I loved the Prelude from this era. It was the ultimate in Honda design language then. I love the ultra-low hood line, it's low and wide stance, and clean, slick styling. It is a design that still looks attractive today, even if a little dated.
I love motorweek videos because they're straight to the point. General overview, engine specs, 0-60, 1/4 mile, overall thoughts. No weird etcetera stuff forced in.
I miss Honda's "go-kart" era. Now they all look like spaceships and feel like marshmallows. The steering feel is what I love about my 99 - an otherwise mundane little commuter.
+David Hoffnung The new model is huge to boot..If you like the go kart handling try a protege 5 Just as reliable to boot.. Mazdas even the newer ones still retain some of these properties as well.
Luis Coqui I've always loved the P5 - and lately I've really been coming around to Mazdas. I'll still probably go for a 90's one because I'm a sucker for 90's cars - but I'd chose a Mazda partially because you can actually still find relatively low-mileage engines for them. Good luck finding a D or B series in viable condition these days!
David Hoffnung I can attest for sure i had 1st gen Protege and currently the 3rd gen Protege a P5. both are reliable..i think the 1st gen edges out in the reliability by a small margin..If you get the 1st gen make sure you get the Dohc LX model a 93 or 94.
Unless I'm not mistaken, the 99 had a 1.6 L motor that hit the rare 100hp/ liter, rarely seen on a naturally aspirated engine. Smooth shifting, and 8k(?) Redline I think.
Mine is a red 1991 Civic DX. Here's what I love about it: -- Routinely gets 40 mpg highway, upper 30's in city -- Super reliable, always starts on first crank, except on rare occasion when a certain part such as alternator finally fails; starter finally failed after 25 years -- Average $500 per year in repair and maintenance, but then no monthly car payments either; insurance is inexpensive as well -- Cargo space; (with front seat removed) was able to bring home a bathroom door; then a medium-sized refrigerator (11 cu ft); 4' x 8' plywood fits perfectly between dashboard and rear door -- does not have airbags, anti-lock brakes, etc., but has large windows all-around for excellent visibility; light, responsive rack-and-pinion steering -- IMO, looks more elegant than today's potato-shaped, squnty-window, overgrown cars And TBH, the not so good: -- Wish it had a little more power (80-odd hp when new, I believe), but engine swap is an option; maintaining highway speed is no problem, just have to make do with less acceleration and let people pass if they must (see Aikido) -- Certainly not as crashworthy as, say, a Volvo or any SUV -- Wind noise, especially on the highway, but I zone out anyway -- People may judge that I can't afford a "better" car (lol, actually I can, but I love my Civic)
I had one just like the review car, it was my first brand new car purchase and I kept it for 10 years. Great little car, very fun and frugal. I agree with the more power wish list, the odd thing was that in other markets they offered an Si-R version which had DOHC and early implementation of Vtec that engine made between 124-132hp depending on the market. I believe Honda didn't bring it stateside because it would have upset the hierarchy internally with the Prelude and externally with the Acura Integra. Even the following generation Civic Si (which got that DOHC 1.6L 4) had other market versions making 160-170hp.
My moms best friend had one of these. Original owner and kept it until recently. It was a stick shift too. She kept it bc it was ultra reliable and economical. It was interesting to see a lady in her 60s being constantly stalked by young boys lusting over her civic and asking to buy it from her.
This made me laugh. I'm in my 60s and l would constantly have young men following me into car lots and asking if they could buy my car. There is one young man who has kept in contact with me and now l am ready to sell it. I feel bad that my husband did not keep it in pristine condition but with a little cosmetic work, elbow grease and a new paint job, it should look great again. My husband doesn't want to maintain it anymore since we both bought new cars. This car is so much fun to drive but time to pass the baton.
Haha!! Wow centenon, you sure are a crabby one aren't you? Calm down there guy, just a comment. Don't get your panties in a bunch... ; ) Trouble is, many people's definition of "supercar" is subjective... To me, Cars like the Ferrari 308, BMW M1, Lotus Esprit, Ferrari Mondial and Lamborghini Jalpa would be considered supercars. But I'm sure according to you, they're mere sports cars, so as to support your unnecessary argument.. So be it.. Some folks just need to be nasty and hateful I guess, to each their own! Also, the Testarosa's times varied based on publication.. Many posting 0-60 times of 5.5, or even 5.8.. Mere tenths off of the little Civic SI's 6.0 second run. OH.. And XD
Spiritcr1jsher yup. Had two Accords. A ‘98 and an ‘06. Both 5 speeds. The ‘98 was so incredibly well built in every regard. The ‘06 was full blown “meh”. My dad had an ‘09 and we both exited Honda for our current cars. He went For an Outback and I have an ‘18 Mazda6. Honda just kept heading the wrong way in terms of fit and finish. My in laws have a ‘17 Civic and it’s just the most un inspiring thing to drive ever.
@@ebrente yeah , I have an ILX I use as a commuter ( aka older civic si) and it's nothing special. My next commuter is 100% going to be a mazda miata . The one honda I think is a great buy for the money is my wife's acura TLXawd a spec. Awesome car , standard with everything and was pretty inexpensive to lease.
I remember, as a kid, hearing guys complain about how the suits killed the great cars of the 50s/60s. I thought that would never be me. Though I never thought today's small cars would be approaching mid-seventies land yacht weights...
