Last Post - I'm going Civic

[Tomel]

Well, guys, it's been fun. I'll be signing off this forum after checking any responses to this thread.

I had '06 Pri, Package 6 on order for delivery after 12/31. Dealer told me it would be in within next several weeks. Canceled it today and purchased an '06 Civic (not hybrid). Although I really liked the Pri's mileage, low pollution, storage space, and technology (I've always been a tech freak - my first computer was an Osborne 1 for those who remember), I was finally swayed to the Civic. For those of you who are interested, here were the various factors that changed my mind:

o Honda's proven ICE technology, along with low polution and decent mileage (EPA 30/40).
o Various problems that people have had with the Pri (although no single problem was a deal-breaker, they added up). Among the most noteworthy were . . .
- Gassing up/bladder problems
- Traction control sensitivity
- Visibility issues - Rear and front left
- Handling when windy
o My wife found the Civic seats a little more comfortable (again, not a deal-breaker since very close in comfort)
o Toyota's decision to drop the Road Assistance
o Finally, the kicker was an extra $340 that was added to the price by the dealer at the last minute with the comment that these extras (floormats, etc) were added by "Toyota" to all their deliveries and there was nothing he could do. Note that I already had to accept a Package 6 instead of my desired Package 4, since Packages 4 and 5 were not available in the Central Atlantic region. Total price difference was $6,614.07 between Civic and Pri (and that includes taxes, fees, and the $3,150 tax credit).

I'll miss this community and I really would have liked the Pri, but at some point the pendulum shifts and for me the final straw was the dealer's last minute "tack on."

[Drifter]

Good luck to you. The civic is a good car. Maybe when you look for your next car you will reconsider a prius- they may have addressed some of your concerns by then.

[IMHYBRID]

I don't blame you, the stealer is at fault and if my stealer makes the same move as your stealer he may hear the same, "goodbye!!!" Good luck the hondas are nice Im sure you will be satisfied Jim

[LaughingMan]

You gotta do what you gotta do. If the price differential was easily so much, I could see why. You probably made the right decision if you couldn't get the package of Prius you wanted in your region.

Good luck. THe Civic is a fine car too.

[bookrats]

Main thing is, congratulations and good luck. Hope you enjoy the Civic -- I like the restyled "cockpit" with the '06.

I would add that of the various things you list as drawbacks of the Prius, I've only encountered the limited rear visibility -- and that's in comparison to an '87 model car. One data point, anyway.

[geologyrox]

i'm sorry you won't be switching to the hybrid civic as part of the switch, but i have no doubt you'll enjoy the civic - it's a good car. Thanks for being with us this far!

And shame on the dealer who refused to order in another package, and THEN had the gall to charge you for those extras! He should have taken them out of the aditional cut he'd get over your upgrade from 4 to 6, if nothing else. ::sigh::

Enjoy your new car! Wish you could get the sexy one they've got in Europe... =)

[onerpm]

can't go wrong with a Honda. Enjoy!

[cdavid]

Ah yes, the Osborne 1. Mine had the upgraded 180K floppy drives. 64K of ram, now that was smokin!

Most people don't know what we're talking about.

If I'd invested that $2100 computer in the stock market (1982) I might have enough to buy the Prius outright.

[dbunn92614]

[quote]
Well, guys, it's been fun. I'll be signing off this forum after checking any responses to this thread.

I had '06 Pri, Package 6 on order for delivery after 12/31. Dealer told me it would be in within next several weeks. Canceled it today and purchased an '06 Civic (not hybrid). Although I really liked the Pri's mileage, low pollution, storage space, and technology (I've always been a tech freak - my first computer was an Osborne 1 for those who remember), I was finally swayed to the Civic. For those of you who are interested, here were the various factors that changed my mind:

Tomel, good luck with your purchase of Honda Civic. I had a deposit on a red 06 Prius package 8, but always had some nagging doubts about the decision. I wanted the car because I wanted a car that polluted less and got good gas mileage. I liked the idea of being a thoughtful steward of the earth's resources and playing a very tiny part of being less dependent on foreign oil that is driving our foreign policy. However, I've never been crazy about the looks of the Prius or the colors and I really wanted navigation which meant I had to get package 8 in California. The price differential between the Honda Civic Ex with navigation an the Prius was $10,000 including taxes. I decided to get the Civic for now and wait and see what the Hybrid Camry's are like and the pricing. I have no regrets. I love my 06 Civic. The styling is nice, the seats comfortable and a great ride. The gas mileage is decent, but certainly not as good as the Prius and I get much better gas mileage than I did when I was driving a Honda Odyssey. Hopefully you won't regret your decision. Either way you would be getting a good car.

Even though I bought a Honda Civic I still read this board everyday. I have found since I started reading this board in August I've become a much better driver because I drive now to consume fuel. I don't use the pulse and glide method but I've learned other ways to get better gas mileage and for the first time I'm not driving with a lead foot. I love this site because it is not just about cars, it seems very wholistic and there are so many great ideas on this site.

[jeneric]

Originally posted by Tomel@Dec 21 2005, 02:09 PM
...because I drive now to consume fuel...

[snapback]177125[/snapback]

Seems like there's better ways to consume fuel. Ha ha. Just kidding.