Help needed – '09 Civic Hybrid, Euro-spec

[stevenvillatoro]

Hi all. I have an '09 Civic Hybrid, US-spec. The Euro-spec model has nicer outer door handles – chrome w/body-colored inserts, whereas the US-spec version has NO chrome and is solid body-colored.

It has been a hassle trying to find parts codes for these Euro outer door handles, especially in a left-hand drive version. One dealership in the UK will order and ship me the parts, but the inventory sheet has confusing multiple part numbers with identical descriptions but different prices. We wonder if there may be different handles based on trim levels (ES/EX). The helpful parts manager requested a VIN (chassis number) for any Civic Hybrid (Euro-spec) that has the outer handles with the chrome trim.

Otherwise, any helpful clues you could give me would be appreciated! I asked the parts manager to check his new car inventory for the info he needed, and was surprised that the dealer typically does not have stock of this model!

Thanks to all.

[LNT]

I would just try another dealer. Get the part number then go to the place you went to first? Or try Holdcroft, or another one of the ones listed on the dealer section?

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by LNT

I would just try another dealer. Get the part number then go to the place you went to first? Or try Holdcroft, or another one of the ones listed on the dealer section?

Thanks for the idea – I'll have a look. Is the Civic Hybrid really so scarce in the UK?

[bobbybliss]

You could try a (large) Honda dealer in the Netherlands.

We have lefthand drive and there are many Civic Hybrids due to tax benifits, so parts should be available.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by bobbybliss

You could try a (large) Honda dealer in the Netherlands.

We have lefthand drive and there are many Civic Hybrids due to tax benifits, so parts should be available.

That's a really excellent idea, and interesting about the incdntives. I had been checking only in Spain since that is my second language. The dealers in Spain did not reply to my email, however, and that discouraged me.

Do you know if the '09 Civic Hybrid in the Netherlands has the chrome-trimmed exterior door handles with body-colored inserts? Do you have a dealer that you would recommend? I will go right now and look on the Honda Netherlands site, but sometimes it is hard to see which handles are featured because the photo galleries are so poor on many Honda sites.

Thanks, again!

[bobbybliss]

Try the dutch website for info. It's obviously not English, but I'm sure you can understand the pics...

Honda | Civic Hybrid | Eigenschappen

English won't be a problem in Holland. Same goes for the Scandinavian countries. Good luck!

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by bobbybliss

Try the dutch website for info. It's obviously not English, but I'm sure you can understand the pics...

Honda | Civic Hybrid | Eigenschappen

Wow – a close-up of the handles is on the opening page of the site! You have led me to the Promised Land. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks, again!

If I'm not mistaken, I need to ask about "verchroomde portiergrepen."

[martinez]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

The dealers in Spain did not reply to my email, however, and that discouraged me.

that is smth you need to get used to when dealing with Mediterranean people. they have all the time in the world.

every now and then someone over here reports similar to your experience. Nordic people are used to punctuality, i guess as it's always cold here we need to get things done before we freeze.

good luck with your door handles.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by martinez

that is smth you need to get used to when dealing with Mediterranean people. they have all the time in the world.

I've lived in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina... where time does not exist... but I had thought that any European country would be more responsive to inquiries. Now I know better, and will look to countries that are known to have cold winters! Thanks.