Author Topic: The Quick and the Dad: Honda Civic Si HFP (Read 10106 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** December 20, 2013, 06:28:48 am »

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WRX_Pilot · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2013, 10:04:11 am »

I don't see the value in the HFP package, I think the regular ol' SI is a better bet. The seats aren't even different from the normal SI...

'Honda Manual Challenge' - what a great idea, first I've heard of this. Sometimes spouses will kill each other trying to teach the other, so it's great to encourage someone to get instruction from a 3rd party!

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2013, 10:05:23 am »

I love this car. I used to have an '08 SI with the 2.0L engine, and it was a hoot. I also drove the current iteration with the 2.4L, and while I was expecting it to fall flat in the fun department, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it retained much of the character of the original K20 mill.

Now-a-days, if I were looking at a car such as this, would I go for a Civic SI, or a BRZ? Hmm, I guess it would depend on circumstances. If I was a family man with another family/road trip suitable vehicle (which I am), I'd probably look at a BRZ. If I was without kids, only had one vehicle, and needed something to use as an all-around car, I would probably look at the Civic for it's occasional passenger and cargo carrying capacity.

carcrazed · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2013, 10:09:03 am »

Apart from an avid Honda fan, I can't see anyone going with this one over the Toyobaru twins.

BTW, the pic with an infant car seat just sitting in the back seat without its base may mislead some people about the back seat room of the car.

mixmanmash · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2013, 11:52:58 am »

Quote from: carcrazed on December 20, 2013, 10:09:03 am

Apart from an avid Honda fan, I can't see anyone going with this one over the Toyobaru twins.

BTW, the pic with an infant car seat just sitting in the back seat without its base may mislead some people about the back seat room of the car.

You can use many infant car seats without the base. It's a PITA, IMHO.

The only way I would go with a Civic SI over the Toyobaru twins if I was looking at the sedan.

nlm · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2013, 01:09:25 pm »

Quote from: WRX_Pilot on December 20, 2013, 10:04:11 am

I don't see the value in the HFP package, I think the regular ol' SI is a better bet. The seats aren't even different from the normal SI...

Hmmmm, methinks this is the 3rd Si HFP review in a year? I think the general concensus was that the main value of the HFP was for the tires.

SaskSpecV · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2013, 01:25:48 pm »

Quote from: nlm on December 20, 2013, 01:09:25 pm

Quote from: WRX_Pilot on December 20, 2013, 10:04:11 am
I don't see the value in the HFP package, I think the regular ol' SI is a better bet. The seats aren't even different from the normal SI...

Hmmmm, methinks this is the 3rd Si HFP review in a year? I think the general concensus was that the main value of the HFP was for the tires.

Agreed...and I kinda chuckled with the line that "Honda will easily sell every one of the 400 HFP cars in brings yearly to Canada..." I'm not sure why Honda would keep sending out the HFP versions of the Civic/Accord for auto reviews, if they actually sell that easily. Maybe these HFP versions are just a "halo" for the Civic/Accord lines, and thus Honda keeps them in the press fleet?

Blueprint · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2013, 04:33:05 pm »

Quote from: carcrazed on December 20, 2013, 10:09:03 am

Apart from an avid Honda fan, I can't see anyone going with this one over the Toyobaru twins.

Having seen a Toyobaru in the snow, I'd say the front-drive Si makes a strong argument in the real, non-Top Gear world (Clarkson's test of the Toyobaru twins is hilarious, of course, and yes he likes them).

jamesautos · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2013, 07:49:15 pm »

Quote from: Blueprint on December 20, 2013, 04:33:05 pm

Quote from: carcrazed on December 20, 2013, 10:09:03 am
Apart from an avid Honda fan, I can't see anyone going with this one over the Toyobaru twins.

Having seen a Toyobaru in the snow, I'd say the front-drive Si makes a strong argument in the real, non-Top Gear world (Clarkson's test of the Toyobaru twins is hilarious, of course, and yes he likes them).

I guess you meant, "having seen bad drivers behind the wheel of a toyabru in the snow..." Lol FR cars are great in the winter with the right tires and proper driving skills...they dont understeer into snow banks or the cars in the other lane when you turn right...

PJ · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2013, 08:29:43 pm »

I just don't get why people make such a big deal about learning to drive a standard. My mom taught me on a 74 Austin Marina. I taught my sister to drive on a 3 on the tree 77 Ford Maverick. Today's market has an excellent selection of well engineered manuals that are wonderful to drive.

Give it a try folks, learn to drive again.

(Today's meaningless rant)

mixmanmash · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2013, 08:38:06 pm »

Quote from: jamesautos on December 20, 2013, 07:49:15 pm

Quote from: Blueprint on December 20, 2013, 04:33:05 pm
Quote from: carcrazed on December 20, 2013, 10:09:03 am
Apart from an avid Honda fan, I can't see anyone going with this one over the Toyobaru twins.

Having seen a Toyobaru in the snow, I'd say the front-drive Si makes a strong argument in the real, non-Top Gear world (Clarkson's test of the Toyobaru twins is hilarious, of course, and yes he likes them).

I guess you meant, "having seen bad drivers behind the wheel of a toyabru in the snow..." Lol FR cars are great in the winter with the right tires and proper driving skills...they dont understeer into snow banks or the cars in the other lane when you turn right...

