FR-S vs Civic SI

[EZ Shifter]

A friend of mine likes the FR-S but is considering a Civic SI as an alternative. Both cars are 200 HP and naturally aspirated. Both are six speeds. He likes the more roominess of the SI. Both are rated at 22 city 30 highway.


I told him the FR-S will handle much better, is RWD and way more fun to drive.


He can get a 2013 Civic SI for $23,500 out the door.


Anyone here ever own a Civic SI? If so, please chime in. Any more suggestions to persuade him? Thanks in advance.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Originally Posted by EZ Shifter

A friend of mine likes the FR-S but is considering a Civic SI as an alternative. Both cars are 200 HP and naturally aspirated. Both are six speeds. He likes the more roominess of the SI. Both are rated at 22 city 30 highway.


I told him the FR-S will handle much better, is RWD and way more fun to drive.


He can get a 2013 Civic SI for $23,500 out the door.


Anyone here ever own a Civic SI? If so, please chime in. Any more suggestions to persuade him? Thanks in advance.

As far as I've read those engines are getting less and less ballsy. But I guess if its just stat for stat the FR-S seems like the better buy. Better handling and RWD for ~$3k more otd. Civic is likely more useable though space wise. I'm sure the bolt pattern is more usable too. Depends if you want a car with unlimited potential, or far more usability.

[Nm86]

Originally Posted by EZ Shifter

A friend of mine likes the FR-S but is considering a Civic SI as an alternative. Both cars are 200 HP and naturally aspirated. Both are six speeds. He likes the more roominess of the SI. Both are rated at 22 city 30 highway.


I told him the FR-S will handle much better, is RWD and way more fun to drive.


He can get a 2013 Civic SI for $23,500 out the door.


Anyone here ever own a Civic SI? If so, please chime in. Any more suggestions to persuade him? Thanks in advance.

I have an frs, my brother has a 2013 si 4door. We both autocross so I think I can easily say I have actually pushed both cars. Unlike most ppl who wanna throw out opinions and say "fail wheel drive". The si is a very nice car, easier to get in and out of, pulls very good, love the torque. If I were looking for a fun daily driver with 4 doors for 22k, yes you can get one for that much. Downsides, very very very light clutch. It is fwd so if getting the car sideways is something he wants then it's not good at that. Rwd is fine, but don't think it's the almighty greatest thing ever.

My recommendation have him drive both cars and decide which he likes better. Keep in mind that si will last forever.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by Nm86

I have an frs, my brother has a 2013 si 4door. We both autocross so I think I can easily say I have actually pushed both cars. Unlike most ppl who wanna throw out opinions and say "fail wheel drive". The si is a very nice car, easier to get in and out of, pulls very good, love the torque. If I were looking for a fun daily driver with 4 doors for 22k, yes you can get one for that much. Downsides, very very very light clutch. It is fwd so if getting the car sideways is something he wants then it's not good at that. Rwd is fine, but don't think it's the almighty greatest thing ever.

My recommendation have him drive both cars and decide which he likes better. Keep in mind that si will last forever.

And the FRS won't?

[paiceyfan]

I have just come from a 2007 Civic SI and I absolutely adored it. I sold it to a friend who was tired of nearly getting killed in his 350Z by tractor-trailers on the highway. The 86 and the SI are similar, but different, meaning that they are both for enthusiastic drivers, but the SI is more practical. The SI's kick at high revs is insanely addictive. I think if he wants the ultimate driving weapon for a modest amount of money, then go for the 86, but if he will encounter snow or needs practicality sometimes then get the SI .Either way, he will not be disappointed.

[Nm86]

Originally Posted by N1rve

And the FRS won't?

It might, I had a 1993 si finally sold it with 240k miles. There is no telling, the frs has a fantastic motor but the technology in it is new, direct injection on a boxer, that revs fairly high for a boxer. I love it, but the honda motor is nothing new, it's proven technology. Shouldn't have any problems out of it.

whatever car the guy chooses he will be happy with and should get many great years out of it, I just think the honda motor will last longer. Not trying to get a big argument on it. Simply my input.

[ZionsWrath]

My ex had an 8th gen Si I drove all the time. IMO there is really no comparison, this car is what most Si owners wish the Si was.

[fatoni]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34108
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18490

[Jegan_V]

He'll have to drive them for himself. If he doesn't think the test drive in the FRS/BRZ is all that convincing then it certainly isn't the car for him. I was convinced the FRS/BRZ was one of the best cars I've ever driven through a test drive. I drive lots of cars at work including horrible stuff like a Nissan Versa to nicer stuff like Infiniti G37s, Mustang GTs, etc. I still came to that conclusion. Whereas I never really bothered with the Civic Si mainly because I really really don't like driving normal Civics.

[suaveflooder]

He needs to figure out what he wants/needs. The civic is more usable IMHO and a rock solid platform for reliability. We take ours anywhere. It can hold more, is more comfortable, better stock sound system, we tend to get better MPG (not by a ton), and has more creature comforts (steering wheel controls are nice). This is all in an 07, so I assume the 2013 is even better.

The FRS is smaller, feels lighter, more responsive in steering, stiffer suspension, crisper shifter feel, less usable (zero trunk, useless back seat, no steering wheel controls).

Both are GREAT cars. if it will be his only car, I would have him lean toward the more usable civic. If it's a second car, go FRS all the way

[rcm47]

If he wants a coupe get the FR-S.

[qijian]

Coming from a civic owner as well... I chose the FRS as my second car because I know I have everything else I need in my civic. The civic is practical, functional for a DD and parts are relatively cheaper. If I were to do it again, I'd still pick the FRS over the SI

[carbonBLUE]

If he wants space and performance why not just get a lightly used 2013 WRX? he can have FWD and RWD, trunk space and 4 doors with performance somewhere in between the two.

Itll cost roughly the same as an FR-S

EDIT also if he wants to travel anywhere or if he ever moves it'll suit any climate

[Wreakin]

For the price FRS is a more revolutionary type of car. The SI has been relatively the same performance-wise since 2006.