Getting rid of an old car and buying a new one - thoughts?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I've had my 91 Accord (within 500 miles of 200k) for a while now and am going to give it to my brother in the next year or two when he gets his license.

I've been checking out new cars for myself, specifically an 08 Civic. I drove it today and it's fine, no real issues at all, but I don't want to give up my Accord at the same time. Is this normal? I feel like I should keep my Accord and get a new paint job for it along with a new hood (slightly dented and paint is pretty bad). I've had this car for about 5 years now, given to me by my dad and really love it.

On one hand, I'd like to keep the Accord, but on the other, I see the Civic as another reliable car with much better highway mileage. I do a lot of highway driving, maybe 500-600 miles per month of it, and it gets 36-38mpg versus my current 25mpg.

I'll have to give my car to my brother in the next 2 years in any case, and so it's not about seeing the money leave my bank account, but more of just having second thoughts. Is this normal? I've never bought anything for myself with this much money and so I'm thinking it over a lot.

 

[Engraver]

Separation anxiety

Just dump it, the money you'll save on gas will be worth it.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

That's probably all it is, it's my first car and have thoroughly enjoyed the freedom. There isn't any reason to not get the Civic for me and so after I mull over it for a week or two, I'll probably just go for it.

 

[kalrith]

If you get a Civic and keep the Accord, you'll be paying for insurance on both cars. If you don't need two vehicles, then it's an unnecessary expense.

 

[maddogchen]

you have enough to pay for the civic and have a good amount left over? or you getting it financed?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: kalrith
If you get a Civic and keep the Accord, you'll be paying for insurance on both cars. If you don't need two vehicles, then it's an unnecessary expense.

having the accord on his insurance will make his insurance cheaper all around. Just call the accord his main use card, and his civic is secondary, that way its much, much cheaper full coverage on his civic. at least this is what I do. and everytime the number come out in my favor when I list my old 94 civic as my main and my 01 1.8t as my secondary.

 

[Kelemvor]

I'd get a lightly used car over a brand new car. Monetarily buying a brand new car just doesn't make much sense.

 

[LS21]

alignment, steering, suspension, handling, etc...

dont mean to sound all uppity, and yeah i know millions of people drive older cars out there... but i seriously feel very unsafe when driving an older car after being used to newer cars

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
I'd get a lightly used car over a brand new car. Monetarily buying a brand new car just doesn't make much sense.

Depends on the car. A used domestic sedan, sure. Save 50%. But a used Civic? No way. The savings just are not there going used.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
I'd get a lightly used car over a brand new car. Monetarily buying a brand new car just doesn't make much sense.

Depends on the car. A used domestic sedan, sure. Save 50%. But a used Civic? No way. The savings just are not there going used.

That's what I found - originally, I was looking at 4-5 year old Civics, and it isn't as cheap as it would need to be for me to go for it. If it was something like half the price of a new one, then I wouldn't really mind, but it's close enough to a new one that I'd feel better about buying a new one. I like to know exactly how the car was treated, having a warranty is nice, and there's the undeniable factor of the enjoyment from a new car in itself.

And to answer the person asking, I'd be paying in cash. It's not a financial issue as much as it is a question of whether I should or shouldn't. I think I just don't want to let go of my Accord.

Also, in terms of insurance, the Accord won't be in my insurance policy.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: kalrith
If you get a Civic and keep the Accord, you'll be paying for insurance on both cars. If you don't need two vehicles, then it's an unnecessary expense.

having the accord on his insurance will make his insurance cheaper all around. Just call the accord his main use card, and his civic is secondary, that way its much, much cheaper full coverage on his civic. at least this is what I do. and everytime the number come out in my favor when I list my old 94 civic as my main and my 01 1.8t as my secondary.

I guess I was looking at it from an honest standpoint. If the Civic is his main car and he lists his Accord as his main car, then that's not being honest.

While he's at it, he should have a buddy spray graffiti all over the Accord and take a baseball bat to the hood. That way he can have the insurance company pay for the new paint job and new hood.

 

[Kelemvor]

IF your' not worried about the monetary part of it, then it's jsut up to you're feelings...

How much longer do you expect your car to last? Does it get good gas mileage? Does it have all the features you want? etc...

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
I'd get a lightly used car over a brand new car. Monetarily buying a brand new car just doesn't make much sense.

Depends on the car. A used domestic sedan, sure. Save 50%. But a used Civic? No way. The savings just are not there going used.

That's what I found - originally, I was looking at 4-5 year old Civics, and it isn't as cheap as it would need to be for me to go for it. If it was something like half the price of a new one, then I wouldn't really mind, but it's close enough to a new one that I'd feel better about buying a new one. I like to know exactly how the car was treated, having a warranty is nice, and there's the undeniable factor of the enjoyment from a new car in itself.

And to answer the person asking, I'd be paying in cash. It's not a financial issue as much as it is a question of whether I should or shouldn't. I think I just don't want to let go of my Accord.

Also, in terms of insurance, the Accord won't be in my insurance policy.

Yeah, the used market is ridiculous on Corollas and Civics! My gf is looking for a used car and a used 04 Corolla with no power options in it and 50K on the odometer goes for 12k at the dealer and they refuse to budge on the price (appearently, it was originally 14k). Even people who sell the cars themselves can sell them at that price for no problem.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
I'd get a lightly used car over a brand new car. Monetarily buying a brand new car just doesn't make much sense.

That's the exact thinking that has made used car prices sky rocket.

 

[FoBoT]

i have a 1990 mazda that i bought brand new in Nov. 1989

i can't get myself to get rid of it
it has never had a major engine or transmission problem

the only big things done to it are a new water pump , new radiator, new front half axles

the A/C went out and so i only drive it in the winter

my mechanic said some stuff is broken underneath, part of the suspension or something and it is too rusted to fix. but i don't want to get rid of it. it has 204K miles and still gets 32 MPG. it has been paid off since 1993, it just won't die and i don't want to abandon it

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
I've had my 91 Accord (within 500 miles of 200k) for a while now and am going to give it to my brother in the next year or two when he gets his license.

I've been checking out new cars for myself, specifically an 08 Civic. I drove it today and it's fine, no real issues at all, but I don't want to give up my Accord at the same time. Is this normal? I feel like I should keep my Accord and get a new paint job for it along with a new hood (slightly dented and paint is pretty bad). I've had this car for about 5 years now, given to me by my dad and really love it.

On one hand, I'd like to keep the Accord, but on the other, I see the Civic as another reliable car with much better highway mileage. I do a lot of highway driving, maybe 500-600 miles per month of it, and it gets 36-38mpg versus my current 25mpg.

I'll have to give my car to my brother in the next 2 years in any case, and so it's not about seeing the money leave my bank account, but more of just having second thoughts. Is this normal? I've never bought anything for myself with this much money and so I'm thinking it over a lot.

I had the same problem when I bought my TL. I wound up keeping my 270 K mile 92 Accord EX for a year. It was the best car I evar owned but I wasn't driving it enough so I virtually gave it away.

In retrospec I wish I kept it for transporting hardware and lawn supplies. My oldest son could also be using it today now that he's back living with us. Those older Accords & Toyatas were over engineered like crazy. I still se my old ride from time-to-time and it still looks and drives great.