for around that price..i'd get a focus xr5T
for around that price..i'd get a focus xr5T
One would think that... but my take on it is that both Rs would cater to different people.... young girls and boy racers (they are one and the same really :p ) most likely attract hatch demand, while your slightly older buyer... even possibly young family would not pass down a 4 door variant.
I honestly believe both could be succesfully sold side by side here in Australia.
From an advertising viewpoint, i think Honda Australia is trying hard to leverage and build on Honda's image as a premium automotive brand.
Looks like a marketing direction... selling "premium" automobiles, trying lure customers away from the likes of BMW, Lexus etc. Eventually... it would be sort of like packaging a camry as a lexus... thus more money for honda...
Bumpyness I guess is subjective.... if the DC5R and DC2R (I know 2 doors) are anything to go by, and an indication of what the ride quality is like in the 4 door R, I would have no issue with with using it for my little ones capsule in it. I didn't feel those two cars (stock) were overly harsh at all... quite livable. Sydney roads I have heard leave alot to be desired so I guess that would be a big influence on your view.... not that SE QLD are anything to write home about.
Still.... do you feel it would sell concurrently with the UK offering?
EDIT: Interesting view quenjose.... given Honda AUs mention of looking at introducing Acura to oz.
Wouldn't that explain why they'd import the FN2R over the FD2R?
I think Honda is trying to cash in on the many people who are buying VW Golfs, Peugeot 307s and BMW 1/3 series...
Because the the FN2 is pretty much a "european" civic, so they're obviously expecting that buyer segment to notice that and consider them as an alternative. Kind of like a luxury spec euro civic, not just any japanese hatch.
Its not just about how much value for your dollar you are getting nowadays, its also about how much "image" your getting for your dollar.
i have spoken to several people at honda aust that have mentioned they would like a 5 door hatch for the Australasian market, however this would mean a new factory in thailand so it wont be happening in the immediate future.
they are well aware we have not had a civic hatch for some time now and are losing sales to the corolla and other similar cars
i have also heard rumours on a hatch SMALLER than the jazz being planned for aust, no idea what this could be at this stage.
I would be keen on a civic hatch but not for that price.. another 5K more and you can get a civic type R. OR.. for the same price.. a beasty mazda 3 MPS =P