Honda Civic GX Prices Paid and Buying Experience

PF_Flyer

Discuss all aspects of shopping for and buying the Civic GX here.

cnguser

Calls to the friendly American Honda Motor Co office in Torrance Calif (888-CC-HONDA), and e-mail requests have failed to get a brochure sent to me - has anyone else been able to get one?
The authorized Honda GX dealer in Beaverton Oregon doesn't have any, as they do not stock that model - only special order it.
You would think if I am considering plucking down big $$ for one of their nice cars they would accomodate a request for the brochure...
Maybe I'll consider the Chevy Silverado CNG/GAS fleet model instead!

rst

since they are only trying to market the car in California and soon New York maybe they do not have a specific brochure for the GX. I have been told that the current production run is sold thru September (California). My 2oo6 purchased a few weeks ago has a serial number ending in 00108. There were no local GX's. I had to go to San Diego (Pacific Honda) to pick it up. They must not be building very many of them. Last year, when we got our 2005 GX there were 15 to 20 around L. A. and they were hard to get rid of. Honda may be a little gun shy.

gagrice

Maybe CNG is more available in San Diego. We have a lot of taxis and buses running on CNG. It may be hard to get CNG in LA if they are closing some of the stations. Unless you have a PHILL at home.

ngv123

There are over 80 CNG Stations in Southern California. Infrastructure in Los Angeles is much larger than the San Diego. Please click on this link to look up CNG stations near you
http://afdcmap2.nrel.gov/locator/FindPane.asp

thatdeonguy

I saw my first 2006 Civic GX here in So. Calif. It was parked at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach,Ca. It had "Robertson Honda" paper plates. It did NOT have the DMV clean air stickers on it. All the 2006 Civic HYBRIDS I see all have the nice alloy wheels. The 2006 Civic GX has what looks like alloy wheels but are just the plastic hubcaps. This GX was white and Honda is using the same green sticker on the passenger doors that say's NGV. It's the same sticker as on my 2001 GX.

rst

you are right! I just went outside and tapped the hubcap with my key....it is plastic. To enhance the car I already have a set of nicer rims and tires coming. I had a sun/moon roof installed right after I purchased the car. I told Honds they needed better rims, radio/speaker and interior choises to help market the car.

thatdeonguy

Seems like the 2006 Civic Hybrid is such a hot seller right now the dealers seem to be loading them with all goodies, rims, navigation, ets. It seems like the 2006 GX's are coming with the basic stock stuff. It's like Honda is just maketing the GX to the fleet buyers again. RST: you mentioned better speakers. Don't you have 4 speakers in your 2006 GX?

thatdeonguy

Hey RST:
Do you have the 5 speed automatic tranny or a CVT in the 2006 GX?

rst

the car has the 5 speed auto not the cvt. Interesting as well is that when you accelerate the a/c cuts off and blows warm air. I guess thy are trying for more hp off the line. It is not a good thing in SoCal when you are in traffic and have just gotten into a hot car. Not good at all. Maybe I need to read the manual to see if it is the settings I am using. It has what appears to be four speakers, but not the way you would think. It has two small ones on the dash up by the main window posts (the holes are there, but you would need a microphone to test them....you can't get your head any where near them due to the angle of the front window) and two in the front doors. None in the rear. That will be my next project. Somebody mentioned on the forum that it could be done. I just don't really want them above the rear shelf level.

nostrom0

I put rear speakers in the doors, below the handles. Plenty of room in the door frame.

Bud.

epnfrn

speakers on 2006 -- there are actually just the 2 in the doors. there are grills for tweeters on the dash, but nothings in there! two weekends ago, i replaced the fronts with component speakers, and was surprised to find nothing up there. also removed the spare tire (i have a repair kit and pump) and stuck an amp in there, as well as an ipod adapter off the stock radio, with cord exiting into tray in front of gear shift.

as for rear speakers ... is there anyone with a 2006 that has found an option?? i do not believe there is room in the doors in the 06, and certainly not in the rear deck.

thanks!
epi

cnguser

Has anyone purchased the Honda factory extended warranty 7/100K miles ($1790.00) or the 6/80K miles ($1520.00) for any Civic GX?
If so, did it come in handy after the 3/36K one expired?

