Which spec SE vs Sport

[simon1]

Hi,

I've had a small problem with my broker and am now looking at getting my SE 2.2 somewhere else. I have been offered a good deal on a new 5 door 2.2 Sport. I have seen some of the differences between the sport and the SE on the Honda website, can anyone help me with what the main differences are? Any suspension differences? Do the 17" wheels make it that much better or worse? And from what I see, the sport does not have the centre armrest for the driver - is this true? If so, I guess you lose all that lovely storage space.

[BigP]

The sport does have a centre armrest- it also has HID lights, front fogs, and 17" alloys. I haven't driven a civic on 16s but I find the ride fairly firm but quite acceptable on the 17s. I think the car looks much better on bigger wheels too.

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by simon1

Hi,

I've had a small problem with my broker and am now looking at getting my SE 2.2 somewhere else. I have been offered a good deal on a new 5 door 2.2 Sport. I have seen some of the differences between the sport and the SE on the Honda website, can anyone help me with what the main differences are? Any suspension differences? Do the 17" wheels make it that much better or worse? And from what I see, the sport does not have the centre armrest for the driver - is this true? If so, I guess you lose all that lovely storage space.

What was the problem you had with the broker??

[simon1]

Originally Posted by NH Dan

What was the problem you had with the broker??

It's a contract hire broker who now says she has made 'a mistake' with the price. I thought it was too good to be true. I'm hoping to speak with her again tomorrow after she's checked on what she can do but she now says she can't get me the leather option I wanted for the price I was told about in December, although I said to order the car in January. I'll see what she comes back with but I may have to lose that lovely leather option as it's going to be too much on the new price she's offered me. I think she should give it to me at the quoted price and will push that tomorrow.

[aslz78]

Ive got an SE. It comes with an armrest, and its still a fairly firm ride in my opinion. I would go for the sport purely for the HID lights.

[JoeyF]

Having had both specs, the only differences are 17" wheels not 16", front fog lights, HID lights and a leather wrapped stearing wheel.
As mentioned go for the sport looks a lot better with the fogs and bigger wheels.

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by simon1

It's a contract hire broker who now says she has made 'a mistake' with the price. I thought it was too good to be true. I'm hoping to speak with her again tomorrow after she's checked on what she can do but she now says she can't get me the leather option I wanted for the price I was told about in December, although I said to order the car in January. I'll see what she comes back with but I may have to lose that lovely leather option as it's going to be too much on the new price she's offered me. I think she should give it to me at the quoted price and will push that tomorrow.

Anything in writing?? what have you signed??

[lippy]

I have a Sport and love it.

I think the HIDs are very good, much better than my last car. Ok, ride can be a bit firm on 17" wheels but no worse than a Zetec Focus (the Ghia is much softer).
Fogs lights are fine, and certainly have arm rest!
You can always add a spoiler - see my avatar.

[simon1]

Originally Posted by NH Dan

Anything in writing?? what have you signed??

Just sent you a PM.

[simon1]

Thanks for the replies. So from what you are all telling me, the armrest is still on that model. The HUK site makes it look like it's not included as it's not mentioned on the specs when you 'build my honda'. I'm safe to assume that it's the refrigerated one then? Same as the SE, EX, etc. I only ask because I found that to be a really useful feature on those long motorway trips.

Otherwise, it seems that the Sport is a slightly higher spec than the SE but maybe not as high as the ES.

Does this all make sense to anyone?

[Charley Farley]

Hi Simon1

Its a toss up as to whether you want the HID lights, larger wheels and fog lights. The SE is pretty well specified. I've got the SE and didn't see the point of the extra additions for more money. But of course its your call.

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by simon1

Thanks for the replies. So from what you are all telling me, the armrest is still on that model. The HUK site makes it look like it's not included as it's not mentioned on the specs when you 'build my honda'. I'm safe to assume that it's the refrigerated one then? Same as the SE, EX, etc. I only ask because I found that to be a really useful feature on those long motorway trips.

Otherwise, it seems that the Sport is a slightly higher spec than the SE but maybe not as high as the ES.

Does this all make sense to anyone?

You've got it spot on apart from the arm rest, yes it's on both the SE and the Sport, however it's not refrigerated. It's the glovebox that is refrigerated and even then only when you have the aircon set to cold...
I believe and I am happy to be proven wrong that this is standard across the range.

[Charley Farley]

Hi JoeyF

It is standard across the range.

[simon1]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

You've got it spot on apart from the arm rest, yes it's on both the SE and the Sport, however it's not refrigerated. It's the glovebox that is refrigerated and even then only when you have the aircon set to cold...
I believe and I am happy to be proven wrong that this is standard across the range.

I've just had another look and I think you are right. I was thinking of the Octavia I test drove last Dec - it also has a large armrest with a refrigerated section inside, but on the Civic it seems that it is only large but not cold .

Also, it states that the Sport weighs a bit more and therefore loses about 2mpg on the fuel economy. Where's the extra weight from -the larger wheels??

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by simon1

I've just had another look and I think you are right. I was thinking of the Octavia I test drove last Dec - it also has a large armrest with a refrigerated section inside, but on the Civic it seems that it is only large but not cold .

Also, it states that the Sport weighs a bit more and therefore loses about 2mpg on the fuel economy. Where's the extra weight from -the larger wheels??

Nah, its the extra letters on the badge

[JohnH]

I suspect you'll find that the CO2 / mpg increase is down to the higher drag coefficient of the larger wheels (frontal area to be precise but I'm sure someone more technical might be tempted to comment). Same certainly used to be true of VW Passats and Audi once even included a detailed CO2 rating for each of their wheel options on the A6 (not sure if they still do).

If it's a company car then this will matter, not sure it makes any difference for private motorists (road tax £115 on our 2.2 etc) and the fuel economy is certainly pretty good in my experience.

As for the Sport spec, HiDs are great (but not essential), the leather steering wheel is more pleasant to hold and a few road tests I've read (e.g. Honest John) recommend 17" wheels (I can't comment on whether this is detrimental to the ride though). I guess it looks to the uninitiated exactly like an EX too

The cloth interior is pretty much identical on all models from the 1.4 SE to 2.2 EX as far as I can tell. Otherwise the Sport and SE are identical - single zone climate control / air-con, trip-computer, CD-MP3 stereo etc

[kenP]

I was looking at the sport, but went for the SE because I think the 16" wheels are a much nicer design.