Will Australia Ever See a Honda Civic Type-R?

The new Honda Civic Sedan 2016 will be arriving this quarter, and it will be shortly followed by the hatch. There may even be a turbo petrol, and a diesel variant available and there are whispers of a hybrid engine. However, sadly there will be no Honda Civic Type-R this year and perhaps not at all. There are several reasons for this decision, and we will look at why Honda have chosen this course of action here.

Availability is Limited

The Honda Type-R is made in the UK which adds a host of logistical problems for exporting it to Australia and Asia. Combined with this, demand in both the UK and the rest of Europe is very high. Essentially, Honda has hungry customers right on their doorstep, so of course like any sensible business they go for most efficient and profitable sales. The production of the car is high enough to meet the current demand, but there is another reason why Honda cannot simply increase production.

A Short Production Cycle

The current version of the Honda Type-R is the 9th generation model. This model has been designated as a short production cycle car that will only be made for a limited period. As such, raising the number of Type-R cars that may need to be made is a problem. Couple this with the necessary lead in time for building and shipping a vehicle to the other side of the world and the problem becomes obvious. There simply isn’t enough time for Honda to get the Type-R to Australia before the next generation car arrives. If Honda did go this route, the mk9 Civic Type-R would be available for sale for six months at most. The 10th generation Type-R is waiting in the wings, it may be arriving in Europe at the end of 2016, but early 2017 seems far more likely.

Never Say Never

At the moment, Honda has stated that the next Honda Type-R will not be available in Australia. Now, this may seem like a cruel move to taunt petrolheads, but let’s bear in mind that the NSX will arrive here later this year, ahead of the US! Honda Australia boss Steven Collins has stated clearly that the focus at the moment is firmly on the NSX and the next generation of Honda hybrid vehicles. However, he has gone on record as stating that he is confident that Australia will get the mk10 Civic Type-R, possibly as early as 2018. It is also rumoured that this next Type-R will feature the new VTEC turbocharged petrol engines that caused such enthusiasm at the Tokyo Motor Show back in 2013.

If you’re looking for a Honda Civic sedan 2016, contact us here at Prestige Honda. We have an extensive stock of both new and used Honda cars for sale. We can also arrange a test drive for you at your earliest convenience. For more information, get in touch with our sales team, they can advise you on the latest Honda Civic Sedan 2016 price. They will also be available to answer any further questions regarding the purchasing, insuring and servicing of Honda cars.

Five Bad Reasons to Stick With Your Current Insurance Provider

When looking for the best car insurance, Perth drivers often make the costly mistake of assuming that their current provider will offer the best deals. However, when it comes to new car insurance, sticking with your current provider could be a really bad idea and here are five bad reasons you may tell yourself to avoid changing.

You’ve Used the Company for Years:

These days insurance companies rarely reward loyalty and will typically allow only new customers access to the best car insurance. Perth drivers may assume that their renewal quote is the best the company can offer, but you could be paying way too much. It is easy to check on this by simply obtaining a couple of quotes from other companies. You can then compare the quotes with your renewal offer from your current provider. You are likely to find that the new car insurance company offers you the better deal.

You’re Given Safe Driving Rebates:

While a cheque or coupon arriving in the post is a nice surprise, don’t make the assumption that this reflects that your insurer is giving you a fair deal. The chances are that any rebate is only a portion of what you have been overcharged by your current company. When it comes to checking the competitiveness of car insurance, Perth drivers should assess the costs against other deals. Even if you factor in the rebate, you are still likely to be paying too much. 

You Get Free Roadside Assistance:

These days most insurers offer roadside assistance as part of their package. “Free” roadside assistance is not free; it is simply factored into the cost. Additionally, you may find that the assistance package included is fairly basic. While an independent package may cost a little more, it is likely to include more benefits. Check what is included in your assistance package, to allow you to compare like for like.

