I paid 23,100 for my '07 with Navigation. Can I just mention how much I love the cup holders?!

 

Why is that?

 

Here is why

In the event of total loss of the vehicle, the insurance coverage pays only the fair market value of the car minus the deductible.

Such coverage is normally not sufficient to cover the financial obligation of the lessee. GAP covers this difference between the financial obligation and the insurance settlement.

Remember is you lease a car, you do not own it, and are obligated to pay "rent" at a set amount along a given time. If the car is totaled and has depreciated to a level that is below the lease value that you have contracted to pay, then you are on the hook for the difference or the "gap". That is what Gap insurance covers you for.

However if you own the car, you absorb the risk of this gap. And with a car like the Hybrid, it is very unlikely even if you have a long payoff term that you will owe more than the car is worth.

The only time to even consider Gap insurance for a purchase is if you have bought a car that has a high initial depreciation rate, you bought the car with no money down, and you live in a high risk area.

 

So what you really meant (should) have said is:

If, and for as long as, you owe more than the car is worth, gap insurance is worthwhile.

 

I paid 23,400 for my 07 Civic Hybrid w/Nav just last week... this was more than 2,300 less than the sticker price. They also gave me 1,000+ over the trade-in value on my 04 Vibe. Didn't get any of the extra insurance, sealants or GAP; but am considering buying the extended warranty off the web.

 

How does $21k sound on an '07 without Nav?

Of course, I've yet to drive one. Everyone seems to sell the last one right before I walk in.

 

$21,000 is a good price ..... a great price if it includes the destination fee.

Definitely drive it before you buy it. I mean, don't order it, sign papers, give a deposit, etc., because it is slightly different than a regular car, and you want to be sure that you like it.

Don't believe dealers if they tell you they "just sold the last one." That's one of many sleazy tactics that no one should tolerate. Honda has ramped up production of HCHs since last year, and there are enough out there, even with $3+ gas.

Email a few dealers, and I promise you'll find one in your choice of colors.

Good luck!

 

$21k was including everything, but the tax, title, etc. I've tried setting up a test drive, but nobody has one. There's a 7-10 day wait for new stock, or so I'm told.

They are more than willing to "sell" me one without seeing it. I told them that's ridiculous. We'll see what happens.

 

Then definitely wait 7-10 days.

In fact, if you can wait three more months, you can buy a 2008 model. Or you can get a steep discount on a 2007.

 

I can definitely wait. I'm pretty happy with my car at the moment. I do need to upgrade for when we have children (wife can't drive manuals), but that's over 9 months away. I like everything about owning a hybrid, hence my intent to buy one. I worry that these crap dealers in my area won't work with me, since I won't buy pre-driving.

The look on the first salesman's face when my wife walked out was priceless.

Do you think I'll be able to find an '07 in 2 months, when I can't find one in stock now? Or will "ordering" an '07 still be an option when the '08s come out.