[BMW Dreamer]

How would you compare the drive, handling, and fun factor of these 2 cars.

07 Honda Civic Si sedan. This is the best handling FWD car I have driven. It pulls .89g on a skidpad. 0-60 in 6.3 sec. The weight distribution is about 62% front, 38% rear. I am able to make the rear slide out taking corners at high speeds. The car is alot of fun to drive. How much better will the 135i feel. I have never driven a BMW. The best handling car I have ever owned was a 1983 Firebird WS6 with huge stabilizer bars, very firm top of the line WS6 springs and I installed Koni's best dial-adjust shocks, along with Comp T/A 245/45/16" tires. This was back in 1986. How will the 135i manual compare to these cars.

Sorry for the stupid question. I am just wondering if I will really love this car.

[kevintran]

I have driven both the Civic Si and the 135. The Civic is great with its front LSD, lots of fun to rev that high. I drove the 135, lots of torque down low, doesn't rev as high and power tapers off at the top. What I'm trying to say is these are two different cars, coupe, sedan etc.

If you love driving like myself go and drive 135 and you will LOVE IT.

[larryn]

Jeff, you haven't driven a 135i yet? Take some time off and go take one for a spin. Asking us how the 135i compares to a feeling you have regarding two totally different cars would be impossible for us to do.

If you do go down to drive one, maybe it will finally help you make a decision as to what you might like to do. :smile:

[BMW Dreamer]

Originally Posted by larryn

Jeff, you haven't driven a 135i yet? Take some time off and go take one for a spin. Asking us how the 135i compares to a feeling you have regarding two totally different cars would be impossible for us to do.

If you do go down to drive one, maybe it will finally help you make a decision as to what you might like to do. :smile:

Thanks Larry. I was asked to drive the auto 135i but I said I better not. I might flip out and buy one right away. I have done that a few times in the past.

I am just kind of worried buying a 135i manual. Can this car be driven nice and normal, or does the car make you fly. I LOVE manuals and keep wondering if I should consider the slushbox to keep me from driving like a lunatic all the time.

I will probably take one for a ride when the weather is about 80 degrees out. I am off 2 days during the week, so I can go there when they are not busy.

[larryn]

The car just begs you to blip the throttle, regardless of gearing choices, but it's easy to drive controlled and normally. Drive the step, and it will answer your questions about handling and fun factor anyway... :iono:

I can't imagine it not being able to do circles around that 26 year old Pontiac. That car weighed a thousand lbs more than this car does, and the technology in tires, steering, and suspension are like space age compared to stone age between those two cars.

[mistermojorizin]

very easy to drive it normally. just keep it in 3rd on the street and 6th on the highway and use the torque to push you along. the car doesn't feel high strung at all - the clutch is light, and the shifter pulls itself into place. just get on the gas a little sooner to smooth out the upshifts. very relaxed. and it rides very smooth unless you hit a big bump.

[BMW Dreamer]

Sounds great. I am going crazy. If I didn't spend $25k on home theater and other toys on my credit card, I would be driving a 135i now. I didn't plan ahead. BUT all those credit card toys will be paid off Oct 1, 08 Then its time to save $2k a month for the 135i. I will probably order one in Jan/Feb 09. DAM, CRAP. Well I won't need any more electronic toys for a LONG time.

[larryn]

Jeff... is the 1962 in your moniker your birth year? Adding $25k in credit card debt on something frivolous just doesn't sound like something a 46 yo person would do. Just curious because I was born around there and that would be the last thing I'd think of. I agree that you should reduce debt and save some before adding more debt.

[BMW Dreamer]

YEP. I spent about $25k on a very nice HD home theater and a new 1080P 50" Sony SXRD for my bedroom. But I am at 0% for a year. It was $25k last July 07 and will be paid off by Oct 1 08 I have been doing/buying nothing to pay it off quick. Interest starts to apply after Sept 08. YES Feb. 21, 1962

I also transferred a good sum in a company ESOP that will grow pretty big in 5 years. I have a good plan ahead. I just need to get past Oct 1 08. These items are not wasted money. My main interests are audio/video, and cars, thats it. I don't do anything else. Many people spend money on golf, bowling, etc. I enjoy the above. A true HD Theater. See my Avatar, thats a 118" Carada fixed pro screen.


133 days until $0.00 on credit cards.

