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1999 Honda CIVIC (Si Coupe)
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| Entry-Level Prices With Top-of-the-Line Quality |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 23:04:43 |
| Rating |
 2566 ( -303 -11.8% ) |
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Description:
1999 Honda CIVIC
1999 Honda CIVIC (Si Coupe):
Entry-Level Prices With Top-of-the-Line Quality
By Bruce Caldwell
Honda Civics are almost a car company within a car company. There are so many models and equipment levels that Honda has the subcompact field covered. With three body styles (4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, and 2-door hatchback), seven trim levels, and a choice of a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission, there are actually 19 different Civics. Not all trim levels and transmissions are available on all three bodies. Prices range from slightly over $10,000 to more than $17,000. The four-cylinder engines all displace 1.6-liters, but power levels vary from 106 hp to 160 hp.
Fuel economy is excellent for all Civics. EPA estimates go as high as 44 mpg highway for the HX coupe. On the low side, city estimates for automatic-equipped cars are still in the mid-twenties. Our hot rod test car, a 160 hp Civic Si, averaged 28 mpg in spite of very spirited driving. The high-revving DOHC Si engine has a redline of 8,000 rpm. It really comes alive in the 5,000 to 7,000 rpm range which isn't exactly mileage-miser territory.
One key to the great performance is Honda's VTEC system that alters valve timing and valve lift as rpm levels increase. This variable timing helps the Civic perform well without sacrificing fuel economy. We would have liked a little more power at lower rpms for those times when we didn't feel very aggressive.
The 'fun' factor was quite high for the Si coupe with its quick-revving engine, 5-speed manual transmission, Sport Suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, and larger P195/55R15 Michelin tires with handsome 7-spoke alloy wheels. The Si all but begs to be driven aggressively. Even the lower horsepower Civics are quite nimble and much more fun than your average subcompact car. Civics have a well deserved reputation for being much more than basic, boring transportation. Open road performance is very good, but so is everyday, around-town driving.
Quality construction, mechanical reliability, driving fun, good space utilization, and excellent resale value are traits that have made the Civic a perennial "Best Buy" and a best seller in its class. Those traits have also kept the competition engaged in a continual game of catch-up. Personal experience with these cars has validated the high quality/low maintenance traits and their stellar resale value.
Interior comfort was a highlight of our test Civic. The cloth covered bucket seats were firm and supportive, but still comfortable. There was some passenger grousing about the head rests not being snooze-friendly. Front legroom was excellent even for very tall people. There's a welcome dead pedal for the driver's left foot. A thick, leather steering wheel felt great, but the shift knob was a little small for us. Transmission and clutch action were generally fine, although reverse engagement was at times sticky.
Back seat comfort was pretty good for all but the tallest passengers. There was sufficient knee room, but the coupe roof was a little low. It is an adult-sized (two) rear seat. The split rear seat folds down to increase the already substantial trunk capacity. Interior storage bins and cupholders were average, not outstanding.
Gauges and controls were easy to read and use. The sound system was great and the medium-sized buttons were pretty intuitive. One of the best interior features on the top-of-the-line Si was its standard power moonroof with sliding sunshade. Our Si test car was a fully loaded, no options model. With so many trim levels, you can choose between bare bones and loaded--plus everything in-between.
We put a lot of miles on the Civic and enjoyed them all. Driving conditions varied greatly, but the Civic was excellent regardless of traffic or weather. Our complaints were very minor and probably a function of our sky-high expectations. Honda Civics are simply great cars with a well-deserved reputation.
PROS: Mechanical reliability, sound construction, fun performance, smart space utilization, interior comfort, excellent fuel economy, high resale value, lots of trim-level, equipment and style choices, very approachable pricetag
CONS: Slightly low coupe roof, only moderate power at low rpms, slightly sticky reverse engagement on manual |
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