Spotted for Sale: 2012 Honda CR-Z 2.0 - It should have been like this all along

It's been a while since I did any 'Spotted for Sale' articles. I suppose it's because there haven't been anything truly interesting out there when I was checking out the want ads. This time we have a winner folks, a 2012 Honda CR-Z with a nice big fat VTEC inside. By nice I mean a 2.0liter with 2.4liter stroker kit Honda K20a Type R engine plonked into it instead of the standard lethargic 1.5liter with a tiny electric motor for assist. 

I have to say that the CR-Z looks good, drives typically well as its a Honda but is sorely lacking in terms of performance. The 1.5liter IMA hybrid system put out between 111hp for the CVT variant to 130hp in its current guise. This would make it as fast as any 1.8liter car out there and it would honestly get eaten up by any turbocharged 1.4liter Volkswagen Golf TSI, a Honda Civic 2.0 or even that pesky superlight 1.5liter Perodua Myvis driven by people who think that MyviS are not shopping trolleys that they are really are but sports cars. This one on the other hand....is very interesting.

The Toda cams are interesting as is the 2.4liter stroker kit installed. This should be ballistic. 277whp made easily in my opinion and should be enough to propel this little sports car to have a sub 6 second 0-100kmh time instead of a paltry 9.9  or so seconds that the original manual CR-Z could do. 

It has a low mileage according to the advert, under 30000km. The only thing is the RM110,000 price tag. Most stock, and therefore a tad boring second hand 2012 CR-Zs out there are going for around RM70,000-80,000. This extra is for the sum of parts thrown into it. Oh, obviously buyer beware when it comes to cars like this. But don't it look like fun?

Orignal ad is here (while it lasts) or below:

"Seller Says

Mugen full bodykit,k20a type R engine,

Toda a3 cams,retainer and valve springs,fd2r intake,Eagles forge conrod,wiseco forge Pistons,tabata s alu radiator,hondata ecu,mugen full lock lsd,

2.4 stroker kit, full ported and polish, oem honda big/oversize throttle,air intake,custom 3" extractor and piping with j's muffler,ori 17" ssr forge rims,BC forge suspension,RECARO seats,brembo 4pot and 335mm rotor,ogura clutch,close gear ratio gearbox,excellent for time attack car,277whp,VTEC,dc5,fd2r,type r,ek9"

Read more at http://www.mudah.my/2012+Honda+CR+Z+2+0+M+-41863009.htm#Z32ui0cUzCPxiyhv.99

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Toyota Ranks Highest in New–Vehicle Sales Satisfaction Among Mass Market Brands for a Third Consecutive Year

I just had the time to read up on JD Power's latest findings about the 2015 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index Study which was released at the end of October 2015. Toyota as usual has come in as number one. Not surprisingly of course. Now what is my opinion about this?

Note that this are mass market brands. This means no Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz or Rolls Royce. I also see an absence of Volkswagen in the report. Volkswagen is a mass market brand. It is not a premium brand. This could mean that Volkswagen has not participated this time around or JD Power has not got a fairly large response from customers of that brand. 

The Japanese seems to have got the sales process correct. Everyone seems happy with it. I think happy sales personnel would be happy to meet and greet customers. It is also how the showroom of each brand is laid out. These days most of us like to be impressed with large 4S centers. Note that Toyota has a lot of large ones. As does Honda. Mitsubishi is a surprise as it runs things on a smaller scale. They must have a dedicated sales team that knows its stuff well and treats its customers with respect.

What about Proton and Perodua? At the bottom of the chart but they are at the bottom of the food chain. Maybe if you buy cheap you get peanuts. Of course, Perodua is actually Daihatsu in disguise. A Daihatsu is actually part of Toyota. So why doesn't the Toyota philosophy trickle down to Perodua then? Again. Perodua serves at a lower price points. You don't expect red carpet treatment do you? 

I also have to say that some us Malaysians are fussy fellas. That could be the actual result of this JD Power survey.

.PRESS RELEASE

Toyota Ranks Highest in New–Vehicle Sales Satisfaction Among Mass Market Brands for a Third Consecutive Year

