Suffice it to say the Si-R is a blast to drive around town. When traffic gets congested, zipping across intersections and darting between lanes is easy. This thing is so much fun its no wonder Civic drivers get a bad name for their over-zealous driving habits. Responsible motorists in dawdling cars might honk as you zip past, but that's just in appreciation of your happy grin, no?
In a car that is so well sorted it might seem picky to find fault, but the clutch might be a tad too light. At first this is only slightly disconcerting during aggressive driving, yet this same problem becomes an asset while in heavy traffic.
Inside the Honda, all controls are clear and simple. The stereo, equipped with a CD, was easy to operate but unfortunately lacked the sound quality that most of its peers possess. Not that this is such a big deal for a car with an engine that sounds so melodious. Yet for many, a great song on a high quality stereo is an issue of earth shattering importance. The Honda needs a stereo that will light a fire under in your ears with the same intensity that the Si-R lights up the tires at its front end. This seemingly little thing is what customers are coming to expect in their little cars - especially those, like the Honda Civic Coupe Si-R, that are not at the bottom end of the feeding chain.
From behind the wheel, the drivers positioning is very good, with the pedals well located for fancy footwork during high spirited driving. Looking up, the Si-R is endowed with a large glass sunroof that makes the cabin feel even more spacious than it is. Unfortunately its operation was noisy and a little clunky, lacking the finesse of sunroofs found within many its competitors. As well, the interior on the whole, albeit well put together, isn't constructed of the highest grade of plastics - at least in the tactility department.