Reader’s Question:

I think the Honda Fit is cute. Would it be a fun car to drive in Texas?

Jessica

Houston, TX

Hello, Jessica! “Cute” is a nice way to describe the 2009 Honda Fit. Although I’m really not a big fan of small cars, I do think there are some points on why the 2009 Honda Fit should be a fun car for you, Jessica. Wherever you are, even in Texas, the kind of car you drive should have some “fun” in it. Even in its commercials, the Fit just screams “fun” but with engineering and technology to back it up.

Since your concern is fun, let me put the advantages of the 2009 Honda Fit into fun terms. Fun means having your friends around or at least being able to carry your fun stuff with you. The Fit can pack you in and 4 other friends inside, in the way Honda said it, its “cavernous” cabin. If you fancy ditching the buddies, reconfigure the seats for more cargo space. Not only that, with an EPA rating of 33 mpg, you are ensured of stretching your gas bucks to take you and your friends around town. Now, if you do end up driving all around, the Fit’s got your back with its six airbags, like a bodyguard, to protect you and your buddies. The Fit’s got the zip and the jazz to give you guaranteed fun on the road.

Tags: Honda dealer, Honda Dealership, Houston Dealer, Houston Honda Car

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m in the market for a new “mommy mobile” for me to drive in Texas. A friend of mine said that the Odyssey would be a nice pick. Originally, I was planning on getting an SUV for me. With what my friend said, I think I’d like some more information, please.

Sarah

Houston, TX

Hi, Sarah! Your friend was right in picking the 2009 Honda Odyssey for you. Why go with a minivan like the Odyssey? Well, minivans handle like cars but carry people around like it was a small truck. In terms of fuel economy, the minivan should do better than a traditionally V8-powered SUV. In terms of safety features, a minivan takes more of “family” into mind and comes loaded with safety equipment like side-curtain airbags. Another bonus for you would be that minivans are less costly to insure compared to a full-sized SUV.

Why drive the Odyssey then? Most Honda Odyssey drivers are all raves about this car. Points for them are the roominess and ease of driving the car. But what’s at the core of the vehicle, then? Checking out some specs, the Odyssey can comfortably seat 6 to 8 people depending on the configuration which is usually adjusted if you are planning to bring extra cargo with you. In terms of safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety even awarded the Odyssey as its Top Safety Pick for 2008. It comes with Anti-Lock Brakes, Vehicle Stability systems, airbags for driver and passengers and side-curtain airbags. In terms of fuel economy, a conscious mom like you will surely not complain about its 25 on the highway performance for the EX-L trim. And it’s certainly convenient that the Odyssey can run on just regular unleaded. The Odyssey certainly won’t be a hassle to drive around Texas.

Tags: Honda dealer, Honda Dealership, Houston Dealer, Houston Honda Car

Reader’s Question:

What “green” cars are worth checking in Honda’s lineup? I would like to look at them at any Texas Honda dealer that’s along my way.

Bert

Houston, TX

Good thing you asked this question, Bert. Yes, there are 2 other cars that you can consider “green” that are in Honda’s stable. The FCX Clarity of course is the hydrogen car that you know of. The other two are the Civic Hybrid, the one that runs using a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor, and the Civic GX NGV, with an engine that runs on CNG or compressed natural gas.

What I like about these cars is they run almost the same way than their pure gas consuming Civic brothers but stretches your fuel bucks. As an example, if you look at the Civic Hybrid, it’ll take you 45 miles to a gallon. Since it has an electric motor, only a 1.3 liter 4-cylinder iVTEC engine is needed when a little more power is needed. For the Civic GX NGV, a 1.8 L 16-valve 4-cylinder iVTEC engine is powered by compressed natural gas hence the tag NGV or natural gas vehicle. Using this technology the Civic GX NGV hits a combined 28 miles to a gallon. The real bonus with the NGV is it has nearly zero emissions. I think driving the NGV will definitely help preserve good air quality. I hope either of these “green” cars end up parked in your garage in Houston, Texas.

Tags: Honda dealer, Houston Dealer, Houston Honda Car

Reader’s Question:

Is it just me, or does the Honda Element look way too boxy? It kinda looks like a hearse on steroids. But I bet a lot of us Texas folk can fit inside it. Gimme some more info, please.

Ernie

Houston, TX

Well, Ernie, I haven’t really thought of the Element as a hearse on steroids just yet, but now that you’ve mentioned it…

Just kidding, Ernie.

