Topic: Honda Civic Intermittent or Variable Intermittent wipers

[2007Civic]

Hello All,

Honda civic DX-G model is priced right except that it does not have two features that I think are important (variable intermittent wipers and heated mirrors) and one of the feature I am not sure if I will be able to live without so I need you people advice if I will notice quite a bit of difference between Intermittent wipers and variable intermittent wipers.

In order to get variable intermittent wipers I have to upgrade to LX or EX model and rest of the features in LX or EX model I do not care much.

Thanks in advance!

[prufrock]

Hello All,

Honda civic DX-G model is priced right except that it does not have two features that I think are important (variable intermittent wipers and heated mirrors) and one of the feature I am not sure if I will be able to live without so I need you people advice if I will notice quite a bit of difference between Intermittent wipers and variable intermittent wipers.

In order to get variable intermittent wipers I have to upgrade to LX or EX model and rest of the features in LX or EX model I do not care much.

Thanks in advance!

Same issues here, except I wouldn't mind the alloy wheels as well. The money doesn't justify it in my mind.

I don't think I have ever used my heated mirrors on any car I owned. I will miss the variable setting if I buy this car though.

[articsteve]

Hello All,

Honda civic DX-G model is priced right except that it does not have two features that I think are important (variable intermittent wipers and heated mirrors) and one of the feature I am not sure if I will be able to live without so I need you people advice if I will notice quite a bit of difference between Intermittent wipers and variable intermittent wipers.

In order to get variable intermittent wipers I have to upgrade to LX or EX model and rest of the features in LX or EX model I do not care much.

Thanks in advance!

In order to get variable intermittent wipers I have to upgrade to LX or EX model and rest of the features in LX or EX model I do not care much.


Honda and Toyota Canada get there jollies by doing that kind of thing.

Heated mirrors I can live without.  Variable intermittent is great.  I had a 06 DXG briefly and that part sucked because the delay is not long enough.  But what really sucked is no cruise.

How much more is the LX?

[HeliDriver]

I've only got intermittent wipers on my Civic, and I've never found it a major inconvenience.

Sure, I suppose that I'm often manually switching between on, off, and intermittent, but I find that even on vehicles with variable intermittent wipers, I'm constantly changing between the variable settings anyway.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other, IMO.

Oh yeah, I've got heated mirrors on the Civic, too. I think I've used them once in the past seven years. Then again, the winter air is pretty dry around here: maybe things are different where the winters are cold and damp. 

[prufrock]

I will shamedly admit that when we test drove the Mazda3, I was somewhat dazzled by the rain-sensing wipers.

I don't know how they work in reality, but they handled the light drizzle that day with aplomb.

Meh. I guess I am like SiR...I tend to fiddle with the wipers all the time anyway.

[hondasalesguy]

$1350 difference between DX-G and LX

For that you get:

16" wheels with alloy rims vs 15" with hub caps
Cruise control
Variable int. wipers
Painted mirrors and door handles
2 extra courtesy (map) lights in roof liner
Outside temp. gauge
Heated mirrors
Nicer quality of upholstery (DX-G looks a bit mouse fur-ish)

A lot of stuff for $1350 IMO

For those who whine "why doesn't the base model have this or that", well maufacturers try to figure out what people want on base models, on mid level models, and on high end models. Every customer is different, and they can't build them to order or the costs, build quality, and wait time would all be unacceptable. It is an inexact science reading your customer base, but the Japanese method must work, as the North Amerincn companies adopted "package" pricing years ago. It is no longer common to "order  up" a car from any manufacturer.

[JSCC]

For those who whine "why doesn't the base model have this or that", well maufacturers try to figure out what people want on base models, on mid level models, and on high end models. Every customer is different, and they can't build them to order or the costs, build quality, and wait time would all be unacceptable. It is an inexact science reading your customer base, but the Japanese method must work, as the North Amerincn companies adopted "package" pricing years ago. It is no longer common to "order  up" a car from any manufacturer.

Totally agree.

[articsteve]

$1350 difference between DX-G and LX

For that you get:

16" wheels with alloy rims vs 15" with hub caps
Cruise control
Variable int. wipers
Painted mirrors and door handles
2 extra courtesy (map) lights in roof liner
Outside temp. gauge
Heated mirrors
Nicer quality of upholstery (DX-G looks a bit mouse fur-ish)

A lot of stuff for $1350 IMO

For those who whine "why doesn't the base model have this or that", well maufacturers try to figure out what people want on base models, on mid level models, and on high end models. Every customer is different, and they can't build them to order or the costs, build quality, and wait time would all be unacceptable. It is an inexact science reading your customer base, but the Japanese method must work, as the North Amerincn companies adopted "package" pricing years ago. It is no longer common to "order  up" a car from any manufacturer.

If one includes pst/gst @14% then the cost is $1539.  However that mighty be subject to some discount.

When it comes time for buying tires ppl won't like the extra cost of 16 inch wheels or the fact that alloys are easily damaged and are a fortune to replace.

Variable and cruise seem to be the two most important functional items.  IMO, either stick with the DXG or go all out and get the EX. 

[prufrock]

IMO, either stick with the DXG or go all out and get the EX. 

