test drove a friends 07 SI and am in love... im about to go out and buy one but i got some questions first...

- is there any adverse effects to using regular or plus grade fuel? there are a couple of roadtrips in the future (business and what not) that i am sure i will not be revving above 5k for, in such instances when i know i will not be needing the performance boost for an extended period of time, i would like to save $ on gas if possible.

- are there are "hacks" or 3rd party software for the honda navi system that would allow me to get more functionality for it? i need a GPS system but i would rather buy a $300 aftermarket system if the in dash system is just gonna be pretiier without added functionality... like a media player or ECU readout would be nice.

- is there any way to get an SI without the wing spoiler from the dealership? I absolutely hate wing spoilers in general and will probably have to it removed from a shop after i buy the car. it would be a shame to pay more money to get rid of an "accesory" that i didnt want in the first place.

- financing.. i have always bought my cars used/cash, this would be my first new car from a dealership... in general the higher the downpayment, the lower the interest rates? i can afford to put about 12k down... is there any reason not to put this much down?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kpxgq &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

- financing.. i have always bought my cars used/cash, this would be my first new car from a dealership... in general the higher the downpayment, the lower the interest rates? i can afford to put about 12k down... is there any reason not to put this much down?</TD></TR></TABLE>


i dont believe your interest rate would be lower, that should all depend on credit and how long your financing the remanding debt. i would say the more the better though, less to owe and lower payments(again depending on the loan term).

now thats just what i believe ive learned, and what i would do but im sure theres some more to it....

everyone....?

 

Your interest rate would not be any lower just because you have a larger down payment - but definitely the more you put down, the less you owe = lower payment.

Your interest rate will depend on your credit / co-signer. Some places require a certain percentage down, but Honda Financing of America doesn't - however depending on your credit, they may not agree to finance you for the full amount.

There is one reason not to put 12k down - and I know this because I was in this same situation. When I bought my 07 si sedan, I had about 11k available to put down, sitting in a high interest savings account (about 5%). I had a co-signer, and both of our credit is pretty good, so we were able to swing a 2.9% APR on the loan. In this particular case, I would be losing money by taking it out of the high yielding account to put down a down payment. So I opted to let the money sit in account, and put no money down. This means my monthly payment is incredibly high ($670/mo) but I will have the car completely paid off in 3 years, only having paid 2.9% APR while earning 5% on my savings. Plus, I can afford to make that high of a monthly payment.

That would be the only reason not to put that money towards a down payment - only if you can secure a lower APR on the loan, than what you are currently getting on your savings.

As for the navi system, it's hella overpriced anyways. If you're looking for functionality, I'd get an aftermarket. They have units that looks just as good now anyway.

As for the spoiler, yes you can ask the dealer to take the spoiler off. However, this will not save you any money, you will still be paying for it, and you will likely get charged to take it off. Short of the Si emblems / rims, this is the only other way your car would stand out as an Si... you going for stealth? Seriously, from far away, you can't tell the difference between an Si and a hybrid...

 

i just never liked spoilers... they look "ricey" to me, same with the VTEC stick on the sode of the SI's... i dont really care to let other people know that I have an SI and not a base model, as long as i know. hell thats less of a theif magnet

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by djarch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

There is one reason not to put 12k down - and I know this because I was in this same situation. When I bought my 07 si sedan, I had about 11k available to put down, sitting in a high interest savings account (about 5%). I had a co-signer, and both of our credit is pretty good, so we were able to swing a 2.9% APR on the loan. In this particular case, I would be losing money by taking it out of the high yielding account to put down a down payment. So I opted to let the money sit in account, and put no money down. This means my monthly payment is incredibly high ($670/mo) but I will have the car completely paid off in 3 years, only having paid 2.9% APR while earning 5% on my savings. Plus, I can afford to make that high of a monthly payment.

That would be the only reason not to put that money towards a down payment - only if you can secure a lower APR on the loan, than what you are currently getting on your savings.

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im almost to that point but i was going to continue saving and pay the car in cash. would this still be the wrong thing to do if after you buy the car cash, you save for a year to get back to that point no problem becuase you dont have that payment? then put that cash into a high interest account and have a car with no payment....?

 

The only problem with removing the spoiler is the holes are not the same for the lower trim spoilers and the Si spoiler. ALSO in most states you are REQUIRED to have 3 tail lights, eliminating the Si spoiler could make your car illegal. (it has no brake light in the window.)

If you really want to lose the spoiler you only best bet (without being charged by a body shop to patch/drill holes) is find someone on here or 8th who wants to do a trunk swap.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kpxgq &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">test drove a friends 07 SI and am in love... im about to go out and buy one but i got some questions first...

- is there any adverse effects to using regular or plus grade fuel? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Premium Unleaded ONLY! Using a lower-octane fuel consistently can have more adverse effects than just decreased performance.

 

If you are at a higher altitude you can put in mid grade.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by greenGS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you are at a higher altitude you can put in mid grade. </TD></TR></TABLE>

He's in Austin, TX. No high altitudes there.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by greenGS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you are at a higher altitude you can put in mid grade. </TD></TR></TABLE>

says who?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kpxgq &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i just never liked spoilers... they look "ricey" to me, same with the VTEC stick on the sode of the SI's... i dont really care to let other people know that I have an SI and not a base model, as long as i know. hell thats less of a theif magnet</TD></TR></TABLE>

I totally agreed with you before I got my Si. BUT, after i got the car, taking off the spoiler would make the car look retarded (imo). Other than that, I took off the stickers and debating on taking off the Si emblem. Either way i think you'll be paying for the spoiler.

 

prem. gas only, don't want to f up that wonderful k20z3 with its 11:1 cr