SI, Hit or Miss for Honda?

[SpacemanSpiff]

Something I've been thinking about:

I love my SI. It is a great performer, yet refined and comfortable as well. The styling is very european, which I like. I was also looking at VW GTIs and the new Mini when shopping. The VW on one extreme has great power and mushy handling. The Mini has great handling, but little power (Base, not S). The SI was a great deal, and a great compromise of power and handling, so I bought one.

But, I don't really care for the civic coupes. And it seems that the owners of other civics tend to dislike the new SI based on what I've read on other Honda boards.
So, do you think Honda has hit their target audience/demographic with this new SI?

From what I've read and observed, they aren't selling nearly as well as the old SI. Will this design just take a while to catch on, or has Honda missed the mark?

[SBC31]

Wrong place to ask this question, most of us have a 2002 Si (SiR) and obviously wanted one.

Personally, the look should grow on others, to me the Si (SiR) design is great, but most people still associate a Civic as being a cheap basic econo car, and the Si (SIR) isn't that. Honda may want to bring the non Si (SiR) to North America since many people will probably get one if it's price closer the the last of the 6th gen Civic hatch.

Hard to say, I just hope Honda doesn't do like they did in 2000 and cancel the hatch totally in North America.

Time will tell.

[DownTheHatch]

It's the price. 19k msrp is too high for a civic.

[SBC31]

Then buy a Civic SiR in Canada. They sell for $25,500 CDN and this means $16,500 USD with the exchange.

For a change something is cheaper in Canada (sort of....).

[SpacemanSpiff]

I agree, $19K is too high. to my way of thinking the MSRP should be around $17500 at the most, $18000 with destination. I think the SI competes very well at that price, but the sticker on my car was something like $19,700 (destination and Side Air Bags). That is too close to $20,000 for me, and there are lots of other options in the $20K and slightly over neighborhood. Personally, If I hadn't read online that people were getting them at close to invoice, I wouldn't have been shopping for one.
At the $20K range it is just a little stretch to get into a WRX, RSX-S, Cooper S, or GTI VR6.

[02TafWhtSi]

Originally posted by SpacemanSpiff
I agree, $19K is too high. to my way of thinking the MSRP should be around $17500 at the most, $18000 with destination. I think the SI competes very well at that price, but the sticker on my car was something like $19,700 (destination and Side Air Bags). That is too close to $20,000 for me, and there are lots of other options in the $20K and slightly over neighborhood. Personally, If I hadn't read online that people were getting them at close to invoice, I wouldn't have been shopping for one.
At the $20K range it is just a little stretch to get into a WRX, RSX-S, Cooper S, or GTI VR6.

Exactly - Honda really screwed up w/ the price. The car is the best thing to come from Honda since the S2000 and NSX but it is priced a liitle on the high side. Also - like Spaceman said, if anyone wants to spend another couple grand or more they will be in a class with cars that can outhandle, outaccelerate, and plain kick my civic's round ass in most ways! Thats not to say I don't love my new toy - I just think Honda should either offer more for the buck or lower the g'damn price!

[CleanBlackSi02]

I think the Si has a wealth of potential....but straight out of the factory the car could use some work. The interior could not be better, but if they had included a body kit (even if it wasn't type R-esque), a lower stance, and better wheels and tires, the sticker price would be well worth it. Cues from the previous Si would have probably helped sales in the U.S./Canada as well.

[02TafWhtSi]

This is a very sore subject for me at least. I had my heart set on a 2002 1.8T Gti w/ those beautiful 17's an option until I actually spoke to the dealer. The test drive was perfect. The acceleration is so understated in that car that its almost weird. I mean you mash the pedal and its so quiet and all you feel is the torque! You HAVE to watch the tach in order to shift b/c the engine is so quiet. Anyway - long story short - The dealer wanted way more than it was worth (23,600 incl. tax) and so I said goodbye. The Si was my second choice but I will always dream of that Gti....No regrets for the Si though:D!

[IceD out N CALI]

So far it looks like it has been a miss with honda. I think there are a number of reasons for it 1) the magazines kinda dogged it before they came out in favor of the SVT 2) 19k is too high like others here have said (17K or nice 17inch wheels + type R kit) would make the price doable, and 3) in todays times there are more options with other manufacturers like the spec V, base RSX, SVT focus that out perform us and for the most part are priced cheaper. 4) last I think the style of the hatch (I like it) has never sold nearly as good as the sedan and coupe for honda from the 5th gen, especially the 6th gen hatchies didnt sell especially well in comparison to the coupes and sedans--just my opinion i could be wrong

[punkdork]

I dunno.. I've never been a honda fan but I dig this car. Does that mean it was a hit? For the price and market it should have more hp, 6 spd tranny, a better stereo, an LSD and better wheels. Not saying I'm not happy... I just wish it had more.

[CleanBlackSi02]

Originally posted by IceD out N CALI
So far it looks like it has been a miss with honda. I think there are a number of reasons for it 1) the magazines kinda dogged it before they came out in favor of the SVT 2) 19k is too high like others here have said (17K or nice 17inch wheels + type R kit) would make the price doable, and 3) in todays times there are more options with other manufacturers like the spec V, base RSX, SVT focus that out perform us and for the most part are priced cheaper. 4) last I think the style of the hatch (I like it) has never sold nearly as good as the sedan and coupe for honda from the 5th gen, especially the 6th gen hatchies didnt sell especially well in comparison to the coupes and sedans--just my opinion i could be wrong

Don't get me wrong....I love Honda, and I love my Si, but out of the factory, HOnda missed. I bought my Si for the wealth of potential it has! Just look at how much better the new Si looks with aftermarket wheels and some springs!

[SpacemanSpiff]

I agree with you punk. I would not have been attracted to another SI coupe just like the last one. On the other hand, all the folks who have a coupe style SI say that they don't like the hatchback. I wonder if Honda was aiming for another demographic with this one or if it was just an accident?

[punkdork]

I'm a big WRC fan... I dig on how much the Si looks like the 206. Although the 206 would be butt-ugly without the giant wing.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Yep, the SI looks like it should be in a WRC or Touring Car race. Very European. I like it:D

[SBC31]

SpacemanSpiff ;

The Si (SiR) actually it's the Type-R, is in TOCA already. See the gallery for pictures of them. (Black and Red one)