Monday, March 16, 2015

Get Ready for the Honda Civic Type-R Coming in 2016



It has been recently confirmed that Honda will launch the new Civic Type-R at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This is very exciting for gearheads that have been following its progress (and Honda’s boasting) over the last two years. However, before we get into the meat of what is going to be on offer in this new hot hatch it’s a good idea to mention car insurance. Perth motorists had better make sure that they have the best insurance that they can get. This is because the Civic Type-R is going to be a pocket rocket!

The first thing to realise is that Honda is stating that the Civic Type-R will be capable of 270km/h. This will make it the fastest hot hatch available outpacing even the VW Golf R. The secret behind this amazing speed is a turbocharged 2.0 liter VTEC variable valve timed power plant. This engine is brand new and the actual power output has not yet been formally confirmed. However, industry insiders have speculated that the figure will be over 220kW. This would make it’s acceleration very quick indeed and possibly the fastest in its class, but again this has not been officially confirmed.

However, all that power is next to useless if it is not harnessed or controlled correctly. Honda have created an aerodynamics package to increase stability at high speeds. This level of engineering is normally only seen in expensive sports cars. So the Honda Civic Type-R should offer the sports car driving experience without the hefty car insurance. Perth gearheads should note that underneath the car is virtually flat, there is a rear diffuser to create downforce. There are also front splitters and skirts to cut down on drag and turbulence. This has all been tested in wind tunnels to ensure that high-speed stability is maximised. This is the reason why Honda has been able to boast that the Civic Type-R will be the fastest front wheel drive car in production to lap the Nurburgring. In layman's terms, this means that they expect to beat the 7:54.36 lap time set by the Renault Megane Trophy R.



Another huge engineering task faced when designing these kinds of performance vehicles is how to make them stop! The Honda Civic Type-R has a set of drilled 350mm Brembos with four-piston callipers. These are hidden behind the 19” alloy wheels. All the braking at high speeds will require cooling and this is provided by a set of carved vents and grilles. These are located in the front wheel arches and on the front bumper. This will allow any heat to be dissipated quickly during braking.

When seeking car insurance, Perth motorists may be interested to learn that Honda can offer very competitive rates. If you would like to know more about the Honda Civic Type-R or Honda’s cheap car insurance, contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions or queries that you may have. We can also arrange a test drive for you when the car becomes available in 2016.


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Sunday, March 15, 2015

Can the New Honda Odyssey 2015 Spark a Sales Revolution?



The Honda Odyssey has been a popular car in Australia for many years now. This 7 seater people mover has won many awards and praise from both the public and the automotive press. However, it’s no secret that car sales in Australia and around the world have decreased in recent years. This has resulted in a loss of fortunes for Honda, in part due to the economy, but also because of other factors. One of the main culprits has been fierce competition from other car manufacturers in recent years. Now Honda have made an announcement that they plan to increase their sales in Australia to 60,000 units per annum by 2018. This is a bold statement to make in the current economic climate and a feat that was only previously achieved in 2007. However, the latest Honda Odyssey will be a huge part of Honda’s resurgence in the Australian market.

When considering which people mover to buy, Honda Odyssey 2015 models may prove to be too tempting to resist. The new Honda Odyssey models are being touted as a “sexy people mover” and it’s hard to argue with that statement. The lines are clean and sleek with a friendly front grill and swept back headlamps. The interior is well appointed with plenty of room and comfortable seats with arm and foot rests. There is a smart entry system installed and the engine has a push button start. There is a 7” touch-screen installed which will give you access to the rear-mounted camera. This camera is fitted as standard on all models, but the VTi-L actually has four cameras which give a 360-degree view around the vehicle.

On the road, the Honda Odyssey is very agile indeed, especially when you consider that you’re driving a people mover. The turning circle is only slightly more than a standard Honda Civic! The ride is very smooth and stable thanks to a double-wishbone suspension system and a well-balanced chassis. As well as improving handling this also reduces the cabin noise produced by road vibration to a whisper. On the economy side, the combined test results show an impressive average fuel consumption of 8.9 litres per 100km.



