Old Vs. New: This 20-Year-Old Honda Civic Si PROVES That VTEC Still Rules Yo!

[@TeaTimeCorner]

Nice review, brings back the old times.

[@amadeyito]

I would take the old 99 SI any day for sure! So much more enjoyable. That’s what a True Civic is to me.

[@Stormtrooper-oc4vn]

Having driven both...the new si is king. Muchhhh faster on the corners and...Sure the old si sounds better but doesn't make it any better to performance. I do like the visibility on the old one. That limited slip just adds to the excitement on the new one. If I can get an old si or even a type R from 03 which is I'm sure on par with the new si or maybe slower by today's standards.. I'll still be happy.

[@Dtran718GT4]

I totally agree with you. There’s more to a car besides speed. The EM1 is raw and gives a lot more feedback to the driver versus the new si. Refinement is nice, but in a sports car, the enthusiasts want the raw car to provide the driver feedback.

[@jamartin005]

The k20 and k24 8th 9th gens are the best engine wise. A sc or turbo on them puts them past what a fully built 1.5T can do. No comparison. Will outlast the new one too

[@hondamanvtec2894]

Yeah you do love your old slow unsafe civics dont you

[@amadeyito]

@@hondamanvtec2894 all the way

[@uppastdawn7627]

The old one wins the styling category for sure.

[@damilolaakanni]

The new Si doesn't look very bad, either. The Type R takes the crown for ugliest Civic ever made.

[@deejayimm]

What are you talkin about the old one doesn't have any style..... I mean it's not ugly, but it certainly doesn't have Style. It's plain, basic 90s econbox. And, yes, unfortunately I'm old enough. I chose the SVT Focus back then because that thing had style.

[@nabeelmohammed2781]

@@deejayimm it’s a simple car that doesn’t burn your eyes out when you look at it

[@craigsbuyer2270]

@@damilolaakanni I kinda think looks are subjective the Type R looks aggressive and is a well engineered performance car but to each his own I guess…..🤷🏻‍♂️

[@craigsbuyer2270]

@Le-Johnny yeah with looks comes better engineering as well

[@Offshore1977]

I loved the seats in those mid to late 90’s Civc. Easy to work on. Miss those simpler times.

[@neilmurphy845]

Me to new stuff are just to complicated

[@creakid]

I tried 3 different driver seats on my 2000 Civic hatchback -- 1) The Monaco is already cushier over bumpy roads than the similarly shaped Recaro SE, but still not cushy enough. 2) The knob-adjustable one from 99-00 Civic VTEC coupe still isn't that much cushier. 3) So I returned to my original driver seat & just added an aftermarket thigh booster made-in-China. Problem totally solved for my 5'11" built.

[@lawrencebraul9722]

Loved my 2000 Honda Civic EX. So durable, great paint, economical, reliable, and fun to drive. 275,000 kms and still no squeaks or rattles. All time best car I have owned.

[@Enidx10]

Brilliant review! I truly love 90’s Honda’s. They ooze character and personality. Something that has been lost in this modern age

[@jayespi37]

That raw analog feel is missing in the new cars these days

[@neilmurphy845]

@@jayespi37 absolutely new cars have very little character without spending a fortune

[@apolloandratti7922]

Great video Alex. As a weekend car, the 99 si. But in the real world of everyday driving, where we need to watch for worst/distracted drivers in 5,000 lbs SUVs, the new si wins from a safety perspective.

[@Cgee3]

Thanks for the nostalgia. I owned the same 99 si. This car was so much fun with a few mods such as suspension, tires and an intake. This car was a complete dog below 3-4K rpms. You had to build some revs before letting out the clutch if you planned on pulling out with traffic coming up from behind. Taking this car to redline never got old. 5500-8000rpms was where the magic happened. The car was geared very short to take advantage of the 8k redline. At 80mph in 5th, the car turned 4400 rpms.

