3 Signs of Troublesome Car Dealerships: Avoid them by Choosing Honda Car Specials

When you go into a dealership to take advantage of a Honda special offer you can be pretty sure that you will have a positive experience. However, this is not the case with every car dealership that you might encounter. Some car dealers operate with business practices and policies that should be avoided at all costs. Luckily, there are three signs to look out for that will let you know that you need to steer clear.

1. Predatory Sales Personnel

Everyone needs to make a living, but no-one really wants to deal with a pushy salesperson. In an ideal world, you should be able to browse the cars in the dealership, and after some time a salesperson may ask you if you need any help. However, if the salespeople are pacing around outside the dealership and harassing you, it’s a bad sign. If they are going to be this pushy when first encountered, what will they be like when paperwork needs signing?

2. A Change in Sales Personnel

In this scenario, you may be dealing with one salesperson, who then disappears and is replaced with someone else. This is a sure sign that you’re dealing with something called a turnover house. This is a method of selling, which involves the dealership throwing new people at you to confuse you and wear you down to sign a sales agreement. Avoid this practice at all costs and leave immediately if this happens to you.

3. The Authoritative Salesperson

You may be in the dealership looking at cars and encounter a salesperson that starts giving you an order, such as “wait over there” or “follow me into my office.” The may also leave you alone for long periods of time because they have to consult the boss. You may be surprised to learn that this kind of salesperson is usually very successful in sales. Many people after putting so much time into a transaction feel invested in the outcome, and this makes them compliant in the sales process. You could just leave or alternatively play them at their own game and act in an unpredictable manner. Always be the one in control, you have the power, you are the customer, and they want your money.

If you’re on the lookout for Honda car offers, come and visit us here at Prestige Honda. We have a large selection of both new and used cars for sale, including some amazing Honda car specials. Book a no obligation test drive and join us to experience the Honda driving experience firsthand. If you need financing, we have competitive rates and repayments to suit your circumstances. Our sales team is standing by to answer any remaining questions that you may have.

4 Honda Service Centre Tips for Driving in Fog

Driving in fog is a very dangerous activity that causes many accidents every year. Sadly, many drivers don’t respect foggy conditions enough, and this can get them into trouble very quickly. This kind of driving can be made safer, by applying common sense and taking some extra car. Here are four top tips for driving your car through fog.

1. Respect the Road Conditions:

It is essential to respect the current road conditions and adapt your driving style to meet them. There will be less time to react, other cars and hazards can appear seemingly out of nowhere. Whenever you see a vehicle in front of you, always maintain a bare minimum of a two second gap. This will give you extra time to react, allow you to travel at a constant speed and reduce the need for dangerous lane changes.

2. Use the Correct Lighting:

Many drivers, use high beam headlights to illuminate their way in foggy conditions. This is a mistake, the light actually reflects off the water droplets in the fog, and your visibility will be even worse. A normal low beam setting will be more effective, or you can use fog lights if your car has them. When fog lights are used, they will help you to see more of the road, and because they are mounted lower, they will not penetrate the fog. Always turn off fog lights when road conditions return to normal as it’s an offence to use them in clear weather conditions.

3. Pull Over if Necessary:

If the fog has become really bad and you’re driving at a slow crawl, it may be time to pull over and take a break. Driving in fog can fray your nerves and lead to tiredness and coupled with slower reaction times this is very dangerous. Fog banks move all the time if you can pull over for a break and a coffee for an hour the road conditions may improve. Always ensure that you pull over in a designated area and don’t create additional road hazards by stopping at the side of the road.

4. Keep Your Vision Clear:

The fog is made from water particles in the air; it will accumulate on your windscreen and hamper your vision. This can be very distracting, so use your windscreen wipers to intermittently clear your windscreen. This will also clear any spray and dirt that is thrown up onto your windscreen by other vehicles.

If they are considering a Honda service, Perth drivers should contact us here at Prestige Honda. Our technicians provide a high quality Honda car service, and we only ever use genuine Honda parts. At our Honda service centre, we can ensure that your car will be operating within the manufacturer tolerances. A car that is regularly serviced will maintain its value better, be less likely to break down and be more fuel efficient. Our sales advisors are standing by to answer any further questions you may have.

Kid Proofing Honda Preowned Cars

Honda preowned cars are a great way to get a quality car without breaking the bank. Even though you can save a lot of money, you will still want to protect your significant investment. As anyone knows, adding kids to any situation can complicate things significantly, and this is also true with car ownership. Making a car kid proof and keeping things clean and tidy can seem like an uphill struggle. Let’s take a closer look at this issue and some ideas on how to kid proof your car.

