Test driving tomorrow, anything particular to look for?

andyrochford · 25th April 2008, 08:41

Hi, I am new to this board in preparation for my expected purchase of a 2.2 diesel EX.

I am looking at a 57 plate with 5000 miles already on the clock and the 18" alloys which I understand give it a firmer ride. I also have the option of one with 8000 miles and standard alloys for £500 less

I have spent quite a bit of time reading various posts and wondered if there was anything particular I should check for. I am being given the vehicle for a day for an extended test drive so I will have plenty of time to check it over.

As I will be getting rid of my new style CR-V it is quite a big change so I want to be sure its the right move. Still not sure about the spoiler position and lack of rear wiper but I guess you cant have everything.

My reason for change is really economy, I dont need such a big vehicle and I have always loved the look of the Civic.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Andy

TTDegs · 25th April 2008, 10:05

Welcome aboard Andy

How much mpg are you getting from the CRV?
As you're probably aware, it's the same engine, just a slightly smaller body on the Civ (height anyway, width is only about an inch less).

Main things to check - clunks and rattles from the suspension; working HFT (get the salesperson to pair your phone with the car before you start); fuel cap opening easily.

Apart from that, just the usual used car checks really

18" ride is fine for me, and for an extra £500 would be worth it (to me anyway), but at least you'll get chance to compare them back to back - enjoy!

RobSp8 · 25th April 2008, 10:14

I would say that the most important consideration is- "Can you live with the restricted rear view?". Don't let the salesman fob you off by having the car pulled out for you when you get there & telling you to "Just park there. Yep, leave it anywhere here!" when you get back to the dealership. Try parking properly & doing a reversing manoeuvre yourself. I never found mine that bad & it doesn't bother me at all now. But, whenever anyone else gets in my car they say "You can't see anything behind! How the hell do you park it!".

triple_x · 25th April 2008, 10:26

I would agree with RobSp8, Try reverse parking as the rear view is reduced. And I also find judging the front end length hard, since the bonnet slopes down at the end. If you have a private garage, try getting it in there too. If you go for the 18" wheels, try a road you know that has a bad surface or pot holes. If buying from a dealer, see if he/she will 'throw in mats & flaps' or some other goodies for you too!

andyrochford · 25th April 2008, 11:20

Thanks for that, the CR-V is giving me about 27 round town, 30 if I treat it nice. Dont do many runs in it but I have had high 30's, 41 top mpg.

I actually was not aware that it was the same engine!

Going to miss my rear view camera thats for sure, fortunately having it for a day gives me plenty of chance to play around with parking etc. Of course I got the standard salesman spiel about getting used to the spoiler but to be honest its the main reason for the extended test drive.

Thanks for the tips, I will check for those things, hopefully the HFT should work ok with my iphone, it works fine in the CR-V.#

All dealers I have spoken to seem quite desperate to do a deal so I intend to get a few extras etc

TTDegs · 25th April 2008, 12:32

Nice one

you should get (roughly) an extra 10mpg from the Civ, though that does seem low for the CRV.
Most 2.2 Civ owners are reporting overall averages of more like 43/44 mpg, but that does depend on how much town driving is done

Adding a rear view camera to an EX is reasonably easy if you're confident about taking interior panels off

RobSp8 · 25th April 2008, 12:36

If you intend pushing for extras you might want to read some of the comments people have made on this forum about the mud flaps. I was considering them til I read what people had to say about them. Personally, I hated the cheap plastic standard gear knob. I know alot of people don't mind it & there are quite a few on here who don't like the look of the optional "sport" part-leather one. Have a good look at it & ask to see the other one.

Kremmen · 25th April 2008, 13:12

A 57 should be pretty much sorted.

Stone chips/repair of
If i-shift check/ask for latest software update
Spare wheel already in boot (if required)

Enjoy

andyrochford · 25th April 2008, 13:14

Sorry I should have said my CR-V is petrol

I have no found a pre-reg thats would cost me about £1200 more but its the 08 with the reversing alarm etc, decisions, decisions!