[@codysmith9813]

The new Honda civic is a great car but theres nothing like driving the older one that puts a big smile on your face. Like my 300zx

[@stevesmith2770]

I'll stick with manual transmission and naturally-aspirated vehicles as long as they are available. Modern vehicles have become so cluttered with "complexity" that it is virtually impossible for an owner to perform any service on them. And wait until you get to pay to repair faulty turbos and awd systems.

[@aoclive6710]

Thank you ! I learned how to do all my work on my civic and maxima by KZbin and threads

[@losilog]

Having driven both, I think old si is nice but as a daily over the new si, the new one is nice, you have power at every gear without needing to rev it out and honestly has made me smile more with all that it comes with for the 2020 version (honda sensing, heated seats, etc). Honda has done well

[@rightlanehog3151]

Hello TFL and Alex, A naturally aspirated engine and #manual transmission is a combination people should snap up while they still can.

[@OnasaD]

*My first car was an 06 Civic Coupe, now I drive a 17 Civic SI Coupe*

[@JCx13]

I had the 99 Si....was my first car, I completely did it up.... *Type R motor *GSR seats *Full body skirt package *Custom hood *Custom wing *Rims **6 speed manual I miss it 😢

[@swanblake]

The 90s were peak Honda. I would take any 90s Honda product over the modern offering. Lightweight, perfect manual shift, and a screaming redline. I also know for a fact that B Series will be thousand times more reliable than the new 1.5T engine with oil mixing issues

[@asdfghjqwertyu1858]

Hence why I bought my Civic with the naturally aspirated 2.0L. If the new civic gets only turbo engines, i would definitely switch to a different brand, most likely Mazda.

[@alexfigueroa7012]

I think you knocked it out of the park with that review Alex. I was a teenager in the 90’s so I could totally relate to your opinion. Always wanted that generation si, ironically I own a 2019 today.

[@poodabran]

That EM1 Si is the bomb.

[@danh655]

EP3 ftw ;)

[@badbaddolemike]

Those double wishbones.....

[@eproulx738]

Love my 2005 Honda Civic EX Coupe. Such an amazing car. Almost 19 years old, and still running great. Definitely a keeper.

[@BESTNOODLEREVIEWS]

Nice video and presentation! I'd definitely choose the EM1 over there newer Si. Just more engaging and the sound of a B series engine revving to the moon is super intoxicating.

[@AlanPeedle]

Loved my civic vti aerodeck with factory body kit. Test drive at 110 miles per hour sealed the purchase.

[@ryanvtec3885]

Had to redline 4th gear in the test drive drive

[@the_jarmel]

Good job Alex on Auto's..

[@miguelircontar]

The old one looks better than the new one This generation is just over styled while the old one is clean and classy

[@Dongzzzzzz]

The next gen civic is going back to that clean philosophy.

[@badbaddolemike]

Mid-late 80's - late 90's Hondas age so well. The profile of a moderately lowered '88-'91 CRX is just the cats meow to me, lol.

[@Spike-13]

I still have a 97 accord station wagon that my parents owned that I acquired. I love it

[@SilverScarletSpider]

I love this video, great presenter and great cars

[@cascivic]

The only thing with the shifting early on those Alex is the ratios were made to keep you on the "big lobe" on the upshift. So if you short shift it you fall back off vtec crossover. Great vid I had a 98 dx with a b16 swap back in the day. Brought back alot of memories!😭

[@badbaddolemike]

Wow, I just made a similar comment, before I read yours, which you posted hours before me, lol. Its true, though!

[@wubaru]

“Rev the nuts!” That is a new quote i never heard lol

[@lowliifer]

Both are great cars.

[@naveenthemachine]

The old civic is Better without question. No turbos to worry about long term.

[@JHONNYR98]

Nobody talks about it but the 1999-2000 civic si initial reliability stuff. Brand new there were lots of head gasket problems and gear grinds

[@drivedb7]

@@JHONNYR98 - Source? Links? The B-series was one of Hondas most reliable engines and gear grinding was most prominent on the 8th gens.

[@JHONNYR98]

@@drivedb7 yeah my bad the trans were okay

[@JHONNYR98]

@@drivedb7 but the records are old now, my dad bought a EM1 new in 2000 and had the gasket replaced under warranty at 30,000kms. I always complained how new Honda's have lots of problems, he laughed and told me about his car.

