M Car to Si?

[JDMFTW]

So I’m looking to part ways with my 2021 M2 Competition (manual) which I purchased new. It was my first new car and I really enjoyed it. However, I would like something I can drive through Chicago winters, leave at the train station, take into the city and not have to worry about. I really love Honda manuals (I’ve previously owned an Ap1 s2k and an RSX-S) and I’ve heard the steering feel in the new si is pretty good. If anyone has had experience with an M car, I would love to hear what you enjoyed more about the new si? Also open to hearing from others that came from a RWD Here’s my list (albeit I haven’t even driven the new si yet, basing this on reviews). Will take one for a spin this week

Pros:
-AMAZING Shifter/transmission
-good steering feel (maybe better than newer BMW’s)
-drive it like ya stole it aka drive a slow car fast on the street without going to jail
-AMAZING gas mileage
-4 doors
-better than the m2 in the winter

Cons:
-FWD
-Really bummed that there’s no heated seats or dual zone climate

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[chopsuey34]

I'm looking to buy an Si soon. Agree with all your Pros: slow car fast, mpgs, shifter. Wow, its good to hear that the Si might have better steering feel than BMWs.

Cons:

FWD - can't do anything about that, unfortunately

No Heated Seats - I don't mind the lack of heated seats. Cloth seats don't need heaters in my opinion. Cold cloth seats don't really transfer heat away from my body. However, they are necessary with leather seats.

No Dual Climate - I also don't mind this missing feature. The Civic is a small car plus I never saw the point of dual climate control in general. The air mixes so quickly.

YMMV but that's how I feel.

 

[daazn]

Why not go for the Integra? Same car with heated seats

 

[JDMFTW]

Bc it’s nearly 25% more and at that price point it’s not good bang for buck imo. I also prefer the looks of the si more

 

[AspecR]

If you absolutely need heated seats in a Si, consider the Integra, they can be had for under MSRP relatively easily nowadays

 

[Bpebler]

I agree. My local dealer will sell a fully decked Integra for around 32k.

Or you can just add your own heated seat elements or have a shop do it. Maybe heated aftermarket seats altogether for the lower price. I’d think coming from BMW you may like the Acura more - not on the price point, I know. But maybe interior stuff. I like both models a ton & would take either one to be honest though.

I’ve been spoiled in my truck & want the same heated & even ventilated creature comforts.

 

[Cornercarver]

Can't speak for the newest SI - but the 10th gen SI - very similar - was incredible.
Have I owned and or driven rwd enthusiast cars? Yes. Including BMW? Yes, Owned one, and drove half a dozen others at one time or another.
Point being I have a very good frame of reference.

The overall feel of the SI was very special.

I looked for any excuse to drive the SI - can't give a car a better recommendation than that.
It gave me no problems, and a lot of joy.

Any concerns/ criticisms/ critiques? Yes. Because no car is perfect.

Pay attention to the seat when you test drive it. That was the main weak point on the last gen.
I certainly didn't trade it in for the Type R because the handling, braking and steering were anything less than magic. They were.
Coming from an M2, you will likely miss the sound of the engine.
And while you can get a fwd car to rotate, don't plan on drifting it. Duh.
My understanding is that Honda has upgraded the shifter / clutch on the 11th gen Si. SO they should be excellent.
I am not a fan of rev hang, but that did not stop me from enjoying the SI. It has probably been reduced in the 11th gen as well.
Happy car shopping!

 

[VarmintCong]

So I’m looking to part ways with my 2021 M2 Competition (manual) which I purchased new. It was my first new car and I really enjoyed it. However, I would like something I can drive through Chicago winters, leave at the train station, take into the city and not have to worry about. I really love Honda manuals (I’ve previously owned an Ap1 s2k and an RSX-S) and I’ve heard the steering feel in the new si is pretty good. If anyone has had experience with an M car, I would love to hear what you enjoyed more about the new si? Also open to hearing from others that came from a RWD Here’s my list (albeit I haven’t even driven the new si yet, basing this on reviews). Will take one for a spin this week

Pros:
-AMAZING Shifter/transmission
-good steering feel (maybe better than newer BMW’s)
-drive it like ya stole it aka drive a slow car fast on the street without going to jail
-AMAZING gas mileage
-4 doors
-better than the m2 in the winter

Cons:
-FWD
-Really bummed that there’s no heated seats or dual zone climate

I went from an E46 330i ZHP (drove it for 11 years) to a Civic Sport hatch, then a 2020 Si. The hatch wasn't any better in snow than the BMW since both had snow tires, but the Si with LSD was better (my 330i had an open diff). I'd guess an M2 is a bit difficult in snow especially as a manual cause of all the power, but with something like Nokian Happas on it I'd guess it's fine.

