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Hi all--

So, a 2007 HCHII in Magnetic Pearl (non-nav) with my name on it was delivered to the dealer last night. But I can't have it yet! Not because of any shadiness on the part of the dealer or any financial problems, but because I have to deal with the end-of-lease steps on my A4. The inspection is tomorrow, and if nothing of note arises from that then I should be able to get it turned in and settled up within a few days, and then take delivery of the Civic.

Argh! I don't deal well with anticipation!

--RN

Sort of related, that new car smell lasts for several months, but there was an article a year ago to try to moderate it because some think it might be toxic.

Oh well, back to my glue sniffing...:D

Remember, Grasshopper, patience is a virtue. Your patience will be rewarded with a darn fine car. Deep cleansing breaths ... deep cleansing breaths.

Oh, and congratulations. :)

Proco--

Anything will be better than my A4. Sixteen stops for maintenance in four years. One of which had the car in the shop for two weeks. I sold a 1997 Civic EX for the Audi - not a move I'm particularly proud of.

--RN

Hi HCHCIN:

___I cannot wait to hear of your first real drive experience. I am sure you have read Tarabell’s article more then a few times and please press up those tires before she moves even a few feet. Do not expect miracles in the temps you are/will be experiencing in the next few days but when spring finally rolls around and she is well broken in (you too ;)), I am sure you will start to see what she is really capable of :D

___Any details on the terms, price, accessories, options etc. would be nice as Tim (Brick) is currently looking at Prius’/HCH-II’s as well.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne--

I have indeed read Tarabell's article a few times and plan to refresh my memory once more before I pick it up. The wife already has a Prius, and I've indeed watched the trip FCD fall a few mpg's in the past few weeks...

As for terms, it looks like it'll be $23K flat (again, non-nav), including dealer-installed splash guards and all-season mats. That's $200 off sticker. We're working on interest rates right now, but the initial quote is 6.25% for A-/B+ credit and 10% down (our score is better than that, and I think I should be able to get a quarter/half percent off that).

For Tim, I can't say I have much advice that hasn't been written about before. Drive both and see what you like. The wife got her Prius in September just before the full credit ran out, so Tim has 1,575 fewer reasons for the Prius to win -- although those post-September Priuses I hear are starting to sit on the lot longer now, so a deal might be easier to reach.

For us it came down to a matter of taste -- I liked the way the Civic handled and the simplicity of how it goes about fuel economy, plus I've had a Honda before. She liked the interior of the Prius and the seamless application of technology. We also wanted at least one car with a hatchback or pass-through trunk for trips to Home Depot and whatnot. It (of course) also depends on Tim's commute and travel patterns. Congested city traffic -- shop the Prius. Open suburbs or highway, I think the Civic noses ahead.

--RN

Wayne--

To clarify, that's $23K flat including delivery, or $22,400, which is $200 off sticker.

--RN

Congrats! I can feel your excitement from here :D .

Thanks for letting us now how the deal worked out. $200 off sticker doesn't seem too bad for a Civic considering how few of them there seem to be...even finding one to drive has proven nearly impossible. My experience with the Coupe and memories of my old wagon are making the Civic a tough sell...but that has precisely nothing to do with your thread so I'll stop :).

Let us now how you like it! These temps are pretty rough but you're going to love the FE anyway. All the more come warm temps and the associated fuel price fluctuations...however they pan out this time.

Psyshack--

Edmunds.com has a TMV for exactly sticker in my zip code. Getting an HCH to test drive has been difficult around here since the summer when I started shopping. None of the six dealers (I emailed them all with my requests/needs) in my city would go lower than the $200 off that I settled on. Even the Sam's club pricing for the HCH was at sticker.

Bankrate.com is showing no lower than 5.75% on any auto loan available to borrowers in my city, and most are well higher than that. Sure, there are lower manufacturer-financed loan rates available on trucks and SUVs, but not on the Civic -- they're selling themselves and don't need incentives.

I agree that on just about any other car, a good deal can be had in December, especially if you're able to wait until the 30th. I think the Civic, especially the hybrid, is a different animal.

Since my current car is a lease-end, I knew to start early and I've done my homework. I'm confident I'm not getting ripped off.

--RN