Changing Insurers is a Hassle:

While certain kinds of insurance policies can make it tricky to change providers, home and vehicle insurance is quite easy to change nowadays. Vehicle insurance can be obtained online or with a quick phone call. This ease of use means that you can shop for car insurance at any time of the day or night. To gain access to the best car insurance, Perth drivers can shop around at brokers, dealers and even banks in only a few minutes. You may find that spending ten or twenty minutes could save you hundreds of dollars.

You Don’t Want to Choose an Unknown Company:

While there are a number of smaller insurance providers offering good packages, you can still get a great deal with familiar names. For example, Honda dealerships can offer competitive quotes for your vehicle insurance and offer the reassurance of an established global brand.

If you are in search of the best car insurance, Perth drivers should speak to us at (08) 9317 5700. We not only offer a fantastic selection of new and pre-owned Honda models but can provide competitive quotes for your vehicle.

New Honda Jazz Considered in 2015 Hottest Cars to Date

As the sales figures for the first half of 2015 have been analysed, many manufacturers will be planning out changes to their marketing strategies. However, Honda is not likely to be among them, as the new Honda Jazz is considered to be one of the hottest cars to date in 2015. The Honda Jazz 2015 range was predicted to be a strong seller, but even the Japanese auto giant could not have anticipated how firmly this new model has been embraced by the Australian car buying public.

The Top Seller:

Unfortunately, the new Honda Jazz could not take the crown as the top growth seller of the year so far. This honour was taken by the Subaru Outback, which has sold 5465 units so far this year. When you discount brand new models, which are selling well, this is a very respectable sales growth figure for this established model. Since the SUV segment is going crazy with demand at the moment, it was no real surprise that this SUV crossover is selling more than the Honda Jazz 2015 range. The Outback sales were up 312.5 percent on the 2014 year to date sales figures, which is an additional 4140 units sold.

New Honda Jazz Sales:

The Honda Jazz 2015 range almost hit the sales highs of the Outback with mid year to date sales of 5139 units. This impressive performance is up 162.3 percent on the 2014 figures, which means that the brand shifted an additional 3180 units compared to last year. This variant is approximately a year old as a new generation, which does contribute to popularity, but Honda have also initiated very sharp pricing across the range, making this model even more attractive. The Honda Jazz superb sales performance has contributed to a 10.2 percent increase on light car sales for 2015. The model  is now catching up to segment leaders Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris rapidly, so who knows who will take the 2015 light car sales crown at the end of the year.

Honda Overall Performance:

Honda are enjoying a great sales year, thanks to the new Honda Jazz and the introduction of the HR-V. The new Honda SUV model has racked up sales of 5191 units so far this year, since it’s introduction in February. While some of their models are struggling with sales, the superb performance of the Jazz and the HR-V has meant that the brand is enjoying a 33.4 percent YTD sales growth compared to last year. With the new generation Civic anticipated before the end of the year, this could mean that the brand will finish on a real high, chasing Mazda to try for a podium slot when the end of year figures are announced.

If you would like to know more about the Honda Jazz 2015 range, contact us at (08) 9317 5700 or please visit http://www.prestigehonda.com.au/ . We have an extensive selection of new and preowned Honda models including the new Honda Jazz. Our sales team are available to answer any queries or arrange your test drive.

Genuine Honda Car Parts are the Key to Reliable Performance

While Honda has a great reputation for reliability and performance, if you are tempted to try generic Honda car parts Perth drivers may be making a costly mistake. When it comes to Honda parts, Australia is filled with retailers offering generic and cheaper parts. While it may seem like an easy way to save a few dollars, you may find that you compromise the performance and efficiency of your Honda.

Genuine All the Way!

There are a number of reasons why you should choose genuine Honda car parts. Perth drivers should be aware that genuine parts have been designed and manufactured to the exacting Honda standards. This means that each component perfectly fits into the precision machine that is your Honda. All Honda parts are carefully tested to not only check the individual performance but to assess the interaction within the whole vehicle. This ensures that each replacement component functions at optimum performance levels, offering the reliability and durability you would expect from the Japanese auto giant.

