Foreign Frustration

[Subtle_Cynicism]

So, as some of you may know, I've been looking into purchasing a 2006 Honda Civic EX coupe. It would be a five speed manual transmission with the navigation system.

As a little background information, ordering the new Civic is one of the worst things you could ever expect. Honda dealers get priority on orders based on how much they sell, so the bigger dealerships get more and better inventory. I have went through two large dealerships and been denied both times.

I was told prior to the last dealership, that Honda put a moratorium on the Navigation unit for Civics. This was at a smaller dealership, so I figured it was because they didn't have the sales of a larger dealership, so they weren't allocated a navi unit.

So I went to Hopkins Honda in Hopkins, Minnesota, it's the largest in Minnesota. I placed an order for the prior car. But what bugs me, get this, you don't order it to the T: You have to give them options. For example, I had to list my top three colors and options, so they can ship one if they won't/can't ship the other.

So he said he would have no problem ordering the exact model I ordered. He called back today (about two weeks after the order was placed) and Honda told them they can't fill my order, but they did send a gray one with an automatic with a navigation, which was built after my order was placed, instead.

This really pisses me off. I no longer have a car, as my brother now owns my Grand Am GT, and I have to go back to school in mid-August, and I have a few options: I can take a red one (my first color choice) they have with a 5MT, just without navi, and they offered to throw in fog lights and the XM install for free.

The only way I would go without navi would be if it was an Si model. So he's now currently looking for a Fiji Blue, but isn't expecting to find one. I can also pre-order a 2007 model, but it won't be delivered until sometime in November.

I'm so frustrated, and people on my Honda forum are upset as well, because they've had similar experiences. I know this car is hard to get, but I'm pissed they said there was a moratorium on the Navi units, but they sent an automatic in the color I didnt' want instead of filling my order.

So now, I don't know what to do. As much as I like the Cobalt, the interior doesn't do it for me, and the G6 GTP coupe is a little too expensive.

I seriously don't have any other car options I can think of, I'm not a fan of the tC, to be honest, and I was planning on a Civic, but I don't know...

[Riley1123d]

How about if you ordered off the Honda website? Wouldn't they fill the order and then ship it to whatever nearby dealer they see fit?

[Foxy]

If you're going to own the car for a while, don't settle for something else - it'll cost you more in the long run.

It does suck trying to get a car in high demand. I imagine you're doing it already, but I'd start combing the inventories of dealers throughout the state and perhaps even in surrounding ones. Road trips are a great way to break in an engine :)

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Yeah, but they've done inventory searches, and I've been searching and calling for months.

Nada.

[04REDGT1]

Screw Honda! Get the G6 GTP! 0% financing is coming.

Jeff

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I can't afford just about anything over 20k, so the GTP is pretty much out unless they're desperate to sell.

[spike4881]

Two words: Mazda 6

Okay, it's a word and a number - but you get the point.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

The 6 is a bit out of my range. I'd rather end up with a Mazda3 Grand Touring. Everything, automatic wipers, leather, and xenon headlights.

But I don't want a sedan. Thought I mentioned that lol.

[04REDGT1]

Vibe GT????...... yeah I know it's a sedan.

[Prospeeder]

I love the new Mazda 3 sedans, there cool

[Silver03SE]

Ugh Mazda=Ford=trash

[goredsox]

Take the red one w/o navi. why do you need it anyway??? You can save some $$$ without it...

[Foxy]

If you can't find an Si.. why not an RSX? I know the MSRP is higher, but with them being discontinued, it might be easy to haggle it down - especially as the Si is in high demand.

Just a thought..

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I have also considered that.

However, for being an Acura, it lacks the extras the Si has, surprisingly. It doesn't have any iPod jacks, XM/Sirius radio, steering wheel radio controls, or things like that.

That, and it's close to 3,000 dollars more than the Si. I love the fact that the RSX has leather and whatnot, but I wonder if they'd come down to 20,000, because I that's a pretty big jump.

Also, I'm not sure I should get a car that's being discontinued again. All my cars get discontinued right after I buy them!

[Foxy]

Yeah, the RSX lacks some of the creature comforts of the Si... does the RSX have a LSD? I can't recall off of the top of my head.

I'd wager that they'd come down quite a bit on the RSX. It's all about the haggling skillz, and don't be afraid to walk out. If they're not giving you a reasonable price, say, "Ok, thanks for your time." Either they'll jump after you and lower their price more (if they think you would honestly purchase it) or you'd be able to keep on looking for the Si.

The discontinued thing.. yeah. Dunno what to say there.

Good luck either way tho :)

Have you tried doing the Edmunds thing (http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/honda/civic) where you price it out and it e-mails dealers?

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Good news.

I found a Fiji Blue 2006 Civic Si without navigation for around MSRP.

I'm completely okay with that.

[Foxy]

woot!

