both cars are great but by far the civic all the way the vw will fall apart like the rest of their junk good for about 4 year once the warranty run out then problems will start coming. I know from experience I work as an apprentice at a vw dealership they are not as good as people all think, honda are ten times the car I own a 94 integra gsr and would not trade it for a new gti. The gti might be faster than the civic but wow who cares vw needs a turbo to make 3 hp, put that on the civic and all I can say if by by. My gsr with bolt ons has not problem beating any vw even the gti. Go with the si all the way looks way better and alot cheaper and way better enginering. Vtec is amazing nothing better.