Any Autocrosser will tell you that this '89 Civic SI is legendary. The extreme light weight platform and double wishbone suspension makes them untouchable in the modified front wheel drive class. Nothing is faster and nothing will be since they can't make cars this light anymore.
My moms best friend was an original owner of one up until maybe 10 yrs ago. She loved it for its reliability and it was economical. It was also in amazing condition. It was interesting to see a middle aged lady being stalked by young men everywhere she went asking to buy her car, most likely to be modified for racing.
A little red '90 base model Civic hatchback was the first new car I ever bought. I had the dealer add A/C for $1,000 bucks and the final sales price was $8,300 out the door. It regularly got 39-40 mpg on the highway at 75 mph and was really fun to drive, even though it only had 70hp. Sold it with 200,000 miles on it after 10 years. Truly one of the best cars I ever owned.
Back then, 9 second 0-60 was fast! Luxury cars like the new Lexus LS did it in about 9.5 secs, according to Motrweek. Major mags regularly got about 8 seconds. This was about 4 years before safety features like ABS and airbags came to the line
I found this test interesting because my 91 Si ran to 60 in the much lower 8s and when I took it to the track after it had 120k+ miles, I got 15.9 @ 84MPH. That was stock. After I/H/E, I never did make it back to the track. It did get to 60 in ~ 7 flat though. Something to note is that I had it dyno'd and it made almost the same numbers claimed at the crank at the wheels. 108HP was 107.6 @ the wheels and 100lb/ft was 105lb/ft @ the wheels. Brought back some fond memories and I sold my Rio Red one in 2007. Wish I still had it.
My first car was a 1986 Civic SI hatchback and for the money (less than $9000) it was a fine car. I then bought a 2006 & it was a fun car too and I now have a 2015 & the same thing is true. For the price it's hard to beat it in many ways.
I was old enough to drive in 1998. At that time , there was plenty of these still onthe road. These cars were a blast for a high school student like myself at that time. My friend owned one , and at about 2200 pounds the 108 HP was a blast. All thiscar needed was a little wider and lower tires , say like 195/50/15 , and it handled like a dream. Stiffen the suspension by 25-30% , and it was like driving on rails.For that reason alone , Civics and Integras were so popular during the 90's , andeven way through late 2000's , and still today.
I had a brand new 1989 Civic between late 1989 and late 1991 base model dx I believe while living in Germany while in the military. I used to drive from Heilbronn to Furth on the Autobahn around 3 times a week for about a year, approx. 105 miles one way. This was fairly flat. I could maintain 115 mph the whole way no problem. The fastest I ever went was approx. 130mph done hill on the Autobahn between Heilbronn and Stuttgart, the speedometer only went to 125 and it was past this. This I would say was extremely unstable at this speed, It felt like the front end was slightly lifting up. I believe I only did this once. Most of the money you pay for high end sports cars goes into stability at extreme speeds which this car was not built for.
Let's do some math here. The closest thing to this today is a Honda Fit in all honesty as the Civic has become bloated and overweight. The MSRP of a 2015 Fit EX-L (closest thing to an Si today) is $20,925. The MSRP of this 1989 Civic Si is $9,980...adjusted for inflation that is $19,053. The modern fit produces 130 HP whereas the 1989 Civic Si produces 108 HP. The 89 Civic gets an average of 35 mpg whereas the 15 Fit averages 34 mpg. I could go on about safety (the Fit has multiple airbags and safety beams whereas the Civic Si has nothing) but the point becomes clear in reading. The modern equivalent is better in pretty much every way and even costs less. The only kicker is when it comes to style...you just can't beat that classic late 80s look. Make of that what you will, I still like the older one better personally.
The only bad thing that I can say about the Fit EX-L is that it only comes with a crappy CVT. I'd rather get a manual. Too many new cars today stick you with either a CVT or an auto.
those air bags can be dangerous in a crash, even a low speed crash. Your version of better is not always better. Less legislation is usually better, more choices are better. One thing I have to admit is that I do like that cars today burn cleaner.............so I am a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to that =)
Jay Santos Yeah, all that info in your post was very helpful (not really because there was no info just your own personal opinions). Maybe next time do some research before you shoot off your mouth. Btw I don't read the posts below the "share your thoughts" comment input, I just respond to them when they show up in my inbox...usually by morons (you in this particular case). Have a nice day
Man I sold mine to a friend about 10 years ago and he is still driving it today with close to 400k on it what a unbelievable car . Best gas mileage I ever got in it was 40 mpg but that was with a strong wind behind me and that was before ethanol fuel.
Absolute tank of sport/hatchback. My 1st car growing up and I put over 400 km on that thing. Bought a 2006 Honda Civic 2 door coupe and it’s got 487 km on it with barely any surface rust in a Canadian city with snow and tons of salt. Just solid build quality not to mention a much better looking rear end !
1989... Those cars were looking so nice, specially the dashboard and front-end. When crashing nothing much was left to see but still one of the best Civic's ever.
RJFT 1973 my mother was hit head on (by a 85 Pontiac Grand Prix) while driving her 6 month old 88 civic LX. She Was treated for a cracked chest bone from the seat belt. The doors opened and shut like normal. The front end was smashed to the wheels. Car was a total loss, but it would still start. Tough little car. No doubt they are built for better crash resistance now, but it held its own against the big American Iron.
My firs car was a used 89 Si in red exactly like the car John was standing next to purchased in 93. I loved that car! Still miss it to this day and I judge all my subsequent purchases against it. Probably why I bought a new 2012 Fit Sport since it reminded me of that little hot hatch.
