Hi there,
Many of you know me as a previous owner of an 8th gen. Accordingly, when I saw the 9th, I was eager to try it out but I couldn't find a car at the time I needed it in November. So, I ended up getting a Acura TSX.
Long story short, I don't really like the tsx because it isn't particularly fun to drive and it's more of a relaxing cruiser than a backroad brawler. Since I love sporting around, I decided to take another look at dealer inventories this afternoon and came across a black 4dr si at my local dealer. I went into the dealer, told them I was trading in my, basically, brand new tsx, and was handed keys.
Initial impression of the car: it feels a little plasticky, but not nearly as bad as everyone says and, having recently drove an 8th gen, it's almost comparable in quality. The seats are ugly, though. They have this weird pattern on them that I did not like whatsoever. I felt like the pictures are deceiving in that regard. There are also a lot of colors going on in the interior...some trip pieces are lighter shades than others and it doesn't come together very well, especially as compared to the outgoing si.
In terms of driving dynamics, the car felt plenty quick...and quicker, in fact, than the 8th gen I drove days before. It climbs the rev band with the same fervor that the old si had, but gear shifts come sooner because there are less rpms to go through. Vtec is also not as pronounced or exhilarating, both, in terms of feel and sound. Shifts are crisp, smooth, and easy, not requiring any fiddling to get the gear in. The clutch release sits significantly higher than the previous gen and makes me less inclined to give it praise. Simple rolling of the clutch to get the car going is not viable in the new si....you need to release the clutch at about quarter of the way from the top in order for the car to start moving...otherwise you are just building the revs and rolling with the wind. Rev hang is more pronounced at lower revs, I felt...but it helps because it's harder to slip the clutch out between smooth, non-aggressive shifts. Coming from the old si, it was hard not to release the clutch too soon -- it'll take a couple of miles to get used to for sure. Something to be mindful of: since the release sits higher, it requires a bit more strain from your foot in terms of the muscle sustaining an elevated/lifted position, so you may want to give this car a good test drive to see if it becomes a problem...for me, this may be problematic in extended stop-and-go traffic because I sit so high.
My biggest gripe was how hideous the stereo looks on the non-navi version -- makes me only want the car if it has navi. Also, where is the temperature gauge? I had no clue whether or not it was ok to vtec when I was in the test drive.
All in all, not a bad package and definitely something I'll consider...I just need to source a red si with navi.
Many of you know me as a previous owner of an 8th gen. Accordingly, when I saw the 9th, I was eager to try it out but I couldn't find a car at the time I needed it in November. So, I ended up getting a Acura TSX.
Long story short, I don't really like the tsx because it isn't particularly fun to drive and it's more of a relaxing cruiser than a backroad brawler. Since I love sporting around, I decided to take another look at dealer inventories this afternoon and came across a black 4dr si at my local dealer. I went into the dealer, told them I was trading in my, basically, brand new tsx, and was handed keys.
Initial impression of the car: it feels a little plasticky, but not nearly as bad as everyone says and, having recently drove an 8th gen, it's almost comparable in quality. The seats are ugly, though. They have this weird pattern on them that I did not like whatsoever. I felt like the pictures are deceiving in that regard. There are also a lot of colors going on in the interior...some trip pieces are lighter shades than others and it doesn't come together very well, especially as compared to the outgoing si.
In terms of driving dynamics, the car felt plenty quick...and quicker, in fact, than the 8th gen I drove days before. It climbs the rev band with the same fervor that the old si had, but gear shifts come sooner because there are less rpms to go through. Vtec is also not as pronounced or exhilarating, both, in terms of feel and sound. Shifts are crisp, smooth, and easy, not requiring any fiddling to get the gear in. The clutch release sits significantly higher than the previous gen and makes me less inclined to give it praise. Simple rolling of the clutch to get the car going is not viable in the new si....you need to release the clutch at about quarter of the way from the top in order for the car to start moving...otherwise you are just building the revs and rolling with the wind. Rev hang is more pronounced at lower revs, I felt...but it helps because it's harder to slip the clutch out between smooth, non-aggressive shifts. Coming from the old si, it was hard not to release the clutch too soon -- it'll take a couple of miles to get used to for sure. Something to be mindful of: since the release sits higher, it requires a bit more strain from your foot in terms of the muscle sustaining an elevated/lifted position, so you may want to give this car a good test drive to see if it becomes a problem...for me, this may be problematic in extended stop-and-go traffic because I sit so high.
My biggest gripe was how hideous the stereo looks on the non-navi version -- makes me only want the car if it has navi. Also, where is the temperature gauge? I had no clue whether or not it was ok to vtec when I was in the test drive.
All in all, not a bad package and definitely something I'll consider...I just need to source a red si with navi.