[@drivedb7]

@@JHONNYR98 - Must have gotten a rotten egg. On the whole, the B16 was nearly bulletproof and as long as the oil and the timing belt were changed on time, they’d run almost indefinitely.

[@bonzainews]

2 turns lock to lock like my 1986 Z51 Corvette... that's what I like. Quick maneuverability will get you out of a jam.

[@G.Uppercut123]

The old SI if it was a weekend warrior The new if it’s my daily

[@mattbonney7591]

I own both a 2017 Civic Si sedan, and a 1996 Integra LS hatch. Granted, not comparing the correct trims. But I love the older Honda/Acura the most, so simple and more, mechanical (for lack of a better term) feeling than the more modern Civic I drive daily. Thanks for the video comparison!

[@irishuwould5185]

Love the old one, looks so good

[@tmklunk]

Technology takes the feel out of it

[@thecarexpert21]

Wow, when you have both SI's next to each other, you can really see just how over-styled the new Civic is. Particularly with those rear fake vents, haha.

[@craigsbuyer2270]

I guess you feel the same about cars that evolve i.e the over style corvette…🤦‍♂️ cars change as do times

[@dcinitials3140]

Evolution is just change over time for better or worse. Old civics are still reliable to race today while I'd be scared to overheat or even be caught driving a new one. New civics are like fat girls. Always someone trying to stick up for them.

[@nickthetribalchief]

Civic never gets old! Believe that!

[@nabeelmohammed2781]

The EM1 Civic is such an understated car - no crappy body kit, just some simply chin spoilers for slight style. The 90s were perfect

[@dommm111]

I know someone is gonna say "ok boomer" but I don't care, I like the old one ten times more than the new one

[@dommm111]

Ok boomer LOL

[@TFLcar]

We agree

[@jimmypena2442]

@@dommm111 you did it to yourself

[@dommm111]

@@jimmypena2442 Best defense is a good offense, even against ur self... I read something like that in a chinese restaurant napkin

[@Jeff015]

I'm a young zoomer and I still like the old civic generation(eg6 model).

[@reesee175]

I have the same red 2020 si. Only difference is I have : Ktuner, greddy exhaust, mishimoto intercooler, and hasport mount.

[@BullittKid08]

@James M I tuned mine at 1,000 miles. Why drive a neutered car?

[@rodrigooneto1116]

Still have my 2000 black em1 full stock. It’s my treasure my first car and still love it. Really the best Si in my opinion.

[@JDMEXforme]

Oldschool breaks more necks along with hearing that 8000rpm redline from a mile away. Everytime i go to a meet or event i get asked if im selling my car.

[@anthonysourdiff1835]

I loved the old si. My friends wife had one just like the one on there and it was amazing how quick it was back then.

[@brettsuydam7457]

My first car was a 91 DX Hatchback 5 Speed. One of my favorite cars to drive still. Late 80's to early 2000's Civics are my favorites and I'm always thinking about grabbing one when I see a hatchback in someone's driveway.

[@FrenchyLP]

Alex doing a crossover episode for TFL. Awesome! Maybe he should check out some crossovers to keep the theme!

[@jsk2276]

I own a 2000 Civic HX Coupe and I have aspirations of a Y8 swap. This is my first car, and I have such an enormous level of love for that car. It's not a car for an older generation, it's a car for everyone.

[@loluspololus]

old civic small fun to drive new one is big looks like honda accord

[@neilmurphy845]

Ya all the new "small" cars are gone to big

[@Trump-jv8xf]

My friend bought a 1999 Honda Civic si in 1999, just like the one in the video. He did full bolt ons. Awesome fun car with a soul. Like all others, it got stolen after he finished with bolt ons. Found it stripped in a warehouse district. Those were the days.