An 89 Civic SI in red was my first brand new car, purchased a couple years after getting out of college. What a great car and I agree with MW it was fun! Miss that car.
This was my first ever car and the one I learned to drive a stick on. Honda clutches were so easy and forgiving. I remember it being so much fun to drive aggressively, well as aggressive as 108hp can get. I did have to swap out the tires for some Bridgestone blizzaks in the winter. With those on, I drove through many snowstorms on ski trips to Vermont. I put 145k miles on it before I had to sell it in ‘98 due to a move. Good memories and a great car.
All I'm thinking is I WANT ONE This type of vehicle seems to have disappeared from the market today: Simple, efficient, affordable, sporty and fun to drive. And superb quality too!
Wow, that Honda civic is so elegant in design. Goodness, it is nice to see one that is not riced out i.e "hellaflushed" or "stanced". Honda is just living off of its ego now and does not seem to be the deal it once was in terms of economy and simplicity. Bring back the old Honda please!
I have a 1990 Civic Hatchback DX with 5 speed tranny, I love my Civic,, it is lots of fun to drive and is now 33 years old and still passes smog and does not have any oils leaks anywhere. Car is now just under 384,000 miles, same engine and trans, never worked on or replaced, just maintained properly.
I had a brand new black 87 civic SI way back. Such a fun car. You cannot find them anywhere because people drove them until they fell apart YEARS later. Miss that thing.
I had the base model of this, same year. I loved it; it was low on power but had that same sweet chassis. My friend had the CRX Si. I always wanted one of these; it's the best mix of the two.
Had one of these with an engine swap from Integra, coil overs, strut bars, gutted, and much more. Best handling car I've ever driven. Must have been 1800-1900 lbs when gutted.
I had 4. A 91 Civic Si, 91 CRX Si, 91 CRX Hf, and a 1986 Civic Si bought in 1992. These were very fun cars to own, cheap to maintain, and 26 yrs after the first one still cause me to snap my head in the direction of a clean example. I currently drive a Honda Accord coupe with the V6, sadly with an auto (silly wife refuses to learn to drive a manual), but it's fast for what it is, reliable and looks good.
My brother had this car and it was a fun and efficient little car. A blast to drive but a target for thieves. Was stolen twice and never recovered the second time. We still talk about that little car today and the good times we had.
Had a 1990 Civic Si hatch in black. Bought it new, added factory AC instead of the stereo. Bought a Pioneer pull out stereo a month later. It was a great little car. Wish I still had it. It was my favorite!
MMM the days when Honda used to make sweet little cars that everyone could afford and wanted! Todays Honda is pretty bland at best and not really sought after for their looks, just reliability. I would like to see them get back to their roots and make some fun small cars again that everyone can afford. Give me a CRX hatch again with 180hp and starting around 17 to 18k. That's what the young people want, something fun yet affordable!
+Acc0rd79 I totally agree!! They abandoned the S2000 model, now we have the new Type R but it costs a half more than Mazda Miata. Honda, pls, wake up!!! I drive a European Honda Civic 1.8 140hp (2011) and I love that car. Still in Europe Honda a bit overslept the turbo revolution ... (French and German compact cars have 1.5t - 1.6t engines to the tune of 200-240hp) :(((
Ma Ss to be fair scion did great in the first couple of years but they left their cars get outdated without adding any new features or special models which would have helped to keep them relevant, instead they pretty much left their few models stay the same for years. It was a good brand I thought, especially since it was backed by Toyota.
Acc0rd79 nah I rather have them continue were there at now They stopped making cars like this because people were driving them like race cars that kills your standard transmission and they don't want ricers and toners to ruin there good name.
Honda's are poverty mobiles, why you would own a Honda with a Porsche is beyond reason. They are meant to be cars where everything is built at the lowest quality except the engine, which will run practically forever.
I actually have the 1986 DX model, and it's my first car. What they say about the steering is head on, I love the way it feels going on curvy roads. Turning going 50mph+ isn't an option because understeer is definitely present
This was an era where good and excellent drivers stood out around everyone else. With modern driving aids now a days everyone is on a level playing field.
My first car was an '89 Civic DX hatchback. I drove that car for 10 years and 173,000 miles. I loved that car and if I came upon one today, I just might buy it. I have seen a few since I got rid of mine, but the owners of today add those stupid wide tires and loud mufflers.
Wow what a throwback! I remember when I was 16 in high school if you had a 88-93 civic that had an aftermarket deck and a muffler you were getting all the girls - LOL! I ended up buying a 93 Accord but I always wanted the civic
What a fun car. Years ago my Dad was going to give me my brother Pat's old Civic but there was a few minors problems wrong with it so he donated it. I've been looking for this same kind of car since then. I so would love a newer car just like this.
My grandparents had one when I was a kid. I was always getting in first and having to lean over to let someone get in the back. They eventually sold it in 1995 and got an Accord wagon, something with five doors and airbags.
I remember my 91dx with the 1.5 man I had so many issues with.i manage to sell it for 500$ with a blown valve.burnt out piston rings.broken Axel's.it was pretty fun while it lasted now I have a 91 crx and man I love that car!!!!!
I had an 88 Accord DX hatchback and it was very similar to this Si hatchback..although I really wanted this Si hatch more. Now I drive a 2017 Civic Si sedan, it's a great car but nothing like those late 80's Honda's!
