in these cars.

Personally I'd try to get a used TSX, but the civic might be less "flashy".

 

I could understand the desire to go new, get burned a couple times on a used car and it'll just wear on you. While there are better, hmm, values out there, I undertand the appeal of the civic si. It delivers what it promises, a fun to drive but not really a track car... but sure it can do that with you. But it does all that with zero fuss, you know the engine will run to well beyond 100K without drama and will take whatever gas or oil is cheapest. So if you like it, go for it.

 

I drive a 2013 Si and it's a blast. Not the fastest car around but isn't slow either. The 2.4 engine is a better engine fot daily commutes. Get the one with the Navi since it integrates well with the phone/trip computer. My commute is about 80% highway and I'm getting 35MPG

A weak point for me are the tires. Mine came with summer tires but they suck. I had an 06 Si before and it came with the same tires. I replace them with Continentals DW and it was a night a day difference in handling and steering feel. I hope fot the same transformation when the times comes.

As a fun car the 8th Gen with the K20 was better. As a daily the 2013 is a better car around.