To me the steering, engine sound and (RWD) handling were a lot better on the BMW, but I didn't really miss it cause the lightness of the Civic made it fun, and it was just as comfortable.

 

[McSwine]

While not exactly the same, it's sorta close. I sold a pristine 2011 E92 M3 in 2019 to buy a new Fiesta ST. It was my second, the 2015 was totaled when a lady turned in front of me and I t-boned her; that's when I got the M3.

While the M3 was awesome, and the 4.0 V8 sounded glorious, believe it or not it was just not fun to drive. It was a no fun at all to hustle around town and the shifter sucked. The Fiesta on the other hand was a blast to drive. I'm not sure there's a better car for urban warfare.

Point is as y'all already know, it's not always about the power. My Si is supposed to be here next week and I can't wait. I traded the 2019 Fiesta in for a 2.0T Accord Sport last September (they gave me $3000 more than I paid for it in 2019!) and it's pretty much the same thing as the M3...crazy fast but just too damn big and not fun to drive.

I don't consider it a "downgrade". To me, being fun to drive pretty much trumps everything else.

 

[rob495]

I think you will be bummed out with the power difference between the two. I've owned a 2021 M3 Comp manual, the FK8, FL5 (currently), and I've extensively driven the previous and current gen Si. The Si and Type R are great sporty everyday commuting cars. Tons of room, great handling, great brakes, good MPG's, excellent shifter, easy clutch, and great seats. But both are very slow for the price of entry. Both cars have rev hang (Si more so than the FL5), both cars understeer, and both have an electric parking brake.

I think winter tires are a must with the M2, Type R, and the Si if you get any type of significant snow. Which leaves the last issue, parking DINGS! I absolutely hate driving and parking in the city. Do you have any dents/dings on your M2 due to your commute?

 

[kopite44]

I think you will be bummed out with the power difference between the two. I've owned a 2021 M3 Comp manual, the FK8, FL5 (currently), and I've extensively driven the previous and current gen Si. The Si and Type R are great sporty everyday commuting cars. Tons of room, great handling, great brakes, good MPG's, excellent shifter, easy clutch, and great seats. But both are very slow for the price of entry. Both cars have rev hang (Si more so than the FL5), both cars understeer, and both have an electric parking brake.

I think winter tires are a must with the M2, Type R, and the Si if you get any type of significant snow. Which leaves the last issue, parking DINGS! I absolutely hate driving and parking in the city. Do you have any dents/dings on your M2 due to your commute?

How big of a performance delta did you feel between the FL5 and M3?
I upgraded from a tuned 9th Gen Si to an FL5 and found ~ 30% improvement in acceleration (noticeable, but not mind blowing). Handling and stability though is on a whole another level.

 

[Cornercarver]

Rev hang - it was noticeable and annoying in the SI, don't really see much rev hang in the FK8 I daily. Can't speak to the FL5.

Hand brake over e-brake to be sure, if Honda had asked. Which they didn't. The e-brake does save room and makes a cool sound - sort of like landing gear being raised or lowered.

 

[JDMFTW]

I think you will be bummed out with the power difference between the two. I've owned a 2021 M3 Comp manual, the FK8, FL5 (currently), and I've extensively driven the previous and current gen Si. The Si and Type R are great sporty everyday commuting cars. Tons of room, great handling, great brakes, good MPG's, excellent shifter, easy clutch, and great seats. But both are very slow for the price of entry. Both cars have rev hang (Si more so than the FL5), both cars understeer, and both have an electric parking brake.

I think winter tires are a must with the M2, Type R, and the Si if you get any type of significant snow. Which leaves the last issue, parking DINGS! I absolutely hate driving and parking in the city. Do you have any dents/dings on your M2 due to your commute?

My m2 has been my garage queen and really only drive it when it’s nice out. This is why I want to sell it, I want something more useable that I can ding up and park in the city and not worry about something happening to it. I’ve had some rock chips on the windshield driving on the hwy which really annoyed me. I would like to have diff driving experiences and for now the m2 will have to go

 

[Cornercarver]

No matter how great a car is, if you can't relax and enjoy it, sort of kills the point.
As for not caring - yeah, I still care about every ouch that happens to my FK8.

I just won't use that as an excuse not to drive it - because that is what I bought it for.

 

[Pekingduck]

I have a 10th gen si and put 135k miles and I love how the car drives granted I did do mods on it. I also have 2023 bmw m3 and when I compare the two it hard. I had brought both to the track 4-5 times each. For street driving I prefer civic. But when I am pushing my driving limits in the m3, it has more to give and I pushing the get the limits of the car and myself. But when I drive the civic at the limits it feel I am at the limit of the civic. The car are to hard to compare for driving enjoyment but for daily the civic of course is better and I use it to get milk at the store.

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