NEW civic In

[Pengful]

What to do? It is natural to justify their own purchases (whatever they are) by commenting that this is no good, that looks cheap, etc.

 

I believe even Mercs and Beemers look cheap to them. Just human nature.

[Ravinged]

Hi,

 

I guess it is not a matter of sour grapes, or probably you feel uncomfortable with the negative remarks about a supposingly brand new car you have placed a booking for without even going for a test drive?

 

Some of the folks here, like myself and my other half's family, have driven Honda cars throughout our lifes. I myself have driven the old 94 Accord, 93 Civic ESI, US Accord (belonging to my other's half dad), Civic SIR (belonging to my other half's brother) and currently back to Honda, I am owning a Honda Civic VTI (ES5).

 

It is evident the material used in Honda's cars are "deteriotating" in touch and feel. The dashboard and doorside of older Honda cars are constructed with more solid-feeling materials. It is like an Altis situation where their own technicians are complaining about the finishing which cuts their hands when they have to remove it for servicing and repair.

 

Having commented on that car and not buying that particular car shouldn't be sour grapes to you. At least for one, I wouldn't be plain dumb to book one before even seeing and testing the exact thing that I am going to get, unless I am so obsessed with face-value that I need to be seen with the latest car and gadgets, otherwise I "lose face". I am very sure many long time, logical, Honda die-hard fans would agree that no matter what, a test session is definitely a must, be it touch and feel, or a drive in it.

 

The revolutionary design may be nice, that I agree. But the construction and finishing at the end of it may not be as good as you think or assume. Remember, this is not an exclusive Ferrari hand-produced at a rate of 10 cars per annum. It is a mass-produced Honda selling at an affordable price manageable by a reasonable middle-class person.

 

Not liking something is a personal choice. It's either you like it, or you don't. You take it, or you don't. It is your choice to book one despite the fact that it does feel cheap on "touch" aspect - compared to all the Honda cars over the many decades. Live with it, other's comments shouldn't be sour to you just because they ain't buying it. Perhaps, these fellows are buying another better car which does not feel as cheap on the "touch" aspect, e.g Mazda3.

 

As far as a Honda fan myself, as far as I like the good affordable value a Honda car offers, I also have to admit the shortcomings that comes with it. I don't feel another Audi owner who comments that Honda feels cheap as sour grape to me.

 

Ed

Edited November 28, 2005 by Ravinged

[Ravinged]

There are two groups of people who are generally classified here.

 

Really interested and keen - booked already.

 

Really interested and keen AND WITH LOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING - wait til a solid test drive of the car then see if a booking is necessary.

 

Ed

[Zacer]

all with bigger engines now 1.8-2.0...

[Mzrmazda3]

Well said

[Soya]

i would never, never buy a car without a test drive esp for a jap car when paper specs and reality can often be quite different. as the saying goes, never judge a book by the cover.

[Mzrmazda3]

Same here Sometimes, see from the catelogue looks very chio but when you exactly view it in real life, it's different (Note: My above comment applies to all makes )

[Soya]

even cars which seemed impressive during the test 'sit' failed to impress during the drive itself. on the other hand, got a few cars which i normally wouldn't give a second look but is actualli quite a good drive. guess it comes wif buying experience.

[Magfocus]

...and some unbias-ness..

[Mzrmazda3]

[Soya]

tink i'd better stop here. sekali kena called fermented raisin.

[Mzrmazda3]

Fermented Rasin

[Kanr]

Just forget this niche market ppl,bro!!

[Magfocus]

So hows the Mz5? So far so good?

[Soya]

yep, delighted.

[Magfocus]

Good multi purpose wagon...

 

Whats your mileage now? Any niggles?

[Soya]

coming to 10k liao. minor noise here n there (typical 1st shipment teething issues) but all promptly sorted out by MM. other than that, been enjoying the drive.

[Pengful]

Maybe the materials used in recent cars have deteriorated in quality (and I'll explain why) compared to older ones but I refuse to believe the materials used in the 2006 Civic, which is made entirely in Japan, is of inferior quality.

 

I am currently driving a Nissan Cefiro and previously, a Mazda 626. Both models are supposed to be high end cars in their own categories but both have upholestry fitted locally. They were done so primarily to reduce cost and eventually the OMV, and that is precisely the reason why you are seeing the deterioration in quality. Your observation and conclusion were derived purely from the fact that previous cars that you owned have upholestry fitted from Japan. Upholestry aside, I can only see great improvements in the quality of the dash over time in all makes. If you are seeing cars with cracked or discolored dash running around, I would agree that the quality has indeed deteriorated. I personally have not, at least not since the days of the Lada.

 

I think we have to admit that there are "sour grapes" amongst us. I repeat. These are the same ones who will continue to say that Mercs, Audis, Beemers and maybe Ferraris look cheap.