In 2019, I started looking for a faster, funner car to replace my (mom’s) 2004 Pontiac Vibe lowered on BC coilovers fitted with TE37 OGs and some ground effects kit. I’ll post that sometime on the site but… that car was slow. Although older me now realized that the Vibe was the perfect daily with hella cargo space, efficient gas mileage, and a solid engine, it was just too slow and boring. The car that I was extensively searching for was the 8th gen Civic SI (FA5). I really loved the 8th gen Civic Type R (FD2) and FD conversions were getting common so that convinced me even more to get one. (Spoiler alert: I didn’t do the FD2 conversion lol)

Fast forward to September of 2020, I finally secured a 120k mile 2007 Civic SI in Fiji Blue Pearl with the Honda Factory Performance (HFP) kit. It came with the OEM roof visors, carpet floor mats, and all-weather floor mats (trunk included). I got hooked up lol. Despite having the usual peeling clear coat, I was a happy camper. Such a happy camper, the first thing I did after parking my new car in my driveway was throwing on the CHRNCLS x Battlecraft Hyper Teardrop shift knob. Funny thing is that I’ve been holding on to this shift knob way before I got the car.

My plan with the car was to become a better driver honestly. I played Need for Speed: Underground and Forza Motorsport 3 in my early days and always loved the idea of racing. After 3+ years of ownership, I still have not been able to track the car unfortunately. Besides that, I knew this platform would be the perfect start in not only gaining knowledge in driving but also in wrenching and installing performance mods.

Mod List (as of April 2024)

• Engine: Stock K20Z3
• Transmission: Acuity Shifter Cable Bushings, Exedy Stage 1 Clutch, EM2 Clutch Master Cylinder (46920-S5A-G07), RSX Type-S Slave Master Cylinder (HYB-SLV-01-12), and Hybrid Racing Clutch Line Conversion Kit (CLI-01-02BLK)
• Exhaust: Skunk2 Megapower R (70mm) Catback
• Suspension: Skunk2 Rear Camber Arms
• Wheels: Advan RG II SBC 17×9 +35, 17×8 +37
• Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/40ZR17, 235/45ZR17 (for All-Seasons) and Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 235/45R17 (for Winter)
• Brakes: Fronts – EBC Redstuff Brake Pads & Brembo Blank Rotors

The story about the wheels:

Like my seach for the car, I was on a super concentrated search for the right fitting wheels. Since purchasing the SI, I scrolled through multiple pages on Croooober. After raising my savings back up from the required maintenance on the car, I was able to snag a pretty clean staggered set of Advan RG II’s. The condition was alright but for the price with shipping included, I knew I copped a steal. With the help of Brandon Prak from RIVAL Wraps, he mounted a set of Michelin Pilot Sports and aligned the car for me. I knew that I wanted to execute this car with Japanese-tuning as inspiration so I installed the fresh set of wheels and tires in a reverse stagger.

I know I’m going to get clowned for my “4×4 fitment” but you can’t be mad at the fitment with the car at stock height! I live in Denver, CO as opposed to my hometown of Sunnyvale, CA so with the random snow we have, it wouldn’t be smart (financially and logically) to throw on coilovers; besides that, the roads here are trash. Here’s my SI with my dad’s garage queen, 1985 Nissan 200SX.

The car has been a dream to drive. Pros: minimal maintenance besides the valve adjustment service, 6 speed, VTEC, quick and nimble, sleek body lines, and reliable. Cons: cosmetics, rust from spending most of its life on the Eastern part of the United States, and usual wear on components from age. I love this car a lot. I’d occassionally debate whether I’ll sell it or trade it for a Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, or Lexus GX but everytime I hopped in, turned the key, and started driving, it was always a fun time. It’s a sentimenal car to me as much as I currently try to deny it lol. I love it.

It’s taken me to places I never thought it would take me. It’s got me: out and about in the midst of the COVID pandemic, through college chasing my Bachelor’s degree at San Jose State University, 1200+ miles from the West Coast of California to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, home safe and sound after working long hours as a tire technician, then lube technician, and now an entry-level technician. Did I say I love this car a lot?

This car has only let me down once when the passenger rear caliper blew as I was exiting the 280. I was running late for work so I hit 90mph right before entering the exit lane and noticed my brake pedal sunk to the floor. I managed to brake safely at the exit and arrived carefully on time for my part-time closing shift as a bobarista. After that shift, I got home and my pops was concerned that I didn’t refill the brake master cylinder with brake fluid haha.

This is Saber. Yeah she has a name and yeah she’s a girl! As of right now, she’s in need of new motor mounts, an alignment, and switching out the Bridgestone Blizzaks for the Michelin Pilot Sports in preparation of the upcoming warm Colorado weather. In conclusion – hands down, the best daily driver – no bias or anything…

I knew I couldn’t post car features on this site without posting my car first. I hope y’all had a good read about my “dream car”. See you back again and thanks for visiting revize!