[@palebeachbum]

I'd take the 99 Civic Si. Older cars have a more raw, natural feel. The driver feels more connected to the car as a result. Hydraulic steering. Cable operated throttle. It all adds up to a more engaging and enjoyable experience. Something Gen Z has no clue what I'm talking about because they've likely never experienced it for themselves. Electronics have ruined the driving experience, reliability, and ease of repairs, to a certain extent.

[@f688xt6]

I worked at a Honda dealer when the 99's were new. Nothing like them. The most exciting car until the S2000 came out. The Si was a game changer.

[@jonmcclane7433]

I daily drive a bone stock 2008 Civic Si coupe and it is an absolute joy to drive. The only thing I’ve done is tint the windows and put some Enkei wheels on it and it is still a head Turner. Those old VTEC engines were fun and built to last.

[@Robcer724]

That 99-00 civic si in electric blue was always the car I loved when I was a kid back then

[@anthonyarrington3740]

Love the blue color. Blue is my favorite color

[@joshthemediocre7824]

I love any year civic SI but the 99-00 really pull at my heart, my girlfriend in highschool had a blue 2000 SI, we would go for a ride get all hot and bothered, then we would wear out her back seat..yessirr.

[@americansmark]

I had an opportunity to buy a very lightly modded 2000 Si around 11 years ago for $3,000 and I passed it up to buy a Saturn Ion Sport, which turned out to be a flood car from Katrina that hadn't been reported to insurance. It blew the transmission at 76,000 miles. I always wonder how much less stressful that era of my life would have been had I listened to my friends and bought the blue Civic Si. 🤣

[@BullittKid08]

Wow, lessons learned for sure. Car would be worth triple now probably

[@lukeskywalker1840]

@@BullittKid08 good condition EM1s with little to no modification are in the $15,000 range and up. Most are selling around the $22,000 on bring a trailer

[@andrewgarcia9873]

Amazing video bro, you explained both sides and I love both cars!! EM1 interior is my favorite.

[@luiscruz-if1sg]

Yes yes and yes Honda should kill the sport & more power on the Si like 220 to 230 i think it will be perfect

[@NewOrleansSpeed]

This. Always wondered why they had a sport trim and an Si trim. Should be a clear step up from a normal civic and then a type R would be an upgrade over the si. Too many “performance” models

[@galantinoisrael]

Yeah

[@mikerinck8523]

I would take the old blue one every single time.

[@lanceripplinger8352]

Another excellent collab video with Alex! What a cool comparison between the current and the old Civics. 👍😁

[@rondail5675]

I like new for technology, power, interior, exterior, brakes, and safety.

[@gsjourney3054]

Like powers cool in civics but ik for me mines 2600 pounds and you don’t need a shit ton of power it’s so fun to rev to 8k and just hear the engine when you drive a turbo car it just feels so bland that it’s like alright I’m driving the older civics are like a movie just getting on the highway🤣

[@JDMEXforme]

The new 4 door Si is dope and all, but the weight and bigger size and quietness of the engine isnt that fun to zip around in the city or on the touge. Plus its 10x easier to work on.

[@BullittKid08]

@@gsjourney3054 the 2020 Si's are between 2,889 to 2,906 lbs so they really are not that much heavier and have so much more tech, safety, emissions, rigidity, insulation, etc. Quite amazing they aren't heavier with all the added equipment

[@BullittKid08]

@@JDMEXforme they aren't actually that heavy, still easy to work on. I do my own maintenance like I did on my 1991 civic

[@vvvvel]

A thinking man review👌 Roman n sons videos are great👍

[@austin4702]

This 99 si was the pinnacle of Honda styling. Now they’re little kid spaceships. Haha

[@R.Nelson]

What a difference in size compared to the old 70s model...Honda Civic all grown up now..🌟

[@BullittKid08]

I bought a 2020 Si during peak covid. $24k out the door with extended warranty, first thing i did was buy a stage 1 tune by Derek Robinson through two step performance (TSP). Car feels exactly how it should have come from the factory. I've had a lot of sport and muscle cars over the years..but with all the torque, good handling, tech, interior comfort, mpg, this car is a perfect daily. I've seen 39-40 mpg on a 250 mile round trip, I've also been able to stay door to door with a newer camaro ss into the triple digits.

