2005 Honda Civic Si New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 Honda Civic Si?
After making a handful of updates last year, the 2005 Honda Civic Si soldiers on without modification.

Advantages of the 2005 Honda Civic Si:

• Free-revving, 160-horsepower VTEC engine
• Snick-snick manual transmission
• Comfortable, supportive, well-bolstered sport seats
• Hatchback utility

Objections to the 2005 Honda Civic Si:

• Electric steering lacks road feel
• Odd doorstop styling

Editor's Advice:
Why buy the somewhat odd-looking 2005 Honda Civic Si over the more attractive and sportier 2005 Acura RSX? There's barely a grand of difference between base prices, and the Acura has a longer warranty with roadside assistance tossed in for good measure. Both offer hatchback utility, both have a free-revving 160-horsepower VTEC engine, and both provide crisp and rewarding handling. So what if rear seat passengers aren't as comfortable in the Acura? Honda Civic Si sales have been dragging along near the bottom of the charts since the company resurrected this sporty model for 2002, and we doubt that they'll improve as long as the Acura RSX is hanging around and making much more sense.