SRT Or SI

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: iFX

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Both are so poseur rice they're hard to recommend but the SI, though slower, will at least be a LITTLE classier and hold resale.

Neon SRT4: 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, top speed 153 mph - all for $19,995. Yeah, it's just a poseur car. Moron.

As for the interior, the Neon is pretty nice for the price if you ask me. The seats in the Neon are fantastic! Anyone who has sat in one knows this to be true.

I'm not a "pocket rocket" or "hot hatch" kinda guy but I can recognize the SRT Neon is a seriously quick car and is definitely not a "show only" car.

Wow, what about one that recommends Neon, biggest crap on 4 wheels - no matter how much you sweeten it it is still a crap.

For a good reason they stopped making it. That shall be the best argument.

 

[dirtboy]

At at 13,000 purchase price, what does it matter which retains its value better??

 

[overst33r]

If you care about power, get the neon. If you care about handling, get the neon. If you want the "cool" car, get the civic. I don't think resale value is as big of a negative on teh neon as people make it out to be. The car was sold for 19k in 03 and 6 years later it still has nearly 70% of its value. Both are overpriced IMO.

 

[helpme]

I have an SRT-4 as my track car, my buddy has an 2007 SI (I also have a TSX as a DD, so both american and Japanese cars here).

IF you are doing mostly freeway crusing and aren't a major torque person, then go with the SI. It is a FAR more comfy car for normal driving (cruse control, non-droning exaust, etc).

If you want a car that is about (cheap) speed, go with the SRT-4.

The SI has better handling out of the box, but of course it is down on power.

The SRT-4 is up on power, but low on creature comforts (it was intended to be this way).

SRT-4 Durability: Mine has 130k, and about 2,000 track miles. I bought it at 120k, and a few minor parts have needed replacing (Idle air control motor, plug wires, plugs), but it seems to be holding up to some serious punishment on the track.

Resale: Yes, the SRT is going to lose value faster. However, a problem with both cars is finding ones that have not been beat on by idiots.

I wish the neon had a better interior, but it does what it is supposed to do really well (letting you blast around for cheap). The Si is a good compromise, while the SRT-4 is on the other extreme.

 

[KentState]

What we need to know is if this a daily driver or a fun car. If you have to live every day with it, I would do the SI, otherwise the SRT4. Also, if you want something as straight line fast as the SRT4 and around the same price, look a 2005 GTO. I've seen plenty with decent mileage around $15k which I'm sure you could talk down. I've had the small 4 door turbo car and would rather go back to the Goat.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: KentState
What we need to know is if this a daily driver or a fun car. If you have to live every day with it, I would do the SI, otherwise the SRT4. Also, if you want something as straight line fast as the SRT4 and around the same price, look a 2005 GTO. I've seen plenty with decent mileage around $15k which I'm sure you could talk down. I've had the small 4 door turbo car and would rather go back to the Goat.

yeah, i didn't even think about the GTO.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: iFX

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Both are so poseur rice they're hard to recommend but the SI, though slower, will at least be a LITTLE classier and hold resale.

Neon SRT4: 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, top speed 153 mph - all for $19,995. Yeah, it's just a poseur car. Moron.

As for the interior, the Neon is pretty nice for the price if you ask me. The seats in the Neon are fantastic! Anyone who has sat in one knows this to be true.

I'm not a "pocket rocket" or "hot hatch" kinda guy but I can recognize the SRT Neon is a seriously quick car and is definitely not a "show only" car.

I have sat in the SRT and thought the seats were horrid. Was like sinking into a couch with hard bolsters on the side. No thanks! I want a supportive seat, not a piece of foam.

Neither of these cars really do it for me, but I'd probably pick the SI. Just a better overall package. Sure it's not as fast but all around it's a nice combination of Honda quality.

However for 13k I'd be looking at something with RWD.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I am drowning in rice in this thread...

 

[angry hampster]

I'd get a GTI VR6 over both of those. Same price range and worlds nicer.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: helpme
I have an SRT-4 as my track car, my buddy has an 2007 SI (I also have a TSX as a DD, so both american and Japanese cars here).

IF you are doing mostly freeway crusing and aren't a major torque person, then go with the SI. It is a FAR more comfy car for normal driving (cruse control, non-droning exaust, etc).

If you want a car that is about (cheap) speed, go with the SRT-4.

The SI has better handling out of the box, but of course it is down on power.

The SRT-4 is up on power, but low on creature comforts (it was intended to be this way).

SRT-4 Durability: Mine has 130k, and about 2,000 track miles. I bought it at 120k, and a few minor parts have needed replacing (Idle air control motor, plug wires, plugs), but it seems to be holding up to some serious punishment on the track.

Resale: Yes, the SRT is going to lose value faster. However, a problem with both cars is finding ones that have not been beat on by idiots.

I wish the neon had a better interior, but it does what it is supposed to do really well (letting you blast around for cheap). The Si is a good compromise, while the SRT-4 is on the other extreme.

I've been in a friend's 06 SI and it is definitely nicer in the interior than the neon but you give up a lot of power for the "niceness" in the inside. you have to ask yourself what is more important to you, speed or interior/fit & finish.

My SRT has 38k miles on it with about 100 autox miles. Never had one problem with it. The interior did start to rattle in one place but I fixed it right up. From what I felt, the SI didn't handle as well as my SRT but probably cus I have the ACR. The stock tranny felt much smoother than my SRT even after bushings/short shifter. Great smoothness in tranny. It's a lot less harsh in the roads and such. I really do like the new SI's. They look good and handle decent but having to rev the crap out of it felt worse than turbo lag but since the SRT has such a small turbo, there is practically none. Just remember, the SRT is far easier to get more power out of than for cheaper than the SI. Yes there are more aftermarket parts for it but for the cost of I/H/E you could get a lot more power with the SRT.

