'06 Honda Civic Hybrid Deleivery dates

If you gave them any money as a down payment, you may have already bought it...this year. Check with your tax advisor, or (heaven help you) the IRS.

(first, Larry, I think you're right about the wording in the tax law; it is when you, the consumer, actually takes posession of the vehicle)

Back to your original question about information updates: no, I also have a deposit down on an order for a Magnetic Pearl 06 HCH but have no other information yet. My current car is in its last days and my wife drives 150 miles a day (seriously), so we are anxious to get our hybrid. We were originally told the dealer could have it Oct 10, then they changed that to the 11th, then the 18th, 19th... and still no car... no VIN... nothing. (It is a little annoying.)

We have been told that the original date we were given (10/10) was actually the scheduled PRODUCTION date, which means when it rolls off the line in Japan -- because Honda builds all of the hybrids there.

So, now I've been making up 4th-grade word problems to figure out when the car will show up --- A car comes off the line every 22 minutes, it takes 500 cars to fill the cargo vessel, mine was number 42, the vessel needs 35 days to cross the ocean, the crew at National City Marine Terminal (Honda's primary port of entry) 7 days to get through customs and onto trucks, 5 days to drive to MN... if anyone has REAL values for any of these numbers I'd love to see them... the catch is, I can't get anyone at the dealership to admit they know (or go find out) where in the process we are today!

The last published release date was Oct 19th. That was when the dealers (claim they) expected to have them on the lot and available for sale... does anyone out there have any new(er) information?

I live in North Carolina and I already traded in my 05 Civic Hybrid Sep 15th as a down payment towards a 06 Civic Hybrid. At the time I was told that the new cars will be in around the middle of October. When this did not happen, I made a complaint to Honda Headquarters. They asked where I heard the October Sale date for the Hybrid. I told them on the Hondanews.com web site. They looked at the web site and said they could not find the date. I then got on my computer and walked them through to where the statement is. It states: The 2006 Civic Hybrid, which achieves an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 49/51 miles per gallon*, goes on sale October 19 with a price of $21,850, or $23,350 when equipped with Honda's optional satellite linked navigation system. I told them I expected the merchandise to be available to go on sale.They didn't have an answer. The dealer said maybe mid October without Nav and the end of December, beginning of January with Nav. He has furnished a loaner car till mine comes in. I guess I'll just join the rest of you on this long wait.

( -- dup.-post: I put this under the "release dates" thread by mistake -- )

OK, so I just got off the phone with my dealer. He still has no new information. He said that all he has is a "predate" that is (in theory) when the car is expected to get to port (in Japan). At which time they process it and are supposed to send the dealer the VIN -- it then takes "about three weeks" to get to the lot. Of course, he added that this number is really not reliable and they have had the cars just show up on a truck at the lot without ever getting any prior notice. So, it could be May before I get the car, for all Honda is willing to say.

I can't blame my dealer. He is a good guy who is just not getting any infomation down above. I know it isn't his fault. In fact, he pointed out that the mpg-rating changed post-EPA testing. (The "50/50" was "pending EPA tests" all along, and at some point they switched to the official EPA estimate of "49/51" -- now if that set something into motion within Honda, no one knows.)

Those of you who have been given a VIN: when did you put your names down for your cars? (We went in at the beginning of September, during the Honda Clearance Event.)

In today's high-tech, global market there has to be some way to find out WTF is going on! What ever happened that whole 6-degrees-of-separation-thing? Doesn't some one know someone else who can talk to a friend or a cousin that know the Honda CEO -- or something?

How about getting some news posted somewhere about all of this? I see press releases from Honda about the GX, and incentives for the Accord Hybrid, and the Si coming out... why can't there be an AP article about the HCH delays and the company's total lack of disclosure to their customers?

I got mine Thursday, magnetic pearl with nav. Dealer had initially said mid-November then all of a sudden called to say it's here. Love the color, have gotten compliments on it, waxed it up and it looks like a dark midnight blue with steel gray and hints of purple. Got 49 mpg in the first 250 miles so far.

Comments:
- the nav is great, it's just like the one in the Acura RL I test drove, fairly quick processing time (for comparison I have a rather old Garmin streetpilot, though). However, looking for something like closest Starbucks brings up many different categories (Starbucks, Starbucks Restaurant, Starbucks other, Starbucks coffee, 'Other') that they are listed in, so had to browse through lots of decision trees to get right result
- engine is quieter than my friend's 04 civic hybrid which I have ridden in, doesn't have as loud of a whine from electric motor
- cornering is reasonably good, and good balance of performance vs comfort in the suspension
- personally, I like the way the dash display is set up, and the colors are very good at nighttime
- ergonomically things are well placed (no surprise, it's a Honda)
- the wheels are beautiful to look at in my opinion, very shiny and futuristic appearing
- steering wheel feels fairly substantial for a car of this price range, and nice smallish diameter
- you have to push a button which moves the nav screen out of the way to change CD, slight nuisance
- sound system could be better, although don't have the bass added option
- trunk is quite roomy, fit my guitar, amp, and some other bags as well with more room to spare

Overall, kudos to Honda. I had a deposit on a '06 Prius as well but I decided to go with the Civic.
Kind of enjoy driving this car more than my G35.

