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Honda Civic
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Comments
1) When do '99 Civics hit the showrooms? Anyone know if there are many changes coming? I'm ready to buy but don't want to kick myself if the new Civic Hatchback is a big improvement that comes along a month or two after I buy an '98.
2) Also I'm debating CX vs. DX. I fully intend to have a great stereo installed after purchase - so I don't care about the radio in DX. (or -would it cost me more to put a stereo into a CX since it's not already equipped for one, or is it?) I don't care about the rear wiper that much.
I like the look of the rear spoiler on the DX. But is it worth the extra money? I also don't care for the CX wheels - but could I upgrade with the difference in price? Any advice or suggestions? THANKS.
I have obtained the msrp for the above vehicle in Candian dollars as 18,250. Appreciate if someone can provide the Canadian dealer's invoice price. Thank you.
Thanks in advance !
I live in Canada and I can assure you that there is no Type R Civic here. The only Type R sold here is the Integra. I saw a nice black Civic hatchback in a Honda showroom with "Type R" decals, so I raced in to see it. Unfortunately, it is just a Civic CX with a $300 decal package.
I'd be interested to know how our online Edmunds pricing information compares with your experience. Please, keep us posted!
oh, does anyone know about windshield separation. on the 1990 si hatchbacks. Someone said it was replaceable due to a recall(?) of some sort. Mine is clouding up but i dont want to pay to replace it if i dont have too. I'm not the original owner and i got the seatbelt notice for my 87 hatch 2 years after i sold it.
today and they are willing to sell me
a 98 CX for 10K including dest. charg. They
wanted 1200 for AC but I told them I wouldn't
spend more than 1K. Does anybody have an idea
if this is a good price? I've checked different
sites on the web including consumer reports and
they all list the CX invoice with $9,990.
Also does the DX hold it's re-sale value better
compared to the CX? Any comments and suggestions
are greatly appreciated!
Sebo
Auto by tel is OK, but their quotes are usually about 3-400 above invoice.
I'm just glad I got it.....
carlady/host
thanks
Good Luck.
Honda differs from most other companies in that it states in all pricing guides that extras (besides emissions prices, that's probably mandated by law to be clearly stated) are all "dealer installed". That means the price could differ from region to region, depending on which contractor each dealership hires. Unless they've recently changed policy, you'll have to go by other manufacturer's average prices for AC and the cassette deck (at the time I bought my 1990 Civic DX, they had several selections, and the cheapest cassette deck I got (~$250) is still working OK, after 179000 miles). In 1990, AC ran higher than other places, about $900 if memory serves. But, all things considered, it is definitely worth getting. It adds to the car's value, it's still cheaper than trying to install it aftermarket, and it can make a sweltering day bearable.
The Edmund's guide base price for the car automatically (pun not intended) includes the manual transmission. As far as differences between CX and DX, well, the more expensive one will likely hold a higher value in the long run . Other than that, you'll have to judge which bells and whistles are most desireable, and which you can live without, then pays your money and takes your choice. The NHTSA site (nhtsa.dot.gov) can give you info on previous years and any recalls, etc. Good Luck!
So, is the general concensus that getting at tape deck is better from the dealer or from somewhere like Circuit City? I don't mind too much paying $200 for a good tape deck at Circuit City but what does the installation fee cost? And also if I buy the CX, will I have to buy speakers as well? I'm just looking for the cheapest thing since I'm pretty bugdet minded right now.
good luck.
Here's some information that I hope will help you,parko. If you're ready to buy a new or used car at a dealer, I strongly recommend that you read all of the information in our Consumer Advice area. You'll find lots of advice about how to work with the dealer to get the best price for the car of your choice.
Next, check out our information on Incentives & Rebates. You'll find the information you wanted on rebates, as well as all there is to know on dealer holdbacks. Using this, along with the pricing information you've already got, you'll be armed with a pretty good deal.
If you know what you want and you know what you want to pay and you don't want any hassles, why not try Auto-by-Tel? That's how we bought my last car (long before we had anything to do with this website) and it was bliss! Easy, the right price, & nobody said anything about rustproofing or going to see the manager! :-)
carlady/host
While shopping around last week, the quotes I received for A/C ranged from a low of $1050 installed to a high of $1600, with most in the $1200+/- range. Someone mentioned the cost for parts alone from Honda is $740 or so. Figure with labor, they're spending at least $850-$900 to get that A/C in there.
As far as needing to add speakers to a CX, I'm not sure, but I did note that under the DX Options it lists "4 Speakers" as being in addition to the CX package. Seems to imply the base CX doesn't come with 'em?
DX vs. CX - The DX adds only Stereo/Speakers/Rear Window Wiper/Low Gas Light/Cargo Cover vs. the CX. For this, they charge a whopping extra $1400+ MSRP ($860+ invoice). Not much of a bargain, IMO.
The dealer has a margin of $660 on the CX, $1250 on the DX (ignoring holdback). Guess which one is the "loss leader" and which is the one they want to "upgrade" you to? ;-)
Picked up my new '98 CX with A/C, DX-level stereo and speakers, and alarm system for just under $11,300 plus destination, tax and license. Not sure if that's good or just OK, but at least it's a starting point for you to compare against.
