In the 1980’s, there was an abundance of fun-to-drive inexpensive small cars for the thrifty enthusiasts to choose from: Honda CRX Si, Dodge Omni GLH and the Toyota Corolla FX16, to name three. These little hot rods went the way of line dancing and leg warmers. Like Burt Reynolds and the junk bond, the pocket rocket was making a comeback.
Enter the 1999 Honda Civic Si. Powered by a 160-hp 1.6-liter all-aluminum DOHC VTEC four-cylinder, donated from the defunct Del Sol, the Civic Si had a redline of 8000 rpm, one of the industry’s slickest shifting 5-speeds, and enough acceleration to give BMW 323i drivers a lesson in frugality. The Civic SI’s handling was also enough to embarrass more expensive machinery thanks to a fully independent, double wishbone suspension, stiffer springs and dampers, larger front and rear stabilizer bars, bigger four-wheel disc brakes and fat 195/55r15 tires on machine finished alloy wheels.
What Junkies are Saying