Topic: Between Echo Sedan and Civic SE

[froggy]

Hi guys,

Went car shopping today and got some quotes/price bargaining today at both Honda and toyota.
For both deals, I throw in my old '91 Civic which is virtually worthless (rust + poor body+need new Ball joints+ new radiator+...)
Btw, does anybody have an idea of how much it would cost to fix/replace the ball joints on this thing ('91 hatchback Civic)? 

Toyota: Apparently all the '05 EH are gone and have been for the last 6 weeks.... 
They only had 2 Sedan left and the one I tried was a white one with the appearence package (bigger tires, etc...) the A/C and it was manual. Not bad, but not as nice looking as the Hatchback.
MRSP is 16600+freight and I negociated a (possible) lease of $295/ month (tax in) for 48 months. Residual is only 39% (car has 270 kms).

Honda: For the Civic SE, they only have a black manual left. With the graduate thingy (Can't use on the Toyota as we bought the RAV4 with it in April  ) and the old Civic, Got it down to $285 per month for 48 monts (residual is 47%). Stupid me, with last month ALR, I could have negociated the same car at <$250 
I think the new '06 Civic is nice but I do not want to pay for the "novelty" factor (is ALR of 7.9% and AFR>6% with no room for negociation) and I don't know if my current '91 will survive much longer...
(especially the ball joints issue scares me   )
Do you think these are OK deals or should I try to fix the Civic (Just the ball joints) to go through winter and try to get an '06 EH or a '06 Civic when rates are more favourable (If and when it happens (in 2008?))
Thanks for going through this long post! 

[AVToller]

That's a difficult one as you have a whole bunch of factors operating. Personally, I don't much care for the Echo sedan - the hatch handles much better as well as being more versatile and better looking IMO. The 2006 Yaris should be a MAJOR step up if you can believe the early reviews.

Likewise, the 2006 Civic looks to be a major upgrade on the 2005, AND the Jazz/Fit (Yaris competitor) will be here in the Spring. I would tend to try and hold out until Spring if the '91 can be kept together at a reasonable cost. You might kick yourself if you settled for the older design with the new ones coming on line, especially if you plan on keeping it for a long time. Just my opinions of course. 

[ovr50]

Wait for the Yaris, Froggy. Won't the old one go 2 more months?

[froggy]

The Toyota guy told me that I'd be looking for an APR or 7.7% on the new Yari with a residual of 48%.
He says he could order me one today at the same price as the '05 (I am not sure what he meant there, as they will be equipped differently). So, let's see, assuming a price of $16,000 (EH 5 doors with A/C) with a PDI of $1,200 and a residual of $7,680, it would come to $320 per month. I assume no haggling, b/c they probably won't give you any room!
I am going to read the new '06 Civiv article more thoroughly.

Ross, I am looking for  a commuter I probably won't keep (We plan on keeping the RAV4, another 3.5 years and it will be paid for, so the long term desirability factor is not primordial (afer all I managed to keep my '91 Civic for 5 years).
Now, If I could get the Civic to go to Spring 06, it migh be more interesting 

[mollie]

I am not sure where you are, but when I was looking for cars two weeks ago the Toyota dealership in central BC only had the EH (I think they had 4 left) and no sedans!

[froggy]

I am in Ottawa, and I am not going to call all the dealers in Ontario to get one, just not worth it IMHO 

[ovr50]

Mollie - where were you looking in "central BC"?? Kelowna? or otherwise?

[mollie]

I was looking at Northern Toyota in Prince George.

[AVToller]

The inventory of 2005 Echos is virtually nil across Canada. RSs disappeared about a month ago. There is only 1 Echo in PA. Dealers seem almost as anxious to get the Yaris as I am! I just found out that I was wise to order so early - the first allotment is already sold out at my local dealer, and there isn't another dealer for 90 km. 

[Shnak]

I think the new Civic coming out in a few weeks is so much an improvement over the current one... new stronger, smoother and better in fuel economy engine... 5 speed automatic transmission instead of 4 speed (if you're looking at automatic transmission) and the ton of safety features that come with every new Civic... Just for all the safety features, I'd wait for the new Civic. At least, wait a month to give a try to the new Civic before buying... It's extremely well equipped in the lower trims and I'm sure you will be able to get a reasonable lease for one.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I also wouldn't buy a thing till the new Civic hits. Less than a month away... just don't expect a deal and a half.

What I DO expect is that competitors will need to cough up some dough to compete against it though.

[froggy]

Well. it is done, I took the '05 black Civic SE. I thought a lot about it yesterday (thanks for your input!), but this one will do fine as my commuter car as I got a fair deal. I take delivery on the 27th (or earlier) so I'll post pics.
Now, I've bought 2 cars in 5 months, I am going to take it easy! 

[AVToller]

Now, I've bought 2 cars in 5 months, I am going to take it easy! 

Congratulations! But as to the last part, that's what they all say! I think you may have an addiction problem here. If you buy another before year's end, we may have to conduct an intervension.   

[froggy]

A carectomy?