2006 Honda Civic Si Road Test

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

At 6,000 rpm the system engages, the engine's note sharply transformed into an alarming, reedy bark that remains until the tachometer sweeps past 8,000 revs- fast enough to turn lesser engines to shrapnel. A shift-light warns you if you've overstayed your welcome in the red-zone, in which case the next cog is just a slick, short flick of your wrist away as you row through the ratios of one of the best manual gearboxes around. The light clutch action and well defined shifts mean minimal pauses in acceleration if you're switching gear hastily.

The sound effects generated by the VTEC changeover, as well as the visual stimulus from the frantic blinking shift light put you into sensory overload--I'm sure I'm not the only one to have done a run through first, second, and third gears before realizing I wasn't breathing the entire

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

time. Just note that the local police department probably doesn't think the changeover sound is as cool as you will, so use it sparingly.

With the six-speed stick, the gears are shorter, meaning more VTEC and less speeding tickets.

Observed mileage of 10 liters per 100 km, even in VTEC-exploring city driving was welcome. Highway mileage at a sustained 115 km/h amounted to around 8 liters per 100 km--very respectable indeed.

Add to the awesome experience generated by the powerplant the grip generated by its 17-inch wheels and tires, the composed suspension and sharp steering, and you've got yourself one heck of a rocket. Its short on torque, sure--and cars like the new GTI and Cobalt Supercharged would leave it behind in a drag race, but with a helical limited slip differential, and sport suspension, it's a champ in the twisties. The Si positively bites into corners when rushed, rather than spinning away the inside wheel and wasting your tires. Four wheel ABS discs with brake-force distribution mean stopping power fitting of the rest of the package. I found the back

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

end of the Si to be delightfully light, and when entering corners fast on the brakes, you can explore a little oversteer. The chassis is doesn't sacrifice any and all comfort either. The ride is very firm but not harsh or jarring.

After a week trying out the Si and some of its friends (or enemies perhaps), I came to the conclusion likely reached by most of this cars fans. If you need something fun with four wheels and a warranty, this is arguably the best you'll find for its respectable starting price of around $26,100.

What's Hot:

The Drivetrain: Takes a lickin', revs like a motorbike, sounds like an arcade game, returns good mileage. Great shifter and clutch action.

The Handling: Grip, grip and more grip- yet still comfortable.

The Look: Turns heads everywhere it goes and its fans all love it. I've never been called "dude" so many times in a week before in my life.

What's Not so Hot:

Upholstery: The seats and surfaces are clad in that dog-and-cat-hair-attracting felt-like fabric that shows every spec of dirt.

Electronic Throttle: Feels too artificial for hardcore enthusiasts.

Visibility: Pedestrian-blocking pillars and considerable blind spots take some getting used to. Living room window-sized windscreen isn't for everybody.