Get a Car With Plenty of Space:

This cannot be emphasised enough, kids use up a lot of space, and they have a lot of paraphernalia to transport. We’re not just talking about toys here, items such as prams, pushchairs, changing bags, portable cots and sports equipment take up a lot of space. If you’re planning on having a family soon, put the boot size and cabin space at the top of your list of car buying priorities. Another key factor is the configuration and flexibility of the seating area. Is it easy to make extra room when you need it most? Finally, ensure that your car has plenty of cubbies and storage areas in the cabin for items such as toys, electronics, wet wipes, and snacks.

Always Consider More Glass:

Kids can get car sick on even shorter journeys, and a lot of car designs don’t help. Engineers tend to use more steel than glass wherever possible to reduce costs and weight in their designs. This can turn rear seating areas into literal black holes with no point of reference for the passengers. When we can see the horizon or a similar point of reference, it makes the journey easier and less stressful.

Provide Entertainment:

An entertainment system is a vital part of the modern car journey with kids. Let’s face it, most children simply don’t get the concept of an amazing view, and they need something to hold their attention. This can be easily achieved by loading up a cheap tablet with some favourite shows and apps. Always provide some headphones for them to use to preserve your sanity from listening to Disney movies on a constant loop. These kinds of mobile devices have all but killed off the trend of providing screens for rear seat passenger that car manufacturers provided. In order to help with this current trend for using your own devices, many cars now have USB ports for charging purposes, and they may even be located in the rear for easier access.

If you’re in the market for either new or prestige used cars, contact us here at Prestige Honda. We have an excellent selection of Honda second hand cars and brand new models. We invite you to book a no obligation test drive with us and try out a Honda driving experience firsthand. If you require financing, we offer competitive rates and repayments that can be tailored to your circumstances. Our sales team is looking forward to answering any additional questions that you may have.

What Do Your Car Gauges Really Indicate?

Whether you’re looking for Honda demo cars for sale or brand new models, you will have a lot of gauges. Modern cars, give us so much feedback on what’s going on it can be hard to keep track of it all. Gone are the days when all we had was a speedo, a rev counter, and oil temperature. Gauges are essential because the information they convey can be very important. Many manufacturers have gotten rid of the graduated style scale used in the past, and instead, we now have a normal and a red zone. Older cars and performance cars may still have other auxiliary gauges that are specific for racing purposes. To keep things simple, let’s take a look at some of the basic gauges.

The Coolant Temperature:

We need coolant to keep our engine temperatures within a safe operating range. When the temperature goes up, it can usually herald the arrival of a more significant problem. The coolant should be a mixture of water and an appropriate additive. This mixture can boil at a temperature above 100 degrees in the sealed pressurised system and not boil away. If the temperature is always high, it could mean a problem, such as a failing coolant pump, a faulty head gasket or a radiator problem. A temperature that’s always low could indicate a broken thermostat. It’s important to understand that the engine temperature should fluctuate naturally, depending upon the atmospheric temperature and the current engine load.

The Oil Pressure:

Almost all vehicles are fitted with some kind of low oil pressure warning light. This is because the loss of oil pressure can indicate some serious problems. The engine oil raises in pressure from 10 psi when idle up to around 80 psi when working at the maximum. This can vary a lot, depending upon the performance, age, and temperature of the engine. Low reading could indicate a failing oil pump, insufficient oil levels, an incorrect grade of oil, worn engine bearings or a clogged oil filter. If the readings are high, it could be a faulty regulator that’s at fault.

The Oil Temperature:

The temperature of the oil and the coolant are linked, but the oil temperature reading gives us a better idea of what’s going on under the bonnet. The normal oil temperature should be sat a little above the coolant temperature at idle, but they should rise as the engine speed and load increases. The normal oil temperature should be in a range of 110 to 130 degrees. Dependant upon whether the coolant and oil temperature gauges spike independently of each other or instead rise up together, the problems could be very different.

At Prestige Honda we have a wide selection of Honda demo cars for sale, including the Honda Jazz Blue. We would like you to book a no obligation test drive with online, and you can try out a Honda for yourself. If you need finance, our rates are very competitive, and the repayments can be tailored to suit your individual circumstances. Our Prestige Honda sale team is standing by to take your call, and they can answer any remaining questions you may have.

What Can You Expect from the New Honda City?

