Why don't most new cars have the same technology as a civic sport?

smoke_mirrors

Recently was shopping for a new car, and ended up settling on the Honda Civic Sport model, purely for the amount of technology and features included. It definitely was a big selling point.

Obviously the main feature on the inside was the 7" touchscreen with reverse camera and engine monitoring/fuel ecnomy, apps, internet, hdmi/usb connection all that small stuff that comes with it. The digital speedometer and cruise control is nice too.

On top of that you have some safety features, the brake assist and citi break are very impressive imo, especially with the seatbelt tighening function.

Maybe I'm easily swayed, but for €24k it was blowing similar priced cars out of the water.

I looked at the Mazda 3 and Ford Focus, again both around the €25k mark but none of these offered these features, and if they did they weren't half as good as what the civic had. Even the comfort of the civic was fab compared to them.

So how can honda offer such specs for low price while other manufacturers cannot? Whats the catch eh?

BdaraB

Tbf a comfortline Golf will get you similiar for the same price, but the Civic Sport is a run out model so they'll have added features and lowered the price just to clear out the factory.

Enjoy your good deal, you won't get similar on a Civic next year!

R.O.R

smoke_mirrors wrote: »

Recently was shopping for a new car, and ended up settling on the Honda Civic Sport model, purely for the amount of technology and features included. It definitely was a big selling point.

Obviously the main feature on the inside was the 7" touchscreen with reverse camera and engine monitoring/fuel ecnomy, apps, internet, hdmi/usb connection all that small stuff that comes with it. The digital speedometer and cruise control is nice too.

On top of that you have some safety features, the brake assist and citi break are very impressive imo, especially with the seatbelt tighening function.

Maybe I'm easily swayed, but for €24k it was blowing similar priced cars out of the water.

I looked at the Mazda 3 and Ford Focus, again both around the €25k mark but none of these offered these features, and if they did they weren't half as good as what the civic had. Even the comfort of the civic was fab compared to them.

So how can honda offer such specs for low price while other manufacturers cannot? Whats the catch eh?

Seriously? The "infotainment" system in the Civic is one of the worst I've used in recent times. Not exactly designed in to the dash - looks like an aftermarket double din system has been throw in. UI is slow to respond and the graphics are pretty terrible. On board computer is also one of the least userfriendly ones on the market too. Only positive on the couple I had here recently was the Nav (extra) is a Garmin system, and just like using the Garmin I've got stuck to the window in my car, so at least that is user friendly.

You should have had a look at the Opel Astra - SRi upwards models (around the same price as the Civic Sport) come with the big touchscreen Nav/OnStar system as standard, which knocks the Civic's system in to a cocked hat. Not sure what safety features come as standard, but the Elite demo we have here has the city safety,blind spot, and active lane assist built it, along with the electrically heated and cooled, adjustable, massaging memory seats. Quite interesting to put the OBC to display the following time to the car in front - 2 seconds is a huge gap at motorway speeds! A comfortable gap is around 1.1 - 1.4 seconds and it's far from tailgating.

I'm reliably informed that production of the current Civic has ceased - was supposed to carry on until late this year (new model scheduled for Jan production), but a recent earthquake has affected parts supply so they are using what parts they can get for other models.

DanielGibbons

Call me cynical...

Nice first post

bidiots

Reads like an advert alright:D

DontThankMe

Oh my God! Thanks OP let me just grab this spare €24k i have lying around the house and run down to my local honda dealer and grab this bargain before they're all gone! Whatever you do don't post this in the bargain alerts keep this great deal quiet!

smoke_mirrors

R.O.R wrote: »

Seriously? The "infotainment" system in the Civic is one of the worst I've used in recent times. Not exactly designed in to the dash - looks like an aftermarket double din system has been throw in. UI is slow to respond and the graphics are pretty terrible. On board computer is also one of the least userfriendly ones on the market too. Only positive on the couple I had here recently was the Nav (extra) is a Garmin system, and just like using the Garmin I've got stuck to the window in my car, so at least that is user friendly.

You should have had a look at the Opel Astra - SRi upwards models (around the same price as the Civic Sport) come with the big touchscreen Nav/OnStar system as standard, which knocks the Civic's system in to a cocked hat. Not sure what safety features come as standard, but the Elite demo we have here has the city safety,blind spot, and active lane assist built it, along with the electrically heated and cooled, adjustable, massaging memory seats. Quite interesting to put the OBC to display the following time to the car in front - 2 seconds is a huge gap at motorway speeds! A comfortable gap is around 1.1 - 1.4 seconds and it's far from tailgating.

