I'm in the market for an economic sporty 2 door.

I'm coming from a lightly modded 2g dsm, and I'm currently looking at these two cars. My local Scion dealership says if I put down a deposit today, I can expect a car in about 2 months time. I am planning on purchasing the TRD supercharger when/if it gets released.

As you may or may not know, Honda is releasing a new Civic SI this fall.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enth...178.A8842.html

It will have at least 200hp, a 6 speed tranny (manual is a must for me in either car), lsd (big plus), and automatic climate. Rumor has it the price will be right around 20k dollars as to not cannibalize sales of the RSX Type S, which brings me close to the price of a supercharged tC. Heck, it even sorta looks like a tC if you squint enough. What do you guys think? tC or SI?

 

hmm.. i think the new civic comes out a bit ahead. i mean, it's a honda. It's got all those sweet features. And it comes at a fairly decent price point (if it comes in at around 20K like you say). It's a hard decision though. i personally think the tC looks 20 times better but automatic climate control would be pretty sweet.... Texas is freakin' hot. i probably adjust the A/C like 10 times a day. And a stock 200 HP would be pretty awesome too. What's with all the car companies rounding out the rears of cars..? the tC, the new SI.. well, basically all honda coupes, the 350z, the new eclipse.. and a whole lot more.
Anyway.... yeah, the next year will be pretty interesting...

 

wait to see how much the new si is gonna be. hard for me to imagine a 20k car with that many features and 200hp. they had to skimp somewhere then. best bet is to probably test drive both cars

 

Well, Nissan has lsd in their sentra, and its well under 20k. The SRT-4 has lsd plus more hp, and that is just over 20k...I think its doable. I'm still kinda leery about getting a car during its first production year, but it is a Honda.

 

Around 20k versus our pure-priced $16,715! I dunno man...

 

pure price 16715 + 3200 supercharger + labor

 

you know what though. either way, it's still one god-awful looking car. i figured they would've learned from their mistake with circa 2002's Si hatch. hideous.

however, i've heard its going to have some great features aside from the 200HP engine; like a Limited slip differential option, Brembo brakes possibly, and probably a nice interior like the old Si (mine had stock Recaro seats and a MOMO steering wheel).

I guess it really depends on your budget, your preference on performance and really how much you care about how the outside of the car looks.

 

You think so? I think it looks sorta tC'ish from the back

 

I'd say go with the Si if you want performance.

 

only way to find out is to test drive one yourself IMO

 

Unfortunately around Chicago, I can't seem to find a 5 speed scion to test drive. The Honda isn't going to be out for another couple months. Anyone wanna let me drive theirs for say...a 6 pack of beer?

 

How badly do you need a car? If you can wait i would wait and see and like everybody said test drive them both, don't jump and make a decision with the tC and later find out the Si is a much better car and bang for the buck, but I'm sure you'll be superbly happy with both vehicles.

 

If you can, wait and drive them both. For me the not-so-supercharged tC is a great value. If I was planning on supercharging it the Civic Si would definitely be worth a test drive. I think calling the new Si "hideous" is a bit harsh. The LSD, 200HP, and 6-speed sound great, but I would not make your decision before you see the price tag and drive it.

 

More info on the Si and our S/C is needed. But if the Si does come in at 20k with 200hp, LSD, climate, 6sp, power, cruise then it will be tough to beat. Time will tell.

 

well... think that the Civic is going to be much better than the tC, but is also going to cost a bit more too. Can only think that its going to be a cheaper version of the RSX-S, but with the features its claiming to have, I wouldn't be surprised if it was low 20s instead of 20k.

That said, if the Si's engine is anything like the -S, it'll produce 200+ hp at the top end but will be plagued by low torque (-S tops out at 143).

So as for which will be easier to mod, who knows. Neither is out yet (as far as a supercharged tC), so nobody really knows which'll be more receptive to mods. Both cars will have a TON of aftermarket support, so the choice is really up to you.

BTW - don't believe what the dealer is saying on the unavailability of the tC. Call around and hopefully someone will have one for you to test, and doubt it'd take months for you to get it either.

 

I have called 4 dealerships around the area, and they said all their tCs are sold. The closest thing I have gotten to test driving a 5 speed is one dealership saying they are expecting one in 2 weeks. The car is already sold, but they said I can test drive it before the owner takes delivery.

That makes me go do they let anyone test drive your new car before its picked up?

 

They really shouldn't but dealerships are known for doing soem crazy things if they think it will mean another sale for them.

 

yeah that's really messed up. you know, that ____es me off. come to think of it when I got my tC last July, it was like the 3rd the dealer had gotten in ever, and it was hard for me to test drive one for those same reasons last year-- the cars were scarce, and usually sold before the dealer even got them on the lot.

i remember when i got mine i came in to pick it up and there was a young couple sitting in the car getting ready to test drive it. i actually walked up to the window, tapped on it and said "hey, you know this car's sold right?". i didn't care if i was being a _____ i was mad I just paid nearly 17 grand for a car and the dealer was letting people drive it. you dont know how different people may abuse the clutch / other features on a car. that's why i firmly believe all dealers should at least attempt to obtain a "showroom" car that is for test driving ONLY.

If a car is sold, it should be OFF LIMITS to everyone but the owner.

 

IMO the Tc looks better, the 2006 Civic Si has more HP but the current civic has 176 hp and is a lot weaker than the Tc. The Tc is cheaper too. The rounded back has to do with cutting down on drag, a tunnel of wind behind the car that pulls it backward is probably the most important aspect of aerdynamics engineers look at.

 

The current Civic Si hatch has only 160 HP in its 2.0L, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC engine.

Here's a bit more on the '06 Si from Honda's Press Release:

"Of course, the Si is about more than just the styling. That's why this concept boasts a 200-horsepower 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC engine, the most powerful motor we've ever put in a U.S. model Civic. Of course it is a little too early for you to test drive this car, but we thought we would give you a taste of what it would sound like .....Not the kind of engine note that you expect to hear from a 4 cylinder Civic... huh?

Helping to put that power to the ground is a crisp close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission along with a limited slip differential for improved launch traction and cornering performance. The Si Concept also boasts 18-inch, high performance rubber and four-wheel disc brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers. 2006 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Si in America. And the 2006 Si Coupe will remain true to the legacy of the Si, delivering a new level of performance to the Civic lineup. "