I'm debating the same question. But with the appoximate $2,000 tax credit for buying a vechicle in '06 is the kicker for me. With the tax credit, the price should be at least the same as buying an '05 now.

The 2006 Civic improvements are also very enticing with better mileage and looks.
With the Gas prices the way they are now, I want to buy one tomorrow. But I'm going to be disciplined and patient and wait till 2006. Hopefully the very first week in January, I will be cruising in my new hybrid.

 

There are two reasons why you should wait for the 2006:

1) Hybrid A/C - If you buy a 2005 now you will be stuck with the econ button for the next 10 years or however long you keep it. Having electric A/C is a brilliant move by Honda as it results in a much lower impact on performance.

2) More HP - I love my HCH, but it's no secret that it needs a little more oomph to get around. The extra 20 hp is very significant, not to mention more torque.

 

That is a very good question. Although I love my 2005 HCH, if I had known about the '06 last April, along with the differences, I think I would have kept my '03 Civic and waited. However, it has been nice the past few weeks, with gas prices on the roller coaster they are, to drive past my gas station and say "Nope! I've still got 1/2 a tank left."

Living in Texas, having all-round A/C is one of the best things Honda has done, imho. Since I bought my HCH in April, there have been three new stop lights added to my route to/from work, so having the electric creep mode would definitely make me happy right now.

I really cannot decide whether to keep my '05 and get the newer model later, or make an attempt to trade my '05 in for an '06. My dealer in McKinney is honest, and sdince I have bought 5 other cars from them I know they will do right by me, but it is a hard decision. I'll have to wait and see how the final cost shakes out.

But would it be better to wait until '06 to get one because of the new tax break? That's one I have to research, now that I am even thinking about trading up.

Safe driving all,

Jimbob

 

I'm sure if I traded up to an 06 I'd get creamed, especially since I purchased an extended 7 yr warranty for $999. They are transferable to the new owner, so that would make the care sell just that much sooner, but I'm sure I'd lose my shirt with having to pay personal property tax all over again. In Texas that's probably not a problem, but in Kansas it is.

Oh well, I'll just live vicariously through the lucky people who are about to make their 06 purchases.

 

Wait, the hybrid A/C has a lot of potential. Heavy electrical or A/C use is a thorn in IMA's side. The newer A/C system will probably result in less of a mpg hit, helping it get better mileage in typical real-world use.

 

Here is a very good page which compares the 2005 HCH to the 2006 and notes the differences in a very concise way:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...or_t.html#more

 

I bought my 05 cvt with 10 year extended warranty for 19,700 at the beginning of the year. I would be sure and get the 05 cheaper especially at the end of the year when there is a new model next year.

my .02

 

You may not have a choice. The 05s are all but gone as this is closeout time. 06 ones will be in short supply in the beginning if Honda does its usuall thing. Believe I would just hang in there for a couple of months and get a 06.

 

Not sure where you live, I'm in Solano County CA and in Davis and Vacaville they had plenty to choose from (HCH) autos and Manuals. This was three weeks ago. It was so bad at Davis, we spent more time deciding for the Blue or the Magnesium than it took to do the paper work. Unfortunatley, I missed the Honda financing for 2.5% by coule of weeks. Had I only waited.

 

I've already posted some reasons why it might make sense to go ahead and get a 2005.

Now here is one possible reason for getting a new 2006: you would be rewarding Honda for their pursuit of innovation and the improvement of their hybrid technology.

That's one of the fundamental reasons that I originally bought my 2005 -- to support a technology that may help us to be freer from dependence on foreign oil, and that helps improve our environment. The same rationale holds for the newer 2006, and you would be promoting research in this area by Honda.

You would basically be helping to further fund the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.