[@ascendantrobin3230]

kids in my town are obsessed with the 90’s civics and love their fart can exhausts🤦‍♂️

[@johntotten4872]

I owned a 99 Civic Si in Blue just like that one (Bought it new). Fun car and was great to drive (Btw you can rev it to 8400 then the Rev limiter kicked in, I found 7900 Rpm was a great shift point) I now own a 2014 Civic Si (Also in Blue) and prefer the 2.4L NA engine better then the B16a. The power band is much smoother. I would have bought a brand new Civic Si instead of the 2014 except for the fact they no longer make a 2 door Si also the Turbo motor was a turn off. I also had a 96 Civic Dx I took to 400k miles and it was still going strong.

[@Trump-jv8xf]

Lifetime mustang and corvette owner here. Absolutely love Honda though. Irony, I use to mock 4 bangers but now I truly miss sport compact cars of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Sad very few clean examples still out there:-(

[@geez3023]

I would definitely get the 99 civic

[@jamesbeaman6337]

Sweet ‘99 SI, Alex. Oh, and Roman specifically makes a point not to ask for people to subscribe, unlike most other KZbinrs.

[@cerealfamine1]

Love me an em1 civic si or integra gsr over anything new honda makes.

[@diw.824]

Man The old civic was really small back then but I always like the sound of the old Hondas though.

[@phw340]

Some low mileage Si cars are getting some decent money. On Bring a Trailer back in June a 2000 Si that looks like this one with 5,600 miles sold for $50,000. I’ve never driven one of these but some people really hold these cars dear to their heart!

[@Tanktaco]

Good work on Alex.

[@Gerisheng]

"In every way that's IMmeasurable, I think the 1999 Civic SI is actually better." The perfect quote for this comparison. These days, every automaker from Honda to Ferrari is all about numbers and track times. But I had a 1999 SI, and I now have a fully modern, turbocharged 2019 Mazda that would outrun it. But I'd give up that wall of torque for the razor sharp throttle response and manic revs of my SI. I never missed the lack of torque, because it had that combination of incredible smoothness and the gearing of a farm tractor, so I just stayed in gear a little longer in commute driving. The car didn't care and again, the engine was just sooooo smooth. And don't forget, this was the era of indestructible Japanese cars. Just take a day and look at all the 90's Corollas, Civics, and Sentras still being driven. The current SI is a great car, the 1999 SI is the ultimate poor man's driver's car.

[@stevenpdxedu]

I own a 98 civic LX. Run of the mill beater but it's lower miles. Even though it's an automatic it's still lots of fun to drive. It must be fairly desirable because it keeps getting stolen. But I dust it off, fix up the mess and drive it some more. Hey, it's fun!

[@mark787000]

I was able to snag a 2000 Si and keeping it for life, it's in minty condition it's lightly molested the engine was swapped with a b18c that fixed the bearable torque dilema the best way i can describe The thing, it gets hyper after 5500rpm and goes screaming bananas all the way to 8500rpm the car gets wild i never though a honda could deliver such dramatic crazy acceleration i love the damn car to death.

[@R.Nelson]

Good morning 🌅 Alex!!!...how you been??..two really nice cars!!!...I'm excited for the 22' Civic nxt spring... good to see you Alex😃

[@johnleslie9493]

AoA I completely agree. In this case, newer is NOT better. I had Hondas in the 89’s and 90s and they were such fun to drive. Try to find one now that hasn’t been beaten to death, though, is a tall order.

[@johnleslie9493]

80s

[@erniearruda8861]

Had the same feeling with my 1984 Honda magna that I can red line it up too 11000 rpms and going around corners and straight lines.Also to note the vtec motors were designed from the magna engines back in the early eighties with that boost of power in the higher rpms

[@robertk1049]

Oh Alex, you don’t need to resort to doing a TFL video. You’re above that. For shame.

[@chrisp.5272]

As a guy who started riding a Yamaha R3 last year with a 13,000RPM limit, I gotta have the Honda Civic Si, oh and in blue too.

