I am still on the fence as to whether I like the new styling or not. The shifter area and the steering wheel are really strange and that Saturn Ion looking front is not very appealing. Maybe I need to see the car in a different color or lighting, since every concept I've seen is either dark blue or black. I'm sure it will grow on me with time, as most Honda designs tend to do. As for any regrets in purchasing my HCH in 2005 instead of 2006, I have none. With the newly passed tax credits that were part of the Energy Bill, demand for the 2006 HCHs will skyrocket and with the Civic moving up in the world (the Civic will no longer be a bargain basement econo car- that will be the upcoming Honda Fit's role), the asking price for the new HCHs will likely be somewhat higher and dealers will unlikely be willing to negotiate as much they did for the current gen HCHs (I got my HCH for below invoice). Plus with gas in southern California currently at $2.80-2.90/gallon, I'm definitely happy I purchased my HCH when I did.

But if the new IMA technology is as promising as all the Honda tech movies and websites say it is, those regrets for not waiting just might start to creep in.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. The '06 is getting serious hype as far as IMA and other tech, but at the end of the day I am so so glad I bought my '05 when I did. The 4 months I've owned it, it's been problem-free, pragmatic to the dollar and cent, and thoroughly enjoyable to drive. Not a single regret, and that's a good feeling that's hard to catch with a car.

 

That's the exact feeling I have towards my car . . . and it looks like you bought yours about the same time I did (April). Its good to see other 20somethings driving hybrids. Its difficult to be pragmatic when most of my friends are driving around in Mustangs, WRXs, 350Zs, BMWs, or full size pickups.

 

With regards to the hatchback, we're supposed to get the 5-door Fit in the spring, which is only a little smaller than the Civic. Honda wants to use the Fit as the car for people who want an affordable Honda hatchback, at least for the US market.

 

...and I wouldn't be suprised if the new IMA version rumoured available in '07 replaces the Insight.

 

Thanks for that bit of info Brandon...I didnt think we were getting them till 07. I do hope w/ low sulfur diesel that the diesel will be brought over in time.

 

Here's a very detailed review of the Fit/Jazz from the Temple of VTEC - Asia.

http://asia.vtec.net/Reviews/JazzVtec/index.html

And a review of the L series engines that power the Fit/Jazz.

http://asia.vtec.net/Series/FitJazz/lseries/index.html

 

Well we only found this out July 20th:

http://world.honda.com/news/2005/c050720_a.html

 

Hi All:

___Besides the interior and exterior shots, there was a hybrid spotted at an event yesterday …

Hollywood Extra Blog Spot – 06 Civic

06 Civic Hybrid


06 Civic EX


___Honda really “Screwed the Pooch” in regards to the hybrids wheel style vs. what comes std. on the EX

___There was an individual over at Temple of VTEC that drove all 3 yesterday as well. You can read his comments at the following:

JUST DROVE 2006 CIVIC
___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

 

I hope they offer that royal blue on the HCH! No more boring colors!