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Getting a first car (or a "family" car)?

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Shadow Conception

Golden Member
So today, we saw a 1996 Honda Civic LX at the local 7-11. Apparently the son of the owner is looking to sell it as he just got a BMW. So these are the specs:

- Sedan
- ~124k miles
- New black paintjob
- Manual transmission

Looks to be in pretty good condition. Asking price was $2700, but he said the lowest he'd let it go would be at $2500.

It's got 124k miles on it. Is that to the point where a Honda Civic turns into a money black hole and breaks down monthly? Or is that not quite yet...? If I were to get this car, I'd use it for nothing more than morning/afternoon commutes to school (1.2 miles roundtrip), and going out on weekends to the city (20 miles roundtrip). That's not very intensive use at all, compared to my parents' daily 60 miles roundtrips.

Now the biggest problem is the fourth one. It's a stick shift. My dad knows how to drive a stick, so he can teach me. However, my mom and I don't. Of course, that can be fixed; my dad can teach us.

I'm 16. I can drive safely (well actually I think I drive like a grandma), but I haven't racked up 30 years of driving experience like other people on the road. I learned how to drive in my dad's '07 Civic with A/T. Would it be advisable for me to go with a stick shift as my first car? Does the manual transmission really take a large chunk out of your overall attention span?

Also, would you guys say it's a good value, assuming the car has no fatal flaws and passes inspections alright? Blue Book seems to peg it almost exactly; ~$2700.

Do AT car junkies have any wise words for me?
 
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Geebus that's a lot of money for that old of a car with that many miles.
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Not really, if it was maintained it will probably run ok for quite some time. The real question is if it was maintained.

OP, take the car to a mechanic's and have him look at it. It will cost you about $50 but it could save you some huge problems down the road. As for learning stick shift, it's really up to you. However, new drivers are usually bad enough without throwing in shifting the gears too.
 
I learned to drive at 16 with a manual transmission. It will be somewhat overwhelming at first - you'll feel like there's too much going on at the same time, but within short order you won't even think about it consciously, like breathing.
 
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Geebus that's a lot of money for that old of a car with that many miles.
Click to expand...

What? No it's not. That's pretty fair for a 13 year old Civic.
 
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Geebus that's a lot of money for that old of a car with that many miles.
Click to expand...

That is nothing for Honda Civic. Mine had 270,000 when I sold it to my neighbor mechanic for $1300
He thanks me every time he sees me.
 
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