VIEWS AND REVIEWS.(Auto File)(Honda Civic Si)(Brief Article)

OWNERS

I really like this car. It's quick and nimble, has a quiet engine, corners great and the seats are magnificent. I like the way it takes off from lights and the position of the shifter, plus road noise is minimal. Things I don't like: There isn't enough storage room and the cabin needs more covered storage space, as the glovebox and other storage areas are tiny. Also, the car should come with bigger tires, as the originals don't do justice to this pocket rocket.

G. GALLEGO, Marietta, Ga.

I didn't look at many other cars before purchasing the Civic Si-you don't pick up the phone and call the next girl from the bar when you just fell in love. It's a wonderful car. The interior is great and I love the shifter and all the room. More importantly, it handles like something out of an arcade game. This is my first manual-transmission car and I'll never go back. It's a fast, tight, lean, mean, accelerating machine. It gets great gas mileage. And since it's a Honda, I'll still be driving it after 200,000 miles rather than looking to trade it in after 60,000.

MICHAEL D. CASSANO, Afton, Minn.

Finally, some headroom in a performance-oriented Honda. I'm still in the break-in period, so I haven't had the opportunity to give the engine a workout, but I really haven't needed to. The Si has great low-end torque for a Honda four-cylinder. The gearshift is simply the best and the handling is great.

TODD HOWELL, Raleigh, N.C.