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Well I think we are all forgetting that the Si won't be sold in Europe, nor will the Type-R in the US. Given the similar specs, I would predict their performance figures to be very similar given the numbers presented on paper. Could I be wrong? Certainly... I've been wrong before! But, given the current situation that Honda has for the two models, I'd suspect them to be nearly the same given how much complaining went on here in the US when we went without the Type-R Civic and Type-R RSX/Integra.
I think you're right about sales being skewed. While enthusiasts may harp about how we never get "the good stuff" in all the Type-R's that Honda's had for a decade now, and many people talk about how they really long for a Type-R anything, the reality is that the majority of buyers won't know the difference. The subtle nuances of what separates an Si from a Type-R are lost on the general American public. Most will end up opting for the Si, thinking that they're getting a "bargain Type-R", with air conditioning and a radio.