Navi is nice.. but I'm working on a carputer with my own navi system built in. So it can be added later :)

[Gumpo]

Wait, so the dealership said they had one with a navi system but automatic, and one with a manual but no nav system... sounds to me like you should tell them to pull the nav system out of the other one and put it into the manual one.

I dont know much about the way Hondas are made, but id assume its not that hard of a procedure - just replacing a head unit and running some wires, right?

[b2089]

Honda is different from many car makers. GM, Ford and Chrysler want you to buy their car so they allow orders. The dealerships stick it to you for the extra trouble, but you get what you want.

Honda however is ran with a hands off aproach. The dealers have to buy what Honda sells them and the end customer is invisible. You don't order a Honda and get what you want. The only way around it is when dealerships bride their district represenatives. A local dealership pays massive kickbacks, so in my area you "may" get your car, or you may not. You will pay good money for it though.

Have you considered the G6? You can get a good Sedan for 20k, and use onstar. Personally I think onstar is a rip, but some people like it. They are alot plainer than the GA, but nice anyway.

Personally though I'd go used. Let someone else pay the first year or two depriciation. It isn't worth it. Get a nice clean ex-lease or coorporate vehicle. For 20 k you can get a great used GA. I know, I have one.

[Foxy]

He already bought the Si.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

And so far, not regretting it.

[Prospeeder]

teh VEE~TECK YO!!!1!111

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Technically, romanized Japanese would have it spelled : Be-Teku (Bee-Tay (long a)- Ku (Ku as in Coupe)

:)

[ramairgt1]

Originally posted by b2089
Honda is different from many car makers. GM, Ford and Chrysler want you to buy their car so they allow orders. The dealerships stick it to you for the extra trouble, but you get what you want.

Honda however is ran with a hands off aproach. The dealers have to buy what Honda sells them and the end customer is invisible. You don't order a Honda and get what you want. The only way around it is when dealerships bride their district represenatives. A local dealership pays massive kickbacks, so in my area you "may" get your car, or you may not. You will pay good money for it though.


That is the biggest bunch of BS ive heard in the past week
You can order any honda with ANY options you want.
Honda dealers are no different than any domestic dealer.

[WhiPontiac]

If you are desperate enough and can come to Pittsburgh, I can see what models we have where I work. (I work at a Honda dealer.)

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Thanks Whi, but I already picked up the Si :).

As for John, that is the way it works with the new Civics, for the most part, especially the harder to get ones.

Honda gives out orders based on how many cars a dealership sells. For example, Hopkins Honda in Minnesota is the largest in Minnesota. They get a larger portion of their order every month because of it.

But when you go to order a 2006 Civic EX w/ Navi and a 5MT, or an Si , it gets complicated, because they are very, very difficult to get.

I had my order rejected at several Honda dealerships for that EX navi 5 speed, and I finally caved and hunted down an Si.

I dont know if thats how they sell their otehr cars, but due to the Civic's popularity, that's how it works with them, for now at least.

[WhiPontiac]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
Thanks Whi, but I already picked up the Si :).

As for John, that is the way it works with the new Civics, for the most part, especially the harder to get ones.

Honda gives out orders based on how many cars a dealership sells. For example, Hopkins Honda in Minnesota is the largest in Minnesota. They get a larger portion of their order every month because of it.

But when you go to order a 2006 Civic EX w/ Navi and a 5MT, or an Si , it gets complicated, because they are very, very difficult to get.

I had my order rejected at several Honda dealerships for that EX navi 5 speed, and I finally caved and hunted down an Si.

I dont know if thats how they sell their otehr cars, but due to the Civic's popularity, that's how it works with them, for now at least.

Whoops, must've missed that post. :lol: Nice choice.

And my dealership doesn't take special orders on Civics, except for Si's. (And we only get one or two a month if we're lucky.) What you see on the lot is what you get to choose from, unless you do a dealer trade, and even those are hard to pull off.

[ramairgt1]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
Thanks Whi, but I already picked up the Si :).

As for John, that is the way it works with the new Civics, for the most part, especially the harder to get ones.

Honda gives out orders based on how many cars a dealership sells. For example, Hopkins Honda in Minnesota is the largest in Minnesota. They get a larger portion of their order every month because of it.

But when you go to order a 2006 Civic EX w/ Navi and a 5MT, or an Si , it gets complicated, because they are very, very difficult to get.

I had my order rejected at several Honda dealerships for that EX navi 5 speed, and I finally caved and hunted down an Si.

I dont know if thats how they sell their otehr cars, but due to the Civic's popularity, that's how it works with them, for now at least.

Thats odd because 1 friend just got a black si with navi, my boss just got a blue EX with a stick and navi, and another coworker got a black ex with a stick and navi...all ordered from different dealerships in the area. Maybe honda just doesnt like people in minnesota :P

oh I almost forgot...my GF also ordered a silver EX with a stick and navi, but she changed her mind a week before the car came in.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I dunno, but all I know is I tried dealerships in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.

None of them could get an EX 5MT w/ navi in coupe form.