OK ...

My GF needs a car. She doesn't want a used car; GF doesn't want a Fit (she commutes to the States every day so she would prefer something of a little more substance and good on fuel) We went to the local Honda dealership last night and they are trying to unload the 2006 model cars. Here's the deal I got:

2006 Civic LX ... C$27800, taxes in (C$23,000 before taxes & freight)
2006 Civic HYBRID C$28100, taxes in (C$23,300 before taxes & freight).
2007 Civic DX .... C$28000, taxes in (no deals on them at the moment)

It seems like they are DYING to unload one of the 3 Hybrids they have on the lot. I know the manager fairly well (family has bought 2 cars from him in the past) ... but I will call a couple of dealers north of where I live to see if I can save a few hundred elsewhere for the same car.

Things that I've considered:

Good: Hybrid is good on gas ... built in Japan ... lots of features.
Bad: Hybrid technology is still somewhat questionable; who knows about depreciation down the road; batteries are expensive!

I have called up a couple Honda dealers in Michigan and they were told not to sell ANY cars to Canadians (new or used). Seems like the smart people beat me to the punch and now my connection to cheap cars in the US have dried out. Don't have the luxury of time to look at the used car scene and again ... the GF prefers a new car.

What are your thoughts? I am leaning towards the hybrid.

 

What about the Canadian Acura Civic? Too pricey, I assume...

 

The Acura CSX is far too overpriced for what it is worth. There are a lot of Canadians who want a Civic with a leather interior ... I've sat in one with the navigation system ... very nice but I can't justify the cost.

So ... Civic LX (built in Ontario) VS hybrid (built in Japan) is where I'm at. Corolla / Yaris ... out of the question. Nissan Altima ... 2nd gen is not out yet (here, at least) and not that great on gas. Hyundai is a consideration but not at the current time.

 

Your getting the hybrid for only 300 more that's a good deal. However the gas millage between the 2 are not that great. I would opt for the proven tech car.

 

I would also go for the LX.

 

How long will your GF own the car for? If she's planning on driving it until the wheels fall off then get the gas engine. If she sells it in 3 years who cares about the cost of the batteries or if it's "proven tech". Besides, unless she does mostly city driving the fuel economy isn't much greater than the gas engine. I'd stick with the LX.

 

To be safe...go with the LX
...but for 300 more the Hybrid is a good deal...the mileage is not that much better....dunno if resale is higher for the hybrid or not.

 

I drove the LX with the manual tranny and it was a great little car. I'm leary of the hybrids for the same reason you are.

 

can the civic hybrid's use the carpool lane where you are? are there even carpool lanes up there?

at least here in CA, that would be my main reason for buying a hybrid

 

hybrids can be also be claimed on your taxes here in the states...

Even though she wants new, I would say find a slightly used EX w/ Navi

 

I have seen a handful of the civic hybrids with the carpool sticker

 

^ Ontario has no carpool lanes ... not even in Toronto.

I called up the Chatham dealer (1 hr away from my home) ...

2006 Civic EX $23,300 !!! before tax.

I'd get the EX over the hybrid if it costs the same. We'll see what the GF says. Too bad the dealership is not open on Saturdays. :wtf:

 

I'd get the hybrid, even though it'd be equivalent to driving a John Deere...

You should be able to get upper 40s commuting with the Hybrid. Check greenhybrid.com

At least with the Prius, there are people who have over 200k on theirs with the original battery pack without serious degradation in performance.

I heard that a battery pack replacement currently runs about $4kUSD on a Prius, but by the time your GF may need one (10 yrs down the road?), it should cost less than most transmission rebuilds.

Also, a genuine Hondacare policy here in the US for 8-yr/120k miles is only $925 w/$0deductible from Bernardi's...might want to look into one regardless of the model purchased.

 

Do they sell VW TDi's in Canada?

 

Would you want one? Maint is super $$$...

 

Derrick:

I'm afraid I cannot answer your questions in regards to civics, but can offer some experiences with a Honda manufactured hybrid.

Two years ago I purchased a six-speed accord coupe. My mother, hearing of my upcoming purchase and in the market for an new car herself, decided to check out the accord hybrid. Both were purchased at the same time because of the deal offered. The last time I spoke to her she mentioned her car now has 45 000 kilometers on it. During the past two years it has run flawlessly. Except for a software upgrade and routine maintenance, no other costs have been associated with the car. I realize the accord hybrid, with its V6 gasoline engine, is somewhat different than the civic and isn't really a direct comparison. I can vouch, however, that the technology has worked flawlessly, including through two Canadian winters. It appears to be better on fuel than my Accord and is extremely quick. And even though only moderately better on fuel than a regular V6 gasoline Accord, and some benefits not initially quantifiable at initial purchase, the appeal of driving a hybrid certainly increases the longer she has it.

Terry

 

i would go for the hybrid if it only costs 300 more. i still see quite a few 1st gen prius's running around so i'd say hybrids are pretty reliable over time

 

^ Terry -- thanks for sharing your experience with the Accord hybrid. Although it's not engineered or designed the same way as the Civic but it does show the engineering / quality of a Honda hybrid. Down here in Windsor, it does not even get remotely as cold as Alberta so it should hold up.

My GF is now talking about going a little more 'upscale' than the Civic now. There is talk of TSX or IS250 ... I'll talk to her later tonight.

 

LX..Hybrid over rated..not necessary

 

Yes, they have TDIs in Canada. Not a big fan of VW diesels. They are noisy ... I know since I have a couple of friends with them and have test drove one. Really bad when idling at a stoplight. I wish to see the MB / Jeep versions of diesel (Bluetec?) Wouldn't buy one ... but curious to see how they work.

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Just talked to the GF ... she wants me to see what I should consider ...