I am thinking of ordering a 2007 GX, and might go for the extended warranty as I would be keeping the car a LONG time.
After reading posts of CVT transmission horror stories, and other potential problems...it might be cheap insurance?

epnfrn

i have not. but have generally heard that honda extended warranties are a waste of $. i say 'generally' everyone, as i'm sure there is someone out there ready to tell of how it saved them.

as for the CVT issues, 2006 and on no longer have CVTs, so that won't be an issue. i'm sure that murphy can offer some insight on CNG motor durability, but my understanding is that a CNG engine is likely to last >10% longer than it's gasoline brothers. the tank itself has a lengthy warranty on it already ... which leaves the rest of the car, which of course is simply a civic LX, and likely quite reliable over the long term. it's a honda!

hope to have you join the community soon,
epi

bank1avp

First off I agree with the bold statement, "IT'S A HONDA" I've always said if cared for properly these GX's should go 1,000,000 miles. Sure things will have to be replaced like seals and gaskets and normal wear and tear item like brakes and rotors, But the tranny/engine/body should go the distance. Taxi drivers are beating up the Crown Vics I see them still running at the auction with 400,000 miles on them. The CV's look pretty toasted at that point but they are still running And that's a Ford.

jetboatjohnny

I've heard nothing but good things about Honda, It is supposedly the most reliable car you can buy. I plan to put 30,000 miles a year on mine, and I am at 60k now.
I also swear by synthetic oil, I have an Astro Van that has 295k on it and I rarely had to add oil in between the 10k oil changes. They say you can go 10k in a GX with conventional oil, but I would not recommend it.
Murphy, great job on the CNG prices on your site.
Anyone know if you need an access card for the Riverside city yard? I see the price is 1.43!
I am sure Ontario probably has a good price, but the few times I filled there, the fills were lousy (3,000psi).
Even when I used the 3,000 fill at the Hemet station I could still easily make my 143 mile commute.
Last fill I went 188 miles and the fuel light did not come on (GG-CE)
J

bank1avp

Any of you out there have extended warranties on your GX's if so did you get it through the Honda dealer you bought the car from or an aftermarket company and what did you pay? Deductable too please.

Murphy

musicmann

I had some terrible experiences a few years ago with two aftermarket extended warranties. They were sold to me by a reputable firm. About half way through the life of the warranties, the original company sold them to another company. Every time I had work done at a dealership, the extended warranty company would not pay the full amount, less my deductible. This was true with the original company and the company that bought-out the warranties. After getting stuck a few times with some unexpected expenses, I started putting pressure on the warranty company and the dealerships. Several dealerships eventually gave in, accepted the lower payment, and then refused to accept that warranty for future repairs. It eventually became a game of finding a different dealer each time I wanted a repair, and then several phone calls back and forth to get an agreement on price. It seems to me that as a customer, it shouldn't be my responsibility to get the dealership and the warranty company to agree on price. Thus, I will probably never buy another after market extended warranty.

I bought a Honda extended warranty from the dealer when I purchased a new 2004 Civic Hybrid for my daughter. It is seven years/100,000 miles with no deductible. I was able to get a substantial reduction in the price of the warranty as part of the negotiation of the total price of the car.

I bought a Honda extended warranty from the dealer when I purchased my new 2006 Civic GX. It is eight years/120,000 miles with no deductible. I found it interesting that I was able to negotiate a lower price for this warranty than I was for the warranty that I purchased for the Hybrid two years earlier. When I was negotiating this deal, I was unaware that the salesman with whom I was dealing was also going to be the person doing the paperwork. Thus, the "finance" person didn't need to get his/her share of the profit from "selling" the warranty. I was pleasantly surprised how low they would go with the price of the warranty. I promised the dealer that I would not post the price that I paid for the car or related items. Suffice it to say, there is a lot of dealer profit built into the price of the extended warranty.