Love this car, bone stock. You can get one rear wheel up in a hard turn but it has a sharp & durable gear box & feels great to drive. That plus the Legendary durability make this one of the best cars ever built. Too bad they’ve all been ruined.
mine has survived the test of time and is almost mint. i baby my hatch and only problem with it was a fuel pump. it is the most reliable vehicles that i ever owned
My first car was a new 90 Civic Si. Such a bulletproof car, but I wish I could have bought a Japanese built 89. My friend had one and we used to trade off driving and there were better differences in the 89. Another great car from 89 is the Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo/Dodge Colt turbo.
Wow! I just came from looking at Motorweek's review of the '89 Isuzu I Mark RS.. It's 1.6L 16 Valve engine made a whopping 125hp!! Positively stomping this Civic SI's paltry 108!
Honda's old high-greenhouse, low-cowl styling language was just so nice.
I loved the Prelude from this era. It was the ultimate in Honda design language then. I love the ultra-low hood line, it's low and wide stance, and clean, slick styling. It is a design that still looks attractive today, even if a little dated.
I love your Retro video series. So much fun to watch. It also brings back so many memories. Thank You for posting
Honda Pro!!!!!!!! 🇯🇵 #InTheKnow
Love u Honda pro jason
HondaPro Jason no more double wishbone front suspension, but McDonald’s struts instead. That’s a lot of the loss of classic Honda “feel”.
I love Honda civic hatch
My first car in high school was a brand new 1990 Civic. And yes, I did have a mullet.
better than having a rat tail
do you still have it?
Congrats! No fbody tho?
Did you eventually exchange the mullet for the midpart (aka curtains)?
Who didn't have a mullet in 1990?
Honda made the best looking hatchbacks
Yes
@Rusty wrong
yup. Many competitors copied this model design.
There's something to be said for manual steering on a lightweight compact car like this.
I love motorweek videos because they're straight to the point. General overview, engine specs, 0-60, 1/4 mile, overall thoughts. No weird etcetera stuff forced in.
Proud owner of my '89 Honda Civic Dx! Thing corners so well for it's age and who cares about the power, it's all about balance!
Is it still kicking?
@@mrniceguy7168 mine is💯😁
This car is a classic.
Like your mom
especially stock
@@dylanmooney775Civic hatchback is my version favorite
@@fernandorocha-dx1wv same!
I miss Honda's "go-kart" era. Now they all look like spaceships and feel like marshmallows. The steering feel is what I love about my 99 - an otherwise mundane little commuter.
+David Hoffnung The new model is huge to boot..If you like the go kart handling try a protege 5 Just as reliable to boot.. Mazdas even the newer ones still retain some of these properties as well.
Luis Coqui I've always loved the P5 - and lately I've really been coming around to Mazdas. I'll still probably go for a 90's one because I'm a sucker for 90's cars - but I'd chose a Mazda partially because you can actually still find relatively low-mileage engines for them. Good luck finding a D or B series in viable condition these days!
That's one of the most accurate statements I've read about Hondas lmao.
David Hoffnung I can attest for sure i had 1st gen Protege and currently the 3rd gen Protege a P5. both are reliable..i think the 1st gen edges out in the reliability by a small margin..If you get the 1st gen make sure you get the Dohc LX model a 93 or 94.
Unless I'm not mistaken, the 99 had a 1.6 L motor that hit the rare 100hp/ liter, rarely seen on a naturally aspirated engine. Smooth shifting, and 8k(?) Redline I think.
Every one that has owned a ef civic si wishes they still had it. Which is why ill keep mine till the day I die...
I own 2 so far and still love that year of civic fun fast and still the best looking civic
jonathan Last agreed, its too bad they had such anemic engines tho, which is why I threw a 95 SI v-tech engine in mine...
@@Underpantsniper "v-tech" lol
@@Underpantsniper mine still has D13 with carburetor :)
@@BadassEFdriver yeah looks like someone didn't actually do the swap
Mine is a red 1991 Civic DX. Here's what I love about it:
-- Routinely gets 40 mpg highway, upper 30's in city
-- Super reliable, always starts on first crank, except on rare occasion when a certain part such as alternator finally fails; starter finally failed after 25 years
-- Average $500 per year in repair and maintenance, but then no monthly car payments either; insurance is inexpensive as well
-- Cargo space; (with front seat removed) was able to bring home a bathroom door; then a medium-sized refrigerator (11 cu ft); 4' x 8' plywood fits perfectly between dashboard and rear door
-- does not have airbags, anti-lock brakes, etc., but has large windows all-around for excellent visibility; light, responsive rack-and-pinion steering
-- IMO, looks more elegant than today's potato-shaped, squnty-window, overgrown cars
And TBH, the not so good:
-- Wish it had a little more power (80-odd hp when new, I believe), but engine swap is an option; maintaining highway speed is no problem, just have to make do with less acceleration and let people pass if they must (see Aikido)
-- Certainly not as crashworthy as, say, a Volvo or any SUV
-- Wind noise, especially on the highway, but I zone out anyway
-- People may judge that I can't afford a "better" car (lol, actually I can, but I love my Civic)
I had one just like the review car, it was my first brand new car purchase and I kept it for 10 years. Great little car, very fun and frugal.
I agree with the more power wish list, the odd thing was that in other markets they offered an Si-R version which had DOHC and early implementation of Vtec that engine made between 124-132hp depending on the market. I believe Honda didn't bring it stateside because it would have upset the hierarchy internally with the Prelude and externally with the Acura Integra.
