Sephiroth

RWD > *. End of discussion.

Cody Red

while were both revving high, we're doing no harm. fwd is rubbish. rwd = perfect layout. not to mention 50/50 weight distribution.

-Cody

lshu

I drove the 06 Si at a GM drive event. While it's decently quick I still felt it was a little bit slower than the RX-8. The handling, however, was "decent" and nowhere as good as the 8. I did really like the shifter, which felt light, smooth and effortless.

eforer

My fiancee just bought a civic si. I love it, while I wouldn't trade in my rx8 on one, its a terrific car. We got it for a great price, its fun and easy to drive quickly, especially for a beginner (nice, pushy predictable). The LSD makes it understeer much less on power than most of its peers, although its still pushy of course. It has its ergonomic quirks, but all and all its a great car and gets amazing mileage even when driven hard. Like I said, not for me, but its great for her and I enjoy driving it too.

tajabaho1

what the hell? is the rx-8 coming so low as to be compared with a Honda CIVIC?!?!?!

seriously........sports car......compact coupe......civic should be pitted against something like a mazda 3, or a 6

CarAndDriver

I repeat--the Civic Si was not tested against the MS3, Mini S and GTI in the C&D comparo....it'd get trashed. It does not have enough straightline speed even though it handles well.

Ike

Why do you have such a bug up your butt about this. I can almost guarantee you the only reason the Civic SI wasn't included is because they had a hard time getting a test car. Speed wise they're close to the GTI and the SI handles better. Funny that an RX-8 owner is saying the SI doesn't have enough straightline speed and that's why it can't compete. The trap speeds guys are getting in their stock SIs are almost exactly in line with what RX-8 owners get.

CarAndDriver

Because it really an overrated car with bizarre styling and an engine ever more torqueless and peaky than the 8 and with annoying owners.

Cattywampus

my little car will take both of them in straightline. I will let C&D borrow it for the test if they need to.

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

Civic Si is a great car for what it is. I would definitely rank it one of the top in its class. Compared to an 8, it's less expensive, better MPG, more cargo space, and less curb weight and not to mention a wealth of aftermarket support for the K-series engine.

CarAndDriver

The 8 and Civic Si aren't even in the same class of car.

Aznxkaiser

The Si isnt the top of its class anymore, the civic used to reign top among the 4 banger fwd club but now with the MS3 and other F/I FWD cars and the GTI/Mini Cooper .. I dont know. If your looking for interior being sleek then the GTI/Cooper are great choices, speed? MS3 or SRT4. Handling? Sure Si has pretty good handling but the RSX-S is pretty damn good (Although one would have to buy it used now).
Comparing the RX8 to a civic is
How bout them 350z vs RX8 threads?!

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

mikefrombarrie

RX-8 is a better "sports car" then the civic si without a question. The specs for both cars are very close. But if you want an everyday driver with good fuel economy and reliablity? Then the civic si is the choice.

CarAndDriver

It doesn't seem so obvious to some of the people on here.

Is the Civic Si a "sports car"? I guess that's that up to debate.

The 8 is definitely a sports car.

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

It's all relative on how you define a sports car nowadays...

Does sports car mean you can use the car for motorsports? Are sports car only RWD? Can a sports car have 4 doors? I guess at the end of the day it really doesn't matter.

PoorCollegeKid

Really?

Jacques79

This thread is funny because the SI is just as fast as an RX-8 while being more reliable and much cheaper on gas. The steering-shifter combo on that car are excellent.

Yes it's not RWD but it handles extremely well and it's not like the RX-8 doesn't understeer too. With the summer tires offered in option the Civic Si handles very very well.

The only obvious advantage for the RX-8 over the Civic SI IMHO is in the braking department and high-speed handling-stability.

Rumboo

This is like a discussion on "Who would win a mud-wrestling match? Jessica Alba or Scarlett Johansson?"

Fun to talk about, too many variables to be conclusive, utterly pointless, and ultimately, everyone wins...

More_Revs

Exactly what I'm thinking. So C&D didn't have a Si there, it doesn't mean anything. Since when is Civic worst than Sentra? Sure, Civic is a Civic is a Civic, even if it's an Si. But since when did the Golf went upclass? Just because it's European don't mean it's always better.

My brother own an Si, great car. I actually considered it when I shopped for my 8, only because for the same money, I can get a used 8 or a new Si (ok, I had a Honda too). But in the end, I bought the 8 because of RWD and rotary engine. Sure the lap time show the GTI is faster then Si, but that's with the trick DSG and cost a lot more.

I can't believe this is still going on and I actually joined the discussion. When can we stop all these apples vs. oranges? No matter how you slice them, they are still different and it always come down to personal preference. It's one thing to talk about a car, but it's different starting it with a comparison in mind.

Broker73

Civic SI as fast as an 8?...yah ok.... have looked at the stats avail....and the Si does not match the 0-60 or 1/4 mile times...
0-60 6.8secs.....1/4 mile.....15.1...0-100 16.8........come on...the 8 does have the edge.....hey where's the all knowing ike to talk about how he has seen all these "great drivers" having trouble with guys repeating 1/4 mile times in the 8 similar to the mags........whatver

tajabaho1

civic SI is kinda like the maxima 3.5L that car is good too, but for god's sake, not in league with rx-8

Aznxkaiser

If everyone thinks Civic Si is "better" than the RX-8 then they should just trade cars for one. Seriously I dont know how people can compare these two cars, werent we supposed to be rivals with the 350z?

playdoh43

most high reving cars that lack torque down low are exceedingly hard to launch. this dosnt just happen to the RX8, it applies to the s2k and the civic SI also. Executing a high RPM clutch drop is very difficult.

with that said, the 8 is definetly faster than the SI, who also suffers from the need for high rpm clutch drop in order to get a good time

rotary crazy

this threat is full of