'06 Accord V6 Coupe 6M or '06 Civic SI?

[note: I also cross posted this in the hopes of getting the most answers to
my question]

hi,

I hope this doesn't sound stupid, but for some reason I'm totally torn
between which car to buy: the '06 Civic SI, or the '06 Accord Coupe V6 w/ 6
speed MT.

I've had the Accord coupe before - a 2002 V6 model (but with AT - it had 200
hp). And I really like the '06 MT version of the V6, with its 244 hp and
200+ lb. ft of torque. AND I like the fact that it has a better sound system
than the Coupe V6 auto.

On the other hand, I'm really attracted to the Civic SI - the new '06 body,
the 350 watt sound system w/ subwoofer (it looks like it's going to be nigh
on impossible to add a subwoofer to the Accord Coupe). It's got a decent 197
hp, a 6 speed MT, and yet .....

The Civic SI has 50 less hp, only has 138 ft lb or torque or so, and it
weighs only 500 lbs less than the Accord Coupe! Plus leather isn't even an
option.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts on the way you'd go. Thanks in advance.

p.s. - I have already ruled out other makes - I've narrowed it down to the
two Hondas).

 

Lower center of gravity--makes it an entirely different car.

As for leather, you'll be able to get it anywhere. Shoot, I bet your
dealer knows exactly where to get it right now.

I talked with a guy at the dealership last week; he has a 6 speed Accord
coupe, an 05, and he likes the new Civic Si better.

 

As does the limited slip differential; standard in the Si but not
available in the Accord.

However, the Accord is the more comfortable car of the two.

Sport or comfort?

 

Pretty much, that's it.

And if you throw Toyota in there, you have three levels to choose from:
Si sport, Accord mix of sport/comfort, or Toyota lean toward comfort
only.

 

Thanks to all for your thoughts - I should have been more clear on my
driving needs. I drive back and forth weekly from the coast to 200 miles
inland. Based on it being mostly highway (with only two 30+ mile stretches
of country road where an SI would really come in handy), I'm going to go w/
the Accord. The SI was SO tempting, but for this 50 y.o., the Accord coupe
w/ 6 speed MT should do just fine....

Plus I found out today adding a subwoofer isn't going to be a big deal.

thanks again,
DT

 

I agree with you.

 

I have had a short drive in the Civic Si and it is a very impressive --
comparable to my Prelude. At age 64 comfort was not a problem. Accord 6
speeds are as scarce as hens teeth as are Civics. Of course, you will pay a
premium for either. Our local dealer is selling the Civic Si for $24,500
without any options and getting it. Last Accord 6 speed I saw available was
at an Atlanta dealer for over $31k.

 

I guess they're getting more plentiful (the Accord) - I was quoted 24,800 in
SC. I pick it up Saturday!

 

Amazing! The prices here in Middle Ga are much higher.

 

Yep.... took delivery today -- San Marino red, ivory leather, 6 speed manual
trans -- sweeter than I would have hoped! And the first order of business
was to take a 250 mile road trip in it. It is a great car, fantastic value.
Paid $26,400 which included rear spoiler and fog lights. Picked it up in
SC....

I can't wait to wind it up once the engine has a few more miles (the owner's
manual says to wait til at least 600 miles)

 

Desert:

Congrats on the new vehicle purchase! I like the look of the Accord
Coupes as well but am probably going to go with an Accord Sedan
shortly!

Question for ya! Were the rear spoiler and fog lights the only
optional equipment you had added?

On Honda's site, those two features add $499 and $330 to the base MSRP
of 27,400 giving you a total MSRP of $28,779 when you add in the $550
Destination and Handling charge.

According to Edmunds, the average invoice price for the vehicle looks
to be around $26,455 (without any optional equipment).

So, at just 26,400, it sounds to me like you negotiated quite a deal!

Did you do much haggling or was it pretty straight forward? Just
wanted to learn for my upcoming purchase!

Thanks!
Drew

 

Here in California you cannot get a SI without paying way over MSRP.
None of the dealers have them in stock.

The Accord you can get them here....

 

I just picked up the V6 Coupe 6MT for $24850 (looks like Desert Trek
beat me by $50). You can't really go by invoice anymore as the car
manufactures find ways to hide the real price of the cars. I know that
for my Accord there was an $880 hold back that you would subtract from
the invoice price. There are probably also volume rebates that the
dealer gets at the end of the month as well.

I got my price by just going to the Honda website, finding a major
dealer and requested a quote. That came back with a quote of $24957.
They were then willing to take an additional $100 off after I went into
the dealership with almost no haggling. I probably could have got them
to go a hundred or so lower if I actually worked at it, but I wasn't
thinking at the time.

BTW, that Edmunds price seems way too high, you sure that doesn't
include the navigation system? I checked Consumer Reports and they had
$26,465 as the invoice without destination but with Nav. The non-nav
invoice is listed as $25,218 with destination.