flyromeo3

So, ive decided to have my transmission rebuilt and will end up just using the TL to drive to the park n ride ( 5 miles roundtrip per day )
In the meantime, im looking at other cars and my biggest peeve is that it must have a sunroof.

I've been looking at the 15' Si - Sedan and finally test drove it yesterday. Pretty much I'll just drive it on the weekends. Maybe some out of state trips.
I have the Pilot for family stuff so i'll probably be the only one driving in the Si.

Any annoyances with this car? I only drove it for 20-30 minutes but rather get some feedback for those that may have purchased one.

I'd opt' for the accord sport but no sunroof. The EX accord does have a sunroof but its more than I want to spend. I'm cheaping myself out and lowering my budget to 22-23k. I'd rather hook up my house then to spend more on a car i'd probably drive 2 weekends out of the month.

reliability is my main concern.
manual transmission
( and I get 0 financing with Honda/Acura )
ohh and sunroof.

I'm 6'0 tall and wondering long term if this will cause a problem.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I lol'd when you said you're cheapening out and buying a $22-23k car.

$23k aint pocket change. but totally understand with the 0% APR

Jakes_tl

I think the Si is a great car! very low maintenance, holds very good resale value, great gas milage

2012wagon

Wow somebody like me, who wants a manual AND a moonroof!


I have driven an Orange 2014 Si, before picking up my Wagon. I then drove a 2014 Sport Accord. I felt, dollar value wise I was getting much more car on the Accord.


Around here you can negotiate pretty hard on the Accord. That being said, you can easily get Accord EX with MANUAL in your budget here on the west coast.


However, this year, the Sport comes in many other colors in manual, whereas EX only comes in the two color.


My ideal car would be
Milano Red Accord Sedan
Manual Trans
with moonroof.

polobunny

The Accord Sport 2015 does have a moonroof, by the way (I think the entry level LX doesn't).
One of my friends has one, in manual version. We took it for a spin once, very nice interior, really dig what Honda has done with it but moving from his old Accord 04 EX V6 Coupe to this one with the 2.4L it kinda lacks the power. What wouldn't you do when you get kids...


As usual, move away from CVT.

AZuser

Only in

In the U.S. (where the OP is), the Accord Sport does not. Why?

It's like how in you can get the Touring with an I4 and manual trans but in the U.S., you cannot. Or how in the Touring gets the 18" wheels while in the U.S., we get the cheap looking 17" wheels.

Stupid Honda.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

I've driven a 2015 Si sedan several times. The transmission is super smooth and the car is easy to drive. If I was working with that kind of budget that's the car I'd get

Sarlacc

Get rid of the moonroof and increase your head room.

dom

The 2 missing features that prevented me from getting an Accord Sport back in 2013, the Moon roof and Push button start are now standard on the Sport in 2016. Damn you Honda. But, I also hated the CVT...

OP, maybe wait for the 16 Civic? Will the new 1.5 Turbo be available with a manual?

oonowindoo

WRX > Si

In every way other than MPG..

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

If it's a weekend fun car, why not go for something more fun?

Like ND Miata/FRS/S2k?

or WRX/FiST/FoST/GTi?

The current Si is a disappointment compared to those cars listed.

flyromeo3

Youre absolutely correct. 23k isnt pocket change. The APR is what is keeping me in the family.
If I could I would purchase the Fit but, it is to small for me.

Plus, im looking into extending my driveway to the back of my house and have a detached garage built in the back. ( hope to get a hydraulic lift too )

flyromeo3

S2k is nice but only two seater. Have to consider if i need to take my boys anywhere.

Had a 98 GTI and got rid of it due to electrical issues.
Ended using that as a trade in when I bought my S4 in 2001. Surprisingly never had a problem with it.

I do like the golf R though.

Plus, I get 0 APR on a new honda.
So those cars listed wont fit my financial requirements

AZuser

Fixed

black label

Personally I wouldn't let the apr dictate my purchase. In fact if the purchase was for a "weekend fun car" I would absolutely not let the apr be major deciding factor. If your lookin for a "point a to point b, I don't care what I'm driving as long as it gets me there" car go ahead and make your decision on finance rate.

You are never ever going to downshift into 3rd going into a corner, perfectly rev match the shift, dive towards the apex and say, "man this cars got a great apr"

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, not sure why that's even in the discussion. Shouldn't be a factor when getting a weekend toy under $25K.

Why not get one slightly used? Something like 1 year old. Should be much better.

black label

Well, I used to sell Porsches, it was my job to help people make the less practical financial decision in the pursuit more fun behind the wheel.

Totally agree on the "slightly used" options. You can get a lot more fun in the same price range and also keep the reliability factor. Obviously no one wants to pay for lots of repairs but a weekend car doesn't need to be "bullet proof" reliable like the one you use to get to work and haul the family.

If I was the OP, I'd probably buy something older like an Alfa Romeo GTV-6, Milano, or 164. Spend less than half of the proposed budget and have a very unique toy because I wouldn't be relying on it daily. I'd keep my AAA plus membership though

VR1

I like the Si, but; IMO for a weekend car you should not buy the current gen. Si. From current info it seems that the next gen. Si will be a MUCH improved car. I believe the Turbo Civics are coming next year so I wouldn't say the Si is much further down the road after that. Don't know how pleased you will be when you see a guy with the turbo Si buying a $800 tune and having 100ft/lb more torque then you.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I used to love the Si. Test drove my friend's and a brand new one at the dealership. It's just not as fun as it used to be.

SamDoe1

This.

And this.

I've never heard of anyone getting a new Civic Si as a weekend car. IMO, just keep the TL around and get one of the aforementioned fun two seaters for the weekend.

