Need some info from the seasoned, please
 

Hello All,

I'm brand new to the forums as a participating member, been reading for a couple months now. Still fairly new to the whole car seen, so my knowledge base is lets say still growing, heh.

Although the issue I'm having is I'm looking between a 2011 Honda Civic Si Coupe and the current 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe (I'm aware the 2011 is coming soon and will probably be looking at that as it comes closer to my time of actually laying the money down on the table).

Which ever car I buy I'm looking at putting a turbocharger for my FI mod. And possibly building the engine as I go and money becomes available to do it.

However, I'm not clear on which vehicle would get the best response from the above mentioned mod and my hard earned cash. I'm really liking the Z and as many have already stated there are Civics in every garage for miles. I do like the prestige that not everyone has a Z. So it's definitely winning me over in the looks category.

I'm currently overseas in Iraq and going home on R&R leave this month and wanting to probably test drive the Z. (As I've already driven a boosted Civic Si 09). What's making the choice hard, is my best friend is a Honda nut from A-Z, no real issue there. Just all the advice he gives is that Honda is the best and that any other choice is rubbish or won't see the same returns for the same mods/money spent. And a few other friends are in the other category that the 370Z and other cars are more appealing and can give the same numbers (whp).

Except it's not all about WHP at the moment, as the new car will replace my daily driver for awhile. I want something I'm not going to feel embarrassed about being seen in. My best friend wants me to buy a used Civic to save money for a turbo kit and I told him the last few we looked at a year ago were gutted and ravaged inside and out, and his response was "but they had built engines and could easily have a boost kit installed". I had to remind him the interior was crap or gone, the engine has no emissions equipment on it, so I'd have to get that added before going to the DMV and I really don't feel like inheriting someone else problems for my next car.

I know I've read that a few members are ex-Civic (or Honda) owners, and I'm really looking to see what the comparable differences are. I mean I can look at the spec's and see the obvious, but what about power to handling between the two? Overall feel between them? Speed and whp gains through mods? I'm already assuming mods for the Z will be more then the Honda, I'm not really concerned about this aspect, as I'm not looking to do it all right away but step by step as I learn more about cars in general and the 370Z as I went along modding it.

Well if you're still reading this long winded post, I thank you for your endurance and hope to get some honest feedback that can help with this choice, thanks in advance.

Kain

ps. sorry if this seems really silly.

Z hands down. Z vs. Civic Si? You have to be kidding! It's an easy choice...

The Z is a pure sports car. The Civic Si is the "performance" model of a cute 2-door economy car.

:ninja3:how old are you? (not you mustang lol!)

Oh boy, ok. Kind of the response I was thinking I was going to get.

I'm 24 yrs old. Does this really effect the situation though? I'm just curious.

Well, honestly, asking about the differences between a 370Z and Civic Si is downright insulting!

The 370Z is LEAGUES above the Civic Si in EVERY aspect of performance.

They are two completely different cars for two completely different roles.

The Z is a gorgeous two-seat rear wheel drive sports car. It is faster than the Civic and handles better. It is a true performance car.

The Civic Si is a performance-modified putt-putter. It is a front wheel drive four-seater. It is worlds better on gas and probably better to drive in snowy or wet conditions to get where you're going. It is probably fun to drive, but nowhere near as fast, and it simply can not take corners as well as a Z, not while the front wheels are both pulling the car and steering it.

I don't mean to insult anyone, it's just the two vehicles I was looking at. And I've already read that others have been prior Honda owners, just trying to get honest feedback, not insult anyone's sensibilities.

Is there anything I can say that won't result in a lashing?

Don't mind him. He doesn't even own a Z. lolol.

No lashing. I tried to spell out in my post what the diffs are.

No, you're fine.

Just get the 370Z and everything will be juuust fine. You'd have to do quite a lot to the Si just to get it anywhere close to a stock 370Z's performance!

Also, thank you. :usa:

No lashing, but the Z v. Si is in most minds not a debate really.
The Si is a grocery getter without a turbo, you can add one, the Z is a sports car.

@Shadoquad:

Thank you that was more what I was looking for in a response. I guess I should've added that I live in Arizona, there's not much snow or rain to deal with. Then it sounds to me the Z is what I'm looking for from the two cars, thanks.

I actually like the 8th gen. Civic's (I have one as a DD), but there isn't much, if any, comparison here. 370Z hands down on all categories, except for moonroof... though a member here did get an aftermarket moonroof installed on his Z.

You seem really set on having a FI car, so perhaps you should also look at factory-FI cars?

Also, are you at Huachuca?

You're friend probably wants you to get a Si because he knows your Z will probably still keep up with him while stock and boosted you'd blow him out of the water. All while still handling way better. :tup:

Get the Si, you won't go as fast, so you'll get less tickets.