Neither the 2004 Civic Hybrid nor the 2006 Civic GX has enough age or mileage to received coverage beyond the standard three years/36,0000 yet, so I haven't had an occasion yet to see the level of customer service I will get from the extended warranties. Also, these two cars are the first Hondas that I have ever purchased. In the past, I have always had enough warranty work done on my cars to more than pay for the cost of the extended warranties (after market or dealer purchased). We'll see if the same is true for the Hondas

fbaldwin

I want to know where I can buy a used GX in Los Angeles. I found only one in the Recycler. My 05 is so much fun I want another.

bank1avp

WWW.CNGMOTORS.COM for used GX's

cnguser

In looking over many tell-it-all web sites for "dealer costs", none appear to have anything on the '07 GX. Am interested in ordering one, but am not the type who deals from the MSP down. It is best to go in armed with close to accurate info and work from that, upwards if need be. Even Consumer Reports does not have it on their fee charge info price line. This Edmonds site under what people have paid for the GX implies full list price paid - I don't want to go there.
Anyone out there found something on the '07 GX dealer cost?
What did you end up paying for the bare car, excluding tax, license, extras, etc?

lakewood90712

Scott Robinson in torrance has plenty in stock , they are advertising at a little over 24k.(quarterly ad sent to curent customers , sales and service specials) Dealer margin at msrp is usually less than 10 % before any incentives.

epnfrn

i agree. dealer margin is very low for the GX -- i think invoice is about $23k. this is not a car honda makes money on, plain and simple! mine was $24k from Lodi (and I know that the sacramento dealership - mel rapton or something like that, will also sell for $24k). i would be very surprised if you convince anyone to sell for less than that.

hope to welcome you to the GX family soon!
brian

ps. i also work from invoice -- was able to buy a new S2000 for $2000 under sticker in 2003 (while others were still paying $2000-8000 OVER sticker to get their hands on one). that said, don't expect less than $24

bank1avp

I just recently sold a NEW 2006 with 17 miles for $22,500 but don't expect that other dealers will be able to do this. Also keep in mind GX's are always limited production runs. Not sure what it is for 2007

Murphy

emacias

Yes, I have 4 GX Civic's in stock and they are all silver and priced extremely well so that I can finally start to order some 2007 models. Interested? :surprise:

cnguser

Not supposed to sell here on the forum ...but can you leave a business name contact? Perhaps some others besides me are also interested.
"You may include the dealership name, city and state in your post".
Thanks

emacias

Thanks for the info...and since I'm a fleet manager at Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos CA. and I am listed in the comapny team directory...it's not really selling anyways...more like giving away. lol. I am looking to gain more knowledge on the cleanest car in the universe! That's my top priority and helping answer questions about the GX to boost consumer knowledge is just my social responsibility...sorry for the breaking of the rules here in the forum....wont happen again.

hondagxsales

I am the Alt Fuels specialist at Robertson's Palmdale Honda in Palmdale, Ca. I may be contacted at the Dealership directly. It's sad that GX's are left in the hands of fleet Sales that typically don't know anything about the car except the invoice price. Our store has set up a seperate alt fuels dept and will be the first Honda Dealer in the nation with a CNG Station open to the publis. It should go online in February. As far as the dealer cost, there's very little profit in a GX. Perhaps you should be focused on the benefits and fuel savings the GX will give you. Besides, what else can you buy that has a $4,000 tax Credit? There's your big savings. I have also secured additional grants for my customers that can total another $5,000 in cash. Fleet Depts can give cars away but rarely can even tell you even the most basic information about incentives in your area, how the car works (beyond the most basic information, sometimes as little as "the pointy end is the front") My hats off to the fleet guy in Cerritos that joined in, at least he's trying.

thatdeonguy

Wow Everybody!
This little group has really come full circle.
Honda employees are looking here for information.

If you go back through all the early posts in this group.
We would have loved to have some participation from Honda corporate or dealers.
But thanks to the members of this forum we have figured out most of our issues with the GX & PHILL.
It is great to have you guys on board. I know that I am looking forward to upgrading from my 7th generation GX as soon as I wear it out.

hondagxsales

Well, you're half right. One of the HONDA guys was looking for information. The other is a GX/Phill expert with information to give.
Curtis

lakewood90712

Hondagxsales , and emacias. You guys really need to have a serious talk with Honda on the cost of GX fuel filters. If an owner follows the regular maintenance schedule of low pressure every 10K ( approx $190) and high pressure filter every 30K ( approx $178), at customer pay rates, that is about $724 for 30,000 miles of driving. The low press. filters is sim. to an oil filter and costs $125-$145 retail + labor , high press. $ 45 + labor. Total cost per 30,000 miles of driving is almost 50 % of what I paid for fuel at the high cost public stations ! I have cut open an old filter and nothing in it justifies the cost. At 90,000 miles I'm very unhappy about gx maintenance cost's.I'm done with today's rant. Thank you.

