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So, I'm buying a Honda....

post #1 of 43
3/26/03 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 
My credit's apparently better than I thought...I got approved for a 20k car loan this week by my credit union, and they tossed in a 3k credit card with good rates, to boot.

I was originally planning on getting an Insight or a Civic hybrid, but the more research I do, the more I find that people who have these have more than one car...so when it turns out that parts take six weeks to come in from Japan, they suffer withdrawls, but aren't completely screwed.

So, now I'm looking at a Civic Coupe, fully loaded. It still gets better gas mileage than most cars (including the Accord), my insurance agent says that on Hondas, the rate dif between a 4 door and a 2 door is infintesimal, and it actually comes in colours I like (The civic hybrid comes in ugly, fugly, butt-ugly, and white).

I'm still going to test drive the hybrids, though, cause I might fall in love, anyways. But since they apparently don't REALLY qualify for the federal tax break everyone's saying they MIGHT qualify for (because it still uses gas), and the civic coupe is still a ULEV (aka, phenomenal emmisions rating) vehicle, and the difference in the amount of gas used is 1,5 gallons a tank, I'm a tad leary of getting a hybrid right now due to the above mentioned parts problem, plus the fact that it'll cost me a hundred bucks more a month...and I may be looking for a new job in 1-2 years as my company phases out my position.

Comments? Suggestions? Tears or jeers?
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post #2 of 43
3/26/03 at 10:00am
You can't go wrong with a civic. But, if gas milage is your thing and you don't end up buying a hybrid then you might want to consider a toyota corolla. Even the fully loaded sports version gets 40 miles per gallon highway (it might be a bit more actually). You should do some research on it and test drive it to see which compact you like more.

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post #3 of 43
3/26/03 at 12:33pm
Why must you buy a honda!!!?!! Just kidding. They're pretty reliable cars actually. What other cars have you looked at? And how much do you think you'll end up spending?
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post #4 of 43
3/26/03 at 12:36pm
Coyote, why do you hate America?

(I kid...)

Congrats on getting a new vehicle.
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post #5 of 43
3/26/03 at 12:38pm
I've heard from people that if you just keep the oil changed on schedule, Hondas will run FOREVER.
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post #6 of 43
3/26/03 at 12:41pm
I've had 2 hondas: a 91 prelude and a 94 civic del sol. Both were great cars. Even the prelude got around 30 mpg. The del sol got around 35 until it started dropping right before I traded it (about 10 months ago).

edit: the prelude had about 100k miles when I traded it (because the air conditioning crapped out and it would have cost a couple thousand to fix). The del sol was around 120k, and the only reason I traded is because we had a baby on the way and it just wasn't practical.

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post #7 of 43
3/26/03 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
kittyinjammies:
Coyote, why do you hate America?

(I kid...)

Congrats on getting a new vehicle.
Ironically, Hondas sold in the US are built in the US by US employees...whereas most "American" cars we get in the south are built in Mexico, so that should answer your question. wink

I used to have a CRX HF...56 mpg, without an electrical assist. I just like Hondas. I had a Toyota Corolla Hatchback, and it was crap...I apparently bought the ONLY Toyota lemon in existance.

I really do need to test the Toyotas...until Sunday, I was only looking at the hybrids, hence my appt today with the Honda dealer.
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post #8 of 43
3/26/03 at 1:05pm
I just bought a new 2003 Hyundai Elantra Saturday. I friggin love it. If someone told me five years ago I'd be owning a Hyundai, I would have thought them crazy. This is the nicest car I've ever had. Apparently, the newest consumer reports say it's performance and reliability are second only to the Civic and Corrola, but the price is much more reasonalbe.
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post #9 of 43
3/26/03 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
OooOoOOh...look at the Tiberon in teal. Gas milage isn't too great, though.
<a href="http://www.hyundaiusa.com/" target="_blank">http://www.hyundaiusa.com/</a>
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post #10 of 43
3/26/03 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Coyote (Shaken, not stirred.):
OooOoOOh...look at the Tiberon in teal. Gas milage isn't too great, though.
<a href="http://www.hyundaiusa.com/" target="_blank">http://www.hyundaiusa.com/</a>
Yeah. I looked at it. It was pretty sweet looking, but out of my price range.
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post #11 of 43
3/26/03 at 2:09pm
That, and it's a Hyundai. Why the hell, if you had the option, would you buy a Hyundai?
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post #12 of 43
3/26/03 at 2:11pm
Err...See boomstick's earlier post.

