Upgrading from 2001 Civic to 2005 worth it?

[Magusigne]

Backstory-

Own a 2001 Civic, bought 4 years ago for 5k dollars @120k miles. It's a manual, little beat up. Paid off, its @180k miles now.

I currently owe 2200 to credit card gods (sucks to be me). Wife also drives gas guzzler and refuses to learn a stick.

Solution? 2005 Honda Civic (Refreshed body style) Automatic, Great Condition, 83k miles. 8000 dollars.

Sell current car. Pay off Cards...shred them. Wife can now drive newer civic when needed. Also, it will be at less than half the mileage my current civic is at.

Cons obviously...new car loan.

Thoughts? It sounds reasonable to me...


http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/2595597696.html is the ad link.

Also I've determined that everything is in order with the title/VIN/ mechanically sound. Aside from his claim that someone told him it had a timing chain lol...

Pushing for a 7500 dollar deal.

 

[JCH13]

It all depends on how much you expect to save in fuel vs how much your loan payments will be.

Also, the wife should learn stick, it's not that hard.

 

[Magusigne]

It all depends on how much you expect to save in fuel vs how much your loan payments will be.

Also, the wife should learn stick, it's not that hard.

I agree. However she is very very stubborn. I still need to work on breaking her will...

 

[KIAman]

The only thing goofy about that add is that it claims it has a timing chain.

I have an 05 Civic Ex and I clearly remember doing the timing belt and cooling system maintenance when it ticked 110,000 miles.

Your $2,200 in credit debt is not much at all (I am assuming you have excellent credit and your interest rate is comparable). Just skip 3 meals a week and go out once less a month and you'll get that paid off in no time.

Now you mention your wife drives a guzzler. I consider guzzler getting <15mpg combined. Also, if your wife doesn't need the 2nd car and ONLY has it because she can't drive stick, then by all means, buy the newer car and save on gas, maintenance AND insurance.

If not, you are better off sticking with your car unless you have lots of impending problems.

 

[Magusigne]

The only thing goofy about that add is that it claims it has a timing chain.

I have an 05 Civic Ex and I clearly remember doing the timing belt and cooling system maintenance when it ticked 110,000 miles.

Your $2,200 in credit debt is not much at all (I am assuming you have excellent credit and your interest rate is comparable). Just skip 3 meals a week and go out once less a month and you'll get that paid off in no time.

Now you mention your wife drives a guzzler. I consider guzzler getting <15mpg combined. Also, if your wife doesn't need the 2nd car and ONLY has it because she can't drive stick, then by all means, buy the newer car and save on gas, maintenance AND insurance.

If not, you are better off sticking with your car unless you have lots of impending problems.

It's not that bad, it's an equinox. However, I drive the Civic, and I drive EVERYWHERE..even long trips due to the whole..not knowing how to drive stick.

My car has a few longer term impending issues...such as synchro's going out (Tranny rebuild soon). 180k miles vs 83k miles.

The car would be a replacement for my Daily Driver Civic, and would allow the ability of my wife to drive the car when needed.

And the guy is an indian student, and some goofy mechanic told him it was a chain which is of course wrong.

Realisitcally.

Sell my Civic while it's worth something before it blows.
Pay of debt
Newer less mileage civic
Automatic transmission so wife can drive.

 

[kaerflog]

2005 is the last year of the 7th gen.
If you are going to get a new Civic, go for the 8th gen. like 2006.
The 8th is easily the best looking Civic(much more so than 9th gen).
For a compact car, it has a sophisticated look to it.
I bought a 2006 a month ago for $9K. He listed for $10K.
Its a LX sedan with 70K miles. One owner, clean title.
Look harder and you will find a 2006 in that price range.
Oh and it has a timing chain.
How it looked when I picked it up.

How it looks now.......

 

[Magusigne]

Not sure where you from.

Civic's around here (C-bus ohio) go for say 12k for that type, on a good day.