The Potential Danger of Generic Parts:

When choosing generic Honda parts Australia based drivers may give little consideration to the potential danger associated with this decision. While state and national regulations may prevent dangerous parts from being sold by our retailers, this does not mean that there is no risk. Generic parts tend to be made from lower grade materials to keep the costs lower. This means that they tend to have a far shorter lifespan than a genuine part. This means that there is an increased risk of breakdown. You may be driving with total confidence that you only had a drive belt replaced 20,000 kilometres ago, only to find that it snaps and damages other vital engine components. This means that you could be faced with a garage bill totalling thousands of dollars. Since you are unlikely to have kept all the repair details from a small garage, you will struggle to have any kind of recompense. Fortunately, with genuine Honda car parts, Perth drivers can have the reassurance of the Honda National Parts Warranty.

It’s Only a Filter. Does it Matter?

Even the most basic of components matter to the reliable performance of your Honda. While filters may appear to be an insignificant component, they actually perform a vital function. A properly designed and fitted filter can prevent dirt, dust and other debris from entering the engine. Your fuel filter can even protect your Honda from any particles of debris contained in the pumps at your local service station from clogging up your engine. A cheap generic filter could compromise the performance of your vehicle, leading it to stutter and stall, just when you need acceleration.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of genuine Honda car parts, Perth drivers should contact us at (08) 9317 5700 or please visit http://www.prestigehonda.com.au/. We are an authorised Honda service station and our technicians take pride in ensuring that our customers can have confidence that their Honda is operating at optimum efficiency, performance and safety with genuine Honda parts. Australia based drivers may regret saving a few dollars if they go elsewhere as our service is second to none.

Your Options for Honda Car Finance

If you considering buying a new or pre-owned Honda, you are likely to need some form of car finance. Perth drivers often find this topic to be confusing, but here is a basic guide to your options for Honda car finance. 

Hire Purchase:

Hire purchase is a similar type of finance to a mortgage on your home. You need to pay a deposit, then make payments over a period of time agreed in advance. Once the final payment is made and the balance has been settled, the car is yours. The main benefit of hire purchase is that it is simple to understand. There are no complicated terms and conditions; you simply pay the agreed deposit and monthly payments for the agreed term. The term usually runs for sixty months and generally you can cancel without penalty. However, you may find that if you cancel early, the amount owed may be more than the value of the car. The main disadvantage to this type of finance is that the payments are typically higher compared to other forms of finance. In effect, you are paying to hire the vehicle while you pay off the finance. You will often need a large deposit and plan to keep your car for longer than the HP term.

Personal Contract Purchase:

This is a common form of Honda car finance and has a great deal more flexibility. You can usually pay a deposit to suit your circumstances and take the loan over a shorter term. At the end of the contract, there is usually a proportion of the finance which has not been paid. This leaves you with several options; you can surrender the vehicle and treat the contract as if you had hired the vehicle long term, you can pay a balloon payment to settle the balance or part exchange for a newer vehicle, using the equity on the vehicle as the deposit for your new car. This tends to work out as the cheapest option for many private buyers. You are not tied into using the same dealership every time and you may be able to afford a more expensive vehicle without having a much larger monthly repayment. Some buyers use this option and either save to pay the balloon payment at the end of the term or take out another form of finance to cover the remaining balance, allowing them to retain full ownership of the vehicle. Many dealerships will also allow you the flexibility to increase your monthly repayment to reduce the amount of the final payment if you prefer. This flexibility means that you can tailor your finance to suit your current financial circumstances.

Regardless of the type of car finance Perth drivers should always check the terms and conditions of the deal. Some plans have hefty penalties for early repayment, which can make even the most attractive deal potentially very costly should your circumstances change.

If you are looking for a great deal on your Honda finance, contact us. We have a wide selection of Honda vehicles and our sales team would be happy to assist you in arranging the finance for your next vehicle.  

Four Things You Should Look For When Planning a Honda Service

Regular servicing is an important component of keeping the performance, efficiency and safety of your Honda optimised. However, when choosing a place to get your Honda service, you be a little overwhelmed by your options. Of course, you will be looking for a cost effective option but you also need to have confidence that your chosen Honda service centre will offer a high standard of service. Fortunately, there are four things you can look for to ensure that you choose the right place to care for your vehicle.

