What other cars were you considering and why? (merged)

FWH · 9th June 2007, 21:41

When buying your Civic, what other cars were you considering and why?`

I have not ordered yet (trying to get a good deal somewhere..) but I have considered:

1) BMW 1-series, but Civic money only buys you a basic 116...

2) Merc A-class. You can get a A150 with some options. It is more comfortable that the Civic, but not as much fun...

/FWH

PTR · 9th June 2007, 21:51

testdrive the Civic properly and you will get the answer for your question.... wich wont be a question anymore!

I wanted the Civ nothing else!
I have looked at the Focus a bit and the Auris but they were not real competitors... (just wanted to know how much better my car is

)

Fedorov · 9th June 2007, 21:58

Just over a year ago the only real competitor to the Civic in my opinion was the Focus, it was cheaper, but even adding ALL of the optional extras on to get it "close" to what is on my 2.2 EX it was still nowhere near in terms of looks, gadgets etc...

random_monkey · 9th June 2007, 22:50

I was looking at the Audi A3 and the Seat Leon... Oh and the Astra. I didn't really have any massive guidelines for what I wanted, apart from it being something smallish sportyish and good looking.
Though going from my old Volvo 480 (the wedge), I felt I had to keep up a tradition of going for something a bit out of the ordinary

So the Civic it was... and I'm glad I did go with it

Also, the BMW 1-series pisses me off. All the drivers seem to be morons. There's a sort of smug "I'm driving a BMW" air to the way they drive...

djm · 10th June 2007, 01:49

My journey began with a look at the Renault Megane, then the Astra, the Golf, SAAB, the Passat, the Golf again, and then regaining my sanity to realise the Civic is the only car that offers me fuel economy yet performance, practicality yet sexyness and a dashboard that makes me feel like I'm flying Airwolf.

Nothing after the Civic can be as sexy, as unique or ultra chic as a Civic.

The Golf is an excellent, reliable, accomplished car. Nice. safe. DULL AS DITCHWATER!!

Nighthaunt · 10th June 2007, 06:31

Oddball choices as they would have suited my lifestyle.
As well as the civic was considering a nearly new Jaguar X type (too mondeo - a sheep in wolfs clothing) Nissan 350z (not enough luggage space but lovelly car) Honda CR-V (06 design model - hmmm nice but tooo expensive to run when 99% its just me driving) Nissan Quashqui (or however its spelt - not enough headroom as Im over 6' tall!) Alfa 159/GT (Reliability Issues and expensive) BMW 1 series (rear wheel drive

crap space and expensive) Mazda MX5 (lovely car - no space for taking stuff to work in france for 5 weeks on the trot).
Really then the only choice that fitted me was the Civic - and I love the looks

Alex

civie · 10th June 2007, 07:19

I looked at the Golf, Astra,Megane, and went to look at the Civic, WHAT , didn't realise was that the new model was available, when i saw it i was like, WOW !! Test drove it and was one of the first to own it where come from.

Reason for purchase, had a focus but suffered a total loss therefore needed new wheels.

FergusTheDog · 10th June 2007, 08:11

An A3 Sportback 2.0 Tdi because we've owned Audis for years but in the end just too expensive and the dealer was very arrogant.

VW Golf but the range is odd as they change the line up and the delivery times were bad - if they made a Match with a 2.0 Tdi engine and with climate then I could have been tempted.

Also looked at an Astra as my company is part of the partner programme and we get 20% to 25% discount but the car is not in the same league!

Traded down in size from a Volvo V70 D5 but up several leaps in quality and service as well as performance and economy.

MakTheo · 10th June 2007, 10:04

First of all I was going to buy a Toyota Celica (used), but I prefered to buy a new car..
So I run for Civic..
I have been waited for 5 months and I was thinking to cancel my order and go for an other car such as Alfa Romeo GT (more expensive and very problematic car) or an Audi A3 1.6 Fsi (more expensive and not as well equiped as Civic)..
So I made more patience, I waited one more mothn, and finally my I got my CivicType-S Deep Bronze and I;m very happy and pleased with my new car..

Minkster · 10th June 2007, 12:13

Looked at :
Volvo C30 - Nice car and quirky looks (very 480ish), very comfortable but diesel a bit unrefined, if economical. Let down by ridiculously high dealer service prices (£280 for the first service!!).
BMW 1-Series - Very refined, nice to drive, inclusive service package but felt like a small car inside which put me off
Audi A3 Sportback - Liked the Avant styling, build quality great but put off by the high pice new which would have tipped me over £20k

djm · 10th June 2007, 12:35

Apart from the cars I've mentioned I must've dallied with lots of other models including the 1 series and Audi's.

Audi's are very low down on JD Power and Which reliability ratings (which for what they cost is outrageous), and the BMW 1 I agree seems like a small car which you pay a premium for just because of the badge. And as for rear wheel drive - ***??? So this car is fine as long as it doesn't snow lol!

