2004 Honda Civic Review

Specifications

Falling in Love Too Late

Lately I seem to be able to relate to the expression “you dont know what youve got til its gone” all too well. A recent breakup with my 64″ boyfriend left me feeling like damaged goods, even though things were on the rocks for a while. We carried out a long-distance relationship for quite some time, so not seeing him anymore really didnt make a huge difference. But its the companionship that I miss the most after all was said and done.

You might ask how my love life relates to the revamped and enhanced 2004 Honda Civic Si. Ill tell you. Throughout my test week with the Si I kept thinking of how disappointed and unimpressed I was with it. I found it to have some commendable characteristics, but I really didnt connect with it as much as I would have liked to. But come Sunday night, all changed. I knew I only had a few more hours with Hondas little performance machine, so I tried to make the best of it.

A go-kart racer friend of mine named Catherine owns a 2002 Si and constantly brags about how great it is. When we exchanged thoughts about my experience she was confused as to why I thought it wasnt worthy of praise. So off we went at 10pm Sunday night, destined to rip up the Sea-To-Sky Highway just so I could justify my bitterness towards the OEM tuner car.

For the entire test week I felt that it didnt have enough get-up-and-go (0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds) in comparison to its rivals, like the MazdaSpeed Protegé (0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds), MINI Cooper S (0-100 mph in 7.3 seconds), Subaru Impreza WRX (0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds), VW GTI 1.8T (0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds), Dodge SRT-4 (0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds) and the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds); it is the slowest off-the-line. Actually, its wasnt the horsepower I was unimpressed with, it was the lack of torque. Its 2.0-liter, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC 4 cylinder engine sports 160 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, which is pretty respectable. But its measly 132 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm left me saying, “Gosh, the 2004 VW Golf TDI I had the other week could kick the Sis butt off the line.” In actuality the diesels 11.8 second 0 - 60 mph “blast” doesnt quite measure up, but its initial kick in the pants makes it feel quick. Putting things back into perspective, the Honda redlines much later than the diesel and its optimal engine performance is reached at mid- to high-range rpm levels, not at the low range. So its not the initial kick that really matters, but the power that it makes in the end.

I guess that is why on Sunday night, when I was driving out my frustrations and pushing the Si to its limits, I realized that the Si is a brilliant car. Its not everyday that I spin an engine to 5,500 rpm or higher to wring out all of its benefits, but that is how the Si is meant to be driven and therefore thats when it performs best.

Before I allow the Si back into my good graces, there were some attributes that I liked right off the bat - and Im not talking about its quirky, slab-sided hatchback styling. I particularly enjoyed looking at and shifting the rally-style 5-speed manual shifter, as it is mounted high on the center instrument panel. What a great position! Because it was placed so close to the steering wheel, I found I was able to shift much faster and replace my hands at the proper driving positions (at 9 oclock and 3 oclock as per the instruction I received at BMW Driver Training).

Although the interior closely resembled that of other Civics, with the addition of the odd Si badge thrown here and there, the unique white-face gauges, completely different dash and distinctive sport seats, OK it doesnt look anything like any other 2- or 4-door Civic currently available in the U.S., but just the same it has a very clean look to it. Its classier and better made than the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V and Dodge SRT-4 interiors too, but battles for top spot when compared to last years MazdaSpeed Protegé, plus the current MINI Cooper S, VW GTI and Subaru Impreza WRX cabins.

Handling is as always one of Hondas strongest attributes, with the Si no different. New for the 2004 model year Si is a state-of-the-art control-link MacPherson strut front suspension and compact reactive-link double-wishbone rear suspension systems. The ride is incredibly smooth, even with the Sis rigid sport tuned setup. It hugs the road so well and offers increased grip and crisper handling in the dry weather due to its upgraded tires: 205/55R16 tires with 16-inch alloy wheels.

I am not sure if I really like or dislike the exterior styling of the Si. I guess from some angles it looks great, and in others it looks bulky and stout. Nevertheless, the 2004 model comes with redesigned headlights and taillights for a more customized appearance, plus silver trim on the instrument panel and doors (much like the chrome trim on the new VWs with the exception of the TDIs) and a new side sill garnish.

My test Si did come with such standard features as air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry remote, power door locks and windows, power heated mirrors, and a power moonroof with tilt, privacy glass and sunshade. The Si comes almost fully loaded with only side curtain airbags as optional equipment. Also, some dealer added accessories include front, side and rear skirts, plus a rear tailgate spoiler and a block heater. Everything, but the block heater of course, definitely made the car look racier.

Also accenting the Hondas tuner persona is a pair of incredibly comfortable, heavily bolstered front sport seats, covered in grippy suede-like Alcantara and featuring sporty red stitching. I found the drivers seat great for everyday use, but I have a real beef with the seatbelt location. It was too far to reach, especially for me as I sit fairly close to the steering wheel. I actually had to physically turn my body around, stretching backward to grab the belt. It was extremely awkward and completely annoying.

What wasnt awkward or annoying was the standard 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. Whats a good car without good tunes? The sound quality was decent enough, but then again nowhere near as outstanding as the Panasonic system that came standard in last years MazdaSpeed Protegé. The Nissan Sentra SE-R Rockford Fosgate system is pretty good too.

Safety wise, Honda has left nothing out. The Si is laced with front and rear stabilizer bars, electrical power steering with variable assist, large-diameter front and rear disc brakes with ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); all top-tier features on the 2004 Civic.

It was also reassuring to my pocketbook that the Si, which is exclusively made at Hondas UK Manufacturing facility in Swindon, England, is economical on fuel. Unlike other tuner cars, the Si runs best on regular unleaded, achieving 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Not bad for all the fun I had on my Sunday drive. Knowing that getting on the throttle and sensibly driving out my frustrations wouldnt cost me a fortune was comforting to say the least.

Im glad Catherine and I went on that Sunday night drive because otherwise I might never know the true potential of the little Honda. The old saying and song lyric, “You dont know what youve got til its gone” might not be apropos this time, but I just wish I had open up to the Si a little sooner.