I'm reliably informed that production of the current Civic has ceased - was supposed to carry on until late this year (new model scheduled for Jan production), but a recent earthquake has affected parts supply so they are using what parts they can get for other models.

I was pretty impressed with it. I realise the pre 151 civics came with a much smaller touchscreen system built in beside the speedometer. 152 onwards the 7" touchscreen became standard in all but the comfort. Interesting you mentioned Opel, but it wasnt really a brand i considered to be honest. Bit late now but hey, I have a soft spot for the civic style.

I only made this post because when I visit the ford and mazda dealer they didn't really seem to know anything about these things when I asked them. Not to mention the cost was much much higher if you wanted more than just a radio/mp3 player with bluetooth. I was actually a bit surprised.

Admittedly I only checked out the brands I was interested in mostly. I was just happily impressed with the cost of 24k, really.

and yeah I know the civic 10th gen is out in 2017 but wasn't willing to wait that long, my current banger is on its last legs.

DanielGibbons wrote: »

Call me cynical...

Nice first post

bidiots wrote: »

Reads like an advert alright:D

DontThankMe wrote: »

Oh my God! Thanks OP let me just grab this spare €24k i have lying around the house and run down to my local honda dealer and grab this bargain before they're all gone! Whatever you do don't post this in the bargain alerts keep this great deal quiet!

too cynical lads. sorry to disappoint you but I am not being given an extra €500 quid "scrappage" off my NEW HONDA CIVIC SPORT FOR ONLY 24K if i agree'd to make this post. or am I?

NickDunne

Ford know better than to sell bolloxology to their customers. Most of what you described can be had with a €500 android headunit and obd2 port plugin.

smoke_mirrors wrote: »

On top of that you have some safety features, the brake assist and citi break are very impressive imo, especially with the seatbelt tighening function.

As for the above, I'd rather drive the car myself. But maybe that's just me.

smoke_mirrors

NickDunne wrote: »

Ford know better than to sell bolloxology to their customers. Most of what you described can be had with a €500 android headunit and obd2 port plugin.



As for the above, I'd rather drive the car myself. But maybe that's just me.

Is it really bolloxology though? Are honda really THAT bad? Ripping my ego to shreds here lads, in typical boards.ie fashion

http://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?post_purchase_dissonance_dissonance_reduction_marketing_implications_consumer_psychology&b=86&c=42

2. Seek new information to support his choice
Consumers may reduce dissonance by seeking additional information in order to confirm the wisdom of their product choice. Dissonant individuals actively avoid information that would tend to increase their dissonance.

bazz26

NickDunne wrote: »

Ford know better than to sell bolloxology to their customers. Most of what you described can be had with a €500 android headunit and obd2 port plugin.



As for the above, I'd rather drive the car myself. But maybe that's just me.

To be fair Ford have been boasting about their Sync bolloxology for the last 2 years or so too. Their recent adverts for the Kugo would have you believe you would never find a hotel without their large touchscreen sat nav either. The Focus gained a large touchscreen infotainment system recently too.

More and more manufacturers are moving to large clutter free centre touchscreens incorporating information on the go as well as the entertainment system. Gimmicks sell.

NickDunne

smoke_mirrors wrote: »

Is it really bolloxology though? Are honda really THAT bad? Ripping my ego to shreds here lads, in typical boards.ie fashion

Haha sorry, but realistically thats what it is? Dont get me wrong, lovely spec to have as standard for the same money but these days, that kind of technology is a little bit gimmicky.

It seems these days manufacturers are just coming up with new useless tech for the sake of it. I'm not dissing Honda, they're ALL at it.

smoke_mirrors

glasso wrote: »

2. Seek new information to support his choice
Consumers may reduce dissonance by seeking additional information in order to confirm the wisdom of their product choice. Dissonant individuals actively avoid information that would tend to increase their dissonance.

Thanks, thats actually interesting and is well applicable to this thread. But honestly, I'm happy I settled with Honda for much more reasons than what i initially asked. Really looking forward to getting it either way. Fell in love with it!

smoke_mirrors

bazz26 wrote: »

To be fair Ford have been boasting about their Sync bolloxology for the last 2 years or so too. Their recent adverts for the Kugo would have you believe you would never find a hotel without their large touchscreen sat nav either. The Focus gained a large touchscreen infotainment system recently too.

