imported_Praetorian

hello. first time poster here...

i'm the proud owner of a 2006 civic ex sedan in manual transmission. the car's been great for me and am really happy with my purchase.

today i just read an article in the toronto star http://www.wheels.ca/article/30175
and noticed that honda is offering $1000 on the purchase or lease of the 2006-07 civic or 2007 fit in manual transmission.

having bought my 06 civic last year, i did not receive this $1000...and was wondering if anyone else did or should?

here's the article...


Honda refits Fit for $1,000 rebate
Internal tinkering will allow certain Honda models to qualify for cash under fuel efficiency program

Tony Van Alphen
Toronto Star
Jul 24, 2007

Honda Canada says some internal tinkering will soon allow one of the company's better-selling models to qualify for a $1,000 government rebate after barely missing the criteria under a controversial federal program earlier this year.



The company's engineers have improved the fuel economy for the manual-transmission version of the 2008 Fit subcompact model so consumers can get the federal rebate, a senior Honda official confirmed yesterday.

The company is no longer confident, however, of being able to improve fuel efficiency enough so Fit models with automatic transmissions or some versions of the Civic compact will be able to qualify under current federal criteria, said executive vice-president Jim Miller.

Earlier, Honda had hoped that engineers at the parent company in Japan could make changes to those models so they could also qualify.

Miller said the fuel-efficiency improvements for the Fit did not involve a reduction in weight. He declined to provide any other details.

"That's our little secret," he said.

Sales of the Fit have soared 67 per cent to 7,303 in the first half of this year. The manual-transmission version is more popular than the model with an automatic transmission.

Several automakers are angry with Ottawa over the ecoAuto program in the March federal budget, arguing the plan is unfair to some models; forces consumers to choose between safety and the environment; and will have a negligible impact on emissions.

Under the program, buyers of about two dozen fuel-efficient models are eligible to receive between $1,000 and $2,500 in rebates. Purchasers of gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles, on the other hand, could face up to $4,000 in penalties.

The Fit originally missed qualifying for the rebate because the car consumes an average of one-tenth of a litre of gasoline more per 100 kilometres than the federal criteria of 6.5 litres.

The Civic, Canada's most popular car, missed the mark by about one-third to half a litre.

Honda, one of the country's greenest automakers by many yardsticks, was so upset with the program it took the unusual step of offering $1,000 itself on the purchase or lease of a 2007 Fit or a 2006-07 Civic with manual transmission.

Miller said the company has not decided whether to continue to offer the "Honda benefit" for the 2008 model year, starting in the fall.

The federal rules have given an advantage to rival Toyota's Yaris model, which uses 6.27 to 6.37 litres per 100 kilometres.

Yaris sales jumped in the months after the budget.

97SiR

No, you will not qualify for the rebate. The rebate is given only to people who purchased the cars after some date in March of 2007. If I am not mistaken it is the 24th of March 2007. That is the day when the Ontario government released their budget for the new year, and when they started giving Toyota the rebate for their low fuel ratings.

Sorry man!

chrisk20

They can whine all they want, bottom line is the fit weighs almost 2600 lbs, thats ridiculous for a car thats supposed to be a compact gas sipper, 38mpg highway isnt that great either

imported_SiR_YO

does anyone know how long specifically this $1000 Dealer incentive is good for? they mentioned FALL, or 08MY years, but that could vary with each model... I've heard a couple of things, until 07 run out, and also until the end of this month (when the "checkered flag event" is over) after this month there will be no more $1000 rebate and back to high interest rates... but it's all speculation

97SiR

At this point there is no official statement as to when this $1000.00 incentive will not be offered. Honda hopes that by telling people that they will not offer this in the fall or on the '08s, people will hurry in NOW and buy cars.

If people would know for sure that Honda will continue offering this rebate, they probably would wait for the '08s to come out, especially since it looks like for the Civic they will have quite a few additions to the various trims.

imported_viper_2_4

the 2007 Fit isn't some light *** 4th gen civic with no safety features!

Air bags cost weight, stronger side impact panels take weight, more sound proofing takes weight...

2600lbs isn't that bad, quite inline of civics of the last few years...

but I agree the Fit's MPG rating does seem particularly low, I think its because of the engine they put in it, they should have put the smaller one they used in Japan or Europe (or a Hybrid )

imported_SiR_YO

do you work for Honda by any chance? would just like some inside scoop, cuz my decision will be based on when this sale ends.. I probably wouldn't wait for 08, since they're not coming out with the White anyways... and the finance rates is what I'm worried about too, cuz even at 60 months right now the finanace rate (for Honda) is fairly low at 4.9% .... I could go 36 month and take advantage of the 2.9% but I want a manageable monthly figure... and I think these will change come August 1st

imported_bobjohnson

I got mine in the mail (I bought a fit in april) and it says the offer expires July 31. So i would assume its over today.

I only remember this because i sent it out like 2 weeks ago after letting it sit around. The date was coming up so i decided i better stop pissing around and get it mailed out.

shlammed

just to let you know only non-automatic basic civics qualify for the rebate

any automatics dont

SI's don't, etc.

97SiR

I don't work for Honda but one of my best friends is, and I'm fortunate enough to find some "inside info" before it becomes available.

I am not sure about the 08s not coming in white. I will ask, but as far as I know the 08s will come in white (at least the sedan). As for the interest rates, be sure that they will go up once the 08s are going to be officially released.

Right now it is almost impossible to get some 07 colours, so if you are particular about what colour you want to get, I'd suggest you talk to someone at the dealer and find out if it's available.

Any other questions, please let me know.

imported_Shazza

hey, thanks for the info! ed (SiR_YO) ended up getting the fit last week ...got a real good deal on it. and he got the colour he wanted. it's real nice. we're totally happy with it. now it's time for me to learn how to drive stick.

imported_SiR_YO

ya, they had 0.9% financing on most models and it was too good to pass up.. I'll be starting to work there next week monday so hopefully I'll get some inside scoop myself.. although dealerships rarely do hear about anything until last minute anyways...

97SiR

Congrats on your new car.