Even the following generation Civic Si (which got that DOHC 1.6L 4) had other market versions making 160-170hp.
That's awesome! (provided you didn't strap a fart cannon and an awful fake spoiler to it).
The not so good? Shut your whining!
My moms best friend had one of these. Original owner and kept it until recently. It was a stick shift too. She kept it bc it was ultra reliable and economical. It was interesting to see a lady in her 60s being constantly stalked by young boys lusting over her civic and asking to buy it from her.
This made me laugh. I'm in my 60s and l would constantly have young men following me into car lots and asking if they could buy my car. There is one young man who has kept in contact with me and now l am ready to sell it. I feel bad that my husband did not keep it in pristine condition but with a little cosmetic work, elbow grease and a new paint job, it should look great again. My husband doesn't want to maintain it anymore since we both bought new cars. This car is so much fun to drive but time to pass the baton.
"0-60 in a very respectable 9.1 seconds"
Oh the 80s.
And yet my 9th gen civic is just as slow...
+Kosan Rio
But a 9th gen Civic Si will do 0-60 in about 6 seconds. Faster than many supercars from the 80's : )
Haha!! Wow centenon, you sure are a crabby one aren't you? Calm down there guy, just a comment. Don't get your panties in a bunch... ; )
Trouble is, many people's definition of "supercar" is subjective... To me, Cars like the Ferrari 308, BMW M1, Lotus Esprit, Ferrari Mondial and Lamborghini Jalpa would be considered supercars. But I'm sure according to you, they're mere sports cars, so as to support your unnecessary argument.. So be it.. Some folks just need to be nasty and hateful I guess, to each their own!
Also, the Testarosa's times varied based on publication.. Many posting 0-60 times of 5.5, or even 5.8.. Mere tenths off of the little Civic SI's 6.0 second run. OH.. And XD
@PeePee2000 and you'll be sleeping doing it with all the tech and gadgets doing the driving for you.
It was for an NA 1.6 economy car.
89-99 Si was a gem of a car Honda lost its way after the late-90s they don't feel like they used to.
Hot80s I couldn't agree more!
Probably because people want to be safe , other than that the new hondas are great performers , although I would prefer a mazda .
89-00...the 2000 Si was the same as the 99
Spiritcr1jsher yup. Had two Accords. A ‘98 and an ‘06. Both 5 speeds. The ‘98 was so incredibly well built in every regard. The ‘06 was full blown “meh”. My dad had an ‘09 and we both exited Honda for our current cars. He went For an Outback and I have an ‘18 Mazda6. Honda just kept heading the wrong way in terms of fit and finish. My in laws have a ‘17 Civic and it’s just the most un inspiring thing to drive ever.
@@ebrente yeah , I have an ILX I use as a commuter ( aka older civic si) and it's nothing special. My next commuter is 100% going to be a mazda miata . The one honda I think is a great buy for the money is my wife's acura TLXawd a spec. Awesome car , standard with everything and was pretty inexpensive to lease.
I used to be the proud owner of a '90 Civic Si, such a fun car to drive. I really liked everything about it, perfect car.
My desktop is an '84 Civic Si. Love 80s Civics and CRX's.
GT6SuzukaTimeTrials I had a 82 Honda Accord hatchback I believe it was the precursor of the Civic.
I remember, as a kid, hearing guys complain about how the suits killed the great cars of the 50s/60s. I thought that would never be me. Though I never thought today's small cars would be approaching mid-seventies land yacht weights...
Any Autocrosser will tell you that this '89 Civic SI is legendary. The extreme light weight platform and double wishbone suspension makes them untouchable in the modified front wheel drive class. Nothing is faster and nothing will be since they can't make cars this light anymore.
It's God's chariot...
Agree, but, would take an EG6 over it : parts availablity
Yup. That guy calling an appliance-grade strut-suspension gti better handling almost made me spit out my drink.
@@icecreamalacarte Same basic underpinnings from 1988 to 2000. It's all equally available (or not) now.
My moms best friend was an original owner of one up until maybe 10 yrs ago. She loved it for its reliability and it was economical. It was also in amazing condition. It was interesting to see a middle aged lady being stalked by young men everywhere she went asking to buy her car, most likely to be modified for racing.
best civic of all time.
Noseefood IMO the 92-95 model was much better
No.
That would be the EM-1 Civic.
Yes.
No doubt
A little red '90 base model Civic hatchback was the first new car I ever bought. I had the dealer add A/C for $1,000 bucks and the final sales price was $8,300 out the door. It regularly got 39-40 mpg on the highway at 75 mph and was really fun to drive, even though it only had 70hp. Sold it with 200,000 miles on it after 10 years. Truly one of the best cars I ever owned.
@japanwatchconnection Worth every bit of it too!
Slambo approved! I miss my '86 CRX Si. One of the best cars I've ever owned …
I want ANY crx lol
My '89 CRX HF was THE best all around car I've owned. Awesome fun and amazing gas mileage:)
+Boosted Fool - Glad I still have my CRX!
+Chris Dooley Agreed. Had that same model in high school over 20 years ago. Still miss that little car.
Man this videos are addicting to watch video after video
Back then, 9 second 0-60 was fast! Luxury cars like the new Lexus LS did it in about 9.5 secs, according to Motrweek. Major mags regularly got about 8 seconds. This was about 4 years before safety features like ABS and airbags came to the line
I remember all that myself! As of 2015, many compact cars can do 0-60 in 8 seconds, or less.
