Simple answer, cost saving. Just upgrade Civic Si suspension, put Mugen wheels and add Mugen body kits without investing a lot of R&D. I think it is for look, not performance. If you look for a performance Civic, Type-R is the way to go.

I just saw one brand new 08 Mugen Civic Si on eBay.
Honda : Civic:eBay Motors (item 280444866099 end time Jan-04-10 08:04:36 PST)

 

Its funny I thought these things would all be gone in a few days but I've seen quite a few dealerships across the country that still have them sitting on their lot lol

 

Well, 30k for a Civic that has the same power and a SLOWER 0-60 time as a 19k Si 4-door is a bit much. Especially when you can go out and find a WRX, EVO, Mazdaspeed 3 or A4 that costs the same and delivers a lot more.

 

The last time I saw on eBay, the brand new 08 Mugen Civic Si was sold at $23,500 which is the same price as a new 10 Civic Si. The price has gone down a lot. I think it lacks of performance. I could buy a new Civic Si and upgrade to Type-R with almost the same cost as a new Mugen Civic Si when it came out in 08.

 

I agree completely but I thought the Mugen junkies would be all over these. I guess I overestimated them.

The dealership by my house will not budge on price or so they say. But I was never seriously dealing with them.

 

Sad to see u leaving the Fit scene but on the other hand, congrats on such a beautiful car!!!!

U guys in the States are much luckier coz I really wanted the Si 4door back then. U guys have it by the time I'm in the market for a new car. What a shame that only Si coupes & CSX-S are available in Canada back then(f$*kin' eh!).....anyway.

I guess u would have much more fun driving the Si on track than the Fit. It's a nice car as is with the Showa dampers I think. Not that the Fit is really that bad but I came to this bottle neck since end of the season. I'm maxing out my current setup I think. Well, I can slap on a set of Ohlins & get a set of Hoosier........but for track day!? What's the point!?

Anyway enjoy the new car & post more pix when u get a chance man!

 

Mugen Si is better than STi or Evo

 

STi & EVo are at a different price range & targetted for different market though........

 

Honda PR mentioned that the exhaust gave "about a 5hp" increase. My car stock dyno'd at 185hp at the wheels. Also the civic Si Sedan starts at 22k. Either way that neither here nor there.

I am a Honda enthusiast and I bought the car for one because I like it, and two, to support Honda bringing over future performance models. Unfortunately it looks as if was unsuccessful. It gets me so irritated when people say it is the same performance wise. Those never have driven both cars. The Mugen was 2 seconds faster around VIR then the 70 lbs lighter civic si coupe.

You say the wrx,evo, mazdaspeed, and a4 deliever a lot more. IMO they dont at all. they are boring to drive and are laggy as hell. To me its not what I enjoy at all. Honda isnt about being flashy or putting out big numbers. They are the quiet underdog that everyone under rates. Case in point. A stock NSX is considered slow by US spec correct? the NSX-R with the same (govt mandated) 280hp as the us spec is a second faster then a ferrari 360 with a twin clutch tranny at fugi speedway. Slow you say? Its not about bench racing with numbers or who is faster on the highway. To me its about the passion for motorsports and the fun of driving the car. All of which those cars mentioned do not have for me, and yes I have driving all expect for the ms3 which ive got a ride in.

anyway back on topic

 

Thanks man, its nice to see your still spreading the honda track love in NA. And yes it has mugen dampers and springs. Everyone downplays this car as a stunt that honda just bought a bunch of parts and threw them at the car. The wing is the same wing as the RR just no carbon blade, and the suspension and aero were all given ample RD as a proper mugen car should. If it were a gimick it would not be shown on the mugen of japan website alongside its JDM counterpart.....

 

Wonder how it'll be like driving a Si Sedan on road course.......

 

It needs the FD2R front end (w/Mugen RR if possible)...DO IT, DO IT!!! ;)

 

RR parts are downright impossible to get here in the US. I would need to find someone IN japan WITH a Mugen RR to buy the parts. Like here in the US only owners of Mugen can buy mugen.

Im a purist, and will be keeping this car original for the most part. I like the US front as much as the JDM front. I will probably build a spliter for this car, and gurney flap, just to aid the already well designed aero.

 

Fully understand your stance. ;) For me, I just much prefer the lines of the JDM front end, to me it just looks mean whereas the US model looks kind of soft.

 

Wow! This is such a cool development! I like the looks too, and compared to the Smart is down right sexy! In fact, everything about this car seems (can't say for sure) better than the Smart.

 

.....wat.....

 

^i'm as lost as you are lol.........any updates on the civic?

 

Love honda as well. I use to own a evo fast car but not all that fun to drive and pricey to keep. I just opted for the S2000CR but i did look at the mugen civic a while back. I love the RR why can't we get that car here in the states