2004 Honda Civic Si-G Coupe Road Test

I strongly believe everyone and their dog has owned, owns or at some time in their life is going to own a Honda Civic. For example, I was driving downtown one afternoon

The 2004 Si Coupe has an updated front and rear fascia, with new headlights and tail lights making it even sleeker than its predecessor. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

when the traffic light turned red. I was the first to stop. Then alongside me pulled up a fellow Civic driver, and beside this person was another Civic (with a dog's head peeking out the front window). Turning right onto the same main road was another Civic, and then turning left the oncoming traffic included a Civic. I felt like I was in one of those "Civic Nation" commercials, the TV ad where there are at least a thousand Civics all decked out in import-tuner "drag," cruising the city streets and then magically ending up on the Bonneville salt flats; a charming commercial no doubt.

But of all the Civics in close proximity, mine delivered the most of the bells and whistles. First, the 2004 Si Coupe has an updated front and rear fascia, with new headlights and tail lights making it even sleeker than its predecessor. Although the

The $1,900 optional front, side and rear skirts really spice up the exterior. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

differences are subtle between this and last year's model, the updated rear lenses, now including circular reverse lights instead of the 2003 model's rectangular ones, are the main "indicators" that I was driving a 2004 Civic Si Coupe.

Next, my test Coupe had optional front, side and rear skirts, adding to the "Civic Nation" feel. For an extra $1,900 (CDN) the body-colored option made the exterior less boring - in fact, I really like it. But what would have made it look better would have been larger diameter wheels and tires. The sporty Si coupe only comes with 195/60R15 all season radials on 15-inch alloy wheels, with inexcusably no option to "size-up." With competition such as the Mazda3 and Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V both offering 17 inch wheels and tires as part of their top-of-the-line trim packages, the Civic just can't compete.