You want more information? Here’s the deal. You can’t really fit a lot of Texas folk or Texans inside the Element. Looking at it and that’s approximately four people inside the car. But, if you look at this car, its tailgate opens pick-up style, and it’s got a unique rear clamshell door, a combination that enables the vehicle to take in, aside from passengers, more cargo, and even some tall cargo. Once the Element is configured to seat 4, the rear seats are aptly termed as “theater-style” seats mainly because it offers a great view for the rear passengers. Unique, ain’t it? It is a car when it seats 2 to 4 people. It is an SUV when you reconfigure the seating to accommodate more cargo; even bicycles can fit in.

Surely enough, you, the owner will put the 2.4 Liter-iVTEC engine to good use. It’s a shame to waste 166 horsepower. Uniquely enough, I can think of this vehicle as a car or an SUV. But of course, unique has its price, too. It is a unique issue for the Element because you can’t open the rear clamshell doors without opening the front doors. I think unique is a word I overused in this response to your question. I think unique fits the Honda Element just right.

Tags: Honda dealer, Houston Dealer, Houston Honda Car

Reader’s Question:

I’m particularly amused with how Honda leads the way in terms of technology for its vehicles. I’m wondering what technology they put in the 2009 Pilot. I want to be in the know before I go to my dealer in Texas.

Eugene

Dallas, TX

Hey, Eugene, great question! I am also interested in lot of Honda technology projects. I think they are always so cutting-edge. I’m particularly interested in their technology to reduce fuel emissions, stretching our gas dollars by making more efficient cars. They put more bang for our buck. And I’m excited to report that a lot of the Honda Motor Company tech research found its way to the 2009 Honda Pilot. I hope the technology will give you a push to actually drive one in Texas.

Main thrust of the new technology that went inside the Pilot is to provide more power at the most efficient way possible. So let’s enumerate some interesting features found in the Pilot. First, just starting at the base point, the Pilot is powered by a 250 hp 3.5 Liter 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC V6 Engine with Variable Cylinder Management System (VCM), quite a mouthful, isn’t it? If you’re pretty much used to just seeing VTEC, you’d probably ask, “What’s VCM?” That is the first sample of technology in the Pilot. The VCM, simply put, activates and deactivates cylinders depending on your power requirement for the vehicle. Let’s say you’re going up a hill, you’ll get full V6 power to back you up. If you’re on flat terrain at cruising speed, you can depend on VCM to stretch your fuel by cutting back on the cylinders in use.

There is also the Hill Assist System on the Pilot. Although it sounds simple, this system prevents your Pilot from sliding down on an incline. Electronically, it gives more time to the driver to allow him to step firm on the accelerator. It engages as soon as the foot releases the brake pedal; keeping the brakes on as you move your feet to the gas pedal.

I’m sure there’s more tech in it. But telling you all about it will spoil your trip of discovery. Have a nice trip to the dealer, Eugene.

Tags: Honda dealer, Honda Dealership

Reader’s Question:

I have always loved the style of Honda Accord but I have never driven one so I don’t know how it runs. I am considering to buy that here in Houston, Texas to be the first car that I ever own. Before I totally fall in love with this car, would you tell me the features of the 2008 Honda coupe?

Natalie

Houston, TX

It’s not a surprise that a lot of people love the style of the Honda Accord. Well, the 2008 coupe model doesn’t just boast its style, but also its comfort and incredible performance when driving; not to mention, it’s not that high-priced. Its body and windshield have been more scraped up; the front end is more crafted than its sedan version. In general, it has been more of a sports car than a passenger car unlike the older generation model of the Honda Accord.

The V6 power train of the 2008 Honda Accord is exceptional and prompt to answer all your pedal works. One significant thing that sets this model apart from the sedan is that it is not as heavy causing you to be more relaxed and stable when driving on the highways of Houston, Texas. You don’t have to worry about accelerating more on the turns because this vehicle will handle you much to your delight. The interior quality of course is more than the average and doesn’t have a major problem. Everything is within your grasp with ease and the seating is relaxing and more supportive. The only downbeat, I think, is getting into the back seat of this coupe because it will be slightly tighter than you’d want it to.

Tags: car, car review, Honda dealership, Houston dealer, Houston Honda car

Reader’s Question:

I’m planning to buy a Honda as “the real first car” for my daughter who just turned 18. Of course, I plan to buy one from any of the Houston, Texas dealers. But before that, I’d like to get some information on what could be the perfect model for my daughter. Care to help out?

Dudley

Houston, TX

Great move, Dudley. Honda engineers its cars to be relatively easy to maintain and to have great mileage performance. I think the combination of those facts plus Honda’s easy-on- the-eyes looks really make your choice a fine choice. I myself had been hooked on my Honda Civic for a long time already. Before you go to some dealers in Houston, Texas, let me share some of my ideas.

