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