Hondas really are the kings of reliability. Take care of em and they'll last a good while.
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post #13 of 43
3/26/03 at 2:14pm
I stand by my statement.
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post #14 of 43
3/26/03 at 2:16pm
go out, get yourself a lexux suv. I can't believe my wife wanted to get one of those guzzlers before we turned our heads towards the civics. huge 180 turn, ennit?

I've yet to see any local dealers with any of the hybrids to test drive...that or they're flying off the shelves. We have been seeing a lot of weird ass electric cars though that look like tricked out golf carts. So tempted to drive in front of one of those things and leave a banana peel on the road for them to drive over.
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post #15 of 43
3/26/03 at 2:58pm
I drive a 1989 Honda Accord. It doesn't quite get the great gas mileage it used to but it is still great! Hondas will indeed run forever given the proper maintenance. Have you considered buying a used Accord (from a dealer) that is in your price range? They can often come with some great features. Just a thought.
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post #16 of 43
3/26/03 at 3:00pm
I like Hondas<a href="http://chud.com/board/ubbhtml/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=000710" target="_blank">.</a>
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post #17 of 43
3/26/03 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Pox and Awe:
I've heard from people that if you just keep the oil changed on schedule, Hondas will run FOREVER.
We're a 2 Honda family ('98 Accord and '99 CR-V). Our Accord just got it's 105000 mile checkup. Only major work (besides oil changes and maintenance cycles) has been having the catalytic converter and 2 sensors replaced (of course, they went bad right after we passed the mileage limit on the warranty...but we were putting like 18K miles a year on the car). About to replace the tires for just the 2nd time. CR-V has been fine (got about 55K miles on it). My wife has only driven Hondas since her first car (a Prelude). They're usually great cars. Her old '92 Accord hit 127K and was running great until someone smashed into it about 4-5 years ago (that's when we bought the CR-V).

If you do buy a Honda, here's a great place to get extra parts outside of the dealer: <a href="http://www.hparts.com" target="_blank">www.hparts.com</a>
They sell Honda parts a lot cheaper than the dealer price (touch-up paint, floormats, radios, CD players, etc.).
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post #18 of 43
3/26/03 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Dan Laugharn:
That, and it's a Hyundai. Why the hell, if you had the option, would you buy a Hyundai?
USA Today just ran an article a few weeks back saying that Hyundai's reliability ratings now match Honda's (as was mentioned above). Here's the USA Today <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-03-11-cr-picks_x.htm" target="_blank">link</a>.

But we'll probably stick to Honda...although we did take a long look at a Kia last year. That 10 year/100K warranty, plus price with ALL the options was almost too good to pass up.
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post #19 of 43
3/26/03 at 3:55pm
Buy an <a href="http://www.infiniti.com/" target="_blank">INFINITI </a>
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post #20 of 43
3/26/03 at 3:55pm
Thanks for that hparts link, Martianman!
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post #21 of 43
3/26/03 at 4:08pm
Quote:
DJ Dylan is Anti-War:
They're pretty reliable cars actually.
In 1997, my mom and I stopped at the local Honda dealership and I test drove what I believe was a Civic hatchback. I think the dealer was asking too much and we had a family friend at the Dodge dealership who got me a good deal, so now I have an almost 6-year-old Neon named Leon.

My uncle swears by Honda, though. He says they rarely need service. He and his wife recently purchased one of the Odyssey minivans and they also have a 1995 Accord wagon. I believe he also had an early 80s Civic coupe and Accord sedan, but I don't think he has them anymore, despite their good working order.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
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post #22 of 43
3/26/03 at 4:16pm
I drove a 94 Accord until sometime Sunday morning after midnight, when it was "borrowed".

Great car. *sob*
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post #23 of 43
3/26/03 at 4:19pm
Quote:
Martianman Say Relax:
Quote:
Dan Laugharn:
That, and it's a Hyundai. Why the hell, if you had the option, would you buy a Hyundai?
USA Today just ran an article a few weeks back saying that Hyundai's reliability ratings now match Honda's (as was mentioned above). Here's the USA Today <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-03-11-cr-picks_x.htm" target="_blank">link</a>.

