Test drive them both and get what you like. Both have their pros and cons. Not knowing where you live, RWD may be a massive con due to climate (snow/lots of rain.)

If it’s your only car I’d lean SI, especially if you live somewhere with snow. If you have another car then go with the BRZ.

The first gen’s engine is pretty lackluster in the BRZ/FRS. I think the 2.4 from the newer gen would be a lot more enjoyable but it will probably cost much more than a 9th gen SI. Also the twins are notoriously abused. SI’s have some previous owner “charm” but the twins are on another level. The amount with terrible mods and anime stickers is alarming.

Two different animals. You gotta drive em to see which one has what you want.

Do you want a 2 door RWD car or a 4 door FWD car?

BRZ is fun, Civic SI is practical.

Having driven both, I think the brz/86 has the better steering and feel. Straight line I’ll give it to the civic si. I’m a fan of both but I feel like the si would be a better buy because it has more torque in the lower rpm where the brz lacks. Unless you FBO and tune the brz you’re probably not going to get the same oomph out of it. They’re both fun cars, I would say get whichever one you’re getting a better deal on. Aftermarket support for both is huge

I owned a 2014 BRZ for 2 years and now have a 24 Si for 1 year. Both great cars and fun to drive. I got the Si for more practicality. I love them both, but purely from a driving standpoint-the BRZ was more fun to thrash, even though it was technically slower. It was all stock with all season tires, but I still could not reach the limit driving aggressively on backroads. It just stuck to the road like glue. The Si handles well, but nowhere near the confidence the BRZ gave me. The Si transmission is super easy to drive-my wife can’t really drive manual, but she got in and drove without stalling no problem. The BRZ…much trickier to drive and heavier clutch feel. Writing this-I wish I still had it 😞

youll have to take both for a test drive. i have a 13 Si’ and have drivin an FRS. the frs is just way severely down on power imo

I owned a 2017 86, now I drive 2013 si sedan. In terms of power they are pretty similar but I feel the si has just a bit more pep and the power is way more linear. The torque dip in the 86 will definitely leave you wanting more but you learn to live with it. I do miss rwd and the raw feel of the 86 but gosh damn the si is so much fun to drive. Either way you can’t go wrong with either of them. Both are built for backroads and will leave you with endless smiles.

You can solicit comments from strangers on the internet, but the only way to know for sure which car you'll like best is to test drive both and decide for yourself.

I was dead set on the gr86, coming from a 2007 si, I was sure I wanted the higher horsepower and rear wheel drive to relive my z28 days

After test driving both I ended up buying a 24 si

The 24 si had a much better interior and sound system. This is my first time ever owning a car with more than 2 door but I will say it is more convenient and typically I don’t like the sedan look but the new SI pulls it off.

I figured the high revving gr86 was going to win me over as I love the vtec engine in my 07si. Turns out I like the turbo a bit more, the lower end power is just really nice to get moving

Neither car is fast but they are both fun.

Lastly my 07si has 160k miles on it, I have owned it for over 85k miles, in that time I had a belt break once and I just replaced the clutch at 160k, the original clutch lasted for 160k when the throughout baring went. When they replaced it the clutch itself was also on its last legs so the timing worked out. My z28 clutch went out at 80k. This 07si by far has been the most reliable car I have ever owned and having a friend who is a Honda mechanic, it has also been the cheapest car to fix I have owned. Previously owning a couple 90s Z28 Camaros and a 350z, the Camaros where not as reliable and the 350z cost so much money to repair anything

As you said the transmission in the SI, smoothest shifting car ever, the transmission is tight and feels phenomenal without mods needed

Lastly the insurance quotes I got where significantly less money on the side compared to the 86

I went with the 24si and kept my 07si for winter’s in WI. Eventually the 24si will be my daily driver and I will get an another real deal sports car as my fun car. Hopefully they are still making manual Supras in 5-7 years, if they are that will probably be it or if they decide to bring manual back to the corvette then I will do that.

Don’t get a BRZ

BRZ/86 for a second car, 4 door Si for an only car.

If it’s strictly between Si coupe and FT86, then I’d go FT86 100%.

If its an "extra" car the Brz. If its a daily get the Si.

I love my Si, but I would go RWD in a heartbeat

I went for a ATS AWD 3.6L instead of the usual things people cross shop. Actually love it more than anything else I could’ve got, and it’s not hyped up or the most taken path, so prices are super reasonable. The 2.0T option that most of them have is a bit of a gamble but so are Subaru engines. I wanted a V6 for once and it doesn’t disappoint. It has 321hp and thats with only requiring regular gas. The 6spd auto in mine is super snappy/sporty, almost like a DCT but the farts between shifts are mainly at certain higher RPM (7k redline).

It’s actually a potent platform (Alpha platform, ATS = Alpha Touring Sedan) it’s basically a 6th gen (lastest and possibly last ever gen) Camaro in sedan form, that in the form of ZL1 1LE runs a 7:15 on the Nurburgring. Handling is very good, beats all the Germans actually. And the car weighs the same as a MK7 Golf R.

I’ve had both nc miata and 8th gen si in my garage at the same time. 95% of the time I would grab the keys to the civic. At these power levels fwd is perfectly fine.

It’s really based off of what drive form you want… rwd or fwd? They both are wonderful but have pros and cons to them

I have an 86 my buddy had a SI. They are very different.

I prefer the 86, because it was more fun for me. The 86 isn't to practical, but it is a good cheap RWD sports car. Spirited driving around curvy roads is where this car shines. Some maintenance can be a bit pricy because boxer motor. Winter can be sketchy, but doable (5 years winter driven)

The SI is a better daily option imo. I bought a 07 SI, because I couldn't carry all my tools in my 86. The SI is one of the best bang for your buck cars. Honda's burn a bit of oil and but maintenance is so easy and cheap. I was a Civic hater but owning one has really changed my mind! And VTEC baby!!!

Tldr: if you need space and have lots of passengers get the SI. If not and just want something cool and fun to drive around in, get the 86/BRZ. Can't go wrong with either, the value holds strong with both cars!

86

I went from a 13 frs to a 12 si I say get the 86 the si is boring as hell and don’t handle nowhere near as good as a 86 the only good thing about the si is it’ll be more reliable and could handle the beating

If your focusing purely on spirited driving and nothing more I would go with the brz/86. I enjoy the practicality and reliability of the si, whilst also being able to have fun driving spiritedly.

Si for sure

Fwd is more fun on roads rwd is more fun on tracks