The difference between an 02 Civic Si and an S2000?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,446
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From: West Mids.
OK trying to help here. 
I drive a Civic Type R 197 bhp and drove an S2000 for 3 years previously. I understand everything you say about the Civic being smooth and fun to drive.. it's easy to fall in love wth it. The Type R has 6 gears as does the S and both boxes enjoy short rifle bolt like positive throws. The S is officially 6 secs 0-60 and the Type R 6.4 seconds (Hondas own figures).The CTR is lighter than the S . There isn't really that great a difference between the two cars in terms of performance.
I haven't driven an Si but the difference between 160 bhp and 237bhp is obvious, not to mention the Si only having 5 gears and lacking significant enhancements in chassis stiffening, brakes, etc. that Type R cars enjoy.
Obviously comparing a FWD 4 seater saloon to a RWD 2 seater soft top is really a non-starter, but in terms of pure performance..... yes, you would see a massive difference.
I drive a Civic Type R 197 bhp and drove an S2000 for 3 years previously. I understand everything you say about the Civic being smooth and fun to drive.. it's easy to fall in love wth it. The Type R has 6 gears as does the S and both boxes enjoy short rifle bolt like positive throws. The S is officially 6 secs 0-60 and the Type R 6.4 seconds (Hondas own figures).The CTR is lighter than the S . There isn't really that great a difference between the two cars in terms of performance.
I haven't driven an Si but the difference between 160 bhp and 237bhp is obvious, not to mention the Si only having 5 gears and lacking significant enhancements in chassis stiffening, brakes, etc. that Type R cars enjoy.
Obviously comparing a FWD 4 seater saloon to a RWD 2 seater soft top is really a non-starter, but in terms of pure performance..... yes, you would see a massive difference.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 53,292
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From: Owings Mills, MD
Unfortunately, we don't have the Civic Type R here in the U.S.. Go test drive am s2000. The dealer will try to sell you the car by offering a test drive with the top down. Make sure during the test drive, you put the top up so you know how it feels to drive like that. For the record, I never drove with the top up until after I bought mine.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,956
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From: Land of the landeaus
Everything between the two cars, from a comparitive standpoint, would be on a sliding
scale.
Si= fun
S2000 = helluva lot more fun
Si= nice handling
S2000 = incredible handling
Si= looks are subjective
S2000= head turner
S2000= little storage room
Si= room for your bike
S2000= firm ride, aggressive exhaust
Si= tight but softer, mild exhaust note
Si= significantly less cost means more $ for living expenses
S2000= living
scale.
Si= fun
S2000 = helluva lot more fun
Si= nice handling
S2000 = incredible handling
Si= looks are subjective
S2000= head turner
S2000= little storage room
Si= room for your bike
S2000= firm ride, aggressive exhaust
Si= tight but softer, mild exhaust note
Si= significantly less cost means more $ for living expenses
S2000= living
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 317
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From: Fairfield
the Si will seem much more comfy and liveable, quiet, refined etc. for daily driving. I just hopped in the S for the first time in over a month because the weather finally allowed it - and the S is just a stiff, creaky, rough, raw beast of a car compared to driving the Si every day. It is so much better as a driving car that there is absolutley no comparison whatsoever. And the engines and steering do not feel similar. The Si is smooth and quiet and geared to be kind of peaky torque wise and doesn't really feel to me like it wants to rev. The steering has a slightly odd off-center feeling and turn-in suffers as a result. On the highway the Si is darty in a bad way - very fatiguing to keep it on center for long distances. The S can also be a bit darty - but not as tiring, and much more normal feeling. The Si steering is just weird at times.
If I lived in a great year round climate I would definitely have the S as a daily driver. But as I am in NE - the Si wears snow tires and the S hibernates. As for the question of wether the S is $XX,XXXX better than an Si? Yes. But only if thats what you want out of a car. I know that a Ferrari 360 Modena F1 is $XXX,XXX better than my Mom's Camry - but she would hate it.
When it comes down to it - this comparison is about as valid as comparing the Viper SRT-10 with the Neon SRT-4. Don't let similar names confuse you.
If I lived in a great year round climate I would definitely have the S as a daily driver. But as I am in NE - the Si wears snow tires and the S hibernates. As for the question of wether the S is $XX,XXXX better than an Si? Yes. But only if thats what you want out of a car. I know that a Ferrari 360 Modena F1 is $XXX,XXX better than my Mom's Camry - but she would hate it.
When it comes down to it - this comparison is about as valid as comparing the Viper SRT-10 with the Neon SRT-4. Don't let similar names confuse you.