But we'll probably stick to Honda...although we did take a long look at a Kia last year. That 10 year/100K warranty, plus price with ALL the options was almost too good to pass up.
Like I said, a few years ago I would have never thought I'd buy a Hyundai. I used to park cars for a living through school. I saw the wreck that Hyundai was. Honda was the same thing in the 80s, remember. Hyundai has now caught up, too.
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post #24 of 43
3/26/03 at 5:11pm
Hey, Coyote. You do the test drive yet? I been wanting to get one of those hybrids for a while, but I need to start my real job before I can begin thinking about getting a decent car.
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post #25 of 43
3/26/03 at 6:45pm
Quote:
Waco:
I drove a 94 Accord until sometime Sunday morning after midnight, when it was "borrowed".

Great car. *sob*
DUDE - your car was stolen?? Oh my god that sucks.

I bought a 2002 Honda Civic LX last year and I love it - it's my first Honda, and first new car. After living with 2 much larger, used cars for the previous 10 years, the mileage, handling and overall 'tightness' of the the Civic is a very, very nice change.

The lame thing about the Civics is that the added mileage and overtall economy is not going to get you an engine that could remotely be considered 'powerful'. The reduced size will negate that, and the manual transmission makes all the difference in the world in terms of how zippy they feel. I totally dig it and have faith it will last a really long fucking time with regular maintenance.
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post #26 of 43
3/26/03 at 7:02pm
I once bought a 94 Hyundai Elantra and drove it for a good 7 years, until the front wheel literally fell off. My cousin who now designs cars at GM recommended it to me. I had no complaints (except for the wheel falling off part, but I attribute that to not taking better care of it after an accident). Excellent in its class and price range.

The past 3 years I've been driving a 2000 Nissan Altima SE, and couldn't be happier.

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post #27 of 43
3/26/03 at 8:11pm
a honda would be great, just wondering if you have the option to buy used, twenty grand's a lot and the savings on a used car might out weigh a few mpg's, you should also consider the kind of driver you are, an old granny can drive a toyota forever, but a high school punk can drive a honda forever, unless you get a straight 6 engine in a land cruiser (sorry, personal preference plug here), in which case you're looking at a 300k mile investment, don't know what's in the aforementioned cars, also, cars devalue the second you buy them, which you probably already know, i just think people spend way too much on cars when richie's are buying one every couple years and lotting out the 'old' ones for a fraction of the cost, ah, the spirit of ford is truly dead...

"Oh For the love of god....Someone has stolen my H!!! Now how will people know it's a honda?!?! What's the point of owning a honda if you cant show it off????? - Super Nintendo Chalmers
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post #28 of 43
3/26/03 at 8:33pm
I just got a 2002 Hyundai Elantra GT (largely because it was dirt cheap) and it kills just about anything else in its price range. The mileage isn't great, I'll admit, but the only car I could afford that really had excellent mileage was a bare-bones Civic, and I simply liked the Hyundai better.

(Edited for lousy writing.)

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post #29 of 43
3/26/03 at 8:38pm
Had you taken a look at some Subarus, Coyote?
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post #30 of 43
3/26/03 at 10:39pm
I wrote a big long message about how much I hated my 98 Civic HB. It was quite a lovely post until my internet connection went down and my message was sent to limbo.

Instead I'll tell you the short version:

I hated my Civic. REASONS: Loud, rattled, cheap materials, gutless. slow (yes, that's the same as gutless but bears repeating), easist car to steal since my friends 89 Datsun which could be started with a fork, boring.

My wife ran it into a Ford F450 that decided it wanted to eat Hondas for a midafteroon snack.

I drive a Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. I like it. I should say my wife drives it since I can't ever seem to get the keys to it.

Take a good long look at whats out there. Mazdas make some great cars with a lot of.. umm.. pep? Yah. The Mazda6 are quite nice. Nissan Altima's are nice cars, you got 20k why not grab a Dodge Neon SRT-4 or you could get a VW Golf TDI, great mileage and practical.

Anyhow, I hated my Honda and would never own one again.
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post #31 of 43
3/26/03 at 10:41pm
..oh don't forget to check out the Subaru Impreza 2.5s. Also a nice car, and not as fugly as a WRX.

