Looks like Christmas came a little early for us! I took a quick stroll halfway up the California Coast and picked up a 9th generation Civic. Instead of waiting 3+ months for an allocation, it took us about two week to find this little guy, well maybe not so little as the Civics have grown into the slot the Accords once held. Yup this Honda head spent time and money to actually buy a 9th generation Honda Civic Si - the sedan kind with the navigation. Yes the same 9th gen Civic that most reviewers and auto blog sites were hugely disappointed with, because not much has changed from the previous generation or at times much worse. The same 9th gen Civic that was stopped in the middle of its development to "cheapen" the car for American buyers who just saw the housing bubble burst in 2009 while in Japan they decided to nix the entire line. The same 9th gen where the Honda CEO, Takanobu Ito, took responsibility for the Civic's poor reception in North America while the President of American Honda, Tetsuro Iwamura, suggested that the company would consider moving the Civic's mid-model refresh from the usual model year of 2014 to 2013 (which means production would begin by the end of next summer) to fix the decontented Civic. There are no Car and Driver Best awards, MotorTrend COTY, or Consumer Reports recommendations for the line. Specifically for the Si, the shoehorning of an Acura TSX engine into the tiny Civic didn't win over the hardcore enthusiasts, just alienated them even more since the introduction of Honda's green initiative. Even with all that and a lack of an actual temp gauge, I still wanted one.

Hit the jump to find out why...

It could be a good or bad thing that this latest Si is more mainstream than any previous generation. So mainstream that most enthusiasts raise their eyebrows when they see the sub 8k redline. The K24 itself isn't a bad engine, it's just a refined four-banger that packs 201hp and 160 lb-ft of torque. Something no other Si engine can compete against on paper. On the road, most have found this Si pulling middle of the pack numbers while MS3 and GTI owners are laughing all the way to the front of the segment. While the 8th gen Si exerted its power and speed through the high end of the rpm range just like the Si's before it, the 9th is a totally different beast since Honda lowered the redline to get more useable torque out of the K24. It's a different experience and has left most hondaphiles scratching their heads asking, "is this really an Si?" Some have even proclaimed its more of an Accord/TSX driving experience than what one expects of an Si.

The manual on the Si is the one thing consistent with Honda cars of the past. They are a joy to drive and make shifting 2nd nature. It's a great feeling rowing though the gears with some of the smoothest sounding thunks going from 1st thru 6th - almost as great as my S2000. Yet one thing that has bothered everyone I know that has driven this car is the infamous rev hang. For the most part it just nags with normal city and highway driving, but throw in a spirited run down an empty backstretch and it'll make itself more than noticeable. It wasn't a deal breaker for me, but it sure was for many others. Also the car drives with an attitude that, again has consistently been compared to an Accord than the boy racer cars we have seen from Honda. The road feel is very neutral coming through the steering wheel, which had me feeling very detached from the road on my way back down the Central Coast. Sure it turns with ease and minimal effort but it's nothing like the road feel I got with my S2000 or even my old del Sol. To get that, you need to step it up and move with some haste for any inkling of a sporty drive to come through.

So after all that, why did I still push forward with owning this car? Yes it is not an engine that demands to be spun high even though a VTEC gauge exists. Yes it does have a noticeable rev hang and overall steering feel is a bit numbing on normal drives. Yes the dash is just slabs of hard plastic as well as a majority of the doors which have minimally padded armrests. At times the I-MID can be a little gimmicky and adding a navi puts a lot of redundant info in your face. Even then though, I chose it cause it's still a Civic. For the most part, it doesnt drift far from the formula that made Civics the benchmark for compact cars in the first place. Human before the machine is the philosphy pushing Honda to build there cars the way they have been for the past couple years. I think this Civic delivered on this since its the perfect car for a car enthusiast who needed a daily commuter, a baby hauler and spirited Honda drivability all mixed in to one. Still I must concede its a horrible car for a longtime Honda guy who can pick it apart by just looking at its spec sheet - hopefully there's a car in Honda's pipeline to make you happy. I mean really what else is there from Honda for the enthusiasts? No CRX, no Prelude, no Integra, no RSX, no S2000 or NSX. (Please note that the follow up to the NSX was just announced to appear at the NAIAS) What have you? The CR-Z and Fit Sport. Its no surprise that the "sport" in Honda has taken a back seat to hybrids, a green ECON button, and funky dash displays. I know most would consider it a blind devotion to the badge, but I don't think these 9th gen Civics are as bad as the 'TypeRorDie' screename on some anonymous Honda forum says it is. Each Si since the EP3 has somehow riled up the Honda community, yet by the end of the generation they are revered as the best Si yet (I never thought I'd hear someone actually praising the K20). I'm betting the same will occur here. Definitely the packaging could be a little more hefty - can I get some HIDs or projectors at least? Maybe a backup cam? Still though, its a Honda I'm proud to own and wouldn't give it up no matter what the enthusiasts say. I haven't had a problem with the car and it pulls well with its extra torque across the band, I love the styling better than the 8th, and will manage fine with the plasticy interiors - the wife's CR-V is all plastic bits. Then again my view may change depending on how the MMC goes and what Acura plans for the Civic-based ILX. Maybe then the Si will seem a bit out of place and lacking. Till then though, I'm not ashamed to say I'm a proud 9th gen Si owner.

to read more about this civic swap click here

-infamousjj

The 2010 ARC starts this weekend and will be pitting my beloved hatch against the likes of Eli Evans' brother, Simon, in a Subaru WRX STi along with a field of TRD Toyota Corolla hatches and Mitsu EVOs.

-infamousjj

There was a time I wish Honda didn't change their car looks based on North American tastes. Looking at the newest models coming out from Acura, North Americans aren't the most forward-thinking bunch. So when the CSX first debuted, I was happy to see a great copy of the JDM Civic. I was pretty jealous of the Canadians - HIDs and Navi goodness in a great package. Yet, now with the latest MMC, it seems I'm glad that it was never brought to the US.

And this is why...

That freakin' carrot peeler is now on the snub of the Canadian CSX. BLEH. Kinda funny that you can't get a great look at it on the Acura Canada site - you think they're trying to hide it? I would. I fear the next NSX will definetly sport the carrot peeler.

The standard Si Sedan pumps out an impressive 197hp, while this Mugen Si Sedan is pumping out a whopping 197hp thanks to that sports tuned exhaust. You read that right, no power increase. Other than that, you get a bunch of tacked on body kit pieces and a nice little number plate to let you know that you're Si Sedan is special. I guess you can't forget the upgraded suspension parts, the wheels are pretty nice, which offer a better handling car than the Si. Not the greatest package, but even this diehard Honda-head will not line up for the car when it is released later on this year. The car I would line up for is this:

This is the Mugen Civic RR, which will go on sale in Japan on Sept. 13th. Mugen tacked on about 15hp on top of the base Civic Type R's 225hp to push out 240hp. The car is also 22 pounds lighter thanks to the carbon fiber hood, spoiler, bumper. Add an upgraded exhaust system, upgraded suspension, and recaro racing seats and what we have here is a nice little pocket rocket that is $10,000 more than the Mugen Si Sedan. Even with a bump in price, this is a car I would rather spend money on than what Honda of America came up with for a Mugen package.

Why oh why is Honda of America cashing in on the Mugen name? Just when you think they finally get the American enthusiasts, they go after the American riceboy. Honda, next time you slap the Mugen name on the car it better deliver cause this Si sedan is a let down to many of your supporters.