I will look into the mud flap comments, thanks

cb550 · 25th April 2008, 18:57

If the cash is available and the colour's ok the pre-reg with the camara's got to be the obvious choice?(my type S has the 17 inch wheels which I'm happy with and pretty much suit the car)

TTDegs · 25th April 2008, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyrochford

Sorry I should have said my CR-V is petrol

I have no found a pre-reg thats would cost me about £1200 more but its the 08 with the reversing alarm etc, decisions, decisions!

I will look into the mud flap comments, thanks

ooops!
In which case completly disregard my comment about it being the same engine

No real difference in 07 to 08 spec (couple of very minor bits), except the reversing beepers

Rapid17 · 26th April 2008, 10:45

Andy, if you don't like the Civic, why not get another CRV with the diesel engine ? I have a diesel new shape CRV and have never got less than 37 mpg and i once got 43 pmg.

Geoff.

andyrochford · 26th April 2008, 21:29

Thanks for all the replies etc

I understood about the engine being the same as the diesel cr-v etc, was very surprised about that.

Anyway, had the demo car today, was a 08 plate EX as the one I wanted was at another branch.

Spoiler, no big deal, dont like overall rear vision but once used to the size of the vehicle etc it should not be a problem.

The car I drove had the storm alloys so quite a firm ride, not unpleasant at all though. Cheekily used the car to drive round other dealers to look at other makes but nothing ticked all the boxes for the price and once you have seen that funky dash all the others seem so boring!

Thought it drove well, very nippy to put it mildly (god knows what a remapped one must be like).

So in the end, I decided against the pre-reg, got a good deal it made the pre-reg one about £2000 more and I could not really justify it.

So I am getting a 2.2 in black with the storm alloys and I cant wait. My CR-V felt so boring when I got back in it!

Thanks again for the advice

25th April 2008, 08:41	#1 (permalink)
andyrochford Valve Cap Join Date: 24th April 2008 Location: Rochford, Essex Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Test driving tomorrow, anything particular to look for? Hi, I am new to this board in preparation for my expected purchase of a 2.2 diesel EX. I am looking at a 57 plate with 5000 miles already on the clock and the 18" alloys which I understand give it a firmer ride. I also have the option of one with 8000 miles and standard alloys for £500 less I have spent quite a bit of time reading various posts and wondered if there was anything particular I should check for. I am being given the vehicle for a day for an extended test drive so I will have plenty of time to check it over. As I will be getting rid of my new style CR-V it is quite a big change so I want to be sure its the right move. Still not sure about the spoiler position and lack of rear wiper but I guess you cant have everything. My reason for change is really economy, I dont need such a big vehicle and I have always loved the look of the Civic. Thanks for taking the time to read this Andy

25th April 2008, 13:12	#8 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	A 57 should be pretty much sorted. Stone chips/repair of If i-shift check/ask for latest software update Spare wheel already in boot (if required) Enjoy

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This thread is about: Test driving tomorrow, anything particular to look for?, it's in General Discussion at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Hi, I am new to this board in preparation for my expected purchase of a 2.2 diesel EX. I am looking at a 57 plate ...

25th April 2008, 10:05	#2 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Welcome aboard Andy How much mpg are you getting from the CRV? As you're probably aware, it's the same engine, just a slightly smaller body on the Civ (height anyway, width is only about an inch less). Main things to check - clunks and rattles from the suspension; working HFT (get the salesperson to pair your phone with the car before you start); fuel cap opening easily. Apart from that, just the usual used car checks really 18" ride is fine for me, and for an extra £500 would be worth it (to me anyway), but at least you'll get chance to compare them back to back - enjoy!

25th April 2008, 10:14	#3 (permalink)
RobSp8 Valve Cap Join Date: 12th February 2008 Location: Bridgend, UK Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would say that the most important consideration is- "Can you live with the restricted rear view?". Don't let the salesman fob you off by having the car pulled out for you when you get there & telling you to "Just park there. Yep, leave it anywhere here!" when you get back to the dealership. Try parking properly & doing a reversing manoeuvre yourself. I never found mine that bad & it doesn't bother me at all now. But, whenever anyone else gets in my car they say "You can't see anything behind! How the hell do you park it!".