Yep. Well said.

aquadorhj · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2013, 12:38:36 am »

Having both fwd and rwd with similar tires , I know that fwd is easier to drive in winter. It just is.

Not saying rwd can't be used in winter. I can totally daily drive it if needed. But its way easier with fwd.

Its like fwd is pulling the car forward where as the rwd is pushing u sideways.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

mixmanmash · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2013, 02:58:59 am »

Quote from: aquadorhj on December 21, 2013, 12:38:36 am

Having both fwd and rwd with similar tires , I know that fwd is easier to drive in winter. It just is.

Not saying rwd can't be used in winter. I can totally daily drive it if needed. But its way easier with fwd.

Its like fwd is pulling the car forward where as the rwd is pushing u sideways.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

What is your fwd car and what is your rwd car?

tpl · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2013, 05:46:08 am »

Quote from: PJ on December 20, 2013, 08:29:43 pm

I just don't get why people make such a big deal about learning to drive a standard. My mom taught me on a 74 Austin Marina. I taught my sister to drive on a 3 on the tree 77 Ford Maverick. Today's market has an excellent selection of well engineered manuals that are wonderful to drive.

Give it a try folks, learn to drive again.

(Today's meaningless rant)

Actually the manuals available today in NA may well be generally good but the selection is poor and getting poorer every year.
You know the end is nigh when the standard transmission on BMWs is an automatic with manual the option.

Seafoam · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2013, 09:20:14 am »

Quote from: PJ on December 20, 2013, 08:29:43 pm

I just don't get why people make such a big deal about learning to drive a standard. My mom taught me on a 74 Austin Marina. I taught my sister to drive on a 3 on the tree 77 Ford Maverick. Today's market has an excellent selection of well engineered manuals that are wonderful to drive.

Give it a try folks, learn to drive again.

(Today's meaningless rant)

Well it's because todays drivers would rather play with a bloody phone than learn how to actually drive. It's sad but true.

PJ · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2013, 12:18:51 pm »

Quote from: tpl on December 21, 2013, 05:46:08 am

Quote from: PJ on December 20, 2013, 08:29:43 pm
I just don't get why people make such a big deal about learning to drive a standard. My mom taught me on a 74 Austin Marina. I taught my sister to drive on a 3 on the tree 77 Ford Maverick. Today's market has an excellent selection of well engineered manuals that are wonderful to drive.

Give it a try folks, learn to drive again.

(Today's meaningless rant)
Actually the manuals available today in NA may well be generally good but the selection is poor and getting poorer every year.
You know the end is nigh when the standard transmission on BMWs is an automatic with manual the option.

I think that just shows BMW realizes its a brand for posers first and drivers second. Yes they will sell you a drivers car but you have to ask. Otherwise they assume you are there for the badge.

aquadorhj · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2013, 12:22:06 pm »

Quote from: mixmanmash on December 21, 2013, 02:58:59 am

Quote from: aquadorhj on December 21, 2013, 12:38:36 am
Having both fwd and rwd with similar tires , I know that fwd is easier to drive in winter. It just is.

Not saying rwd can't be used in winter. I can totally daily drive it if needed. But its way easier with fwd.

Its like fwd is pulling the car forward where as the rwd is pushing u sideways.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

What is your fwd car and what is your rwd car?

07 vw rabbit and 01 bmw mthree. Both have pirelli sotto zeros .

I concede though, that with rwd, if u had less power it might be easier to drive in winter.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

greengs · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2013, 06:44:10 pm »

Quote from: carcrazed on December 20, 2013, 10:09:03 am

Apart from an avid Honda fan, I can't see anyone going with this one over the Toyobaru twins.

BTW, the pic with an infant car seat just sitting in the back seat without its base may mislead some people about the back seat room of the car.

Believe it or not right out of the box the Civic beat a BRZ on the track in a head to head test. Also IMO the Honda has the best shift action manual out there. If I were to get one of these I'd likely rank them this way. Civic Si sedan > BRZ > FRS > Civic Si coupe.

mixmanmash · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2013, 11:05:59 pm »

Quote from: greengs on December 21, 2013, 06:44:10 pm

Quote from: carcrazed on December 20, 2013, 10:09:03 am
Apart from an avid Honda fan, I can't see anyone going with this one over the Toyobaru twins.

BTW, the pic with an infant car seat just sitting in the back seat without its base may mislead some people about the back seat room of the car.

Believe it or not right out of the box the Civic beat a BRZ on the track in a head to head test. Also IMO the Honda has the best shift action manual out there. If I were to get one of these I'd likely rank them this way. Civic Si sedan > BRZ > FRS > Civic Si coupe.

Pretty easy to beat on the track when the Civic is equipped with way better tires. The FRS/BRZ are running the same Eco tires that are equipped on the Prius.

JohnM · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2013, 05:57:56 am »

It's amazing to me that a poster here would try to imply that rear wheel drive is as good as fwd in the snow. I believe that small fwd cars caught on as quickly as they did in this country because of the immense advantage fwd has in low traction situations.

The first morning of snow in my Rabbit I almost got into two accidents because I accelerated very quickly and then had to brake. Well, just like AWD novices, you discover that a huge improvement in acceleration does not equal any improvement in braking or cornering. Recalibration is necessary.

FWD vs RWD is no contest in snow and ice.

Cheers,
John M.