[Bullitt]

My goodness, Jeff. I thought you test drove the 135i already. Like when it first came out. But I understand why you've been holding off. If you test drove one, you'd go insane considering your situation, since you'd probably want to buy one on the spot!

[BMW Dreamer]

YAH, I did that when I bought my first 2000 Tundra, and my first 2006 Acura TL. I went to look and tradded on the spot. With todays economy I am getting all credit bills paid off first, saving for a decent down payment. I recently have finished paying child support and schooling. Now I can save AND buy a new car, but I must be patient and do it the way I planned on paper 10 months ago. I haven't swayed from my plan yet. I hate waiting, but I will probably order one in 255 days, 6,120 hours, 367,200 minutes, 22,032,000 seconds. OH CRAP.

[ChrisK]

You haven't driven the 135i yet??? :eyebulge:

BTW, having owned a '06 Civic Si....No comparison to the 135i

[BrownBoy]

Wow, for someone who makes a point of exposing (and exaggerating) every little flaw the 135i has, I thought you'd at LEAST driven one before...

[Kokanator135]

That's a little unjustified.....I mean Jeff has an opinion on everything, but I like the input. That's what a forum's for.

Of course it helps that Jeff also has good taste in interior colors!! - see my sig. :wink:

[Heinzftw]

Haven't driven a 135i yet. But after having driven a 07 Si. Which is broke traction in 2nd gear on a massive uphill. I would love to drive or own either! With the income of a 17 year old. 20k a year doesn't cut it for me!

[BMW Dreamer]

There ya go Heinzftw. People who haven't ever driven a new Si shouldn't say they are bad cars. Its the best FWD Fun car I have ever driven or owned. Much more fun then my $39k Acura TL-S.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

There ya go Heinzftw. People who haven't ever driven a new Si shouldn't say they are bad cars. Its the best FWD Fun car I have ever driven or owned. Much more fun then my $39k Acura TL-S.

Jeff, please go drive the 1........

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

There ya go Heinzftw. People who haven't ever driven a new Si shouldn't say they are bad cars. Its the best FWD Fun car I have ever driven or owned. Much more fun then my $39k Acura TL-S.

Jeff I owned a '06 Civic Si, you need to drive the 135i to understand how under powered the Si is. :wink:

[atr_hugo]

Comparing FWD cars to RWD cars is very difficult - because high-powered FWD cars tend to lose 'balance'. I've driven the Focus FR200 and more than my share of turbo Saabs (including Viggens) and while they're fun, they can be a handful coming off corners under power.

I think the most fun FWD car I've owned was the '91 Sentra SE-R, good HP (the SR20DE engine was a jewel) - light weight and a decent suspension. That car could be tossed around. Maybe a FWD equivalent of the Miata I owned.

The Miata was the first RWD after a series of FWD cars replaced my turbo Mustangs (I started my car life with a FWD Fiat 128).

I have moved on from FWD again, I will no longer own one (until I buy another one ; -).

The 135i is pretty special. Bear in mind I was looking for a "Grand Touring" car (and didn't want the physical or visual size of the 335i - nor did I want the back seats). The 135i has exceeded my expectations.

[sndprssr]

Originally Posted by BrownBoy

Wow, for someone who makes a point of exposing (and exaggerating) every little flaw the 135i has, I thought you'd at LEAST driven one before...

+1
Maybe someone should keep his "opinions" of the "slushbox" to himself until he has actually driven one. I'll take my "slushbox" against anything comparable in power he can find anyday. Don't judge it unless you've driven it, it's not "just another auto"...

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

I LOVE manuals and keep wondering if I should consider the slushbox to keep me from driving like a lunatic all the time.

[BMW Dreamer]

I will go drive one soon. I just fully dislike going into BMW dealers or any other high end European car dealer. I feel like I don't fit in making only 60k a year. Especially driving a Civic Si. When I had my 07 TL-S I felt different.

sndprssr: I was saying I was considering the auto. What are you talking about?

atr hugo: I know about the SER, my neice has one and my Si is just as fast and handles about the same. The SER has more torque, but about the same 0-60. They are both fun low cost FWD cars.

larryn: I will drive one soon. Like I said above I really don't like going there at all.

ChrisK: I understand.
I wasn't going to add to this silly thread like I said it was. I was hoping it would just die off.

I have been asked twice if I wanted to drive it, but declined.