I wanted a new car equipped with all the bells and whistles. Tod needed something more practical for his wife and new baby. Dwayne wanted a more fast and furious car. And Mauricio needed something a bit more rugged and roomier. With this in mind, sales associate Fermin Trompeta at Pearson Honda in Midlothian assisted us in determining which Honda would best suit our very different lifestyles. Framin took us one by one and asked us questions that helped narrow down his search.  We were then allowed to test-drive a car that Framin specially selected for each one of us.  I test drove a Civic Coupe; Tod drove an Odyssey; Dwayne, a Si sedan and Mauricio, an Element. Continue reading and find out what we felt about our rides. 
—Isabel Ramos

Isabel’s Civic Coupe

I volunteered to be the first potential buyer; mainly, because I was eager to test drive the upgraded Civic Coupe. I currently own a perfectly fine 2005 Coupe but it has no features. I told Fermin I wanted a Coupe equipped with everything.  So he led us to a gray metallic, sleek and petite, 2008 Civic Coupe. He unlocked the car door for me, and I sat inside the driver seat and enjoyed the smell of a brand new car. Everything about the car was pretty much perfect. It had all the features, the color, the size, the shape and most importantly, all the accessories built-in. After a quick overview of the specs, it was finally time to drive the car.

We piled in.  Mau, Dwayne and Tod sat comfortably in the back. The ride was smooth as my 2005 Civic, but the 2008 Civic definitely has more power. At one point, I gave the gas too much thrust, and we went from 20 to 40 within a split second. Perhaps I was a little too at ease with the new car.  I was cruising along as if it was my own because Fermin noticed I was over the speed limit.

After each of the other guys went on their joy ride, I continued to be the guinea pig and went through the negotiation process of purchasing my car I just test drove. We sat in Fermin’s office and he walked me through the process. We settled on a car that was ideal price and model.  But if my payments and insurance didn’t increase, I would have traded in my car in a heart beat.

Tod’s Odyssey

When it was my turn, I told Fermin that, as much as I’d like to test drive the sporty 6-speed Coupe, what I really needed was safe, fuel-efficient vehicle with some room for my soon-to-be expanding family. Fermin led us to baltic blue, 8-passenger Odyssey the size of a battleship and we all piled in. As we sailed off the lot he pressed a button on the steering wheel. “You’re going to love this! Listen!” He spoke in a clear voice ,“Computer. Directions. Nearest gas station.” A list of options filled the screen. He selected one and was instantly shown the way.

Mauricio, Dwayne and Isabel were bouncing around in the back seat, fiddling with the DVD player and making lots of noise. “Will the computer hear me with a car full of screaming kids in the back?” I asked. “It filters them out,” Fermin smiled.
We traded places in a nearby parking lot and I took the van for a leisurely cruise around the neighborhood. I continually asked the computer for directions to random things and to change the radio to random stations.

When we pulled back into the lot, I checked the sticker price. All those bells and whistles added up to nearly a full year’s salary and was definitely out of my budget, but it would be a hell of a way to travel.

Dwayne’s Si

It was obvious to Fermin which car I wanted to take for a spin. As he exchanged the keys, the 6-speed Civic Si I was standing next to beeped. “I didn’t even have to ask,” he said as he returned. “This car has your name written all over it!” As Fermin turned the key you could hear the power in the engine. “Sounds nice, huh,” he said flashing a big smile.

Once that I mastered the clutch without accidentally gunning the engine we cruised on out to the highway. Traffic was thick and going a meager 60 MPH. I popped it into 6th gear and it felt like going 35 MPH in 5th (in my car). 

“Don’t worry about it,” Fermin reassured me. “This car was made for the windy roads ahead,” he said as we pulled off the highway and onto a curvy side road with Tod, Isabel and Mauricio bouncing to In Da Club pumping out of the sweet sound system. After 500 feet we end up behind a slowpoke going 5 miles under the limit. Just my luck!

We both turned onto a 4 lane road and Tod yells “take him now!” I hit the gas and speed around him just in time to pull back into the dealership.
Fermin asks my opinion. “I have a feeling I’ll be talking to you once my wife’s car is paid off!”
mauricio’s element

I got a chance to explore the Honda Element during our visit to Pearson Honda. I always thought it was a unique looking vehicle, and boy, was I right! The Element has more than 60 seating configurations and LOTS of space which is perfect for carrying big paintings from place to place. Checking out the different seating arrangements made me want to take the keys from Fermin, pick up my friends, drive up to the mountains and park the car in front of a lake. Who needs a tent when you can just fold the seats and make a queen size bed in the truck. The sunroof is detachable which makes it easy to kick back in the backseat on the lounge position and look at the stars while listening to your MP3 player. The wide-opening side cargo doors swing outward and make it easy to load and unload snowboards, turntables, speakers, drums, paintings, Boston terriers, a soccer team, or whatever else can fit inside the cargo area. The car gets good gas mileage and is perfect for living in Richmond because it’s not too big, making it easy to parallel park in the city. If I had an 18,000 dollar gift card to Pearson Honda I would buy a Galaxy Gray Metallic Element SC and drive to Denver to visit my cousin.