2007 Accord EX-L four

[BassBomb]

Hey everyone,

We are looking for a new car once our 2000 Infiniti I30 sells (~$7500).

We currently have a Civic as our main small car for the family. My dad will be driving ES350 once I30 is sold.

Anyways, we are looking for a small car to get. Timeline something like:

Sell I30
Buy new small car
Sell Civic

Out of the cars we looked at right now the front runners are CSX or new Corolla.

2006 Acura CSX
+ 5 spd Auto w/ paddle shifters
+ Auto Climate Control
+ Better exterior visually
+ 2.0L 155HP 4 cylinder engine
+ 4 Wheel disc brakes
+ Minor material upgrades in interior (over a Civic)

- Fuel economy
- Older ~50000 km
- Will have to search for well kept car
------------------------------------------------------------
2009 Corolla S
+ Skirts + Spoiler
+ Conservative interior
+ Electronic Brake Distribution
+ Stronger power steering?
+ Brand New
+ Sport seats
+ Rear airbags (not sure if CSX has that)
+ Great fuel economy

- Hideous exterior
- only 132 HP
- Hideous exterior
- Slightly more expensive (by 1000 or so)


It would be my parents purchasing the car. I'd much rather have a CSX but I really can't explain how it would be a better deal.

Considering they have the exact same feature set we require, besides the differences listed (such as AUX input, reliability, etc) the Corolla seems like a very good deal.

Its hard to find a CSX under 20k, if we could find one that is well maintained w/o problems then it would probably be a good buy (depending on the mileage).

 

[theeedude]

Why are skirts and spoiler a + if the end result is a - hideous exterior?

 

[Funyuns101]

very interesting, obviously this car isn't offered in the US, but it looks like a fancy Acura-ized Civic withe RSX engine. Although I wish they would as I'd pick something like this over the Civic SI.

Personally, the Civic and Corolla drive pretty differently. Looks aside, this should be a pretty big factor in your (or your dad's decision).

Also, you must really dislike the small Camry look if you list this twice:
"- Hideous exterior"

 

[Billy Idol]

CSX huh? I was wondering if The Garage was going to encompass trains. I'd get one of those if it'll fit in your garage.. I hear diesel is all the rage right now.

Also, you must really dislike the small Camry look if you list this twice:
"- Hideous exterior"

Isn't that a given?

 

[BassBomb]

Hahaha well, without the skirts and spoiler it would be MUCH worse.
But I dislike the outside a fair bit, skirts make it "acceptable"

We haven't driven either car yet. My dad won't look/drive until the I30 is sold.

We might have to drop the price since we haven't been getting any calls for it

 

[DougK62]

I'd definitely get the Corolla. I think the new ones looks really sharp.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I was about to post there is no such thing as a CSX, but a Google search informed me. (o_o)
I would imagine that used cars in Canada are not in decent shape, body-wise.
I vote the Corolla. If you can live with the drive-by-wire hooha in the newest generation.

 

[BassBomb]

I am a little swayed by the steering on corolla which is said to have little feel for it due to the electronic assist.

Yea recently up here more and more cars seem to be really shitty used condition, in terms of chips and care given to the car.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Hahaha well, without the skirts and spoiler it would be MUCH worse.
But I dislike the outside a fair bit, skirts make it "acceptable"

We haven't driven either car yet. My dad won't look/drive until the I30 is sold.

We might have to drop the price since we haven't been getting any calls for it

Spoiler and skirts make it worse, because it looks like they were trying to make it sporty and failed. At least without those it would look utilitarian.

 

[raildogg]

Why not a new Honda Civic or Fit? They will be sportier to drive than the Corolla and offer similar fuel mileage. The Fit will even be cheaper.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Why not a new Honda Civic or Fit? They will be sportier to drive than the Corolla and offer similar fuel mileage. The Fit will even be cheaper.

Brand new Civic EX is about 24k

Brand new Corolla S is 20k

CSX used is 20k (which is a step up from Civic)

We don't want a hatchback, and Fit's interior is pretty cheap feeling

Used Civic EX is about 20k also for 2006, so CSX is better for the money over the Civic.

 

[Chunkee]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: raildogg
Why not a new Honda Civic or Fit? They will be sportier to drive than the Corolla and offer similar fuel mileage. The Fit will even be cheaper.

Brand new Civic EX is about 24k

Brand new Corolla S is 20k

CSX used is 20k (which is a step up from Civic)

We don't want a hatchback, and Fit's interior is pretty cheap feeling

Used Civic EX is about 20k also for 2006, so CSX is better for the money over the Civic.

UH

I was quote 2008 ex-l 5sp 19600

JCoria

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Chunkee

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: raildogg
Why not a new Honda Civic or Fit? They will be sportier to drive than the Corolla and offer similar fuel mileage. The Fit will even be cheaper.

Brand new Civic EX is about 24k

Brand new Corolla S is 20k

CSX used is 20k (which is a step up from Civic)

We don't want a hatchback, and Fit's interior is pretty cheap feeling

Used Civic EX is about 20k also for 2006, so CSX is better for the money over the Civic.