I have to agree, the SI is a great car. BUT.... there is only so much you can do with FWD (IMHO). That is why I moved from my 2008 Accord V6 coupe to the RWD 370. I'll never look back. Although the Honda was/is a great car, I can't see a "puller" doing the same handling as the RWD 370. You may get some people disagreeing.... but for me, RWD is the way to go.

From a purely asthetic perspective, if you want someting nice, the Z hands down. people don't look at civic si's any differently than a civic ex etc. I've gotten waves and nods from people in porsche 911's etc. The civic SI is the sporty version of a 2 door version of a 4 door subcompact economy car. The Z is a sports car that has a history, and has evolved and every generation is unique, while improving upon the last. the evolution of the civic is that it has managed to get progressively less shitty each new model year.

RWD>FWD
2 seater sports car vs4 seater coupe
power and great handling vs fuel economy

Not to be overly critical of your friend, but he sounds like a bit of a honda fanboy. you make it seem like he says 'honda w/ mods=better than anything' not true. I'm no Z fanboy. if you were talking about Z vs getting a cheap supra and modding the **** out of it, i'd say, whatever you want, both will be awesome cars, but civics not really anything to get excited about. i can wholeheartedly say that i would rather have a Z over some 500-800whp civic with full mods, even if it was tasteful.

Theres a ton of other cars you can get for cheap and turn into a really great project car that will get great performance AND looks to boot. nissan 240sx, 03/04 mustang cobra, toyota supra, 300zx, subaru wrx STI, Lancer EVO, even a 350z can be had for pretty cheap. if you want a new car, get the Z. If you want a project car, i can go on naming a bunch of other cars that have way more potential than a civic SI.

so do you want a project car or a new car?

and potentially one less "Crashed Z, VDC Off" thread:tup:

Heh, getting the Si for less tickets isn't really an issue for me. But thank you for the concern.

@Waaaasabi:
It's actually complicated, but simple version is, I got out of the Army a year ago and they recalled me back to go to Iraq for a year. Yay!

The 370Z is what I was looking at from the start. The Civic was just one that was throw on the table as an alternative by my friend. So in all honesty, I was 90% sure I was getting the Z when I go home for good. I just wanted the 10% of "what if" in the back of my mind blown away, and thankfully you've done that in one fell-swoop, heh.

@m4a1mustang:
Thanks for the appreciation. And by the way I'm a fan of the weapon you chose for your username.

Thanks again to all who posted, I've been reassured I'm buying the right vehicle.

i suppose for a 24yr old guy like yourself either car will do fine. i asked because these 2 completely different cars have its benefits.

4door sedan = family car dd friendly + carry your friends around.

2door sports car = not family friendly, but since you dont sound like you got kids who cares!

if budget is something to consider, check with your insurance agent on wat the rates are. fuel consumption the Z is pretty hungry.

Hey, KainZ, if it helps your Honda buddies, it would probably be harder to make that choice if they still made the S2000 or NSX.

word. honda has made some way better cars than the civic si. thats what i was trying to say before. some WAY better modding cars out there than a civic.

Wow, I can honestly say I could have never imagined somebody actually asking this.

The only cars Honda has ever made that even compete in the same league as the 370Z are the NSX and S2000. Not even the Civic Type-R, Integra Type-R, nothing else...

The NSX and 370Z are are very good match-up but the 370Z simply has more power potential, though it is definitely less exotic. The S2000 doesn't even compare as it's completely anemic compared to the 370Z, but it is also a very good car.

I won't even address your Civic question. As people have already described, the only thing it shares in common with the 370Z is that it has 4 wheels and tires.

Hey man, I bought mine after I got back from the 'Stan; you will not regret the gift. I only asked if you wanted to consider factory-FI cars because you also have the choice of picking up a new 335i for ~38k.

You can still buy a Civic for DD purposes :D

:iagree: I'm set on getting a NSX within the next 2 years or so.

335i for 38k? where?

Alrighty, well you've all given me alot of info, some more slap-stick then I thought I was going to get but it's all for a good cause. Again, didn't mean to ruffle anyone's feathers about comparing the two cars, as even I with as little knowledge as I have can openly tell these cars are in different leagues. They were just the two options I was currently looking at.

I'm not looking to get into his Honda club. Don't get me wrong they're nice people and all, but I want my car to be for me, not to please someone else. And the 370Z looks and sounds like it's going to be that car for me.

Yeah, no family yet, but when I do the Civic will still be around to buy to take the kids to soccer practice or whatever they're into, if their mother isn't doing that while I race around in my Z. (Just kidding I wouldn't do that to her.)

Again, thanks for all the immediate responses, I had no idea I would get this many this fast, glad to see a very active board. And supportive if not a little tongue and cheek depending on what you ask, heh. It's all good though. I think I've found my new home when I get home in a 370Z. :)

@Waaaasabi:
When were you in Afghanistan and what branch? If you don't mind me asking.

