Normally, a low-slung compact car is a poor choice for hiking trips. Not this trip. The roads in and nearby Yosemite National Park are sinuous temptations of blacktop begging for a thrashing. Trailheads are a stone's throw from the road, so the tires never even touch dirt...
Now, I'm not much of a FWD guy (in the past I might have been labeled a RWD elitist) but our Civic Si has really impressed me. With the LSD powering it out of corners, the low-inertia chassis, remarkable seats, and slop-free steering, it's just a ball to drive hard. There aren't many FWD cars worthy of that praise. Unlike many cars, the chassis works WITH the driver rather than requiring him to muscle it around. Every time I drive it, I want to keep driving it. Would it be better if it was RWD? Maybe, but it's really, really good as it is, and would arguably be more expensive and heavier were it RWD. It wouldn't be worth those tradeoffs just for the occasional power oversteer jollies of RWD.
Driving it slow is aggravating in comparison. Particularly in first gear. It's the drive-by-wire throttle, mainly--the delay in engine braking on full lift is followed by a sudden jerk of slowing. Sloppy calibration. The same can be said for the lumpiness when it's cold.
Also, a cargo net in the trunk would be nice. I'm still taking the creases out of my straw cowboy hat after the trunk played Osterizer with my gear. On the plus side, the many rubber-lined bins and cubbies in the cabin are deep and grippy enough to keep the cellphones, loose change, drinks, and beef jerky from becoming airborne.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
dotsara says:
09:22 AM, 06/28/06
Sweet! Good to know. (:
kurtamaxxxguy says:
12:50 PM, 06/28/06
Give GM credit for a good Throttle-by-wire system in the current Malibu and Malibu Maxx. I have never had any of the Honda-type delays or hesitations from this system.
Then again, the Maxx is nowhere as light on its wheels as the SI is.
hondacura4 says:
02:28 PM, 07/ 3/06
I have no idea why the DBW system in the Si is so lazy. In other Hondas with the K series engines its not an issue. Even the "old" DBW system on the now dead =( NSX is more responsive. Honda will be offering a reflash for this so issue so check with the dealer. Happy motoring!
evanmcc says:
08:55 PM, 07/10/06
hondaacura4 - I don't know what you're talking about with the DBW laziness on the Si??? Its very responsive for a DBW system. There is a slight delay sometimes if you've been cruising at light throttle then mash it to the floor - thats not the DBW though - its the ECU adjusting the timing and air/fuel mix and the VTC cam-phasing. You don't notice it on other K series motors cause other than the TSX this is the only one with DBW.
The lag to fully close the throttle when the driver lifts their foot off the pedal that Jason is describing in his post is definately noticeable, and like you said there's a reflash coming soon - I hope this 'problem' is fixed!
spargo says:
10:38 AM, 07/11/06
I find it funny that people give FWD guff because you can't throw the back end out, but AWD cars don't get half the flack. I had wondered at first why no manufacturer would make a car in this category (20k 200hp 4-5 seats) with rwd, but the si makes it make sense.
-Spargo
davwar says:
09:32 AM, 07/19/06
Does anyone know when the reflash for the Si is coming out? I called Honda customer relations and they had no clue about a reflash.