Now, let’s help you pick-out a car for your daughter, shall we? Let’s start with the form factor, aesthetics, styling of the vehicle that she’s going to drive. I think the Honda Fit is a sure winner for your daughter. It can seat about 5 (including her) and has a total of six airbags to provide protection for them. Plus if your daughter is planning to haul a bit of cargo on her trips, the Honda Fit rear seat can be re-configured to increase cargo space, great, right? As far as fuel economy is concerned, you need not worry. The 1.5L engine that powers the Honda Fit will give your daughter more than 30 miles per gallon performance. That, I think, should be another plus for you.

Tags: Honda dealer, Honda Dealership, Houston Honda Car

Reader’s Question:

I’ve been seeing some Honda CR-Vs on the road here in Houston, Texas and have taken a liking to owning one for myself. Just wondering, Honda always mentions the Real time 4WD on the CR-V. What is it all about?

Bridget

Houston, TX

Hi there, Bridget! I am sure that grabbing a CR-V for you here in Houston, Texas is a great idea. I think it is great choice for daily urban driving and occasional drives on rough roads. You asked about Real Time 4WD.

Since you’ve only seen the car around and been attracted to the styles, my guess is that you won’t be too particular if the car is 2WD or 4WD. Just to fill you in for your benefit, 2WD means 2-wheel drive while 4WD just means four-wheel drive. For daily driving on well-paved roads, I think 2WD is already perfect; the engine just powers a set of two wheels of the car. Four-wheel drive vehicles are typically associated with off-road driving, yes, the kind you see on sports TV, with mud flying everywhere. But, yes, this technology has also been adapted for vehicles available to us normal drivers. The four-wheel drive originally had a switch in the vehicle, from 2-wheel to 4-wheel, and had a low and high setting to adapt the vehicle to the road condition. Real time 4wd is different because the car doesn’t have that “switch” anymore. The switching is all done automatically by the car. The driver need not bother him or herself with switching from 2WD to 4WD.

Tags: Houston Dealer, Houston Honda Car

Reader’s Question:

I am about to sell or trade my Honda Civic here in Houston, Texas. What SUV should you recommend from the recent Honda line up?

Katie

Houston, TX

I was able to get the 2008 Honda EX- L all wheel drive for a whopping $24,700 last month in Houston, Texas as well. What I did was to swap my Honda Accord and added about a few more thousand dollars. I am a Honda patron ever since and already had 3 Honda sedans prior to this SUV. I assure you that the switch is really worth it. Coming from a prestigious car manufacturer, The Honda EX-L AWD sells itself like hot pancakes. The leather seats are fantastic because they are all heated. The XM Radio really works fine with the Honda Pilot. You certainly will have that feeling of a smooth and sweet driving experience.

Honda really knows how to sell their products by manufacturing top of the line and high quality vehicles. That’s what I realized when I first thought of getting an American car instead. But something changed my mind and that is the product excellence offered on this amazing SUV. I fully recommend this model because it would give you a great deal of excitement and savings. By the way, I also recommend this website for getting the best deal on car insurance as well. With just a little patience, a good research and a pinch of luck, you too can get the best deal when it comes to Honda EX- L AWD.

Tags: car, car dealer, car insurance, car review

Reader’s Question:

I have read a couple of reviews about the 2009 Honda Pilot here in Houston, Texas. What gives it more edge over the Honda Element?

Carl

Houston, TX

I give my recommendation to the new 2009 Honda Pilot. This is the SUV most Honda aficionados have been waiting for. I can say that it is a remake of the Honda Element with much more feature in store for you. If the Honda Element had more rounded shapes, this new Honda Pilot has more squares in it. The Honda Pilot is much bigger than its counterpart. One more improvement is that the front view is now marked boldly with a unique grill. It has daytime running lights which provide added safety factor especially during dawn driving around Houston, Texas.

The Honda Pilot’s driving mechanism is really impressive. The acceleration power is really good. You may have minor issues with the aerodynamics, but that was too minimal. Parking may also come a bit inconvenient because the Pilot has a big body. One advantage though is that you can see the road better since it is indeed big in size (well especially for my size, I am only 5 feet 5 inches tall).

Overall, the as compared to the Honda Element, I can say that the Honda Pilot is a big match for the Element, much bigger in size and space and definitely effective for long family trips. I also recommend having insurance for this big SUV since you might be using it a lot. You can look up some of the existing rates on this webpage.

Tags: car, car insurance, car review