I don't care about the badge - BMW's are as common as dog muck these days anyway.

random_monkey · 10th June 2007, 12:54

Oh! The C30 too, I completely forgot about that... Naturally a choice after the 480, but it wasn't out at the time! (grr) - probably for the best though since I'm loving the civic now

sprkeh · 10th June 2007, 13:08

Astra, Golf, C4, Focus, Corsa VXR, I wanted a civic a year before I decided to change though and just went to the others so I could put them down compared to the civ

QB@_Q · 10th June 2007, 22:23

First I wanted to bay something up to 10000 pounds. I looked at used mazda 6 and saab 9-3. Then I went to honda dealer and I had test drive in civic 1.6 sport 2004 for 9.500 but dealer offered me used silver Civic 1.8 EX 2006 for 15.500. When I decided to bay 2006 civic I saw new 1.8 NHB sport for 16.100 so I ordered new NHB ES...

Marc W · 10th June 2007, 23:09

I looked into all the other available hot hatches before I bought my type r

eg

Seat Leon Cupra
Ford Focus ST
Mazda 3 MPS
Vauxhall Astra VXR
Renault Sport Megane R26
VW Golf GTi

I narrowed it down to the Seat, the ford, the Vauxhall and the Honda (Obviously!). hen down again to the Seat and the Honda. I drove both and liked both with little to choose between them, both had good and bad points. In the end the Seat lost out due to

Long minimum 12 week wait (at the time the Civic had a shorter wait.)
Cheap looking dash
To get it to the spec I wanted would have been at least £1000 more than the Honda.
FOund the breaks to be exceptionally fierce with little feel, almost like an on off switch.
Very poor fornt visibilty (I decided seeing out of the front was more important than not being able to see well out the back!)

LoonyJohn · 11th June 2007, 00:49

I've known for a couple of years that I was in the market for a new small family hatch, but there was simply nothing in the market that I would have felt happy to go into debt to own!

To appease my other half, I have looked at:

Citroen C4 (liked the idea of the gadgets, but the car just doesn't 'Gel')
Golf (interior would have looked old 10 years ago, all gadgets are pricey options)
BMW 1 series (I just didn't like it, too expensive)
Focus (OK in many ways, felt bloated, could't justify buying somthing so common)
Astra (interior just feels so cheap, exterior a mass of contrasting designs)
Corolla (no gadgets, old design)
Auris (nice interior, but too tall and looks high off the ground)
Leon (I actually quite liked this, but exterior ugly, mrs LJ hated it)
Dodge calibre (at Mrs LJ request, still can't believe how cheap it feels)

The civic is the only car we both agreed on!

Wander · 11th June 2007, 06:59

I looked at nearly all the fast diesels I could buy within the budget:

- VW Polo (96 KW) - Not enough toys, pretty small
- Fiat Grande Punto (96 KW) - To small, not enough toys, italian
- Skoda Octavia (110 KW) - To expensive if you want all the toys, dull, handles like a boat
- Skoda Fabia RS (96 KW) - Can't put the power on the road (wheelspins in third!) awefull design, no space

The other cars were either too expensive, or to slow (0-60 in a whopping 17 seconds!)

spile · 11th June 2007, 08:41

Mazda 6

spsducati · 11th June 2007, 10:07

All the other hot hatches. Mazda RX8. Secondhand XK8's. Leased Mercedes CLS.

Civic did it for me this time as I could purchase it, it had good performance and interior and boot space was unsurpassed.

rmh999 · 11th June 2007, 10:58

I looked at almost every 6 speed Diesel to get high MPG

I was almost put off by the fact that it was a bigger engine but worked out to be ideal....

The BMW 320d was WAY expensive and DULL....
The Saab loses money like water
The Dodge Caliber... yeah well like i said i tried em all

9th June 2007, 21:41	#1 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 5,937 Thanks: 14 Thanked 66 Times in 61 Posts iTrader: (0)	What other cars were you considering and why? (merged) When buying your Civic, what other cars were you considering and why?` I have not ordered yet (trying to get a good deal somewhere..) but I have considered: 1) BMW 1-series, but Civic money only buys you a basic 116... 2) Merc A-class. You can get a A150 with some options. It is more comfortable that the Civic, but not as much fun... /FWH

9th June 2007, 21:51	#2 (permalink)
PTR Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 4th October 2006 Location: Hungary Posts: 668 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	testdrive the Civic properly and you will get the answer for your question.... wich wont be a question anymore! I wanted the Civ nothing else! I have looked at the Focus a bit and the Auris but they were not real competitors... (just wanted to know how much better my car is) Last edited by PTR; 9th June 2007 at 22:04.

