Car shopping adventures with Megan

[dr4b]

This is split off from my weekend entry because I figure people will want to tell me lots of opinions on cars, because everyone has opinions on cars.

First we went to the Volkswagen dealer in the U-District. We looked around at different cars... I think the Beetles are too small. I mostly was interested in the Jettas I guess (my brother has one). I got to test drive one -- it was pretty good, I guess, it drove well and I liked the way it felt, but it was vaguely uncomfortable in terms of the seat, and the brake pedal placement, and whatnot. The car salesman guy was pretty nice though, and answered bunches of questions.

Then we went up to the Lynnwood Honda dealer. I test-drove a Honda Civic Hybrid and a Honda Civic. I reeeeeeally liked the way the Hybrid drove, and felt, and I was really kinda surprised by that, but eh. I only got to take it around side streets and not go any faster than like 40 mph, so I wonder how it handles on highways, but, seriously, it felt like a really nice car. The normal Civic I felt was a really *comfortable* car. I drove their "value pack" Civic, which sells new for about $15k, and it just felt like, hey, I'm just like, drivin' this car, it's really natural, etc. To alleviate my concerns about security, they explained that all the Civics are chipped now so they can't be operated without the key there - most Civics that get ripped off these days are either earlier models or they're like, people who put $2000 tires on their cars, etc. So, hmm. The salesman at Honda kinda put me off though - he seemed interested in showing me cars but he didn't really seem interested in SELLING me a car. I guess it's a shame Charlie isn't selling Hondas anymore because I would have bought one from him in an instant!

After that we went to a Toyota dealer in Lake City. The salesman there had just started like ten days ago so he didn't know as much as other people would, I guess. What we did find out is that there was no freaking way I could test drive a Prius there as they currently had a 3-month wait for them anyway. I did test drive a Corolla because my brother used to have one of those too, and eh, it was comfortable, but LOUD. Not sure I really wanted to deal with it. I looked at the Echo cars too, since I remembered many a trip to the BVM in Rebecca's car, but eh, I'm not sure that'd really be the car for me either.

So then we were done for the day. Note that the reason I didn't actually buy a car is specifically because at the start of the day Megan said "Don't buy a car today. We're just looking." Although then she almost talked me into buying a Honda later on...

I guess what I really need to think about now is... can I really afford the Civic Hybrid? Or would I be better off just getting a normal Civic? Or a used Jetta? Or something else?

Comments

[georgejas.livejournal.com]

I have a 2000 Honda Civic EX. I love it. The EX is important. It's zippy. (I couldn't find an SI, which is zippier.)

I've never driven the Honda Civic hybrid, but I plan to test drive one soon. I'm interested if it can keep up with my EX. I've looked at them off and on for the past 3 years, and each year they get better, but this past year was the first year it actually came with cruise control, which is one of the first things I look at. No cruise control, not a car. Speeding ticket trap.

I saw an adorable Honda hatchback last weekend, and I'm wondering what it was...

Subaru impreza ROCKS for the driver. Not for the passengers.

My Honda Civic is very comfy to sit in, and even though it's only 2 door, there's a LOT of leg room in the front and back seats for such a "little" car.

[bk1e.livejournal.com]

I too have a 2000 Civic EX. I wouldn't say it's that zippy, but maybe it's because it's an automatic :P

I like it though. Nothing has broken on it, and it's comfortable and runs well.

[bk1e.livejournal.com]

I forgot to mention, the reason I got the EX is because I really wanted anti-lock brakes. I wonder if Honda putting ABS on only the EX/Hybrid trim levels makes them more money (from upselling) or less money (from people not buying Civics).

[georgejas.livejournal.com]

just one more comment, i promise

i bought the 2K civic because i *didn't* want anti-lock brakes. for about the same reason i only drive stickshift. the car's a machine, responsible for my life - so i want to be its brains.

[bk1e.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I completely forgot that not all EX models had ABS, and it was hard to find in the south.

Anyway, someone driving with ABS who isn't used to it can be just as dangerous as someone driving without ABS who isn't used to pumping the brake pedal. Just look at the spate of accidents when police departments started buying cars equipped with it without adequately training officers, about 10-15 years ago. Practice makes perfect.

[oren.livejournal.com]

It might not be zippy cause you never put your foot down on the accelerator either? :)

Just having fun. Really, I agree, a 1.7L engine is not going to feel too zippy even with a manual. My Sentra was the same (though automatic too).

[random-boy.livejournal.com]

The zippiness of a Honda Civic is inversely proportional to the number of people riding in it.

[georgejas.livejournal.com]

HAH!!! this is also VERY true.

[georgejas.livejournal.com]

oh yeah. i forgot to mention my 2K civic is stickshift.
the other requirement when i'm choosing cars is they have to be manual. you know some people can't drive stickshift? i can't drive an automatic.

[bk1e.livejournal.com]

That zippiness which it does have seems to start somewhere around 5500 RPM. :)

[oren.livejournal.com]

I think definitions of zippiness changes when one has a WRX and an R6. :)