Civic Si or Type R? Help Me Decide

[zumbooruk]

I purchased the DE5 ADS module a day after I took delivery of my FL5.

It took the edge off the bouncy jittery FL5 OEM ride

comfort was acceptable for daily driving. yet I had to manually remember to switch before going on a fun ride or on-ramps.

also DE5 was softer in all modes, including +R so it did not go to "hardest" in +R

but now I have the DSC controller and I love it. highly recommended.

the best thing about the DSC is that it automagically adjusts across a the entire range from softest (almost supple) to hardest when in comfort mode based on the inputs. I no longer have to fiddle with the mode as I drive

DSC sport goes from medium to hardest, and hard to hardest in +R mode.

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[VarmintCong]

I've owned a 2020 Si and now a 2025 Type R. For the street i prefer the Si, but it's not a great track car with the rev hang and lack of top end, also the Type R has a lot more headroom for a helmet if you're tall. I don't do track days anymore but the Type R feels like a monster track car.

 

[Robo7]

Had a 2022 Si. Fun car, very practical with excellent fuel economy. Traded it for a 2024 Type R and it’s just in a different league entirely. Hard to believe they are both Civics. Type R puts a smile on my face every time I get into it. The Si didn’t.

 

[zumbooruk]

Had a 2022 Si. Fun car, very practical with excellent fuel economy. Traded it for a 2024 Type R and it’s just in a different league entirely. Hard to believe they are both Civics. Type R puts a smile on my face every time I get into it. The Si didn’t.

I was driving very easy during break-in

The first time I came home after break-in my wife asked “why the grin on your face?”

I attempted to explain, she didn’t get it

Now that I have the DSC active suspension controller, @COBB Tuning intake, AccessPort and custom tune by Brian at @JST Performance the grin got even bigger

and she still doesn’t get it

 

[ModJPB]

I've owned a 2020 Si and now a 2025 Type R. For the street i prefer the Si, but it's not a great track car with the rev hang and lack of top end, also the Type R has a lot more headroom for a helmet if you're tall. I don't do track days anymore but the Type R feels like a monster track car.

Is the extra headroom because lack of sunroof or lower seating or both? I was going to do an autocross and was also concerned about helmet clearance. Im 5'6", how tall are you? Was it a tight fit or impossible to drive with a helmet?

 

[jcb]

If you can afford it, get the R. Both are great cars. The R is for me equal to a Porsche for fun. The Si is not even close in this regard.

 

[magicpacket]

If you don't yet own a house or any property for that matter, get the Si. Don't be that guy with the CTR in an apartment lol. That being said, get the Type R, no brainer.

 

[keitel]

Don't be That Guy

Listen to this guy.


Track? Type R. Otherwise, the Si is an amazing daily.

 

[CG13]

For the track you need to consider the modification costs in your budget. Type R needs at minimum: brake fluid, brake pads, negative front camber, radiator, oil cooler.

You said it’s primarily for track so you’re going to need those.

 

[marcusm86]

Hey everyone! I’m new to the forums.
Straight to the point—I need some help deciding between a Civic Si and a Type R. The only thing that really matters to me is track performance since I’ll be tracking the car regularly. Is the roughly $20k price difference worth it? If you’ve driven or owned either, I’d love to hear your thoughts and whether you’d spend the extra money on the Type R.

your question seems rhetorical - "matters to me is track performance since I’ll be tracking the car." help me decide between a track car and not a track car
In all reality - you might "save" some money buying a SI and upgrading everything if you don't plan on having something much faster than a stock fl5

 

[MooMoo]

If tracking is the objective the choice would would be -

If I have 50 grand - Type R

If I have 35 grand - Elantra N

Si does not even come into this equation

 

[Pekingduck]

I had 2018 si with 150k miles and used it for track days and my commuter with a street build tune, intercooler, downpipe, pads, ss lines, wheels with only 5k worth of mods. I was only 2 second off the type r at my usual tracki frequent. To me they feel similar due to being front wheel drive beside understeer more tame on the type r until you approach limits. But the biggest thing is experience I have in the car it feel more experience as sitting position and interacting with other car enthusiasts. But running cost was a big surprise, my type r 2023 has 50k and I was changing tires every 10k, front pads everything 15k and rear pads every 10k due to brake vectoring and new rotors once. Plus the mpg was terrible at 23mpg compared to si was around 35k. I feel the si would be enjoyment for yourself and type would be enjoyment for yourself plus making a statement to other people saying I am enthusiast. I only bought the type r due to being last of maybe solely gas powered.

 

[Pekingduck]

If tracking is the objective the choice would would be -

If I have 50 grand - Type R

If I have 35 grand - Elantra N

Si does not even come into this equation

I agree bang for buck Elantra n better. Mpg, reliability, and pure running cost si better

 

[CG13]

I had 2018 si with 150k miles and used it for track days and my commuter with a street build tune, intercooler, downpipe, pads, ss lines, wheels with only 5k worth of mods. I was only 2 second off the type r at my usual tracki frequent. To me they feel similar due to being front wheel drive beside understeer more tame on the type r until you approach limits. But the biggest thing is experience I have in the car it feel more experience as sitting position and interacting with other car enthusiasts. But running cost was a big surprise, my type r 2023 has 50k and I was changing tires every 10k, front pads everything 15k and rear pads every 10k due to brake vectoring and new rotors once. Plus the mpg was terrible at 23mpg compared to si was around 35k. I feel the si would be enjoyment for yourself and type would be enjoyment for yourself plus making a statement to other people saying I am enthusiast. I only bought the type r due to being last of maybe solely gas powered.

Shut off torque vectoring when tracking. Front pads will be destroyed unless you go to an aftermarket track ready set.

Two seconds is a lot, depending on the track, and it’s more dependent on the driver. There are huge differences between Type R and SI that none of your listed mods address.

 

[Cueyo]

I don't get it, 15k is not small. Like the others are saying, if you're shopping for one, the other shouldn't be anywhere near what you want. If you want an SI but with more speed, look at an Elantra N or WRX. If you want a type R, look at type R competitors.

The TypeR is a great track car but to drive it as a commuter daily will probably be painful.

Type R was my daily for a year and I can confidently say I will keep dailying it forever - just that I can't drive continuously in the car for more than 2 hours at a time

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