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This thread is about: What other cars were you considering and why? (merged), it's in General Discussion at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; When buying your Civic, what other cars were you considering and why?` I have not ordered yet (trying to get a good deal somewhere..) but ...

9th June 2007, 21:58	#3 (permalink)
Fedorov Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th April 2006 Posts: 783 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Just over a year ago the only real competitor to the Civic in my opinion was the Focus, it was cheaper, but even adding ALL of the optional extras on to get it "close" to what is on my 2.2 EX it was still nowhere near in terms of looks, gadgets etc...

9th June 2007, 22:50	#4 (permalink)
random_monkey Valve Cap Join Date: 29th May 2007 Location: Burton, Midlands Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I was looking at the Audi A3 and the Seat Leon... Oh and the Astra. I didn't really have any massive guidelines for what I wanted, apart from it being something smallish sportyish and good looking. Though going from my old Volvo 480 (the wedge), I felt I had to keep up a tradition of going for something a bit out of the ordinary So the Civic it was... and I'm glad I did go with it Also, the BMW 1-series pisses me off. All the drivers seem to be morons. There's a sort of smug "I'm driving a BMW" air to the way they drive...

10th June 2007, 01:49	#5 (permalink)
djm Wheelnut Join Date: 7th June 2007 Posts: 76 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	My journey began with a look at the Renault Megane, then the Astra, the Golf, SAAB, the Passat, the Golf again, and then regaining my sanity to realise the Civic is the only car that offers me fuel economy yet performance, practicality yet sexyness and a dashboard that makes me feel like I'm flying Airwolf. Nothing after the Civic can be as sexy, as unique or ultra chic as a Civic. The Golf is an excellent, reliable, accomplished car. Nice. safe. DULL AS DITCHWATER!!

10th June 2007, 06:31	#6 (permalink)
Nighthaunt Car short of a Drive ;) Wheelnut Join Date: 5th May 2007 Location: Canterbury - Kent Posts: 84 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Oddball choices as they would have suited my lifestyle. As well as the civic was considering a nearly new Jaguar X type (too mondeo - a sheep in wolfs clothing) Nissan 350z (not enough luggage space but lovelly car) Honda CR-V (06 design model - hmmm nice but tooo expensive to run when 99% its just me driving) Nissan Quashqui (or however its spelt - not enough headroom as Im over 6' tall!) Alfa 159/GT (Reliability Issues and expensive) BMW 1 series (rear wheel drive crap space and expensive) Mazda MX5 (lovely car - no space for taking stuff to work in france for 5 weeks on the trot). Really then the only choice that fitted me was the Civic - and I love the looks Alex

10th June 2007, 07:19	#7 (permalink)
civie Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 5th March 2007 Location: north east Posts: 208 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I looked at the Golf, Astra,Megane, and went to look at the Civic, WHAT , didn't realise was that the new model was available, when i saw it i was like, WOW !! Test drove it and was one of the first to own it where come from. Reason for purchase, had a focus but suffered a total loss therefore needed new wheels.

10th June 2007, 08:11	#8 (permalink)
FergusTheDog Wheelnut Join Date: 25th May 2007 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 92 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	An A3 Sportback 2.0 Tdi because we've owned Audis for years but in the end just too expensive and the dealer was very arrogant. VW Golf but the range is odd as they change the line up and the delivery times were bad - if they made a Match with a 2.0 Tdi engine and with climate then I could have been tempted. Also looked at an Astra as my company is part of the partner programme and we get 20% to 25% discount but the car is not in the same league! Traded down in size from a Volvo V70 D5 but up several leaps in quality and service as well as performance and economy.

10th June 2007, 10:04	#9 (permalink)
MakTheo A. Senna Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 24th May 2007 Location: Drama - Greece Posts: 620 Thanks: 12 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts iTrader: (0)	First of all I was going to buy a Toyota Celica (used), but I prefered to buy a new car.. So I run for Civic.. I have been waited for 5 months and I was thinking to cancel my order and go for an other car such as Alfa Romeo GT (more expensive and very problematic car) or an Audi A3 1.6 Fsi (more expensive and not as well equiped as Civic).. So I made more patience, I waited one more mothn, and finally my I got my CivicType-S Deep Bronze and I;m very happy and pleased with my new car..

10th June 2007, 12:13	#10 (permalink)
Minkster Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 31st May 2007 Location: Grantham, UK Posts: 124 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Looked at : Volvo C30 - Nice car and quirky looks (very 480ish), very comfortable but diesel a bit unrefined, if economical. Let down by ridiculously high dealer service prices (£280 for the first service!!). BMW 1-Series - Very refined, nice to drive, inclusive service package but felt like a small car inside which put me off Audi A3 Sportback - Liked the Avant styling, build quality great but put off by the high pice new which would have tipped me over £20k

10th June 2007, 12:35	#11 (permalink)
djm Wheelnut Join Date: 7th June 2007 Posts: 76 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Apart from the cars I've mentioned I must've dallied with lots of other models including the 1 series and Audi's. Audi's are very low down on JD Power and Which reliability ratings (which for what they cost is outrageous), and the BMW 1 I agree seems like a small car which you pay a premium for just because of the badge. And as for rear wheel drive - ***??? So this car is fine as long as it doesn't snow lol! I don't care about the badge - BMW's are as common as dog muck these days anyway.