More and more manufacturers are moving to large clutter free centre touchscreens incorporating information on the go as well as the entertainment system. Gimmicks sell.

Heard VW advertisement today boasting about similar safety systems today too. They really were hyping it up.

NickDunne

The only way to sell a car in Ireland is base it purely around the reg plate.

It's the first hing you hear on EVERY ad... buy your new 161 *enter make here* (usually has to be within the month) and receive some mickey mouse money off the purchase price :pac:

mickdw

Foolish to buy a run out model to be honest.
Try selling your civic in a couple of years and nobody will look at it unless it's about 5k less than the newer model of similar age.

smoke_mirrors

smoke_mirrors wrote: »

Thanks, thats actually interesting and is well applicable to this thread. But honestly, I'm happy I settled with Honda for much more reasons than what i initially asked. Really looking forward to getting it either way. Fell in love with it!

Enjoy the car. Honda make quality cars that are fairly reliable. Usually a bit expensive in Ireland.. Hope you got a good deal. Again, good cars.

micks_address

mickdw wrote: »

Foolish to buy a run out model to be honest.
Try selling your civic in a couple of years and nobody will look at it unless it's about 5k less than the newer model of similar age.

I don't know about foolish... You generally get a lot of kit and a rock solid reliable car as all the kinks have been ironed out.. It's probably more risky to buy a brand new model..

colm_mcm

mickdw wrote: »

Foolish to buy a run out model to be honest.
Try selling your civic in a couple of years and nobody will look at it unless it's about 5k less than the newer model of similar age.

The new model is a dogs dinner though.

Look at values of the last years of the FK Civic vs the current model. They've really held their money.

micks_address

do you mean the new model coming out next year the 10g or the current 9g model?

im interested to see what the new model next year brings in terms of engine advancement, petrol and diesel.. if they have reasonable economical petrol engines paired with a nice auto box i might be tempted to change to one in a few years.. i suppose with the Accord no longer offered in the Honda line up the natural inclination is for the Civic to get bigger.

colm_mcm

Sorry, the forthcoming model is a mess, and values of the late 8g models are still strong despite not being a current model.

The engines on next years civic are very interesting though, but the styling (if the pics going around are actually right) is horrendous.

bazz26

The 10th generation saloon that the Yanks got is better looking that the Euro hatchback we are getting. Looks very Volvo from the rear. Will be interesting to see if the saloon is brought here.

pippip

I have to agree on looks. Every time I see the new model I wonder how many owners of the last model would be interested in this. I liked the old one but the new one is just an awful looking rear.

Caliden

I think you ruffled a few feathers of Ford, Mazda and VW owners in the one post.

My gf has a 2007 civic and the cabin itself is a class above the cars in the same range. For a 1.8 petrol the fuel economy is impressive.

We looked at golfs and a couple of A3's and the inside were depressing. Having looked art newer models I can see that hasn't changed except the price tag attached.

Herself can't see why she would get anything other than a newer Civic.

It's definitely an underrated car that people turn their nose up at purely because it's a civic. Best of luck with it.

smoke_mirrors

Can't say I agree with how the older civics look, they're mediocre at best. The current gen is fabulous. Really dislike the yanks and their obsession with making cars look big and bulky, their civics are rotten.

R.O.R

Out of interest - have you figured out what AHA is on the infotainment system?

Didn't do anything on the ones I had here - was expecting a blast of Morten Harket when I pressed it....

smoke_mirrors

R.O.R wrote: »

Out of interest - have you figured out what AHA is on the infotainment system?

Didn't do anything on the ones I had here - was expecting a blast of Morten Harket when I pressed it....

If I remember right thats the app system. You can hook up your iphone/android (not sure about windows phone) to the 7" touchscreen. You have to have the AHA app on your phone too and can do a couple of things with it like browse internet, get weather forecast, etc.

Nothing crazy.

bazz26

The 10th generation US Civic will be very similar to the Euro version bar trim, coupe and possibly saloon variants. We will probably get an estate Tourer version over the saloon but overall they will share a lot more than the 9th generation.

My one complaint about previous Civics is the lack of cabin refinement and insulation, even the petrol models were a bit noisy.

colm_mcm

R.O.R wrote: »

Out of interest - have you figured out what AHA is on the infotainment system?

Didn't do anything on the ones I had here - was expecting a blast of Morten Harket when I pressed it....

There's an app you need to download, it basically shares content from your phone with the car.ntheres an element of Internet radio in it too, podcasts etc.