Honda Car Forum

Hi, my wife and I are almost certainly buying a new Civic, but I have a
few questions that someone on here may be able to answer:

1) We've tested a DX-G, and we like it. We're wondering if there's
anything significantly different, besides cosmetics, between the DX-G
and the LX and/or EX? (I mean fit-and-finish quality levels rather
than obvious differences in installed features)

2) I've never purchased a brand new car in my life. Last time I know
someone who did so, they were advised to stick to city driving under
100 km/h until they reached 5000 km - this seems like standard burn in,
to get the engine settled (as you may have guessed, I'm pretty ignorant
about this stuff). Unfortunately our old car just gave up the ghost
and we've been planning a road trip and we're wondering if it would be
okay (maybe not advisable, but okay in general) to take our new car
onto the highway for extended periods of time?

Please feel free to add any other advice you may want to share with a
prospective first-time new car owner.

Thanks in advance for your time.

On 20 Aug 2006 22:53:17 -0700, curtis.batt@gmail.com wrote:

> Hi, my wife and I are almost certainly buying a new Civic, but I have a
> few questions that someone on here may be able to answer:
>
> 1) We've tested a DX-G, and we like it. We're wondering if there's
> anything significantly different, besides cosmetics, between the DX-G
> and the LX and/or EX? (I mean fit-and-finish quality levels rather
> than obvious differences in installed features)

No. Basically the same car, different trim levels. My dealer won't carry
the DX, since they are a bit less popular now that they have the same
engine. It used to be that the DX meant you got a smaller engine with
better mileage. Now you just lose features like A/C... ;-)

>
> 2) I've never purchased a brand new car in my life. Last time I know
> someone who did so, they were advised to stick to city driving under
> 100 km/h until they reached 5000 km - this seems like standard burn in,
> to get the engine settled (as you may have guessed, I'm pretty ignorant
> about this stuff). Unfortunately our old car just gave up the ghost
> and we've been planning a road trip and we're wondering if it would be
> okay (maybe not advisable, but okay in general) to take our new car
> onto the highway for extended periods of time?

Yes. Honda recommends no hard acceleration or braking for the first 500
Miles, but otherwise, drive it. A normal roadtrip shouldn't be an issue.
Hell, around here a lot of people buy their cars up to 500 miles away to
save on taxes... ;-)

>
> Please feel free to add any other advice you may want to share with a
> prospective first-time new car owner.
>

I am also a first time new car owner, just recently buying a Civic Si. My
best advise would be to educate yourself on the pricing and features of the
vehicle before you go to the dealership. Also, if you can secure financing
prior to showing up, it will take away one of the tools the dealer likes to
use to screw you for more money.

And make sure you don't let them sell you on how much it is per month.
Don't sign until you agree on the actual price of the car, and financing
(if necessary). I wouldn't expect any great deals on a Civic these days
(high demand, so expect to pay close to sticker), but they love to get you
to agree to a monthly payment, then pad the price of the car and the
finance rates to get up to that number...


--
Joseph M. LaVigne
jlavigne@hits-buffalo.com
http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 8/21/2006 3:50:10 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

When you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

On 20 Aug 2006 22:53:17 -0700, curtis.batt@gmail.com wrote:
>2) I've never purchased a brand new car in my life. Last time I know
>someone who did so, they were advised to stick to city driving under
>100 km/h until they reached 5000 km - this seems like standard burn in,
>to get the engine settled (as you may have guessed, I'm pretty ignorant
>about this stuff).

Modern engines, especially these new Honda aluminum-blocks, are built
to much tighter tolerances than in the old days, which is why, in the
last couple of (new) Hondas I've had, Honda recommended doing nothing
different for the first miles. I've tried to treat it somewhat gently
for the first 500 or so anyway! One other thing to (possibly) avoid
for breakin is extended periods at exactly the same RPM. I don't know
specifically what the current Civic owners manual says, you can
probably ask to see it at the dealer before you buy, you can certainly
see it afterwards!

J.