Can you elaborate on this "sales are dropping" factoid? I figured sales would drop of the hybrids overall as the gas prices went back down post-Katrina. Is there some ulterior reason?

New model of Troll released:

A new Hybrid troll has been released in various internet discussion groups. It appends sensationalistic conclusions with no data, tries to get upset people to respond just like regular Internet trolls but does it with a third less use of words. The hybrid troll can achieve a combined MPG (mistatements per Group) that is much higher than normal trolls.

However there has been some backlash about the hybrid trolls that indicate the actual content is not different than pre-hybrid models and that baseless statements about subjects like "sales are dropping" are just the same old thing...

I live in Baltimore. Maybe it takes longer to get to the West coast, although don't know why.

Some additional comments:
- got 50 mpg going above speed limit on a 2 hour trip; car doesn't seem all that sensitive to speed, although i was drafting some big SUVs along the way.
- you can't turn on the just nav and stereo when first getting in car and then have nav stay on when you start the engine; it always turns off when you further turn the key and then has to reboot, kind of a pain
- voice recognition not that great, but I haven't learned all the details of operation yet so may get better with more familiarity
- cupholders are nice and deep and adjust to most sizes
- still amazed at how well the car handles corners considering its main purpose and type of tires it has, think it definitely has the edge over Prius in this respect

It is so satisfying to go all week on one tank of gas (including round trip from Richmond to Baltimore) and then still only pay $20 for a fill-up.

signed contract for a magnetic pearl civic hybrid on 11/10 at dealer in Carson, CA. They had just gotten their first 3 that day. It was MSRP+$4000 AND had added accessories that the dealer installed and you were forced to purchase. However, did not take delivery of vehicle. Next day, got an offer for a package 6 Prius at MSRP, which was equivalent price to the civic with the mark-up. So cancelled my civic hybrid and bought the prius. Love all the features of the prius, especially since i didn't have to pay that damn mark-up.

In Southern Cal, I have found that many dealers are telling me that they will sell at MSRP (5 to be exact) and a few at $1000 markup before the car is on the lot. However, when the vehicle actually arrives or when they have the VIN# available for "pre-sale" they spring on you the actual mark-up AND the dealer-installed accessories that you have to buy. It is rediculous!! why do you have to buy the cargo mat??!!! It's not like a navigation system or leather seats that they can't remove, they are friggin cargo mats!!! I am soooo soured on the whole car buying experience after the past 3 months of waiting for a hybrid

I just picked up my Magnetic Pearl 2006 Civic Hybrid today. I ordered Galaxy Gray, but was delivered the Magnetic Pearl. When I first saw it, it looked grey and couldn't figure why it had a blue interior. (talk about not really checking out the interior of a car while looking at the exterior color!!!)

When I got home I checked my brochure and sure enough it was Magnetic Pearl. Well, it's beautiful inside and out - drives really smooth, and really takes off on the freeway - I looked in my rear view mirror and saw everyone else waaay back there!!! I have not driven a hybrid before and was kind of expecting a little bit slower car....but not this one!!!

I ordered this on October 30, it was supposed to be delivered Nov 10th and arrived Nov 19th...bought it in SF Bay Area

The Magnetic Pearl is a beautiful color and in the sun it sparkles! I glad there was a mix up and wound up with this color.

Almost bought a Toyota hybrid and I'm glad I didn't - Honda looks classy compare to that one!!!

I love this car!!!

OH! I'm so envious of all of you who have your cars! I talked to my dealer on Friday (the END of the "3 weeks +/- 2 days" period I was quoted when he gave me the VIN) and my car was on a train in (on that day) Montana. {Interesting sidebar: Honda cars for the Northern US come in through Portland, not San Diego as I was previously led to believe.} Anyway, it'll come across to MN over the next few days, and FINALLY reach the dealer this week...

now I am left w/ a dilemma: am I just happy to finally get the car, buy it, take the $2000 deduction, hope that the guy who made an offer on my current car is still interested, and just go with it -- if for no other reason than just to be done? OR do I work something out to delay the "delivery" date until the 1st so I can more than double the value of the federal tax incentive -- and pro'lly find something else to do w/ my car? (any tax pros out there want to chime in?)
{another sidebar: are there any other MNns out there who are as bothered as I am that although we have traditionally liberal state, we still have NO state tax incentives for electric, hybrid or high-efficiency vehicles?}

anyway, I hope those of you w/ your cars don't forget about us poor souls still suffering in the tourment that come w/ waiting on Honda...

