My local dealer extended me the opportunity to take a short test drive in
the new Civic SI. As the owner of an 01 Prelude 5 spd I was interested in
trying out Honda's new sport coupe. As a 64 year old 6 footer at 190lbs who
goes to the gym every day, getting in the Si was a little easier than the
Prelude -- where you duck down a little more. So, less ingress/egress
agility is required. The controls fall easily to hand and foot because of
the fully adjustable steering wheel. I really had no difficulties with the
driver's side hand brake at all, which seems to dismay some owners. The
clutch was a little lighter than the Prelude and the brakes a bit more
touchy, but very effective with a solid feel and good control. The 6 speed
shifted about like the Prelude, but getting into 6th was a little notchy and
stiff. In all the transmission was very easy to match the engine with a
downshift -- which I had expected to be problematic given the drive by wire
throttle. The induction sound is impressive when you hit it hard and run it
up -- Honda apparently tuned the accoustics so that you can hear a full
throttle charge down the road in the cabin. The VTEC was not abrupt like
the Prelude -- where it comes on with a bang and a snarl at 5300 rpm. In
the SI it was little more gradual and later in the rpm range. Overall, it
seemed that the SI was a little stronger than the Prelude in the straight
line run up to 70 mph. The Si showed its advance in technology over the
Prelude as it was smoother and quieter and quite deceptive in terms of the
speed you were traveling at. But, you still feel connected to the car -- I
guess the comparison is that the older technology Prelude feels a little
firmer and perhaps coarser on the drive. No real chance to try out
handling, except the Si points well and steers honestly. So, I don't think
you will get into trouble with it in this respect. I would say that you
have to watch your speed as this car performs and by the time you have
enjoyed running through the first 5 gears and notch up into 6th you have
broken the speed limit anywhere. And, that's not even running it past 6500
rpm. (I did not want to distress the salesman by running a new car with 300
miles on it up to the 8,000 mark) .Loved the digital displays. Great for
someone who wears bifocals.

In sum -- I would buy it -- but I still really like my Prelude.