The DXG is a very nice, complete package given the price (which is why it's on my short list along with the Fit LX). I know the lack of cruise really annoyed articsteve, but for the rest of us, if the only drawback is a lack of variable wipers, I would say Honda has done a good job with their trim levels.

Compare this to the bitching about some other entry levels lines from other manufacturers!

Thanks HSG, by the way, for the updated info on the new 07 Civic. Looks like it's an 06 for me if I go that way!

[Cord]

To those that have never used their heated mirrors: do Honda mirrors have a separate switch or do they come on automatically with the rear defrost like most other cars?

[avif]

To those that have never used their heated mirrors: do Honda mirrors have a separate switch or do they come on automatically with the rear defrost like most other cars?

It comes with a separate switch in the 1.6 EL and TSX, so i expect them to be a separate switch

[mar1990]

Sure, I suppose that I'm often manually switching between on, off, and intermittent, but I find that even on vehicles with variable intermittent wipers, I'm constantly changing between the variable settings anyway.

I found as long as it has a single action push to wipe in addition to intermittent wipers, it was managable.  I had a car in which I had to press a button to turn it on and then another botton to turn it off.  It was a real pain, but I got to the point where I could use two fingers to time them to turn them on and off...

[haris]

If it's only those two features that you want get the cheaper one and upgrade them yourself.
My old Focus ZX3 didn't come with intermittent wipers, they were only available on sedan and wagon at the time. I bought a sedan wiper switch/stalk and replaced the one in the ZX3. Voila, intermittent wipers. The parts guy at the dealership claimed that it won't work, as one is sedan and the other one hatch, but it's the same interior and electronics in both.
Cost me around $70 and less than five minutes of work, and I'm no expert. I imagine Honda would be the same.
Heated mirrors might be a bit more involved, but considering they're on a separate switch it's probably the same procedure to get them...

[johngenx]

My Mercedes has heated mirrors that come on automatically when it's below 1C.  I LOVE them!  I often come out to my car (after school, gym, shopping, whatever) and the mirrors are frosted over.  In seconds, they're clear.  The Forester has 'em (as have all our Scoobs) and they work very well even if you have to activate them "manually."  (Oh, it's hard work pushing a button)

As for variable wipers, the C230 has "normal" intermittent with one five-second setting.  Doens't bother me at all.  If I need an extra sweep, I just trip the single wipe feature.  Barely even takes a movement of my finger.  The Forester has varible ones, and I'm fiddling with the setting as the rain changes, but that's okay too.  Either system suits me fine.

I like the rain sensor system (only used MB's) but, at least on MB's, it really increases the cost of windscreen replacement.

One "luxury" feature I have been spoiled by is heated seats.  We haven't had a car without them for some years now...

[ggweci]

What I like about the new Civic wipers, is that when the car is stopped (say at a light) as soon as you let off the break then wipe right away... so you always start off with a nice clean window 

To those that have never used their heated mirrors: do Honda mirrors have a separate switch or do they come on automatically with the rear defrost like most other cars?

In the past it was on a separate switch, but with the new Civics its on the same switch as the rear defrost.

[bmorton]

Funny how people place different value on the exact same features. Of my last four cars, two had heated mirrors and two didn't. I practically never found them useful and didn't miss them on the cars that were without.

On the other hand, one of my last four cars didn't have variable intermittent wipers and it drove me crazy. The fixed intermittent setting was still too fast in a light rain, and since it didn't have a "mist" function either the alternative was to always be moving the lever to "on" and back to "off" to get a single wipe. Arggh.

[lucr]

To those that have never used their heated mirrors: do Honda mirrors have a separate switch or do they come on automatically with the rear defrost like most other cars?

They come on automatically with the rear defog

[HeliDriver]

To those that have never used their heated mirrors: do Honda mirrors have a separate switch or do they come on automatically with the rear defrost like most other cars?

Separate switch on my '99.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

What I like about the new Civic wipers, is that when the car is stopped (say at a light) as soon as you let off the break then wipe right away... so you always start off with a nice clean window 

My car doesn't do that, but has some other programmed features which I thought were neat. If you have your wipers on low speed wiping, when you come to a stop they go to intermittent and then back to low speed once you take off again. I find they work great this way, as before I used to turn them to intermittent at lights to save the blade or stop them from making noise against the window. If it's really pouring and you have high speed then go back to low speed they stay at low speed when stationary tho. Also, if my front wipers are on as soon as I put the car in reverse gear my rear wiper does a swipe. Did a little giggle when I first noticed it [/color]

[ggweci]

What I like about the new Civic wipers, is that when the car is stopped (say at a light) as soon as you let off the break then wipe right away... so you always start off with a nice clean window 

My car doesn't do that, but has some other programmed features which I thought were neat. If you have your wipers on low speed wiping, when you come to a stop they go to intermittent and then back to low speed once you take off again. I find they work great this way, as before I used to turn them to intermittent at lights to save the blade or stop them from making noise against the window. If it's really pouring and you have high speed then go back to low speed they stay at low speed when stationary tho. Also, if my front wipers are on as soon as I put the car in reverse gear my rear wiper does a swipe. Did a little giggle when I first noticed it [/color]

Wow... those are neat features... especially the rear wiper one.  Is this on your GTI?  Also, did you ever post pics of it on here?  I love those cars!!!