If you must have a 4 door and want a Civic Si or WRX then ditch the TL and just drive that every day. It's not like you drive far and also not like the car is a collectible in any way. Just buy it and drive it.

FWIW, you can also grab a good condition BMW 335i or E46 M3 in that price range. Maintenance will be orders of magnitude more but both are fun cars.

oonowindoo

For a $25k.. how much more a month is a 1.9% or 2.9% or even 3.9% more than 0%?

$20/month? or $30/month and that is assuming you put $0 down. The more you put as down payment the less effect the APR has.

Like everyone said, since this is going to be your "fun" car, then get something that you REALLY like to drive, not what the APR% is.

Go test drive all listed above and then make a decision based on what you like. If you can afford a $25k brand new,weekend fun car, then you should be able to put at least 50% down, then the 0% APR really makes no difference.

oonowindoo

.........

2012wagon

Guy wants a Civic Si or Accord and you guys are suggesting WRX and Alfas.


Guy wont even SPRING for maybe 700$ more for EX model over sport (going rate here).


Let him buy what he wants.....its his money, and 0% means something to him

oonowindoo

If you really want to get into Finances... buying a BRAND NEW weekend car does not make sense financially at all (Unless you are super loaded, then who cares. But since you are buying a $25k car, i would assume you are not)

You are buying a depreciating asset and it will not be used much other than weekends. The decoration is sitting there and losing $$ everyday. In your case, the Si is not even a nice decoration.

If you really care about finance and still want a weekend car, buy used. Otherwise your 0% APR from Honda is not valid.

black label

If he didn't want our advice he wouldn't have started a thread asking for it.

He also mentioned house projects. Spending money improving your appreciating asset makes more sense than spending money to buy a new depreciating asset.

I didn't suggest he buy an Alfa, I said that's what I would do in his situation. The cars I mentioned can be had for 8000-14000, and the depreciation would be minimal, I could sell it in a few years for near what I paid for it. That can't be said for the civic or accord, they'll lose $3000 in value the aegis you drive it off the lot.

He's trying to justify his impractical decision with 0% apr. Just accept that a "weekend car" is impractical and buy the one you enjoy most, not the one with the best apr.

2012wagon

^
I am not disagreeing with you. My impractical weekend car is British, so I agree with your recommendation.


But it seems he is pretty set on spending 22-23k and is only considering the Civic Si/Sport Accord

Booya4139

I loved my 08 SI coupe... great car, absolutely loved the clutch and shifting, felt is was even a little better than the 3 series BMW i drove a bunch. bulletproof, great MPG, a lot of fun to drive... I haven't driven the new ones but i'd imagine its still a solid fun car, don't belive they've messed with it much besides the 2.4L engine, trading 8600 redline for some more TQ that you use all day long seems fair.

SamDoe1

Then he should sell the TL and get the Accord Sport or EX. Neither of those two options are "weekend cars", they are both daily drivers.

oonowindoo

yah except now it is almost 2016 and as far as Si goes, it has been going backwards.

Honda has removed almost everything that made Si an Si... Torqueless, high rev fun car.

now it is just the same 2.4 ILX, Accord, TLX, CRV, engine with 18" Pepboys wheels.

ScoobyTL

I'd say get a used R32 or 135i. Both cars technically has a back seat but are fun cars to drive.

2012wagon

Weekend cars or daily driver definition vary amongst people

There are guys daily driving gaillardo and GtR. Heck a guy in Vancouver daily drives his aventador even in snow and in winter and his weekend car is a P1

On this forum in tsx section there is a guy who drives his 2013 tsx 1-3 k miles a year and constantly write about his precious tsx and his weekend baby

Different priorities and strokes for diff folks...

SamDoe1

Yes but the vast majority adhere to DD'ing the TSX and weekend driving the GTR.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure it was. I was a huge fan of it for the longest time.

But what I'm saying is that there are so many better options for the same $ these days. The Si needs that brand new Type R treatment, which likely is coming.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

$23,000 isnt pocket change! lol

flyromeo3

Guys, please stick to the question im asking. I appreciate the other suggestions but I have my reasons why I dont want to get into a used car, or the other cars mentioned.

APR: Yes, 0 APR makes a difference. even if its a 1.9, that 30 bucks can go towards my gas.
Yes, it may seem odd to have one of those two cars as my " weekend cars " but with twin 2.5 year old boys. Where am I going to go during the week besides work and run errands? I could afford a BMW M3 but why would I pay much more for a car that will sit in my driveway or garage more days out of the week than will be driven.

I could care less about the new turbo civic. Thats why my S4 is in my garage and Ive been working on replacing the turbos for 3 weekends now.

I'm not looking to race the car on I-78 or track it.

I

flyromeo3

sorry to traumatize you. lol

flyromeo3

not trying to be a dick about it but lets stick to the questions I asked as it will help me make my decision between the TWO cars I noted.

thanks

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

It's your money just go and buy the Civic.

It's seems that you already know what you want, or you want us to make up your mind for you.

People are telling you that there are better cars out there for the money.

Booya4139

I haven't driven the new ones, but on the '08, i did intake/header w HFC/exhaust/hondata flashpro etune... Added a progress RSB and the changed from prokit springs to Honda's HFP suspension and the car just felt great... So agile yet planted, plenty of power to enjoy DD.

I don't think i'd trade a well put together, bulletproof fun car to drive that is NA for long term maintenance and reliability of a turbo car with a little more TQ....

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Okay. No other car choices but Civic Si and Accort Sport for your weekend toy.

I do have several friends who daily/canyon/track their Civic Si, the latest generation. It's fairly reliable and fairly fun to drive.

I wouldn't consider Accord Sport for a weekend toy.

Go for the Si.