I guess it's just me but I never get why people knock on the SRT's interior. Yes the SI has an nicer interior but the SRT has a fine interior. I guess maybe it's because I came from old beetle's and have no interior to speak of.

Oh and the seats aren't for everyone. Guys that sit in my car like them, most girls do not. They hold you in the turns like nobody's business though.

 

[helpme]

I guess I shouldn't comment about the handling since I have an 03 with no LSD and he's looking at an 05.

I went down to horse theif mile with my friend with the Si (and another friend with a AWD Talon) and hated that place. Tight turns and no LSD were a recipie for diaster. I still maintained over a 1.5 second lap advantage over both of them, (Horse thief is only 1 minute long) but it sure as hell was NOT fun.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: helpme
I guess I shouldn't comment about the handling since I have an 03 with no LSD and he's looking at an 05.

I went down to horse theif mile with my friend with the Si (and another friend with a AWD Talon) and hated that place. Tight turns and no LSD were a recipie for diaster. I still maintained over a 1.5 second lap advantage over both of them, (Horse thief is only 1 minute long) but it sure as hell was NOT fun.

Mine handled better I'm sure cus of the handling upgrades the ACR comes with stock so it's probably not fair to compare it's handling to the ACR.

 

[amdhunter]

Damn. That neon is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that civic in power. I don't know if I'd like to own a neon though.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: evident
the SRT is def faster than the SI, but that's all it's got over it.

true story

reliability: honda
resale: honda
cheaper parts&labor: honda
quality interior: honda

Cheaper parts and labor??, where do you live, in Osaka?.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

in new york city

 

[zerocool84]

Oh and nobody has pointed this out is that he said his insurance would be cheaper and we all know about the high rate of Si's getting stolen or stripped for their parts.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Oh and nobody has pointed this out is that he said his insurance would be cheaper and we all know about the high rate of Si's getting stolen or stripped for their parts.

Good point, another reason domestics are usually cheaper to fix..

 

[vshah]

i have a 2007 SI sedan. don't fool yourself into thinking its in the same league as the SRT performance wise. it isn't. and its not easy to mod these cars. you will spend ~1500 on I/H/E and end up with ~200whp. stock SIs put out around 180. its a great commuter car that can be quite fun to drive when the mood strikes. so, if you're interested in comfortable commuting with a splash of fun thrown in, the SI is a good choice. if you are planning to mod or want a serious track car then of the two, I would go with the SRT, although for 13k there are probably better (rwd) options.

edit: forgot to mention, if mileage is a factor, i get 25mpg around town (driving lightly) and 33 on the highway in the SI.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Oh and nobody has pointed this out is that he said his insurance would be cheaper and we all know about the high rate of Si's getting stolen or stripped for their parts.

Is that the '02-06 model, or the previous gen? IIRC, the previous gen model with the B16A2 was prone for theft.

 

[ehhhh]

Where's the neither option?
The SRT gets respect for it damn good performance, but reeks economy rental car. Si is nice but the chance of getting stolen? If you're going to do road racing get the SRT if it's just a daily get the SI.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: KentState
What we need to know is if this a daily driver or a fun car. If you have to live every day with it, I would do the SI, otherwise the SRT4. Also, if you want something as straight line fast as the SRT4 and around the same price, look a 2005 GTO. I've seen plenty with decent mileage around $15k which I'm sure you could talk down. I've had the small 4 door turbo car and would rather go back to the Goat.

yeah, i didn't even think about the GTO.

GTO is win for that kind of $$$. If performance and long-term reliability were my concern, there's no way in hell I'd be springing for a 4-banger FWD setup.

'05 400HP GTO, 37k Miles, $11.5k

'98 Corvette 6Spd Coupe, 52k miles, $14.5k

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: KentState
What we need to know is if this a daily driver or a fun car. If you have to live every day with it, I would do the SI, otherwise the SRT4. Also, if you want something as straight line fast as the SRT4 and around the same price, look a 2005 GTO. I've seen plenty with decent mileage around $15k which I'm sure you could talk down. I've had the small 4 door turbo car and would rather go back to the Goat.

yeah, i didn't even think about the GTO.

GTO is win for that kind of $$$. If performance and long-term reliability were my concern, there's no way in hell I'd be springing for a 4-banger FWD setup.

'05 400HP GTO, 37k Miles, $11.5k

'98 Corvette 6Spd Coupe, 52k miles, $14.5k

The ad for the GTO says "rebuilt title due to theft recovery" so this particular one might be risky but in general if you would go to say, 14K should be able to find one and that's cheap for that kind of fun!. Always a good idea to check with your insurance agent before you purchase ANY performance vehicle, sometimes it gets ridiculous due to the performance and theft history of certain cars..

 

[bananapeel42]

yea, rebuilt title for 11.5k is fine, 11.5k on a low mileage 05/06 is below blackbook

 

[Specop 007]

I have no idea what your needs are or what your bidget limit is.

If it were me I'd have these choices.

Import: 350Z or RX8
Domestic: Mustang or GTO

Or your choices listed.....Probably a SI, under the assumption the primary use is as a daily driver. Sure fire breathing exhaust is fun but if 90% of the time your stuck in traffic I'll give up some power to have some comfort.

 

[vshah]

one other thing to remember about the SI: the gearing is very short. the engine does 3000rpm at 70mph on the highway. economy, like i said earlier, is fine at ~33mpg, but the noise might bother you. i don't notice it, but you should be sure you're comfortable with it. i'd guess the SRT would be noisier anyway