2009 Honda Civic Si Coupe

I envy the lucky kids who are fortunate enough to own one of these cars, and not just because they're several decades younger than this old codger. In terms of safe and enjoyable speed, there is no finer ride than a Honda with a capital S somewhere in its name. You get a wild engine that revs to the stars, a shifter/clutch combo that's a joy to exercise, and a stylish yet functional interior and exterior. Consumption of precious natural resources and environmental impact are both modest in every version of the Honda Civic. The only detail I'd change is a location swap between the speedometer and the tachometer to give the rev counter the top billing it deserves. The $25,000 price for a new Si is a bit steep for my budget, but overall this is the perfect reward for model children of any age.

Don Sherman, Technical Editor