I found this test interesting because my 91 Si ran to 60 in the much lower 8s and when I took it to the track after it had 120k+ miles, I got 15.9 @ 84MPH. That was stock. After I/H/E, I never did make it back to the track. It did get to 60 in ~ 7 flat though. Something to note is that I had it dyno'd and it made almost the same numbers claimed at the crank at the wheels. 108HP was 107.6 @ the wheels and 100lb/ft was 105lb/ft @ the wheels. Brought back some fond memories and I sold my Rio Red one in 2007. Wish I still had it.
Bitcoin Video University ABS and airbags are for eggs (SUVs).
triggernutsy1 just like whatever you drive you sick Fuck.. I bet your muscle car sucks so hard, it fucks..
@@anthonyferguson7158 they could cruise 110-120 mph too
I remembered for 91 the name and year is the same backwards. 1991 Civic...Civic 1991.
Now we have to wait on the 2020 civic so it can repeat
+Alonzo Harris you missed the one in 2002
mrmanitoba 0202 is not 2020
I never said it was wrong person.
AshedoggMR2 that would be 0202 civic
My first car was a 1986 Civic SI hatchback and for the money (less than $9000) it was a fine car. I then bought a 2006 & it was a fun car too and I now have a 2015 & the same thing is true. For the price it's hard to beat it in many ways.
+Mike Davitt nice! which generation si was your favorite?
I LOVE these old clips about cars from Japan! Keep them coming!
I was old enough to drive in 1998. At that time , there was plenty of these still onthe road. These cars were a blast for a high school student like myself at that time. My friend owned one , and at about 2200 pounds the 108 HP was a blast. All thiscar needed was a little wider and lower tires , say like 195/50/15 , and it handled like a dream. Stiffen the suspension by 25-30% , and it was like driving on rails.For that reason alone , Civics and Integras were so popular during the 90's , andeven way through late 2000's , and still today.
These were so reliable that you still see plenty of these guys in California to this day.
I had a brand new 1989 Civic between late 1989 and late 1991 base model dx I believe while living in Germany while in the military. I used to drive from Heilbronn to Furth on the Autobahn around 3 times a week for about a year, approx. 105 miles one way. This was fairly flat. I could maintain 115 mph the whole way no problem. The fastest I ever went was approx. 130mph done hill on the Autobahn between Heilbronn and Stuttgart, the speedometer only went to 125 and it was past this. This I would say was extremely unstable at this speed, It felt like the front end was slightly lifting up. I believe I only did this once. Most of the money you pay for high end sports cars goes into stability at extreme speeds which this car was not built for.
this is better than any comperable new car available
Wish they still made this car...better than the Fit or Civic they sell now.
Let's do some math here. The closest thing to this today is a Honda Fit in all honesty as the Civic has become bloated and overweight. The MSRP of a 2015 Fit EX-L (closest thing to an Si today) is $20,925. The MSRP of this 1989 Civic Si is $9,980...adjusted for inflation that is $19,053. The modern fit produces 130 HP whereas the 1989 Civic Si produces 108 HP. The 89 Civic gets an average of 35 mpg whereas the 15 Fit averages 34 mpg. I could go on about safety (the Fit has multiple airbags and safety beams whereas the Civic Si has nothing) but the point becomes clear in reading. The modern equivalent is better in pretty much every way and even costs less. The only kicker is when it comes to style...you just can't beat that classic late 80s look. Make of that what you will, I still like the older one better personally.
The only bad thing that I can say about the Fit EX-L is that it only comes with a crappy CVT. I'd rather get a manual. Too many new cars today stick you with either a CVT or an auto.
"The only kicker is when it comes to style...you just can't beat that classic late 80s look."
That's the make or break of a truly lovable car.
those air bags can be dangerous in a crash, even a low speed crash. Your version of better is not always better. Less legislation is usually better, more choices are better. One thing I have to admit is that I do like that cars today burn cleaner.............so I am a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to that =)
DoYouThinkForUrselF Do you think for yourself? The airbags were recalled.
Jay Santos Yeah, all that info in your post was very helpful (not really because there was no info just your own personal opinions). Maybe next time do some research before you shoot off your mouth. Btw I don't read the posts below the "share your thoughts" comment input, I just respond to them when they show up in my inbox...usually by morons (you in this particular case). Have a nice day
I remember my uncle got one of those in Hong Kong, but it's a EF SiR with an B16A.
It's already a classic today.the first gen Integra r are beyond price
Man I sold mine to a friend about 10 years ago and he is still driving it today with close to 400k on it what a unbelievable car . Best gas mileage I ever got in it was 40 mpg but that was with a strong wind behind me and that was before ethanol fuel.
Absolute tank of sport/hatchback. My 1st car growing up and I put over 400 km on that thing. Bought a 2006 Honda Civic 2 door coupe and it’s got 487 km on it with barely any surface rust in a Canadian city with snow and tons of salt. Just solid build quality not to mention a much better looking rear end !
1989... Those cars were looking so nice, specially the dashboard and front-end. When crashing nothing much was left to see but still one of the best Civic's ever.