Just in case anyone cares, on my first tank of gas I got 42 MPG. This is not according to what the car calculated, but rather what I calculated after refilling the car. I hear that after the first oil change I can expect better mileage.

I paid $1000 over MSRP for My Magnetic Pearl 2006 Hybrid (previous reply Nov 19) and I live in the SF Bay Area. I knew about the tax incentive if I waited for Jan 2006; but I wanted my car now as DMV refused to tell me the count of access stickers that have been given out - I wanted my stickers not matter how ugly they were!!!

After commuting on the Bay Area freeways all these years - I need that car!!!

I have never paid MSRP before always invoice.

Come January - I'll bet the prices will be much higher than the $1000 over MSRP which cancels out the tax incentive......

The plus - I can't believe how much mileage I am getting out of this car. I used to always be at the gas station......and it's comfortable and drives smooth...

I do have a couple of questions that maybe someone can answer - do you have to warm up hybrid cars in the morning like other cars? If so how long 30 seconds? 1; 2; 3; minutes?

When are oil changes? 5,000 miles 7500 miles or 10,000 miles?

Thanks anyone

Warm it up? You're kidding, right? No car made in the last few decades has needed "warming up". It just wastes gas and time. If you don't believe me, check out what Tom and Ray, The Car Guys, say at http://cartalk.com/content/features/fueleconomy/

"...Unless it's below freezing, cars don't need to be warmed up at all. Driving them gently is the best warm up there is. If it's 25 degrees out, you might want to let it warm up for 30 seconds. If it's 10 degrees out, warm it up for a minute. If it's -10 degrees out, move somewhere warmer."

We finally have our car!!! We love it! (Well, my wife is the one who gets to drive it, I drove it home from the dealer and she's had it ever since!) Anyway...

drf (et al) - RE: warming up the HCH
Even if those lovable Car Guys don't believe any car really "needs" warming up (and in general I would agree) our experience so far, and what I have been told by my old boss (who drives a first-year Insight) is that you won't typically see the best mileage driving a hybrid in the winter in Minnesota (or Iowa, where my former school/employer is) unless you allow the engine to warm up a little. (And I don't mean you go start it an hour and a half before you have to leave, just idling for 3-4 minutes and driving a little extra carefully for the first couple miles.) The owners' manual doesn't mention warming it up at all (not that I recall anyway), but it does say that the "Auto Stop" feature will be disabled if the temperature is less than 10 degrees-F or more than 100 degrees-F; thereby suggesting that they understand those extremes will affect performance.

Oh, and (for the random little bragging points) we were the second ones off our dealers lot w/ an 06HCH and the only Magnetic Pearl they had/will have for several months (or so we're told). So far, with more than 200 miles logged, we are showing better than 40 mpg on our first tank (and that is even in the cold and ice and snow we've had these last couple days!)

It's not a requirement but the car needs to be warmed up the for the hybrid motor to start working. at least on my accord hybrid

I have the accord hybrid and it takes about 1mi of driving for the hybrid motor to start working. i don't know of this for the civic but it is like that on the accord hybrid and my eco light takes about 2mi from cold start that is.

ARgh!! I'm jealous of everyone who already has their Magnetic Pearls!!! I'm still waiting for mine!!
I'm number one on the list at my dealer, I first talked to them way back in September! But they haven't gotten any Magnetic Pearls in. Every other color BUT that one. My mother bought an Opal Silver Blue from the same dealer in mid November. But Magnetic Pearls are scarce in New England. Not a one to be found! Can anyone tell me what the color looks like, I'm dying to know if it's like a darker version of the Opal Silver Blue, which sometimes looks silver and other time blue. It even looks greenish in certain lights!

Just gave a dealer a credit card number to show I am a "serious" buyer. I, too, am waiting for the Magnetic Pearl. It's not the "common" color, as a previous lister mentioned, it's just the BEST. I can't drive a car with a beige (sorry, IVORY) interior. The dealer had an Opal one last night, so I had a chance to test drive before buying, which is a luxury I understand. Most dealers in So Cal are charging $2000 over MSRP, but it is "negotiable". I am only buying this car because it is cheaper than a "nice" car, but people do not perceive it as a "cheap" car. Also, I can drive in the HOV lane. Great for Los Angeles. The mileage over the standard Civic will NOT pay for itself over the life of the car, so not a good financial decision for MPG.

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