By the way, it's a GREAT CAR! Quiet, smooth, confortable, solid. Might sound sick, but I actually look forward to my morning/evening commute now! Maybe I need help.... :-)
Good luck!
-Joe
Between you and me, I think some of the claimed purchase prices on Edmunds Town Hall are... fictionalized accounts, shall we say? In any case, you didn't do that bad, ok?
I currently own a 1990 Civic DX 3dr hatchback with 180000 miles on it so far. The dealership I bought it from recently sent me a card worth 10% off parts for 100K, 15% for 150K and 20% for 200K and over. Too bad they only go to 20%, I think I'll need all that and then some by then , knock wood.
Note I didn't say they've been trouble-free miles, not by a long shot, but with luck, perseverance, and knowing how to make Honda live up to its customer's expectations (meaning, shame 'em into correcting any boo-boos), you should make it.
As to engine-cleaning; never failed to find it yet, so it's not become dirty enough for me to clean it :^). Maybe someone else will have the answer. Good Luck!
have you tried just hosing it off?
My joke was to say that dirt (so far, I think),
hasn't killed my engine, and engine cleaners can be more trouble than they're worth. A Web search using those keywords may reveal a group or site that actually goes into detail. Cartalk.com with its Virtually Useless Data section may have the info you're looking for, and there should be others. I do know that certain components need to be wrapped in foil to prevent problems, possibly the alternator? Other than that, good luck.
One additional warning about the dealership service department, they may pull what mine did, saying a CV boot or boots are damaged, to the tune of about $125 per. They tried to do this at least twice before my warranty was up (but I would have had to pay this noncovered cost), before I called their ploy. Just a note, as a careless screwdriver
might cause the same problem in your dealer's repair bay. Learn about car components, get a Hayne's manual on your car, I've found it to be great for showing inner details, and how difficult a repair could be. It will keep you (hopefully) from my kind of experience with Honda.
About the CX v/s DX question that I saw in this forum, I will be buying a 98 Civic CX and install a stereo system. I selected a cassette deck + tuner + speakers that are FAR better in features and sound quality than the baseline stereo that comes in the DX model. The cost: $400 for everything including installation. I won't have the rear windsheild wiper, but I think it ain't worth the difference.
Congrats on your purchase. I just purchased my 3rd civic (actually a del sol, but mechanically identical to the civic) this weekend. I do all my own maintenance so I have found the shop manual to be very helpful. You should be able to pick up a Chilton manual for about $25. But, even at 50-60 bucks, you will save $ in the long run. Also, be sure to use brake fluid and coolant specified FOR Honda, but they don't have to be made BY Honda. Lastly, be sure to use engine oils described in the owners manual (5W-30 with SF and/or SG certifications, I think). Enjoy!
I need some help deciding on what to do now. I really like the DX Hatchback but am concerned that the '99's will be significantly different. Anybody heard any rumors about this?
Frank in Santa Barbara
The 99'honda civic hatchback will be the same as the 98'. The hatchback will be redesigned for the year 2000, they redesign their models every four years. As for honda part, I have used prestone anti-freeze in my 97' hatchback and have no problems to report. The car has been very good to me (50,000 miles in a year and a half) knock on wood. Good luck! I'm still waiting to hear about cleaning my engine-any clean buffs out there. Surely honda owners are also concerned about appearence,no?
THANX---pennsy
parko, I wouldn't worry about paying $400 over invoice. There are lots of variables that affect a car deal and some of them can't be controlled by the buyer or even the seller sometimes. While we provide the best information we can, local conditions can vary.
I think the important thing is that you got a car you like and, from the testimony here, you can keep it for a nice long time. There's nothing wrong with that! :-)
carlady/host
- '95 Honda Civic Si.
- V-Tech (not sure where he gets this from), 5 speed. 27k miles.
- ac, pdl, monroof, cc, alarm, tint.
- red w/ black, gray int, loaded, mint cond.
He is asking for $12,500. What price do you guys think I can get? Besides that, is the V-Tech engine fuel efficient? Thanks for any comments.
p/s: what the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof? :)Thanks.
For more information, try the Temple of Vtec!
carlady/host
Red Line Oil
I also have good luck with Mobil 1 in the engine, which is offered in the 5W30 grade that is often specified by Honda. So far, so good at 120,000.
YMMV. Bruce. Carlady's source...
VTEC is the variable valve timing engine in the SI hatchback and EX coupe models. My SI gets 38 mpg in highway driving. $12.5K sounds high, but these are great cars, and are hard to find. A power
sunroof/moonroof with a sliding shade is standard
on the SI (and the EX).
zel:
The SI was dropped due to slow sales. Many potential buyers preferred the style of the EX coupe. But the Si is lighter, faster, and comes with 4-wheel disc brakes (the EX coupe has rear drums.) A 160 hp si/type r civic coupe (only) is due for release this fall in the US.
For anyone interested in the SI or EX also check out the del sol SI. It is mechanically identical to the civic SI. And since many del sol owners use them as second cars or toys (must be nice) you
can find clean, low mile examples at a good price.
How is the steering since it's not power? Does it really handle as good as everyone says?
I'd appreciate any comments.
Pam
It's for whatever you would like it to be for.