Now turbo a 2.5 and were talking money.
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post #32 of 43
3/27/03 at 1:28am
Thread Starter 
Makin's love in a Suburu...that's what I wanna do with you....we can always feel...around the steering wheel...there's seems to be so much that we could do.....

I test drove some of the 2002 models, but didn't like it as much as the 2003 Civic Coupe EX. In blue.
Only 3 drawbacks with the one I bought:
*All blue Civic Coupes this year have a fugly tan interior. I mean, I'm partially colourblind, and I know better than to marry tan & blue.
*This one didn't have a full security system...will install later.
*No side airbags.

Other than that, she's great. 6 miles on her when I bought her, and no used car smell.
5speed stick, plenty of zip (the coupe handles better than the sedan and gets better milage...I rarely have more than 1 passenger, anyways). Killer 6 speaker sound system (well, for a stock sound system, anyways...mucho better than the 2 blown out speakers on the Aerostar), ULEV rating, lots of perks.....
<a href="http://www.hondacars.com/models/specifications.asp?ModelName=Civic+Coupe" target="_blank">http://www.hondacars.com/models/specifications.asp?ModelName=Civic+Coupe</a>

300 bucks above dealer's price, thanks to my credit union. Insurance is only 50 bucks more a month...for increased coverage all the way around...thanks to my new credit status.

It's been a weird day. wink
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post #33 of 43
3/27/03 at 1:07pm
Sounds like a pretty nice car man. Congrats.
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post #34 of 43
3/27/03 at 1:43pm
How is it possible to get a new car with no new car smell???
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post #35 of 43
3/27/03 at 2:42pm
mmmmmmm... blue...
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post #36 of 43
3/27/03 at 3:00pm
Quote:
Coyote (Shaken, not stirred.):
Only 3 drawbacks with the one I bought:
*All blue Civic Coupes this year have a fugly tan interior. I mean, I'm partially colourblind, and I know better than to marry tan & blue.
I'm wearing tan slacks and a blue shirt right now. Ok, maybe they're more khaki than tan.

But you're right, I don't like that tan interior, regardless of the outside color. Our CR-V is green (Clover Green, to be specific), but our interior is cloth grey, thankfully not tan.

Also, good move to go with the EX. We stuck with the LX for both of our vehicles, mainly due to price, and we both wish that we would have gone ahead and spent the extra $$ to get the EX model (mainly for the moonroof in the Accord), and the extra horsepower and anti-lock brakes on the CR-V...but, c'est la vie.

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post #37 of 43
3/27/03 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Imperator GAC:
How is it possible to get a new car with no new car smell???
It says no 'used' car smell.
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post #38 of 43
3/27/03 at 9:41pm
That must be a new feature.
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post #39 of 43
3/28/03 at 4:24am
dish is juiced two serve ass a poast too make this thread move itself up to thee tap a gain...
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post #40 of 43
3/28/03 at 5:55pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, it was supposed to be 'no new car smell.'

There *is* a faint wiff of it when you get in the car, but since that smell is normally caused by cow-tongue-oil, I'm guessing Honda's started using something else to condition the vinyl and plastic (I have cloth seats, so that helps alot, too.)

Apparently, some dealers will spray "new car smell" in the new car because people complain if they don't smell it, thinking the odometer was reset and the car is really used or somesuch.

I hate cow-tongue-oil...makes me sick.
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post #41 of 43
3/28/03 at 6:09pm
Quote:
Sammy Jankis says 'Ni':
Quote:
Imperator GAC:
How is it possible to get a new car with no new car smell???
It says no 'used' car smell.
Seriously now.... It's a new car!

I personally love that smell coyote, someone I know just got a new car and I'd sit in it all day if I could breathing in the.., cow oil, as you say.
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post #42 of 43
3/28/03 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Coyote (Shaken, not stirred.)
Apparently, some dealers will spray "new car smell" in the new car because people complain if they don't smell it, thinking the odometer was reset and the car is really used or somesuch.
Who thinks that? I want to meet them and slap them.

Personally, I like new-car smell and am still enjoying the new-car smell in my new car.
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post #43 of 43
3/28/03 at 11:09pm
Saturn is the way. Tho, the Honday Hybrid is my next car purchase.
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