KUALA LUMPUR: 30 OCTOBER 2015 — The percentage of consumers in Malaysia who are purchasing their household’s first vehicle is increasing dramatically, creating new challenges and opportunities for dealer salespeople, according to the J.D. Power 2015 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) StudySM released today.
The study, now in its 13th year, has been redesigned in 2015 and examines six factors that contribute to overall customer satisfaction with their new-vehicle purchase experience in the mass market segment. In order of importance, those factors are salesperson (19%); dealer facility (19%); delivery timing (17%); deal (16%); delivery process (16%); and sales initiation (13%). Dealership service performance is based on a 1,000-point scale. The study examines service satisfaction in the mass market segment.
Overall sales satisfaction in the mass market segment averages 752 index points in 2015.[1]
The study finds that 40 percent of new-vehicle buyers in 2015 acquired their household’s first new vehicle, a 15 percentage point increase from 2014. Overall satisfaction among these first-time buyers averages 766, compared with 740 among replacement-vehicle buyers.
The most common sources of information used among both first-time and replacement-vehicle buyers during the purchase decision process are friends/ relatives; owner of same make; and websites. Those who purchase their household’s first vehicle also cite auto shows (48%) and price guides (31%) as information sources, while replacement-vehicle buyers cite ads/ articles in newspapers/ magazines (36%) and dealer owner/ salesperson recommendations (34%).
Similarly, vehicle buyers cite the following common purchasing reasons: attractive design and styling; good fuel efficiency; and low purchase price/ attractive deal. Those who purchase their household’s first vehicle also consider good reputation of the brand (43%) and vehicle performance (42%), while replacement-vehicle buyers also consider roominess/ interior space/ comfort (45%) and good vehicle quality/ reliability (43%).
“Consumers who are buying their first vehicle have different requirements and expectations during the shopping experience than those who have purchased a new vehicle before, and that creates challenges for dealer salespeople,” said Rajaswaran Tharmalingam, country head, Malaysia, J.D. Power. “But it also creates great opportunities, as making a shopper’s first sales experience a positive and rewarding one can also build long-term customer loyalty and advocacy.”
Tharmalingam noted that while automakers have established sales processes and operating standards for their dealerships, ongoing training for salespeople is also critical. “The sales approach that works for someone who has purchased several new vehicles in the past doesn’t necessarily work for someone who has never purchased a vehicle before,” said Tharmalingam. “It is important that salespeople are trained to understand the distinct shopping behaviors of the two buyer segments so they can deliver a meaningful sales experience.”

KEY FINDINGS

• Overall satisfaction for Malaysian national brands in the mass market segment averages 736 in 2015. Overall satisfaction with non-national brands averages 770.
• The study identifies 22 sales standards that enhance the overall sales satisfaction experience. Customers expect a minimum of 18 of those 22 standards to be met in order to have a positive service experience. When 17 or fewer sales standards are met, satisfaction drops to 693, compared with 825 when all 22 sales standards are met.
• Among highly satisfied customers (overall SSI scores of 842 or higher), 60 percent say they “definitely would” recommend their purchase dealer to family and friends, compared with only 11 percent of highly dissatisfied customers (scores of 670 or lower).

2015 Malaysia SSI Study Rankings

Toyota ranks highest in overall sales satisfaction among mass market brands for a third consecutive year, with a score of 791. Toyota performs particularly well in all factors except sales initiation. Mitsubishi ranks second at 787, while Honda ranks third at 758.
The 2015 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study is based on responses from 2,371 new-vehicle owners in the mass market segment who purchased their vehicle between August 2014 and May 2015. The study was fielded from February through July 2015.

- See more at: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2015-malaysia-sales-satisfaction-index-ssi-study#sthash.OEaTtnRe.dpuf

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Spotted for Sale: 1984 Honda Civic 1.6(M) - The 'Wonder' Civic

The car that has been Spotted for Sale here today is the third generation Honda Civic. It was produced by Honda from 1983 to 1987. This 1984 model the three-door hatchback version and is one of the more collectible 3rd Gen Civics aside from the CRX that is also derived from this chassis.. Other not so interesting 3rd Gen Civics were a four-door sedan (also known as the Honda Ballade) and the five-door "Shuttle" station wagon - imagine this as something BMW would now make with its 3 series and then call it the 3 series GT, i.e unclecar variant of the 3 series. Honda was so ahead of its time.

In fact, this Civic was actually quite ahead of its time. Its setup included independent front control arms with torsion bar springs and a semi-independent rear beam with coil springs. It was also totally radical looking back in 1984. If you compared this model with the one it replaced you'd be shocked in 1984. The previous Civic (which I actually drove when I started out in life) did not have flush headlights, moulded and integrated bumpers, flush doors and many other details you see in cars today. In those days, this Civic was actually quite cutting edge and a wonder. I remember reading a long while ago in the 1990s about the 'Wonder' Civic. This was called the Civic 'Mayat' or 'Coffin' here due to its chopped off tail but it was called the Honda Civic Wonder in Indonesia. I also read in one of my Japanese Option magazines from the 1990s that they called it the Wonder Civic too. Amazing eh? 

For performance models of this Civic, Honda first adopted the Si badge for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) third-generation Civic in November 1984. Mainly offered in hatchback form, the main aesthetic difference for the Si was a slight bulge in the hood, which accommodated the taller DOHC engine. The D16A1 1.6liter 4 cylinder twim cam engine put out 122 hp, enabling the Civic Si a max speed of 196 km/h and go from 0–100 kmh in about 8.9 seconds. In 1990 this was actually fast enough. I remember being in one those days and it was wheelspin in first, second and even a chirp in third (if the surface was dusty or wet) when my friend gunned one that belong to his cousin.