It’s clear to see that Honda are out to impress and the new Honda Odyssey for sale should be a strong seller. However, Honda has also recently announced a drop in prices across their range as an additional incentive. These price drops have become possible due to the advantageous currency rate, an improvement in manufacturing efficiency and the Fair Trade Agreement which is not legislated. Another recent announcement has been the introduction of the new Honda HRV 2015 crossover and it’s hoped that this vehicle will also drive sales figure up over the coming years.

If you would like to know more about the new Honda Odyssey, contact us. We will be happy to arrange a test drive for you or to answer any questions or queries that you may have.

If you’d like to know more, or know something you think we should hear, please do look us up on Google Plus and Facebook.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Is The New Honda HRV the Key to Future Australian Sales Dominance?



Honda has always been bold in both the design of their cars and their overall business strategy. However, even industry insiders were surprised to hear that Honda plans to hit 60,000 sales per annum by 2018. This would represent a virtual doubling of their market share and their key to success is set to be the Honda HRV. Now those in the know would tell you that Honda have already reached 60,000 sales back in 2007. This is true, but in recent years sales have dropped due to increased competition, currency exchange issues and supply problems. Australia has embraced the HRV in recent years, but the new Honda HRV 2015 edition should set a new benchmark.

In fact, the first part of Honda’s plans is already nearing completion, with the addressing of recent problems. Customer confidence is now much improved as Honda has begun their "build back" strategy. This has culminated in estimated sales of just under 40,000 units in 2015 and the announcement of the new Honda HRV crossover. Honda expects that this new vehicle will drive many of their new sales over the next three years to regain their former market dominance.

So what exactly is the new Honda HRV 2015? Australia is already familiar with the previous models so what does the term “Crossover” actually mean? Essentially Honda are positioning the HRV as a mid-sized family car that has everything that you would expect to see in a modern SUV. The engineers at Honda have designed this vehicle without compromises in both styling and engineering.



The new HRV has an emphasis on versatility and the technical aspects are very well thought out. The interior space feels enormous with a panoramic sunroof providing plenty of natural light. The “Magic Seats” are designed to fold in 18 different combinations to suit a wide variety of uses. The City Brake system will sense if a collision at low speeds is about to happen and apply the brakes automatically. There is also a 7” touch-screen display with loads of connectivity and a rearview multi-angled camera fitted as standard in all models. The Honda HRV price will start at $27,990 driveaway for the basic model.

So the final question to be answered is whether or not Honda’s gambit will pay off.  It is expected in the next few years that an element of downsizing will occur. This is a continuing trend that is in direct response to the change in the economic climate. As a direct result of this, many people will choose to go down a car size. Honda is anticipating that owners of large SUV vehicles may want to downsize to a more affordable mid-sized car. If that happens (as industry experts expect it will), the Honda HRV crossover will be perfectly placed to pick up a significant number of sales. If you would like to know more about the Honda HRV, contact us. We will be happy to arrange a test drive for you and answer any questions or queries that you may have.


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Monday, February 16, 2015

Should You Consider Demo Cars for Sale



When it comes to Honda demo cars, you may see the discounted price tag and immediately assume that these vehicles represent a great deal. Showrooms often have demo units prominently displayed as a part of their marketing campaign. However, most consumers are unaware that the dealer often offers their salespeople fantastic incentives when they finalise a deal on demo cars for sale. The reason for this is that demo vehicles have a limited lifespan. They are used to showcase the features on the latest models and as transportation for sales managers. However, once the vehicle reaches a certain age or has a certain number of kilometres on the odometer, it needs to be sold to make room for new stock and inventory. This means that you need to carefully consider whether the demo unit is the best deal available to you.