hondagxsales

I agree. However, I'll give you some insight from another expert. An (unnamed) gas co official in the alternative fuels dept. and a gx owner since 2001 tells me that he only inspects his filters at 100k mi and would only replace them if the car was not running correctly. The cleanliness of the gas makes clogging highly unlikely. Another gx owner I spoke to who was driving a 2000 model says he changes them every other recommended service. I can only tell you that the factory schedule is recommended to prevent fuel system problems that could effect your cars efficiency and that doing otherwise could impact your warranty (while under the factory or extended warranty period.) Do what you will with this information. I hope you find it useful.

bank1avp

It's no different than your mechanic telling you to change your oil every 3 months or 3000 miles. It's all money motivated. Lexus tried to get me to change out an interior air filter ($80 parts, $300 labor to rip the dash apart) When I asked what it was for, they told me so that I didn't have any unpleassant smells inside the car....PASS....

If you are pumping your CNG from a well, then yes change it often, but if your NG is pipe line quality I think you're just giving your money to honda, Buy Honda stock if you choose the later of the two.

130,000 miles on my wife's CNG Suburban and never changed the filter and have never had a problem with the NG side. However pipe line quality NG

emacias

Hi hondagxsales...a little note just to be clear on something regarding "Fleet Sales" and yes, there are those true dedicated fleet salesman that only know invoice on a car and what they can sell it for after incentives and holdback and different personal motivations on specific models that Honda is pushing but I don't want that to be a picture portrayed about the Fleet Sales guys in this local area and specifically in Cerritos where the sales margin is 285% more just in zone contribution sales. A Fleet manager around here is also The Internet Manager, AAA Rep. , Costco Rep. , Alternative Fuel Department Rep. (yes, and there are two of us...say hi at the next zone meeting) , Occasional Closer, and an ASE Certified Tech. and local Sherrif (j/k)...so thanks for the nod about "at least trying" because I do believe whole heartedly in this Car and ensuring a better future for my children. I don;t want anyone to think that I just know "The pointy end" and I am sure you were not reffering to me as we have never met, but again, just to back up the local dealers here in this area...and there are about 10 I can name just off hand, the GX reps in this area are extrememly sharp and offer tons of knowledge and information and more than likely miss a sale due to convenience of location and availability...that's all. I browse this sight to get a feel for what's ahappening after a sale and problems and concerns I can help address maybe even before they become a problem with future clients...just wanted to get that out there..and I'm glad to see that GX sales are going strong in your area and that you will soon be adding another fueling station to help with the infrastructure out there in the desert.

hondagxsales

My hats off to you. Nice to meet a professional. I have called a number of dealerships to see if thay are marketing the vehicle and who's handling it. I only spoke to one that even knew anything about it. Most don't really want to be bothered by a low production unit that requires so much time to become conversant about. Some don't even want to carry the car. Alt fuels is the future of cars. It's a serious issue and the swell in intrest hasn't even gotten going yet. Wait till gas get's back up there this summer. My hat's off to the members of this group, and others like it who have had to carry the ball in our absence for so long. They have created a society of concern and support that has made the CNG owners a viable force. I'll call you at the store and say hi. By the way, If you want to tap into a bigger pool of information, visit my Yahoo GX owners group "Civicgxtalk" and the other Yahoo group I moderate for "Civicgxngv". Speak to you soon. Curtis

randyl712

"Lexus tried to get me to change out an interior air filter ($80 parts, $300 labor to rip the dash apart) When I asked what it was for, they told me so that I didn't have any unpleassant smells inside the car....PASS...."

That really cracks me up - you bought a car that has a FEATURE (interior air cleaner) and you're breaking THEIR ba!!s about replacing the filter? (BTW - most can be replaced in about 2 min by removing the glove box - check your manual!)

bank1avp

Would you for $380 to change a filter. Especially at their recommended interval.

dejapooh

I have a 2007 Honda GX and we are about to get the Phill (well, as soon as we get a garage to put it in). My wife drives a van because of our kids, but I was thinking we could sell it and get another CNG car. What other 3600psi cars are there? I would like to get one at an auction, but anywhere it is cheap would be good.

jetboatjohnny

Murphy has a couple of Ford Crown Vics on his site for sale, not sure of the PSI.
http://www.cngmotors.com/

bank1avp

My CV's are 3000 psi. Not sure why with the dedicated stuff Ford decided to do 3000 PSI but all their bi-fuel stuff is 3600 psi.

