Hi, I was debating on which car to get. My 2 choices are an SI or a RA.

My last car wasn't too good. and it responded very poorly to basic upgrades ie CAI, Exhaust, etc. So I figured if I want a fast car, I'm going to have to get a higher priced car.

Now, I like Si's and I've been wanting one for a long time, plus I want to see how it compares to my 03 civic.

BUT, the ralliart just looks too damn sexy. I've been recently looking into them and my ideal lancer is a blue one with black wheel and tinting all around. Plus the price of it is great if you compare it to an EVO which is completely out of my budget.

Now my questions are.

1. Does the RA respond well to performance after market parts?

2. Does anyone reccomend it over an SI such as price value, performance.

Thnx for your time.

 

Any time you add parts to a F/I car you will see more power comparing it to a N/A car. Also, stomp on the gas in the rain with both cars. Tell me what happens.

Take a look at the post from Brian at GST. He is posting a FREE flash to our cars that will add a substantial amount of extra power.
I see it as a no brainier. Not because I own one but because you are looking for performance. You will be very pleased with your purchase when you walk away from an SI.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/09...t-basemap.html

 

^agreed. The SI is not that fast, really isnt at all. As far as value, the RA was rated not only best value in its class when it came out, but is also top rated for safety, and on top of that, you get a top of the line AWD system with a turbocharged engine that is quick. A RA will smoke an SI, bottom line, if you are looking for the absolute best value, and still want to go fast, go with a RA.

 

IMO If you've had your heart set on the SI, that long, you really should stay there. Even if you love the RA, you'll always wonder what could have been having already put in the emotional effort on the SI.

 

The RA is more practical (if you're getting the sportback), has better grunt (260 lb torque down loowww), and there's nothing like slapping on a set of winter's on and being shoved into the back of your seat when you floor it in 6" of snow.

 

100% stock 2010 Lancer Ralliart with only flash tune:

+30whp / +35 wtq



Stock 2010 Lancer Ralliart with only flash tune + Boost Pill:

+37whp / +51 wtq



I have my own little project Ralliart, check out this thread for more information: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/09...sportback.html

- Bryan

 

Before I purchased my RA, I was in the same boat as you, plus the Genesis.

I read numerous SI forums, RA forums, and Genesis forums.

I didn't look for what's good in these vehicles, but more of the, what's not good about these vehicle.

In the end, I choice the RA... Insurance was lower and its AWD (Aside from many other reasons of course)

I'm not so sure if the stock RA is "faster" than a stock SI, but being "quicker" off the line, the RA wins.

If its a rolling pull, it might be challenging for the RA...

I'm sure most RA owners here feels that the top end of the RA really lacks power when they just bought it , even GST showed the dyno of a base RA, and you can see the top end curve isn't impressive.

But after a tune, its a completely different car... which I think that's how the RA should be when you got it from the dealer...

 

Bottom line to me is an SI is front wheel drive. So, even IF you can get it up to 300 HP (crank or flywheel doesn't matter), you'll be struggling to break 0-60 in 6s on street tires. Not only that, but once you get that much power to the front wheels, I hope you like torque steer like a ... ahem... if you're thinking about tracking it, you'll have to drop more loads more cash on it to keep up with other cars that are AWD or RWD than the AWD/RWD cars just to keep up with them...

you can make a FWD car fast... but it don't make it right...

Then again, I've never really liked Hondas... especially the new SI's... they look like a short wheel base Toyota Prius to me... regardless, i do give props out to those that are hooked up nicely

my 2cents...

But honestly, you should do what you ~really~ want... several test drives in both is in order, IMO...

but like the others have said, the RA will respond better to mods than the SI will, because of the turbo...

 

I see. thanks for all the helpful advice. I haven't driven an AWD before so I guess I'll try that.

Then I think I'll switch over to mitsubishi then. Si's are around 22k-25k here, and RA's around 27k without recaro sports package, which I think I'll get.

But I'll definitely take them both out for a test drive. Although seeing as how dealers are, the dirtbags at honda are going to try to not let me live without a car.

Btw last question. Does anyone have complaints about the recaro package. Is it worth it?

Thanks again for the help and advice.

 

Not sure what all comes in the US recaro package, but in canada in 2009 it was standard, with hids, recaros, and something else.. anyways, they are amazing. Wouldnt trade them for anything at this point. As for the hid's they have saved me from hitting a deer on the highway already, well worth the extra couple bucks.

 

The Recaro seats aren't for everyone. My best advice is to go to the dealership and get in and out of the car a few times. If you have a gf or wife, make sure she is able to get in and out of the passenger side as well. The high side bolsters can be a bit of a pain. also, there is no height adjustment for the Recaro seats, so if it is hard to see over the steering wheel, it's not going to get any better.

 

LOL.

 

1. The RA responds better to mods than the SI because its forced induction. For the SI you would need the bolt ons, I/H/E and Kpro which is over $2000 already. You would gain maybe 50whp. With $2,000 invested in mods for the RA you will be over 100whp and torque gained which makes you a full second faster overall.

2. I would say the SI would overall be a more reliable car except for the 3rd gear syncros in the SI transmission which will wear and you will grind gears. If your lucky you could score a nice deal on a RA a price as close to the SI. Maybe 22-25k.
SI's are running $19k last time I was shopping. Performance-wise I wouldn't be surprised that the SI out handles the RA out the box, but just a couple hundred for a swaybar it would change the game a lot.

 

Hmmm... as others have said before, it would be what you need in the end. If you definitely have to have a manual tranny, your choice is clear. Nothing wrong with the SI at all... a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder with nice performance (not all of us need 200+HP to live) and SI's apparently now come in a sedan variation.

That said... having had an SI in the past, the torque is a joke and you need to hit the high RPMs to feel anything from the vtec... I have no idea if that's changed over the years. I can't knock on the aftermarket support for civics... they're freakin' everywhere.

Ralliart: power to all four wheels and turbo'd... that was enough for me. And the recaro seats are not for everyone... had a "heavier" friend complain about them during her entire ride.

Whichever one you choose, good luck!

 

I couldnt disagree more with whoever said the SI could outperform the RA out the box in the higher torque range/rpm whatever. I actually got the opportunity to "test drive" an SI into the ground after I had just bought my Ralliart and was driving it home. Funny enough, in the high gears, high rpms, that little SI got left behind, very far behind.