The Advantages of Demo Cars for Sale:
There are a great many advantages to purchasing demo cars for sale. Honda demo cars are often heavily incentivised by the dealership. You may find that not only is the price lower compared to a new model, but the demo vehicle may have additional features and non standard equipment. This can be a great way to obtain more luxury features for a similar cost of a base model. Typically demo models have been cared for at the dealership. This means that it will have been serviced before it is offered for sale, so while it has got kilometres on the clock, it is far more attractive than a used vehicle.


The Disadvantages of Demo Cars for Sale:
Before committing to purchase Honda demo cars, there are a number of potential disadvantages which should be considered. The first is that the vehicle may have suffered wear and tear or damage. Since the vehicle may have been used for some months by a sales manager, there may be damage on the interior trims or upholstery. Additionally, the paintwork may have scuffs, scratches or dents. You will need to inspect the vehicle carefully. You could negotiate on the price if there is any damage or make it a term of the deal that the damage is repaired.
Another potential disadvantage of a demo vehicle is that the manufacturer warranty may have been reduced. Typically, warranties commence once the odometer moves from reading zero. This could mean that your potential vehicle has far less warranty compared to a brand new model. You will need to assess whether this difference is worth the reduced asking price.

Demo cars for sale can be a great way to obtain a higher spec vehicle for a reduced price. Many of these vehicles are offered with similar finance packages that are offered with new vehicles, making them potentially an attractive deal. However, before making a decision, it is important to acknowledge both the advantages and potential disadvantages. This will enable you to make an informed decision as to whether Honda demo cars represent the best possible deal.

If you are considering demo cars for sale, contact us. We have a wide selection of both new and used Honda models including some demo vehicles. Our sales team would be delighted to assist you with any questions you may have or arranging for your test drive.

Friday, February 13, 2015

A Basic Guide to Honda Car Finance



If you are considering purchasing a vehicle, you are likely to need some form of new car finance. Honda car finance has a number of attractive options, but you need to have an idea of the benefits and limitations of these options to determine which is best suited to your needs.

Personal Contract Purchase Agreements
Personal contract purchase is one of the most popular options for Honda car finance. This is a good choice if you are not planning on upgrading the vehicle for foreseeable future. The monthly repayments are typically quite low with the provision to make a lump sum payment initially. Your monthly repayments are scheduled for a set duration with the balance of the finance due as a lump sum as a final payment. However, there is some flexibility with this type of finance as you can choose to make the final lump sum payment and keep the vehicle or return or part exchange the vehicle against a new agreement.

Hire Purchase:
Hire purchase is considered to be a traditional form of new or used car finance. This agreement allows for your to borrow the funds needed and repay it back over a set term. The amount available to borrow is typically dependent on the amount of deposit put down. Generally, the higher amount of deposit, the lower the monthly repayments and the less interest is accrued. Once the loan has been repaid, the ownership of the vehicle is passed to you. Hire purchase is considered to be a secured loan and should you default on repaying the loan, the vehicle is classed as security and will be subject to repossession.

Credit Purchase:
Credit or lease purchase is a similar form of Honda car finance to personal contract purchase agreements. The main difference is that credit purchase does not have a provision to return the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Typically, you can repay the loan over a longer term and reduce the lump sum final repayment. Credit purchase generally has a more attractive interest rate than many other forms of used car finance. However, the longer the term for the credit purchase, the more interest will accrue and the greater the overall cost. Most people consider this to be the most affordable method of purchasing a new vehicle, as you can set the monthly repayments to suit your particular requirements and budget.
All of these finance options have particular benefits and limitations. Before you commit to a finance deal, you should not only consider the interest rate and monthly repayment charges, but the long term implications of the agreement. For example, you need to be aware of the financial limitations of the arrangement and whether it will be detrimental should you decide to upgrade or change vehicle before the finance term has expired. This will enable you to make an informed decision and be happy with your new purchase.
If you are looking for a new or used Honda, contact us. We have a wide selection of vehicles and our sales team would be happy to discuss Honda car finance options to determine which is best suited to your needs.