Reasonable Pricing:

While capped price servicing is available at official Honda service centre venues, if you have an older Honda, you may not qualify. However, the age of your vehicle should not stop you being offered reasonable pricing. Wherever you choose to get your Honda service, the garage should have transparent and reasonable pricing. The garage technicians should give you the courtesy of letting you know if they find an issue which may increase the price over any quote, so you are not presented with a shock when you collect the car. This also gives you the option to query the cost if it seems unreasonable. 

A Good Reputation:

In the past, the reputation of a garage was limited to word of mouth from your family or friends. However, with the development of the internet, it has never been easier to check the reputation of your potential Honda service centre. Before you book your Honda service, it is well worth a quick internet search on consumer feedback sites or forums, to see how others have found the service. This can be a great way to bring up any red flags about dodgy practices, unfair pricing or poor service. 

Honda Expertise:

Your Honda is a precision machine and you need to have confidence that the technician has the skills and expertise to offer a high standard of service. While your local garage may repair or service a Honda every week or two, a dealership garage is likely to be working on Honda models all day, every day. This means that they are more likely to spot minor issues or problems before they can develop into a major fault.

Genuine Honda Parts:

You also need to check if the garage you plan to use for your service uses genuine Honda replacement parts. Genuine parts have been manufactured to the exact specification of Honda. This means that they are designed to deliver optimum performance and offer a prolonged lifespan. One of the reasons why some garages offer cheaper service rates is that they use generic parts. These tend to be made using lower grade materials, which means that they may have a shorter lifespan.

If you are in need of a Honda service, contact us. We are an authorised Honda service centre and our technicians have the experience and expertise to care for your Honda. Our team are happy to answer any questions or queries and book you in at a time to suit your schedule.

Top Tips for Getting a Great Deal on Your Honda Car Finance

When it comes to car finance, Perth drivers are often a little overwhelmed by their options. With financial institutions, brokers and car dealers offering “cheap” car finance, it can be difficult to determine if you have actually got the best deal on your Honda car finance. However, these top tips should be able to help.

Plan Out Your Budget:

While you may be keen on the latest sporty model, you will need to be realistic. The only way to determine if your choice of vehicle is feasible is to plan out your budget properly. This involves adding up all of your monthly expenses and the cost of running your new car and deducting this figure from your monthly income. The remaining figure is your disposable income and you could use a proportion of this for the monthly repayments on your new loan. If you don’t have sufficient disposable income for a brand new car, don’t despair as there are plenty of great used car finance deals.

Try to Provide a Deposit:

Although funds may be tight, it can be a really good idea to offer to provide a deposit. Even a small deposit can highlight your reliability and investment to any potential lenders. While you will need to ensure that you have enough cash left to cover insurance and other on the road expenses, if you can offer even five percent of the purchase price, you can significantly reduce your costs and increase your chances of approval. If you already have a vehicle, you may find that the dealership will allow you to use this trade in as a deposit on your Honda car finance. This can not only help your finance deal but save you the stress and bother of selling your old car.

Negotiate the Price:

Many car buyers looking for cheap car finance often make the mistake of not negotiating the sales price before they begin the loan paperwork. This can be a costly error and could add hundreds of dollars to the overall cost of your loan. For example, even a price reduction of a hundred dollars could save you lots of cash on interest charges over the three, five or seven years that you are paying the loan. 

Get Quotes:

Another common mistake many people make is to opt for a bank loan for their Honda car finance. While banks and other financial institutions can offer some great deals, the very attractive interest rates advertised are often reserved for people with a fantastic credit history. It is a far better idea to obtain quotes, which you can then compare to any finance deal offered in the dealership. In fact, you may find that the most attractive finance packages are offered by dealerships looking to boost sales and clear out their stock.

If you are in need of car finance Perth drivers should contact us. We have a wide selection of both new and used vehicles, with access to exclusive Honda car finance offers and deals. Our sales team would be delighted to assist you in finding the right car for you with the finance deal best suited to your needs.  

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