After what seems like a long wait, we now have the 2018 Honda City for sale in Australian showrooms. This car upon casual inspection looks very similar to a model Honda released for the Indian market a few weeks ago, and it features a lot of new equipment. We also have revised specifications, which is reflected in a new pricing structure that is a fair representation of the quality and specifications on offer. Let’s take a closer look at the Honda City so that potential buyers can make the best and most informed decision.

New Equipment Levels:

The 2018 Honda City has received a significant boost in equipment levels over the outgoing model. At the front end, there is a new grille, new headlights with LED daytime running lights and a revised front and rear bumper design. The fresh new look is finished off with some very attractive new alloy wheels designs. Inside the cabin, we have an updated 7” infotainment centre, plus new trims on the air vents, instrument panel, and gearshift housing. The top of the range City VTi-L has leather appointed seats and an upgraded infotainment system with satellite navigation.

Some Colourful Details:

In addition to the colours that are already available, there is a brand new colour for this 2018 City model. The new colour is Cosmic Blue metallic, but fans of Brilliant Sport Blue metallic and Crystal Black pearlescent will be disappointed as they have been discontinued.

The New Pricing Structure:

The price of the entry level City VTi has not changed from the previous model. The five speed manual comes in at $15,990, and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic is priced at $17,990. At the top end of the range, the City VTi-L has increased in price by $200 and is now $21,590, but Honda is keen to point out that there is now $2,000 worth of extra equipment fitted to this model. This represents a tremendous amount of value for a very minor price bump. All the quoted prices listed are before on roads are factored into the equation. The 2018 Honda City is available in showrooms now, and it’s well worth taking a test drive to evaluate its merits firsthand.

If they are looking for a Honda City, Perth drivers should visit us here at Prestige Honda. We have an impressive selection of both used and new cars for sale, including the new Honda City. We would like you to book a test drive with us and try out the Honda driving experience for yourself. If you need vehicle financing, you will find that our rates are very competitive and repayments are tailored to your circumstances. Our sales team is ready and standing by to answer any remaining questions you may have.

A 2017 New Honda Accord V6 Review

The Honda Accord for sale here in Australia is very different from the earlier models. In fact, the Accord has been on sale since 1977, and many Aussies can testify to its reliability and build quality. Now this car is in its 9th generation, and there is an exciting new V6 variant. Let’s take a closer look at what the Accord V6 has to offer.

The Basics:

This latest update is instantly recognisable with a new chrome shrouded LED lighting stack at the front end with driving lights to improve nighttime driving. At the rear, we find more chrome around the tail lights and a boot lip spoiler that indicated what is in store for the driver. The Accord V6L sits at the top of the range and as one would expect it is literally packed with features and equipment, such as: adaptive LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights, automatic wipers, heated front seats, electric rear window shade, dual zone climate control, keyless entry and engine start, a six speaker stereo system, DVD playback, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and leather seats.

The Interior:

Inside the cabin, there is a satisfying thud as the door closes and the cabin oozes quality. Everything is soft and padded; the steering wheel holds the important controls and a second screen under the infotainment screen control the entertainment and information displayed. The indicator stalk has a button that can operate a passenger side wing mirror mounted camera or the camera automatically comes on when the indicator is used, a nice touch. There is plenty of headroom and legroom making the cabin a comfortable place to enjoy a long cruise. As one would expect from Honda, the Accord V6 has earned a five star ANCAP safety rating, thanks to features such as lane keeping assistance, road departure migration warning, and a collision mitigation braking system.

Under the Bonnet:

Here we can find a smooth 3.5 litre naturally aspirated V6 powerplant that generates 206 kW of power and 339 Nm torque. This is paired with a six speed automatic transmission that is operated with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The fuel economy figures are an impressive 9.3L/100km on a combined cycle.

If they are looking for a Honda Accord, Perth based drivers should contact us here at Prestige Honda. We have a large stock of both new and used cars for sale including the new Honda Accord V6. We would like you to join us for a no obligation test drive at your earliest convenience, and you can experience the Honda driving difference firsthand. If you require financing, our rates are very competitive, and the repayments are tailored to your circumstances. Our sales team is ready and standing by to answer any remaining questions you may have.

A Fresh Look at the New Honda HRV and Comparisons

The small crossover segment is an interesting niche that is growing as buyer discover its charms. Those stepping up from hatchbacks and those becoming disillusioned with larger SUVs can find a new place to hang out in crossovers. Car manufacturers have noticed this trend, and a myriad of crossover vehicles has appeared in recent years to meet the demand. The Honda HRV for sale in Australia is the Japanese brand’s attempt to win the market share here. The HRV is an excellent vehicle, let’s take a closer look at how it compares to its competition.

