I drove the 2007 Honda Civic Si sedan home last night. With a 2006 Si coupe
in the fleet I wasn't expecting to learn much I didn't already know, and I was right...for the most part. This is one of those vehicles that, as I drive, I find myself thinking, "So, could I really own and drive one of these?" As an automotive journalist you tend to ask that question of every vehicle you're in, and when the vehicle your driving is a Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari F430 or Audi A8 you tend to say "Hell yes!" But you know it's more of a hopeful, dreamy response. The Civic Si is one of those cars where I say "Absolutely" and mean it in a real-world, let's-start-spec'ing-out-the-vehicle sort of way. To be totally honest, the six-speed manual would be a hang up because the wife won't drive a stick, but otherwise the car is almost perfect. Excellent front seats in terms of comfort and lateral support, plenty of room for my family of four, and fuel mileage that makes sense in today's world. Plus the price makes it a heck of a bang-for-the-buck bargain. I also really like how the engine's note (and power) changes when the variable valves hit their second wind around 5,800 rpm. For some reason, this Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde trait is even cooler in the sedan. However...
...unlike our long-term coupe, the sedan's suspension tuning sets up a weird and unpleasant vibration in the steering wheel and cabin at random intervals. Sometimes a series of bumps will do it, sometimes a type of pavement will set it off, but whatever the cause the effect is pretty annoying. Not sure what's going on here, but here's a short note to Honda -- re-check your suspension calibrations on the four-door. The family guy, after trying to convince the wife to go for the Si sedan versus the boring DX model, is going to have a lot of 'splaining to do on the ride home when the car starts jiggling like Jabba the Hut on a Grande Latte.
By dotsara
on January 5, 2007
09:36 AM
Wow, that's a bummer. I mean, I don't like the rear end on the current generation's sedans anyway, but still.
And now I have Star Wars music stuck in my head. Thanks, Karl. (:
By kurtamaxxxguy
on January 5, 2007
10:49 AM
This may sound very naive, but could it possibly be due to tire wear/choice (by Honda) or alignment mis-calibrations in the drive train or engine mounts?
By editor_karl
on January 5, 2007
11:23 AM
I doubt it's tire wear. The test car only had 600 miles on it. Alignment or drivetrain mounts are a possibility, but the inconsistency in the vibration made me think it was more related to road surface and bumps, which suggests suspension tuning. It could theoretically be a one-off problem (bad strut, etc.) that doesn't reflect the entire sedan line-up. But again, the problem was subtle and inconsistant enough to suggest suspension tuning versus a malfunction.
By desmolicious
on January 5, 2007
12:55 PM
Drive another one if you can and see if you feel the same junk.
I'd pick the 4 door over the 2 door, cuz no-one expects 4 doors to be so much fun!
By sddoc07
on January 5, 2007
02:05 PM
Just a quick question Karl related to tire wear...I've noticed on my AWD Honda Pilot that everytime I get the stupid tires rotated...it ALWAYS has "tire pull" or whatever that causes it to drift left (or right). I end up always having to get the stupid thing re-aligned four out of five times that I get the tires rotated. This is obviously getting old...any suggestions??
By joberg
on January 5, 2007
02:34 PM
Hey Karl,
Any chance this setup could find its way into a hatchback? I want the fun-to-drive with something more practicle than a sedan. Right now that leaves me with the Mini, Mazda3 and VW. But what I'd really like is the reliability of a Honda.
By editor_karl
on January 5, 2007
02:46 PM
sddoc -- The tire pull is related to the wear patterns on the tires and how they affect alignment after the rotation. In theory, if you just drove it around for awhile (I'm guessing 100-300 miles) the pull should stop without needing another alignment. Basically, you just have to re-wear the tires to jibe with the alignment.
joberg: -- Honda got burned on their last hatchback (deservedly so, as it just didn't possess the fun-to-drive character of the current coupe or the previous/first Si coupe). If they could combine the current car's "fun" with a hatchback body style I think it would sell well, but they may not want to try that route again after getting so badly burned last time...