RJFT 1973 my mother was hit head on (by a 85 Pontiac Grand Prix) while driving her 6 month old 88 civic LX. She Was treated for a cracked chest bone from the seat belt. The doors opened and shut like normal. The front end was smashed to the wheels. Car was a total loss, but it would still start. Tough little car. No doubt they are built for better crash resistance now, but it held its own against the big American Iron.
My firs car was a used 89 Si in red exactly like the car John was standing next to purchased in 93. I loved that car! Still miss it to this day and I judge all my subsequent purchases against it. Probably why I bought a new 2012 Fit Sport since it reminded me of that little hot hatch.
An 89 Civic SI in red was my first brand new car, purchased a couple years after getting out of college. What a great car and I agree with MW it was fun! Miss that car.
if only i could time travel and bring back this car.
haha i would bring them all
u can buy it on craigslist for about 1-2k
This was my first ever car and the one I learned to drive a stick on. Honda clutches were so easy and forgiving. I remember it being so much fun to drive aggressively, well as aggressive as 108hp can get. I did have to swap out the tires for some Bridgestone blizzaks in the winter. With those on, I drove through many snowstorms on ski trips to Vermont. I put 145k miles on it before I had to sell it in ‘98 due to a move. Good memories and a great car.
All I'm thinking is I WANT ONE
This type of vehicle seems to have disappeared from the market today: Simple, efficient, affordable, sporty and fun to drive. And superb quality too!
You can thank your 'government' for most of those disappearances.
I recently bought a 91' EF Si ,Teal, oNe owner, ALL original... NuFF Said,,,LoL
I loved my 91 and would buy another one in a heart beat if I find it all stock and unmolested
blob blobby, you should see mine 35,000 miles, unmolested, stock, like new. Is a dx though..
I still see those Honda Civics Si's, I saw one the other day .
Wow, that Honda civic is so elegant in design. Goodness, it is nice to see one that is not riced out i.e "hellaflushed" or "stanced". Honda is just living off of its ego now and does not seem to be the deal it once was in terms of economy and simplicity. Bring back the old Honda please!
This is awesome to watch, I love EF's!
Overall, what a great car. I, like others, miss the light weight and simplicity of these.
Agreed
I have a 1990 Civic Hatchback DX with 5 speed tranny, I love my Civic,, it is lots of fun to drive and is now 33 years old and still passes smog and does not have any oils leaks anywhere. Car is now just under 384,000 miles, same engine and trans, never worked on or replaced, just maintained properly.
I had a brand new black 87 civic SI way back. Such a fun car. You cannot find them anywhere because people drove them until they fell apart YEARS later. Miss that thing.
I had the base model of this, same year. I loved it; it was low on power but had that same sweet chassis. My friend had the CRX Si. I always wanted one of these; it's the best mix of the two.
Fun, fantastic car back in the day, with the Corolla Fx, 200sx, Impulse etc....
just bought one with a b20b swap in it and i love it
It looks so good cruising down the road, classic golden era Honda. Cars like this are guaranteed to leave you smiling :)
Had one of these with an engine swap from Integra, coil overs, strut bars, gutted, and much more. Best handling car I've ever driven. Must have been 1800-1900 lbs when gutted.
Can you upload your review of the 1999 Honda Civic SI coupe please
I had this exact car in black. Bought it in 99' with low miles and it was pristine! Man I miss this car.
I bought my 1st new car in 1986. The first gen of Si's. Loved that car for the money. $5 in the tank and you were good to go all night😎
I wished I had one of these back in high school. This was my dream car that I never got.
I had 4. A 91 Civic Si, 91 CRX Si, 91 CRX Hf, and a 1986 Civic Si bought in 1992. These were very fun cars to own, cheap to maintain, and 26 yrs after the first one still cause me to snap my head in the direction of a clean example. I currently drive a Honda Accord coupe with the V6, sadly with an auto (silly wife refuses to learn to drive a manual), but it's fast for what it is, reliable and looks good.
These civics were so much better looking than new ones today.
My brother had this car and it was a fun and efficient little car. A blast to drive but a target for thieves. Was stolen twice and never recovered the second time. We still talk about that little car today and the good times we had.
Had a 1990 Civic Si hatch in black. Bought it new, added factory AC instead of the stereo. Bought a Pioneer pull out stereo a month later. It was a great little car. Wish I still had it. It was my favorite!
MMM the days when Honda used to make sweet little cars that everyone could afford and wanted! Todays Honda is pretty bland at best and not really sought after for their looks, just reliability. I would like to see them get back to their roots and make some fun small cars again that everyone can afford. Give me a CRX hatch again with 180hp and starting around 17 to 18k. That's what the young people want, something fun yet affordable!
+Acc0rd79 I totally agree!! They abandoned the S2000 model, now we have the new Type R but it costs a half more than Mazda Miata. Honda, pls, wake up!!! I drive a European Honda Civic 1.8 140hp (2011) and I love that car. Still in Europe Honda a bit overslept the turbo revolution ... (French and German compact cars have 1.5t - 1.6t engines to the tune of 200-240hp) :(((
yess, i fully agree with that :)
Acc0rd79 thats what scion tried to do and failed horribly... Not that I don't agree with u that i wish Honda would go back to there base
Ma Ss to be fair scion did great in the first couple of years but they left their cars get outdated without adding any new features or special models which would have helped to keep them relevant, instead they pretty much left their few models stay the same for years. It was a good brand I thought, especially since it was backed by Toyota.
Acc0rd79 nah I rather have them continue were there at now They stopped making cars like this because people were driving them like race cars that kills your standard transmission and they don't want ricers and toners to ruin there good name.