The Basic Crossover Specifications:

The Honda HRV and most other crossovers in this segment come in a front wheel drive format. It’s typical to have automatic transmissions paired with petrol engines on cars, such as the: Honda HRV, Mitsubishi ASX XLS, Toyota C-HR Koba and Mazda CX-3. Specific models that exist outside this format with all wheel drive tend to be regarded as small SUV vehicles.

Pricing:

The cheapest car available of those mentioned above is the Mitsubishi ASX XLS at $31,500. This is representative of the fact that the Mitsubishi is a very old design compared to its rivals. Both the Mazda CX-3 and the Toyota C-HR come in at $33,290 with similar specs, but the C-HR is hard to get hold of due to stocking issues. The Honda HRV is the most expensive of this selection at $33,340, and it has some interesting equipment onboard.

Standard Equipment Levels:

At the base level all of these crossovers, feature: climate control, cruise control, a touchscreen, push button engine start, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, rain sensing wipers, leather seats, automatic headlights and alloy wheels. All of these models do have a rear view camera, but only the Honda HRV has a multiview mode unit.

Differing Equipment Levels:

Blind spot monitoring: Available on the Mazda and Toyota, but the Honda HRV has Lanewatch, which is a passenger side blind spot camera.

Front Parking Sensors: Only the Honda HRV and Toyota C-HR have this.

Heated Front Seats: All the models feature heated front seats except the Mazda CX-3.

Lane Assist: This features on all the models mentioned except for the Mitsubishi.

LED Headlights: This is featured on all the crossovers, except for the Mitsubishi.

Low Speed Autonomous Braking (AEB): Every car here apart from the Mitsubishi has this feature.

Sunroof: The Honda HRV and Mazda CX-3 both have sunroofs, the Mitsubishi has a fixed glass roof, and the Toyota doesn’t have one.

Alloy Wheels: All the models here have 18” alloy wheels except for the Honda HRV which features 17” alloys.

If they are searching for a new Honda HRV, Perth drivers should visit us. Here at Prestige Honda, we have a large selection of new and demo cars for sale, including the new Honda HRV. We would like to invite you to join us at your earliest convenience for a no obligation test drive. If you need vehicle financing, we offer competitive rates, and the repayments will be tailored to your specific requirements. Our sales team is here and standing by to answer any remaining questions you may have.

News from Your Local Honda Dealership: Perth Residents Will See More Alternative Powered Cars

When they visit their local Honda dealership, Perth residents may notice that most cars still use traditional fuels. It is a sad fact, but alternative powered vehicles are simply not as popular in Australia as many people would like them to be. In this country, we are currently in the throes of a torrid love affair with SUVs that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. It is hoped that future vehicles will be able to pry drivers out of their more traditionally powered cars with easy to use features and other benefits. Honda is leading the way in this endeavor with some recent developments.

New Vehicle Drivetrain Launches:

The recent 2017 New York Motor Show saw a host of new cars launched, including some new offering from Honda. We saw the full debut for the Honda Clarity Electric and the Plug-in Hybrid. The two new offerings join the new hydrogen fuel cell variant that is currently only available in Japan and California. A statement from Honda has estimated sales of 75,000 Clarity vehicles in the US over the next four years. To put this into some kind of context, 98,886 US Prius sales were made in 2016 alone. So, it appears that Honda is anticipating a slower and more gradual market penetration for their alternatively powered cars. Honda has stated that by 2030 they expect their Honda dealers to generate two thirds of their sales from cars with electric drivetrains.

The Honda Clarity Electric:

This is the purely electrically powered version with an electric motor that generates 120 kW of power and 300Nm of torque. There is a 25.5kWh battery pack, giving the Clarity Electric a range of 129km. It takes three hours to reach a full charge using a specialised 240v port, but there is also DC fast charging that charges the battery up to 80% in under 30 minutes.

The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid:

This will be the volume seller in the range. It features a 1.5 litre four cylinder engine that acts as a generator but can be used to power the wheels if required. This is paired with an electric motor that generates 135 kW of power and 315 Nm of torque. The 17 kWh battery pack takes two and a half hours to charge using a special 240v socket. Thanks to the hybrid nature, the overall range is 530 km, and if you go purely electric, the range drops to 68 km.

If they are looking for Honda dealers, Perth WA based drivers should contact us. Here at Prestige Honda, we have a large selection of both new and used cars for sale. We would like to invite you to join us for a no obligation test drive at your earliest convenience. If you require vehicle financing, you will find that our rates are very competitive and repayments can be tailored to your specific needs. Our sales team is here and standing by for your call, and they will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.