10th June 2007, 12:54	#12 (permalink)
random_monkey Valve Cap Join Date: 29th May 2007 Location: Burton, Midlands Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Oh! The C30 too, I completely forgot about that... Naturally a choice after the 480, but it wasn't out at the time! (grr) - probably for the best though since I'm loving the civic now

10th June 2007, 13:08	#13 (permalink)
sprkeh Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 5th May 2007 Location: Gods Own Land - Belfast Posts: 107 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Astra, Golf, C4, Focus, Corsa VXR, I wanted a civic a year before I decided to change though and just went to the others so I could put them down compared to the civ

10th June 2007, 22:23	#14 (permalink)
QB@_Q Wheelnut Join Date: 21st May 2007 Location: Coalisland - NI Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	First I wanted to bay something up to 10000 pounds. I looked at used mazda 6 and saab 9-3. Then I went to honda dealer and I had test drive in civic 1.6 sport 2004 for 9.500 but dealer offered me used silver Civic 1.8 EX 2006 for 15.500. When I decided to bay 2006 civic I saw new 1.8 NHB sport for 16.100 so I ordered new NHB ES...

10th June 2007, 23:09	#15 (permalink)
Marc W Supporter Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 10th April 2007 Location: Berkshire Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I looked into all the other available hot hatches before I bought my type r eg Seat Leon Cupra Ford Focus ST Mazda 3 MPS Vauxhall Astra VXR Renault Sport Megane R26 VW Golf GTi I narrowed it down to the Seat, the ford, the Vauxhall and the Honda (Obviously!). hen down again to the Seat and the Honda. I drove both and liked both with little to choose between them, both had good and bad points. In the end the Seat lost out due to Long minimum 12 week wait (at the time the Civic had a shorter wait.) Cheap looking dash To get it to the spec I wanted would have been at least £1000 more than the Honda. FOund the breaks to be exceptionally fierce with little feel, almost like an on off switch. Very poor fornt visibilty (I decided seeing out of the front was more important than not being able to see well out the back!)

11th June 2007, 00:49	#16 (permalink)
LoonyJohn Captain Slog Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 18th February 2007 Location: NE Derbyshire Posts: 107 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I've known for a couple of years that I was in the market for a new small family hatch, but there was simply nothing in the market that I would have felt happy to go into debt to own! To appease my other half, I have looked at: Citroen C4 (liked the idea of the gadgets, but the car just doesn't 'Gel') Golf (interior would have looked old 10 years ago, all gadgets are pricey options) BMW 1 series (I just didn't like it, too expensive) Focus (OK in many ways, felt bloated, could't justify buying somthing so common) Astra (interior just feels so cheap, exterior a mass of contrasting designs) Corolla (no gadgets, old design) Auris (nice interior, but too tall and looks high off the ground) Leon (I actually quite liked this, but exterior ugly, mrs LJ hated it) Dodge calibre (at Mrs LJ request, still can't believe how cheap it feels) The civic is the only car we both agreed on!

11th June 2007, 06:59	#17 (permalink)
Wander Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 20th December 2006 Posts: 104 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I looked at nearly all the fast diesels I could buy within the budget: - VW Polo (96 KW) - Not enough toys, pretty small - Fiat Grande Punto (96 KW) - To small, not enough toys, italian - Skoda Octavia (110 KW) - To expensive if you want all the toys, dull, handles like a boat - Skoda Fabia RS (96 KW) - Can't put the power on the road (wheelspins in third!) awefull design, no space The other cars were either too expensive, or to slow (0-60 in a whopping 17 seconds!)

11th June 2007, 08:41	#18 (permalink)
spile Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 15th January 2007 Location: Midlands Posts: 203 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Mazda 6

11th June 2007, 10:07	#19 (permalink)
spsducati Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 27th February 2007 Posts: 100 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	All the other hot hatches. Mazda RX8. Secondhand XK8's. Leased Mercedes CLS. Civic did it for me this time as I could purchase it, it had good performance and interior and boot space was unsurpassed.

11th June 2007, 10:58	#20 (permalink)
rmh999 Supporter Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 3rd August 2006 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 161 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I looked at almost every 6 speed Diesel to get high MPG I was almost put off by the fact that it was a bigger engine but worked out to be ideal.... The BMW 320d was WAY expensive and DULL.... The Saab loses money like water The Dodge Caliber... yeah well like i said i tried em all