BMW has a special program for service members deployed overseas; they offer ridiculous discounts on a lot of their cars. When I was deployed and inquired about the program, they sent me price sheets for the 325 and 335 - I don't remember what options were available for the 335i, but I recall it was ~38k. I'm pretty sure the program is still in place, although the prices may have gone up slightly to proportionately match MSRP increases.

01/2008 - 05/2009; Army. How about you?

I had a 2007 4-door Civic Si prior to having my 2009 NISMO 370Z. The Honda is a fine car and more versatile. The interior, power, and price definitely put the 370Z in a different league however. In either scenario you're getting what you pay for. Depending on your finances it may be a better move to get the Civic though. One thing to consider is no car is perfect no matter how much you pay. If you're the type that obsesses over things having the cheaper car may give you more peace of mind. You won't go wrong either way.

May 10 - May/June 11; Army. Found out first hand, IRR DOES get called back from time to time. But this will put me past my 8 yr contract, so I'm done after this.

I had heard about the deals for BMW's (was a bit of an M3 fan for a few years when I was active), but then I saw that they took down the promo stuff on their website, I don't know if they still have that or not for soldiers.

I'm not really an obsessive person, I just needed some slightly less Honda-biased opinions. And I think I found the right place. As for finances, nah all good on those, being deployed overseas allows for good money saving. Especially, being unmarried with no kids.

Please don't take this the wrong way.If you have to ask which one of the two is a better car............come on...... 370 hands down in every department,except base sound system....it sucks....

anyway i heard honda makes a hell of a lawn mower...........

First off-- I think the current Si is an amazing car. Most of the hate you will hear is from people that have never driven one. It is a light, fun, tossable car, at least relative to most new cars.

But if you're trying to turbo, it is the wrong platform. You don't want a FWD platform to start from. You're just asking to frustrate yourself.

Honestly, if you're trying to mod the car heavily, I wouldn't recommend the 370 either. The aftermarket support is meh at best, and the cars aren't really making impressive amount of power. There are plenty of options that are proven to be reliable, and the Z hasn't been shown to handle abuse for extended periods of time-- not that it can't, per se, we just don't know.

If you feel like you need some more direction, I'm happy to help out as much as I can, and point you to some good resources.

I owned an 8th gen before my Z. Very nice commuter car. :)

I'd rather get a CR-Z over a Civic Si. they're much more fun to drive.

As a long time Honda fanatic and current Turbo CRX driver I can preach to no end the reliability of the engine, the affordability of the mods, the endless options from a wide spectrum of aftermarket parts, and overall entertainment in driving a Honda.

If you're considering a used Honda, DON'T get a Civic. Not even the 2011. Definitely don't get a Civic thats been modified or "built". There is no telling how those cars were driven or the quality of the work done to them. If I was going to get another Honda I'd look for a bone stock 4th or 5th gen Prelude or RSX. Those are great Honda/Acura platforms to start with.

You'll still run into the front wheel drive problem. Even if you boost your car to 400 HP you're still going to have a hard time putting that power down. I honestly don't suggest it. RWD is the way to go.

I cannot say much about the Z since I may now have to wait up to six months to get my hands on one. :( [grrrr]

BUT...

The guys on this site are an excellent source of info and you should take your time and read through the threads posted here. Many members have posted every little step of their builds and most offer an honest opinion when it comes to their purchases. The info on this site has pretty much guaranteed my next car will be the 370z.

Go Z. :driving:

i'm one of the guys who went from an 08 civic si fg2 to a 2010 370z. i have a lot of thoughts on the transition and the comparison, and i'll post up a few once i get home from work.

I agree with most of the things said earlier, but to add some info. The civic is getting a complete new model in 2012 which sounds great and all but.... the 2012 comes out in april 2011. which means ur brand new civic si, is going to be not so brand new in 6 months.

Not to insult you or anything, but why is your friend making the decision on what you buy with your money? >.>

And as everyone else has said, the Z is a sports car; Civic is a grocery getter.

Z and si is a COMPLETE different cars. Z is a sports car and si isnt. slapping a TC on a civic si is pointless. A person will admire a stock 370z way more than a turbo charged si no doubt. I personally think 370z doesnt need a TC due to its superior performance......not to mention it will cost you well over 10k+ But having a TC on a 370z will basically turn it into a GTR. But you do realized 370z is 10k more expensive than a si right? si has NOTHING on the Z, not that im saying si is bad or anything.

Heh, yes I've gotten the jist of the cars being in two different realms. And yes, the base stock model of the 2010 370Z at MSRP is $31k, while the 2011 Civic Si is roughly $22k at MSRP. I looked them both up and did a build of both that would suit my liking.

@sonic370: That'd be an interesting site to behold, a Honda Civic Mower. heh

@Trent1331: He's not trying to control, just "heavily influence"? heh

@Thoriumhotdog: Thanks for the info.
@butdamnbrian: I look forward to seeing what your thoughts are.