By sddoc07
on January 5, 2007
04:07 PM
Thank you Karl for the helpful advice - but man, my arm is sure getting tired straightening my car out!
Joberg - don't forget, that snazzy new Volvo C30 is coming out and of course that uber-premium audi A3 (or even S3 gasp) is an option!
By billt9
on January 5, 2007
04:33 PM
sddoc07: wow you're paying out your ass for 4 alignments...
Have you tried having the tires rebalanced? Jumpity tires leaving the ground don't put down the power, and the vehicle would veer in that direction.
If you're paying for alignments, I'd just decline them. Obviously that's not the problem if it's been redone so many times.
By kurtamaxxxguy
on January 5, 2007
09:46 PM
joberg, years ago Honda and Toyota had many more hatchbacks, which died out because of changing USA tastes (VW sells mostly hatchbacks overseas - it's us Americans that clamor for sedans). Perhaps if Honda and Toyota had then pushed the "sports" aspect, those hatches would still be around.
Also, that A3 is really a VW Golf in Audi clothes (in fact, Audi may use a VW plant to build the A3 as its own production lines are needed for Audi exclusive models).
By hondacura4
on January 6, 2007
01:54 PM
Check your tire pressure. You would be suprised how much that can reduce ride quality and chassis composure.
LP
By solsticeturbo
on January 10, 2007
09:45 AM
I currently own a 2000(MY) Insight ; the OEM tires did not last more 10,000 miles before a belt separated and the tire "blew out".The tires were Bridgestone that were designed specifically for the car in conjunction with Honda. I switched to Firestone tires, they have been on the car for app. 4 years with no problems. The only technical difference between the two brands, is that the Firestones were 175/60 vs. 165/65 OEM. This did (and does)affect fuel mileage. But the ride and handling did improve.
By coke2000
on June 8, 2007
05:39 AM
I got the same issue state on 2007 Civic Si Sedan. The car have only 4,000 miles. Sometime it got front wheel vibration. Also when you brake the car and slow down around 20-30mph. It make this annoying tire noise. Might have to bring to Honda for a check up. Is anybody have this issue?? Or just a random bad appple.
By barretthead
on June 11, 2007
04:08 AM
still adore my Si sedan, blast to drive, bu it makes a clunking noise when driven over bumps at a low to medium speed. noticed alot of like complaints in the 2006+ issues forum. taking it to the dealer today, i hope it is an easy fix, kinda angry that a brand new car is displaying issues. still love the car though.
By gailh
on October 13, 2007
04:28 AM
Something's going on with Honda Civic tire wear that is indicative of suspension problems. I'm on round three of tires on an o6 Civic hybrid and within 5,000 miles rear tires cup and there is loud road noise. While the dealership has provided tires at their expense, my warranty will soon expire and I still don't have an answer to the problem. Wondering if I'm left with the option of replacing tires every 10,000 miles or trading to a Toyota? I really wanted to like this car...
By sfagolfer
on October 17, 2007
04:34 AM
Karl, I believe Honda has a serious suspention problem with the rear of there 4 door civics 06-07. I have researched the problem and found that the car has no adjustments for the cambers. This along with the light weight in the rear is causing for hundreds, if not thousands of these owners to destroy their rear tires and can cause a serious "at risk" problem. Can you do some more investigating and possibly contact them and press them into a solution, before someone gets seriously injured. My family owns 2 of them and have had the same problem that many of your bloggers have had. There is NO way that this can be of coincidence.
By ssens
on October 11, 2008
08:57 AM
Hi Karl, your post on "too much steering feel" caught my sight. I recently got a 2008 civic Si. Just after 10days of driving, i am noticing a constant steering vibration at speeds over 50mph. My car has less than 500miles and mostly highway. Is this a known problem with the Si? Are there any recalls in the line for this? any suggestions?