[@Charlie589]

99 SI for sure!!

[@bschell1969]

Loved Alex’s smile while tagging on the 99 lmao

[@MrBobbyBrown2006]

I love these crossover episodes!

[@drivedb7]

How is this even a debate? People are willing to fork over $50k for clean EM1s these days. I don’t see anyone paying that much for the latest Si, or anything even close to it. It’s pretty obvious which one is better. (Hint: not the red one)

[@ElSantoPlomo]

I have a 2009 4 Door Si.. and I can tell you they are pretty fast. Not pulling out but that acceleration will come quick. I've beaten Chargers on the Highway because it has more acceleration on the Highway. While the Charger beat me pulling out I catches up to it and straight saw him on my rear view

[@eddiesidorov8635]

100% would take the '99 and I am not even a hipster purist, cars were simply more fun in the 90s and I would get it for the nostalgia because this is one case where they truly don't make them like they used to anymore. Safety regulations, technology, etc have made these new cars behemoths, I want simple, fun, and nimble.

[@alexp6409]

The turbocharged Si lacks the intoxicating rush to redline and intake howl of the ‘99, but the ‘99 doesn’t have quite enough power. I think the best of both worlds is the 8th gen. I wish I hadn’t sold mine!

[@Mr.Worf63]

The ‘99 is better looking , clean & simple . I’m not spending $31K 🇨🇦🇨🇦on an Si . I’ve only driven a 1988 CRX Si , what a blast !!! 5spd . Great review Alex !!

[@yes8032]

I like both

[@coyote102076]

Honda has done what every stupid car maker does................"BIGGER! LONGER! WIDER! MORE ROOM! than the last generation!" Over. And over. And Over again. They all do it. The early Civic's were truly COMPACT. My son's 2nd car, a 1996 ACCORD V6 that has been in the family since NEW, is SMALLER than the new generation Civic parked beside of it in the parking lot! Remember when the Sentra was small? Now they are bigger than the original ALTIMA! Compact cars NEVER STAY small light and compact. They just make them bigger & bigger till the original nameplate means nothing! GREAT review dude!

[@harrisnickoles9217]

I have a 2009 civic si sedan. Cold air intake, full exhaust, and tune. I test drove the new civic si and it's like they took the soul out of the vehicle. The manual shifter felt like it was electronic and the clutch pedal had no feedback. In this case, older is definitely better.

[@alexp6409]

I had a 2009 Si sedan as well and wish I hadn’t gotten rid of it. It had more power and features than the ‘99 but had a far better driving feel than the 10th gen. It was the perfect Si in my opinion!

[@lsjionredlinesupercharged2049]

99-00 SI is the best SI mad period.

[@brentonwelty502]

Love the collab!

[@desertaliend_b9840]

Our kids who will only have electric cars will think VTech was BS compared to instinct torque from their 2050s Tesla’s

[@z32luvr]

No noise. No fun.

[@drivedb7]

Tesla.... 🥱

[@palebeachbum]

Tesla is like driving a computer on wheels. Not an engaging driving experience.

[@G5usFrk]

Fun Honda fan boy video. I appreciate the description of the character vs the spec sheets of the old school Honda’s. My friend drove us around his 1993 Integra GSR, I bought a 2000 Civic HX for my first car, then upgraded to a 2008 Mugen SI. My son is saving up for a car and I’m waiting for him to buy mine from me to keep it in the family. Looking to see how the new type Rs turn out to replace my Mugen.

[@kuhndog-1196]

Em1's are the best.

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

Whoa, nice crossover episode!

[@spitfireaace]

I love old Si

[@MPowerSubie12]

Funny how no one really cared about these unicorn cars up on until covid nostalgia hit when I was picking them up for $5k and not $50k 😂

[@miteshshah8060]

I love 4-banger v-tec Honda’s.....I grew up racing and driving them! Only thing I hate about Honda’s are louder they are the faster they are. Just loud 4 cylinder cars....that’s with the loud tuned mufflers and engine work