Civic Si is top performing

The Honda Civic Si was parked in front of a motorcycle shop and two college-age guys were ogling it. I watched from a distance as one of them went inside and returned with a third guy. As the trio inspected the sleek hatchback, three girls in a sedan pulled in and tried to initiate a conversation with the boys, who could not be distracted. The girls asked whom the car belonged to, and without taking his eyes off the car one of the boys said, "Some older guy looking at a bike."

"Hey, watch it É I'm not dead, you know," I called as I strolled over trying to look one-fourth my age. I eyed the girls and said, "What do you think of it?" They continued to nurse their huge soda cups, their silence telling me that the generation gap would not be bridged this day. Assuming the boys would be more friendly, I focused my next question on them, "Pretty cool, eh?" The one-word reply, "Awesome," said it all.

I learned that day you don't have to spend mega-bucks to get noticed by the younger crowd -- all you need is a little Civic Si. Drive it around your local high school and the kids will stop and stare. Pause at a red light, check out the kids in the next car, and you'll see they're already checking you out.

Everyone knows what a Civic is, but relatively few are familiar with the Si. It's the performance-oriented Civic, and it comes just one way -- as a hatchback boasting a special engine, standard rear disc brakes, a sport suspension, sport seats and special gauges. The engine is a high-output 2.0-liter with i-VTEC (for intelligent variable valve timing) rated at 160 horsepower. A five-speed manual is the only transmission.

Stories about Civic's durability are legion, and their remarkable resale value is their testament. Honda sells more than 325,000 Civics every year at prices ranging from $13,010 for a DX sedan to $19,000 for the Si. There are three body styles: four-door sedan, two-door coupe, and the Si three-door hatchback. Sedans and coupes are available in DX, LX, and EX trim, and an excellent five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models.

Although the younger set seems to love it, the styling of the Civic Si is not everyone's cup of tea. A huge, flat windshield rises up from a nose that slopes radically downward, creating an unconventional wedge shape, but at the same time providing excellent aerodynamics and driver visibility. Its unusual mesh grille is framed by huge, new-for-2004, triangular headlamps. New taillights give a customized appearance, with oval amber turn-signal lenses behind a contoured clear cover. Also new for 2004 are larger 16-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tires for an even more aggressive stance. The Si features a subtle roof spoiler, a dual-tipped exhaust, and a power moonroof.

The Si sports a shifter that sprouts from the center of the dashboard. As odd as that seems, don't knock it until you've tried it. Perfectly located for quick and easy shifting, its proximity to the steering wheel is a car enthusiast's dream. And I don't think anyone builds an easier-shifting transmission than Honda. Shifts are short, effort is low, and engagement is positive. Even the clutchwork is effortless. It all adds up to a fun driving experience.

The Si front seats are so good that I wonder why Honda doesn't use them in other models. They look and feel upscale. Comfortable enough for cross-country drives, but supportive for serious driving, they are just the ticket for anyone suffering low back pain. Red stitching accents the sporty fabric and adds richness to the deep side bolsters.

Miles pass quickly in an Si because it begs to be driven fast! Si is the best performing Civic model, boasting 33 more horsepower that the straight-VTEC equipped LX or EX models. Like the other models, the Si's engine is marvelously flexible. Lug it down or wind it up--it never complains. Around town you can get lazy and short shift it, or you can skip gears, going from first up to third, or from second into fourth. Anything seems to work. When it's time to merge into traffic the Si is your willing partner, happily singing its song all the way up to red line with nary a rough spot or protest. A light touch on the clutch, a bit of pressure on the throttle and a little snick of the gear shifter are all you need to squirt the Si up to Interstate velocities. The sleek aerodynamic shape provided excellent stability at speed, and a quiet ride. The ride is more firm than the other Civics, but not harsh. Rear seat legroom, although not a Civic strongpoint, was adequate for this 5-foot 10-inch reporter, and headroom front and rear was also satisfactory despite the standard power moonroof. The rear seats can be folded down for station wagon-like hauling duties, or they can be split 60/40 for carrying long items and a passenger.

My well-equipped test vehicle listed for $19,560 and should get 26-mpg/city and 31-mpg/highway. It is a certified low-emissions vehicle. Thanks to a raft of safety features, such as electronic brake distribution and door impact beams, the Civic Si has a five-star rating (the best) for frontal impacts and a four-star rating for side impacts and rollovers. Honda's basic warranty is for five years or 36,000 miles, which is not the best these days, but considering Civic's stellar reputation for reliability, it's good enough.

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian. Contact him at sjr1@robertsonsphotography.com.