The SI is born!! Great piece of history.
I owned one. Loved it. Great little car. I got 325,000 KM before I sold it. Had lots of life left in her.
This is the car kids like
Does 22 qualify as a kid :D ?
I'm 24 and I think one would be fun to play with. Not saying I'm gonna win many races, but it'd be fun
Tim Beck kid? I owned 4 Honda's along with my collection in Porsche....Kid?....sit down.
It's a stereotype joke. Calm down Mr. like my own comment
Honda's are poverty mobiles, why you would own a Honda with a Porsche is beyond reason. They are meant to be cars where everything is built at the lowest quality except the engine, which will run practically forever.
I still see these on the road... one of many reasons why I am a proud Honda owner.
Simple, fun, quality car. Those were the days.
I actually have the 1986 DX model, and it's my first car. What they say about the steering is head on, I love the way it feels going on curvy roads. Turning going 50mph+ isn't an option because understeer is definitely present
I had a 1990 Civic si hatch as a teenager back in 97
That thing was fun to drive
Tint, Aftermarket Wheels, and Exhaust really made these Civics stand out.
I've owned a 93 si, 97 integra type r and now a 2008 si but the 89 si is still my favorite honda to drive!
This was an era where good and excellent drivers stood out around everyone else. With modern driving aids now a days everyone is on a level playing field.
Not that I was alive back then, but I am alive now and bad drivers are still bad drivers. Technology doesn't fix that
My first car was an '89 Civic DX hatchback. I drove that car for 10 years and 173,000 miles. I loved that car and if I came upon one today, I just might buy it. I have seen a few since I got rid of mine, but the owners of today add those stupid wide tires and loud mufflers.
I would love to have one just like this. Bone stock. All original. Such a good looking car
The car of my youth . Everyone I knew had one
I enjoy driving my 88 civic hatch! Still a ton of fun driving than my other much newer car.
Fantastic and reliable car, still one of the best in class.
I love the 80s Civics and Corollas. The hatchbacks especially!
Wow what a throwback! I remember when I was 16 in high school if you had a 88-93 civic that had an aftermarket deck and a muffler you were getting all the girls - LOL! I ended up buying a 93 Accord but I always wanted the civic
I remember when I was 17 I was putting B16s in these and I would've paid 300$ for clean SI seats and interior to put into my Crx Hf.
Just rock solid, basic transportation. Honda didn't fall off, they still make cars like this with manuals that last an eternity.
What a fun car. Years ago my Dad was going to give me my brother Pat's old Civic but there was a few minors problems wrong with it so he donated it. I've been looking for this same kind of car since then. I so would love a newer car just like this.
Best car ive ever owned
Joe Blo no, but at times i miss it
Same here I'm on my second one 😁😁😁
Me too. I'm on my 4th Civic (EM) and my old EC was definitely my favourite ever car .
My grandparents had one when I was a kid. I was always getting in first and having to lean over to let someone get in the back. They eventually sold it in 1995 and got an Accord wagon, something with five doors and airbags.
I remember my 91dx with the 1.5 man I had so many issues with.i manage to sell it for 500$ with a blown valve.burnt out piston rings.broken Axel's.it was pretty fun while it lasted now I have a 91 crx and man I love that car!!!!!
Don’t sell it, you’ll regret it!
Whooo Hoooo! 108 horsepower! feel the Power!
Hard to believe there was a time when a car with 108 hp was thought to be powerful!
A white '87 Civic DX hatch was my 1st car, bought used in 1990.
Oh Honda.:( What happened to you?
+Jassy they're still here. it's all the law's fault.
The opened an American design studio.
I had an 88 Accord DX hatchback and it was very similar to this Si hatchback..although I really wanted this Si hatch more. Now I drive a 2017 Civic Si sedan, it's a great car but nothing like those late 80's Honda's!
The official car of, "Hello sir, 1 large sausage pizza and 1 order of breadsticks, that'll be $17.90 please"
I thought that was the Geo Metro, Or Ford Festiva.
@@jcb0249 no way
I bought one of these new and owned it for over 10 years. This was the favorite car I ever owned. I would buy one today - if I could buy a new one.
Love this car, bone stock. You can get one rear wheel up in a hard turn but it has a sharp & durable gear box & feels great to drive. That plus the Legendary durability make this one of the best cars ever built. Too bad they’ve all been ruined.
How do they operate the radio and climate controls without having to wade through menus or use shortcut buttons on the steering wheel?
mine has survived the test of time and is almost mint. i baby my hatch and only problem with it was a fuel pump. it is the most reliable vehicles that i ever owned
My first car was a new 90 Civic Si. Such a bulletproof car, but I wish I could have bought a Japanese built 89. My friend had one and we used to trade off driving and there were better differences in the 89. Another great car from 89 is the Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo/Dodge Colt turbo.
“Very nice optional cassette stereo.”
What's a cassette?
Bought a beater '91 Honda Civic Sedan DX last winter. Had a bad head gasket but was that little car fun to drive.
I had a Civic si hatch that I fully restored and garage kept. Biggest regret in my life was selling her.
Wow! I just came from looking at Motorweek's review of the '89 Isuzu I Mark RS.. It's 1.6L 16 Valve engine made a whopping 125hp!! Positively stomping this Civic SI's paltry 108!
Well they had the B16 with 160hp in Japan and Europe.