25th April 2008, 10:26	#4 (permalink)
triple_x Valve Cap Join Date: 22nd April 2008 Location: Bangor, Northern Ireland Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would agree with RobSp8, Try reverse parking as the rear view is reduced. And I also find judging the front end length hard, since the bonnet slopes down at the end. If you have a private garage, try getting it in there too. If you go for the 18" wheels, try a road you know that has a bad surface or pot holes. If buying from a dealer, see if he/she will 'throw in mats & flaps' or some other goodies for you too!

25th April 2008, 11:20	#5 (permalink)
andyrochford Valve Cap Join Date: 24th April 2008 Location: Rochford, Essex Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for that, the CR-V is giving me about 27 round town, 30 if I treat it nice. Dont do many runs in it but I have had high 30's, 41 top mpg. I actually was not aware that it was the same engine! Going to miss my rear view camera thats for sure, fortunately having it for a day gives me plenty of chance to play around with parking etc. Of course I got the standard salesman spiel about getting used to the spoiler but to be honest its the main reason for the extended test drive. Thanks for the tips, I will check for those things, hopefully the HFT should work ok with my iphone, it works fine in the CR-V.# All dealers I have spoken to seem quite desperate to do a deal so I intend to get a few extras etc

25th April 2008, 12:32	#6 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Nice one you should get (roughly) an extra 10mpg from the Civ, though that does seem low for the CRV. Most 2.2 Civ owners are reporting overall averages of more like 43/44 mpg, but that does depend on how much town driving is done Adding a rear view camera to an EX is reasonably easy if you're confident about taking interior panels off

25th April 2008, 12:36	#7 (permalink)
RobSp8 Valve Cap Join Date: 12th February 2008 Location: Bridgend, UK Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you intend pushing for extras you might want to read some of the comments people have made on this forum about the mud flaps. I was considering them til I read what people had to say about them. Personally, I hated the cheap plastic standard gear knob. I know alot of people don't mind it & there are quite a few on here who don't like the look of the optional "sport" part-leather one. Have a good look at it & ask to see the other one.

25th April 2008, 13:14	#9 (permalink)
andyrochford Valve Cap Join Date: 24th April 2008 Location: Rochford, Essex Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry I should have said my CR-V is petrol I have no found a pre-reg thats would cost me about £1200 more but its the 08 with the reversing alarm etc, decisions, decisions! I will look into the mud flap comments, thanks

25th April 2008, 18:57	#10 (permalink)
cb550 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 26th May 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 308 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If the cash is available and the colour's ok the pre-reg with the camara's got to be the obvious choice?(my type S has the 17 inch wheels which I'm happy with and pretty much suit the car)

26th April 2008, 10:45	#12 (permalink)
Rapid17 Valve Cap Join Date: 29th January 2007 Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex. Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Andy, if you don't like the Civic, why not get another CRV with the diesel engine ? I have a diesel new shape CRV and have never got less than 37 mpg and i once got 43 pmg. Geoff.

26th April 2008, 21:29	#13 (permalink)
andyrochford Valve Cap Join Date: 24th April 2008 Location: Rochford, Essex Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the replies etc I understood about the engine being the same as the diesel cr-v etc, was very surprised about that. Anyway, had the demo car today, was a 08 plate EX as the one I wanted was at another branch. Spoiler, no big deal, dont like overall rear vision but once used to the size of the vehicle etc it should not be a problem. The car I drove had the storm alloys so quite a firm ride, not unpleasant at all though. Cheekily used the car to drive round other dealers to look at other makes but nothing ticked all the boxes for the price and once you have seen that funky dash all the others seem so boring! Thought it drove well, very nippy to put it mildly (god knows what a remapped one must be like). So in the end, I decided against the pre-reg, got a good deal it made the pre-reg one about £2000 more and I could not really justify it. So I am getting a 2.2 in black with the storm alloys and I cant wait. My CR-V felt so boring when I got back in it! Thanks again for the advice