2009 Honda Civic Si

My first “sports car” and first manual transmission car, this FG2 Civic Si was the vehicle that solidified my passion as an automotive enthusiast. I owned it for four years, relying on it as my only means of transportation to school, work, and everything in between. As a working college student, I couldn’t afford shop maintenance, so I taught myself how to tackle repairs—replacing components with the help of friends and online forums.

I developed the car into a reliable daily driver that could also handle the demands of track days and autocross. Working within a modest budget, I focused on upgrades that improved driver feedback and mechanical grip, which sparked my interest in vehicle dynamics and suspension tuning.

One of the most memorable experiences came when I discovered a blown CV axle the day before a track event. After quickly sourcing a replacement, I spent the night in my work parking lot completing the repair. It was my first time attempting the job, but with less than 12 hours to spare, I successfully installed the new axle and made it to the event without issue—an experience that reinforced my adaptability, problem-solving, and determination.