hondo
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2015
- Threads
- 20
- Messages
- 605
- Reaction score
- 456
- Location
- NJ
- Vehicle(s)
- '16 Civic Touring
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
- Thread starter
- #1
Background: Our current vehicle is an 09 Civic EX. My wife (primary driver) has been making noise about getting a new car for the past year or so, citing a need for better acceleration for merging and higher seating position. She wanted something between a sedan and an SUV. I prefer being closer to the road but she contends that she is shorter and she has to drive it every day. I can't counter these points.
We test drove a Mazda CX-3 which she loved but it was a bit cramped for me. We were about to buy one when the dealer reneged on a previously negotiated price. The next night I found this forum and learned about the new civic. Told her the specs as soon as they were published and she was not thrilled about the lower seating position.
We scheduled test drives for Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tuscon yesterday since it would give her the seating position she said she wanted. But the first test drive I scheduled was for a Civic Touring. When I told her the schedule for the day she was like "I thought we crossed the Civic off the list". I said no harm in giving it a shot, she shrugged her shoulders.
We get there and it takes an hour before the owner comes out and tells us that Honda is taking the tourings back Friday and Saturday and that the official sell date for the touring is Nov 20. First I'd heard of it, but whatever. He is rattling off what models they do have to test drive on the lot and he mentions the EX-L. Perfect. It's got the turbo and leather, enough to test and tempt.
We finally are in the car and I tell her to use the power seat controls to adjust the seat all the way up. I explain that in our car she can't really do that since then I have to pump it back down, but in a touring with memory seats she can have it as high as she wants without impeding my ability to use the car. As soon as we merge onto the highway she notes how much better and smoother the acceleration is. I see a glimmer of hope. I suggest we drive it to our home exit so she will have a better sense of of driving on home turf. The salesman has no problem with this (it's only a few miles away). She notes the visibility is much better because of the thinner pillars. I start to think maybe I can sell her on the car (yes, I'm doing the sales person's job).
As we merge back on the highway back to the dealership, she mentions that the seating position is much better. Could it be? Could she be satisfied with the ride height? I struggle to contain my optimism. While driving she had a chance to see the lane watch camera in action, play with some of the infotainment controls, etc. She also notes how smooth the ride is, I take the opportunity to point out how quiet it is. I also point out that the touring should be even smoother with the rear hydraulic bushings (at this point the salesman remarks about how much I already know and lets me do selling) We get back to the dealership and her demeanor towards the car has changed entirely. She notes that the front and back seem to be not as low as our Civic. It's true, but not a large enough degree for me to withdraw from my minor victory. One of her complaints have been that the front scrapes everything from parking lot concrete barriers to small piles of ice. The old civic has this annoying black apron under the front that lowers the clearance. She likes the car!
We get to the Mazda dealership and test drive the CX-5. The acceleration is ok. Better than our current Civic, but a step down from what she just drove. She also finds the larger SUV more to manage on the road. I don't argue this point at all. She decides she doesn't want an SUV, and that the ride height of the new Civic was fine. She does see the Mazda 3 hatch and is interested in that. I don't mind that, though I do prefer the Civic. The salesperson has already moved on to another customer and said he will see us in 10-15 min. After 30 min we give up. She would still like to test drive the 3 hatch, but the Civic remains at the top of the list. Not a bad finish from being almost scratched. Went from bubble team to the championship game. We plan to test one next week and then finalize our decision.
I know most of this story is not about the test drive or the car itself, but I wanted to share the journey of a member who started out not even considering a Honda to possibly returning for another Civic. The information and feedback from you guys have not only helped me make an informed decision, but fueled me with with the desire to get the new Civic as well as the ammo to convince my wife as well. Now I just gotta find her a White Orchid Pearl Touring for her.
Good luck to the rest of you all.
We test drove a Mazda CX-3 which she loved but it was a bit cramped for me. We were about to buy one when the dealer reneged on a previously negotiated price. The next night I found this forum and learned about the new civic. Told her the specs as soon as they were published and she was not thrilled about the lower seating position.
We scheduled test drives for Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tuscon yesterday since it would give her the seating position she said she wanted. But the first test drive I scheduled was for a Civic Touring. When I told her the schedule for the day she was like "I thought we crossed the Civic off the list". I said no harm in giving it a shot, she shrugged her shoulders.
We get there and it takes an hour before the owner comes out and tells us that Honda is taking the tourings back Friday and Saturday and that the official sell date for the touring is Nov 20. First I'd heard of it, but whatever. He is rattling off what models they do have to test drive on the lot and he mentions the EX-L. Perfect. It's got the turbo and leather, enough to test and tempt.
We finally are in the car and I tell her to use the power seat controls to adjust the seat all the way up. I explain that in our car she can't really do that since then I have to pump it back down, but in a touring with memory seats she can have it as high as she wants without impeding my ability to use the car. As soon as we merge onto the highway she notes how much better and smoother the acceleration is. I see a glimmer of hope. I suggest we drive it to our home exit so she will have a better sense of of driving on home turf. The salesman has no problem with this (it's only a few miles away). She notes the visibility is much better because of the thinner pillars. I start to think maybe I can sell her on the car (yes, I'm doing the sales person's job).
As we merge back on the highway back to the dealership, she mentions that the seating position is much better. Could it be? Could she be satisfied with the ride height? I struggle to contain my optimism. While driving she had a chance to see the lane watch camera in action, play with some of the infotainment controls, etc. She also notes how smooth the ride is, I take the opportunity to point out how quiet it is. I also point out that the touring should be even smoother with the rear hydraulic bushings (at this point the salesman remarks about how much I already know and lets me do selling) We get back to the dealership and her demeanor towards the car has changed entirely. She notes that the front and back seem to be not as low as our Civic. It's true, but not a large enough degree for me to withdraw from my minor victory. One of her complaints have been that the front scrapes everything from parking lot concrete barriers to small piles of ice. The old civic has this annoying black apron under the front that lowers the clearance. She likes the car!
We get to the Mazda dealership and test drive the CX-5. The acceleration is ok. Better than our current Civic, but a step down from what she just drove. She also finds the larger SUV more to manage on the road. I don't argue this point at all. She decides she doesn't want an SUV, and that the ride height of the new Civic was fine. She does see the Mazda 3 hatch and is interested in that. I don't mind that, though I do prefer the Civic. The salesperson has already moved on to another customer and said he will see us in 10-15 min. After 30 min we give up. She would still like to test drive the 3 hatch, but the Civic remains at the top of the list. Not a bad finish from being almost scratched. Went from bubble team to the championship game. We plan to test one next week and then finalize our decision.
I know most of this story is not about the test drive or the car itself, but I wanted to share the journey of a member who started out not even considering a Honda to possibly returning for another Civic. The information and feedback from you guys have not only helped me make an informed decision, but fueled me with with the desire to get the new Civic as well as the ammo to convince my wife as well. Now I just gotta find her a White Orchid Pearl Touring for her.
Good luck to the rest of you all.
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