Just picked up my Magnetic Pearl with NAV. I was able to get the XM option due to the mistake by the dealership when ordering the car...they ordered the wrong color. The sales manager "said" that the order placer is no longer employed as she had made several mistakes in the past.
Anyway, this isn't going to be a great writeup since I only put on about thirty miles today. I had to meet the boss and the kids at karate immediately after picking up that car at 6:30. But I have gotten the average mileage up from 35.0 when I picked it up with 47 miles (they drove it from a dealer in Boulder) to nearly 38.0. That was with 50% City and 50% Highway over about 25 miles. I have been trying to get used to the electric mode and have been getting better. For one stretch of highway, I went about a mile (downhill) at 70
MPH with the instantaneous gauge pegged and about three to four bars of assist. I got it a few times on the main streets for a short period. I'll have to keep practicing.
Since I picked up the car at night, I have yet to see the color...but it looks great so far. I really like the interior color, too. Just as a lot of others have mentioned, I chose the Magnetic Pearl in order to get the blue interior. My Ody has the Ivory and, although I keep it clean, it is leather interior and it's easy to do...not so with cloth.
I really like the NAV. What a difference a year makes as far as the software goes. My Ody's NAV will go blank if you don't clear the "lawyer" screen. But the Civic goes to the clock. You can choose between small or large digital or an analog clock...all with the date included. The voice recognition is the same as the Ody and just as easy to use. I wish there were an easy way to transfer all my addresses from one to the other. I did notice that it will give more prompts than the Ody as the street changes approach. I have the voice prompt set to the middle setting on both. I like the Civic's better.
I have also noticed that it is QUIETER on rough roads than the Ody. Minivans are notoriously noisier than sedans, but it is very quiet for a small car. The Sub is still quieter than both on similar roads.
Acceleration is very good...I am used to the Ody with the V-6 and the Sub with the V-8, but this is more than adequate. One section of highway on the way home has a pretty steep incline. The Civic easily accelerated up the hill, although I lost two bars of charge. The Ody and Sub both have to downshift to maintain 70 on the hill.
I found the seat VERY comfortable. I wanted to raise the seat, but I hit my head getting in...a product of driving minivans and SUVs for the last four years. So, I have it at the lowest setting right now. The telescoping steering wheel is a great addition...wish the $35K Ody had that. It was very easy to get used to. Unlike some of you, I like the headrest. I have always liked having the headrest touching the back of my head...I guess I am used to it and it is simply a matter of preference.
The only problem? I, too, noticed that the FM radio reception was not as good as the Sub or Ody. But once I get the XM installed, it won't matter since that is all I listen to. I'll have to burn some MP3s so that I can try that out as well.
A lot to do yet. I finally (after a month) get to install the leather steering wheel cover and the full mask. That'll be my project this weekend. I'll also have to get some towels to cover the seats since the kids will be back there spilling "whatever". We've gotten used to the leather seats in the Sub and Ody, so we need to get used to keeping cloth clean. Speaking of which, there was a Civic EX at the dealership with GREAT looking leather seats with the Honda emblem embroidered between the shoulders. Very Cool!
As I said, not much for me to report since there has been limited driving. I look forward to learning the best ways to maximize FE...however, once my wife starts driving it, she won't be as A.R. as me and it'll probably go down. She doesn't have a leadfoot (I tend to), but when I try to max FE (always in the Sub), I'm pretty darn anal...
GOT IT!
Re: GOT IT!