This one on sale must have started life as a 1.5liter version with about 100hp. It now seems to have a 1.6liter upgrade that is basically the same engine as the Civic Si. It is a very light car and this enables this Civic to actually be quite a darn good drive even for something designed in the early 1980s. So much better than the car it replaced and could actually keep up with more modern cars in the 1990s when we were busy playing with cars then.

The owner just wants RM7,000 (nego) for it. You also get aftermarket bucket recliners, a sports steering wheel, larger alloy wheels and a somewhat suitable looking bodykit too. It seems fair for something so old that there are replacement parts that aren't original any more. All in all, this is still a nice little Honda from the good old 1980s. 

Original Ad is here (while it lasts)...or you can see it down below:

"Salam 1 Malaysia.. Sy nk lepaskan jentera ksayangan sy. 

Model Sb3, enjin dh tukar hulfcut twin cam 1.6 model integra second genarate n dah endos,seat bucket.

Enjin n air cond tip top, body cantik cuma cat je clear dia rosak sbb ujan pnas.

Kereta boleh pegi jauh dari ipoh ke johor tnpa sbrg masalah.Kreta skang brulang buat pegi krja.Nk jual sbb xde parking.

Blh datang tengok kete untuk kepuasan.

Harga blh bincang lagi.
Read more at http://www.mudah.my/1984+Honda+Civic+1+6+M+-40178345.htm#mMyw2gRW06kRDAxT.99"

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Leaked photos of the 2016 USDM Honda Civic

Someone has leaked photos of the upcoming 2016 USDM model Honda Civic. USDM means United States Domestic Market. What we know is that the car is usually slightly different from global specced or JDM specced cars. Slightly different front and rear lights and bumpers too. 

The USDM Honda Civic seems to look more like a hatchback than a sedan. But as its the US market, it is most likely a sedan. It looks long and low. And a whole lot larger looking than before. I think even the Accord in the 1990s would be dwarfed by it.  I believe the JDM versions will have a slightly different rear light cluster. This looks very American in my opinion. Especially that extra elongated bit that is on the lip spoiler on the boot. I think the JDM and global variant would be more traditionally placed with a large reflector making the taillight cluster look larger. The front end of this USDM car has got lots of chrome. JDM may get less bling. 

Who knows. What we know is that the launch of this Civic will be sometime next week. We would know how global markets look sometime after that. 

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Spotted for Sale: 1990 EF8 Honda CRX SiR - Unregistered! Malaysian JDM fans rejoice.

Now this would interest the local JDM fanboys. Someone has actually imported in a 1990 Honda CRX SiR from Japan as I have spotted on the local mudah.my website. As it is something from 1990, it is a good 25 years old and qualifies for classic car status as well as the classic car import status too. This is pure Honda VTEC folks. A holy grail aside from owning an NSX.

I love this tiny little sports car. It is 158hp of totally awesome Honda VTEC performance of the purest and most unmolested kind. Hard to find these days as this original beauty comes from the time when it was all horsepower and nothing else. The power from the 1.6liter engine came in at over 5,500rpm and whilst you would actually need to keep the twin cam, variable valve timed engine on song, it was superb when it sang. Or wailed like a Banshee (that's pontianak in local terms). These days the more intelligent VTECs do not have that clear step up in performance and noise like when it was in this second gen CRX.

If you got the dough, a mere RM58,000 for something so light, nimble and fast (it weighs under 1,000kg) do grab this baby. I totally remember being driven in one many times in the mid to late 1990s when a close friend of mine owned one. It was magnificent. Complete with the noise, step up power and actual speed (0-100kmh was at least in the mid 7secs when stock). I think the experience of driving one in 2015 would still be as good as it was in 1995.

This was purity. Normally aspirated, high revving purity. Which is why Mazda built their latest MX-5 in this way. Which is why I did not exactly warm up to the hybrid Honda CRZ all all. It was a poof compared to this predecessor.

Grab this I say. Grab it quick if you can. An unregistered, low mileage (119k km is considered low) JDM classic car is out for sale!!!! Wow!

Read the original ad (while it lasts) at http://www.mudah.my/1990+EF8+Honda+CRX-38883526.htm#AIU9UC4Uy1kcqS66.99 or down below:

The only issue is the fact that the car comes with wheels from a ...CRZ. But find a set of period Mugen alloys and it'll be close to perfect.

Seller Says

Make    Honda

Model   CR-X

Type    Others

Transmission    Manual

Engine Capacity 1600 cc

Mileage  120 000 - 129 999

Reg. Year  Unregistered

Mfg. Year  1990

1990 EF8 Honda CRX
Color: Black
Imported From Japan: JUST ARRIVED! 2015
Engine: SiR B16a
Mileage: 120,000
Original
Showroom Quality \ Tip Top condition

Keeping my Info list very simple so if you have any particular questions regarding the car, contact below

Contact/Whatsapp:

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