Murphy

lakewood90712

When I had a 2000 CROWN VIC dedicated car it was 3000, but 2002 and later were 3600. not sure about 2001. I got rid of my cng crown vic back in 03. Under warranty , was sitting at the dealers service dept 32 out of the last 90 days I owned it. (not cng problems):sick: When I complained to ford customer service , they suggested trading for a new vehicle :surprise: , so I did , A HONDA.
PS When you call FORD customer service , you get to talk to someone at a call center who works for a pr firm. :surprise: It appears the folks at FORD would rather not actually speak with the customer directly.Nice to see how FORD prefers to insulate themselves from those that have something to say about the product. " QUALITY IS JOB ONE " was FORD's claim . Maybe " HIDING FROM THE CUSTOMER IS JOB ONE" would be more accurate.

info_is_power

HondaGXSales,

I understand that Honda is only selling Fleet Sales in my area (Wisconsin). Is it possible as a "consumer" to purchase a new Honda GX from a dealer in CA and have the car "delivered" to WI?

I will try to call you directly on 5/21 so you will not be accused of $elling on the internet.

cnguser

Have you called direct to Honda HQ in Torrance Calif to discuss this? I understood they sell nationwide, but you may need to travel a bit to a dealer.
NOT ALL DEALERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO SELL THE GX.
Last time I looked at the US map, Oregon and Washington (and other states) were not part of Calif or New York, where they advertise "consumer" GX sales as such. There is one Oregon dealer and two Washington GX dealers I have contacted that sell consumer. I am about to order one myself in Oregon and there is no hassle about doing it.
Keep pushing - you'll get one somehow.

ngv123

What dealerships in Oregon and Washington? My cousin lives in Vancouver, WA and has been considering purchasing a GX.

mattguth

Russ Darrow Honda
9301 W Brown Deer Rd
Milwaukee, WI 53224
www.russdarrowhonda.com

I would recommend Tom H, nice guy I talked to the first time just to get info.

When I went back to discuss it further he was not working so I got stuck with some other guy..... Act a little less excided as I was and see if the price is negotiable 25,100 ish

let me know how it turns out.... I am looking to buy in June of this year so I will update with my final experiance.

Also Bob R. with WE Energies was very helpful with information on NGV. here are a few urls
http://www.we-energies.com/ngv
http://matc.edu/greenvehicleworkshop/
you can get Bob's full info from the second link his presentation is listed in the middle of the list with David C.

good luck

cnguser

Beaverton Honda in Oregon, and the dealers in Renton and Bellevue Washington handle the GX. Be sure to ask for the fleet or Internet sales departments - the floor sales folks may not even know there is a GX model or tell you no way.
Note: I heard through the grapevine (on this CarSpace) that Washington has a hefty license registration fee for CNG vehicles. Might want to put that into the cost equation.

isellhondas

Why in the world would anybody want one of these??

epnfrn

do you want to expand on this question? there are a whole lot of reasons why I have one, but am not going to waste my time justifying the GX to you unless you have specific points that are confusing. if there are specific questions or points that you want to make, i'll happily respond to those.

epi

kyfdx

I agree.. a more detailed question would be appropriate.. in another forum.

This forum is for prices.. Let's move general discussions about the Civic GX here: Honda Civic GX

Thanks!
kyfdx

isellhondas

They are more expensive and finding a fueling station can be difficult in many areas.

I don't need to continue this, I just don't understand, that's all.

dcba

Everybody, just ignore [isellhondas]. If you've read his posts (almost 10,000) in the other forums, he's the "Internet salesperson" at a Honda dealership that refuses to give out prices via e-mail (ironic, eh?) and has nothing better to do but to get into flame wars with folks who don't share his point-of-view. So just ignore him and move on.

Any competent Honda salesperson ("Internet" or otherwise) would have known at least the following about the Honda Civic GX:

Clean air vehicle
US$4,000 federal tax rebate
Lower cost for natural gas fuel
HOV access, free tolls, free meter parking (where available)

It may not be your favourite car, but there's no need to be such a put-down...