JogJog

Had an opp to try out a Civic Si, Wow. It may be blasphamous but it out handles the A4 hands down. I took it down a couple of very winding roads and a great hairpin and the thing actually oversteered and had great steering feedback. Interior was pretty good usual honda plastic dash but the stiched seats, and steering wheel had a great feel. And that shifter postioned rally style was the smoothest I think I have ever thrown. Clutch felt much like the A4's which got me, I hope the new A3 is as fun. Car had some torquesteer but managable and the engine had a nice linear curve. I hated the Type-s RSX but the Civic Si is whole other story, car has great balance and did not want to understeer at points where my old A4 1.8t quat would. Anyone else have a chance to drive one?

Sharm

It's the Euro Civic - I got one for my sister in law in the UK. It's built to handle like the Ford focus - It's actually quite a good car to drive and I really enjoyed it on the winding mountain roads in Wales, especially with the raised gearstick.

You're not so mad.

Not sure the A4 isn't ultimately better though - but they're not really comparable cars weight/function wise

JogJog

I know Eurotuner and European Car have had a big debate and ultimately said yes. Did you by chance get her the TypeR? Honestly I hadn't been a fan of the H brand till I drove that lil bugger. The version I drove is the 2litre 160hp version labled the Si here in the states. I also thought it handled better than the Focus SVT I drove a few weeks back. The engine had great pull but it had a tendency to understeer alot where as the Civic was neutral in light turns but when pushed I could feel the boot slide out.

Sharm

and it was the type R. Funny thing is, it's built in Swindon, I bought it from a dealer in Dublin, Ireland and bought it back on the ferry driving it back past the factory it was built in as it was thousands of pounds cheaper to do that.

Good car I think. If you get a chance you might like trying an Alfa Romeo some time, they're great fun.

Sharm

Actually a surprising amount of car design get's done in UK - particularly mech/eng

JogJog

I love the teardrop type windows. That car is just beautiful.

I noticed that...Ford,Audi,Honda,Hyundai,Subi/Mitsu and GM do alot of R&D there. Isn' Prodrive and Xtrac based in the UK also?