Good review here, thanks.
TL


"TWW" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news1Dtf.25752$Ou3.19702@dukeread09...
> 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.
>
>