UH

I was quote 2008 ex-l 5sp 19600

JCoria

I live in Canada. We need Auto too, which comes out to 24680

 

[mwmorph]

Depends on where you live in Canada, but it might be cheaper to buy a car in the States and bring it to Canada, especially with the exchange rates.

 

[sniperruff]

i'd just get a brand new civic comparably equipped as the corolla.

 

[geokilla]

CSX is the luxury version of Civic in Canada. However, the CSX's bodystyle is the same as Japan's Civic. I like the styling of the CSX, so I'd say go with the CSX over the new Corolla. The CSX will consumer more fuel than your current Civic though since the CSX has a 2L 155hp engine compared to the Civic's 1.8L 140hp.

Have you given the Hyndai Sonata a thought? A 2008 Sonata GL with Auto starts at $18,995. The Sonata is a great mid-size car which has an interior volume that's as big as a large car. The GL comes with a 2.4L I4 producing 175hp. It will sip more fuel than either a Civic or a Corolla, but it's still less than the old I4 engine.

Have you also given the Toyota Vitz or the Honda Fit a thought? They start at around $14,000. Those are small cars which comes with big interior space. They're also great on fuel economy thanks to it's lightweight body and small engine.

I live in Canada so the pricing of these cars are accurate. Don't forget to take advantage of the government and dealer rebates. I'm not sure if you live in Toronto, but if you do, I heard on the Chinese radio that this weekend, there will be a "special" going on at a Honda dealer and that the cars, financing, etc. would be a bit cheaper than normal. There's going to be live broadcasts from the dealer on Saturday.

 

[Vetterin]

Originally posted by: geokilla
Have you given the Hyndai Sonata a thought? A 2008 Sonata GL with Auto starts at $18,995. The Sonata is a great mid-size car which has an interior volume that's as big as a large car. The GL comes with a 2.4L I4 producing 175hp. It will sip more fuel than either a Civic or a Corolla, but it's still less than the old I4 engine.

I was going to mention the Hyundai Elantra which comes with quite a bit of standard equipment, gets good gas mileage and has that great warranty. The money you could save over the cars you are considering could pay for your gas for the life of the car.

 

[Funyuns101]

Originally posted by: Vetterin

Originally posted by: geokilla
Have you given the Hyndai Sonata a thought? A 2008 Sonata GL with Auto starts at $18,995. The Sonata is a great mid-size car which has an interior volume that's as big as a large car. The GL comes with a 2.4L I4 producing 175hp. It will sip more fuel than either a Civic or a Corolla, but it's still less than the old I4 engine.

I was going to mention the Hyundai Elantra which comes with quite a bit of standard equipment, gets good gas mileage and has that great warranty. The money you could save over the cars you are considering could pay for your gas for the life of the car.

That's what I would recommend taking a look at it as well.
That being said, how is a Civic EX $4k more than a comparable Corolla?
it just sounds silly since they're competing for the same customers.

You'll always get a "better value" with a used car so long as you are patient enough to find one that has been properly taken care of... so long as you don't have a problem w/buying a used car the CSX (read fancy Civic) will be a much better car to drive around since you may be used to the I30 (read fancy Maxima)

good luck OP

 

[BassBomb]

Corolla had a price drop to make it more competetive with the Civic. Civic has a premium on it I guess because it has been such a well selling car (but so has the Corolla).

We aren't really open to the option of different cars at the current time.

If it reaches 24K range we would much rather choose a larger car.

Judging from the responses most would rather have a CSX > Corolla S, thats my personal mindset too. It is just hard to justify (to my Dad), over a Corolla S for very few different features but very different in terms of visuals.

I drive Civic 80% of the time right now, I30 19.7%, ES350 0.3%. This isn't meant as a replacement to the I30, but a replacement to the Civic. ES350 was the replacement to I30 which we bought last year around this time.

 

[alfa147x]

Pollage!

 

[DivideBYZero]

Does the Honda have a Warranty?

 

[BassBomb]

poll added, not sure about warranties

 

[mwmorph]

Yes CSX is more fun, but a Corolla will be much more pratical. The CSX is just about to run out of the bumper to bumper warranty, which leaves you with powertrain for 2 years while the corolla will have 3 years left on the bumper to bumper and 5 years on the powertrain.

Emotionally, the CSX is more "fun"
Realistically, the Corolla is a better choice.

 

[geokilla]

If you're just choosing between a 2006 CSX and a 2009 Corolla, I'd have to go with the new one. If it was a Civic, then I'd choose the Civic instead because I just don't see why you would buy a used CSX for around $20k I think you said earlier, while a brand new base Civic should be around $20k as well.

It's your choice really. Do you like the car's styling? How bout it's performance and fuel economy? Which car is safer overall? Which has a lower lease/finance rate? Think about those things then make your choice.

Hope it helps.

 

[CTrain]

Don't see how can you say the Corolla exterior is hideous.
I think its one of the best looking compact car, especially the S version.