 

[alfa147x]

I bought a 2007 civic coupe lx with 5 speed for $7000 @ 51000 miles




i

 

[kaerflog]

I'm from Orlando Fla.
I guess I got a good deal
I bought it even though I was looking everyday for a honda accord coupe 2008 and higher.
I look down in Miami CL alot and I see 8th gen Civic for under $10K all the time.
I still think if you are looking for a newer Civic, go for the 2006.
You might have to spend $1-$2K more but its a much much better car.
Btw, I'm getting about 36-39mpg doing 80/20 driving.

 

[kaerflog]

$9200- http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/2558265492.html

 

[Magusigne]

$9200- http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/2558265492.html

appreciate you checking for me

I've called on that civic as well as just about any other Civic under 10k within..the state of ohio

They are all Rebuilt or Salvage title...as this you linked to me is...

sad.

 

[Magusigne]

Also. WTF Miami CL is filled with freaking sweet Vehicles...

I am now depressed.

 

[kaerflog]

appreciate you checking for me

I've called on that civic as well as just about any other Civic under 10k within..the state of ohio

They are all Rebuilt or Salvage title...as this you linked to me is...

sad.

Wow. Who is in their right mind would sell a 06 civic with 90k miles and a rebuilt title for $9200 ??
I just assume that would be a clean title car.
you're right people up there are smoking sonething

 

[satyajitmenon]

Also. WTF Miami CL is filled with freaking sweet Vehicles...

I am now depressed.

So fly down and drive one back home.

You can get one of the Miami forum members to check the car(s) out in return for a case of beer.

 

[Doppel]

I really just wouldn't bother. Keep what you have and upgrade more severely next time.

 

[alfa147x]

Wow. Who is in their right mind would sell a 06 civic with 90k miles and a rebuilt title for $9200 ??
I just assume that would be a clean title car.
you're right people up there are smoking sonething

The used Honda market is almost as bad as the used Apple market.

Everyone thinks their car is worth a lot more than it really is

 

[Hellotalkie]

^^ Agreed

I just sold my 97 honda with 181,xxx miles for 3200 dollars! Rear rust. Transmission was starting to get rough, etc etc. A/C compressor needed to be replaced.


BUT

then i bought a bright green 93 del sol for 3,800 dollars


Everyone that owns a Honda has dealt with the tax.


o and btw i live in the cbus area. Used car prices in OHIO are ridiculous. Either everyone has shit rust buckets, or everyone has a decent ride for a higher than average price.

 

[ballmode]

Get the 06+ body style

 

[Doppel]

^^ Agreed

I just sold my 97 honda with 181,xxx miles for 3200 dollars! Rear rust. Transmission was starting to get rough, etc etc. A/C compressor needed to be replaced.


BUT

then i bought a bright green 93 del sol for 3,800 dollars


Everyone that owns a Honda has dealt with the tax.


o and btw i live in the cbus area. Used car prices in OHIO are ridiculous. Either everyone has shit rust buckets, or everyone has a decent ride for a higher than average price.

Shameful what people pay for used Hondas, it's the Honda tax.

Buy a Civic for $17,000 drive it for 5 years and treat it like sh*t and find some buffoon to pay $14,500 for it!

 

[Hellotalkie]

Shameful what people pay for used Hondas, it's the Honda tax.

Buy a Civic for $17,000 drive it for 5 years and treat it like sh*t and find some buffoon to pay $14,500 for it!

But sometimes you find a hidden gem like my del sol

 

[kaerflog]

I don't pretend that theres isn't a so-called Honda tax out there but its not like you can't find good deals on Honda cars.
This is my 5th Honda and I've gotten a deal on everyone of them.
I bought everyone of them without having a mechanic checking them and I don't know the first thing to look for.
And I have never had a problem with any of them.
If people weren't willing to pay a premium for Honda, re-sell value would drop.
Simple economic.

 

[halik]

I don't pretend that theres isn't a so-called Honda tax out there but its not like you can't find good deals on Honda cars.
This is my 5th Honda and I've gotten a deal on everyone of them.
I bought everyone of them without having a mechanic checking them and I don't know the first thing to look for.
And I have never had a problem with any of them.
If people weren't willing to pay a premium for Honda, re-sell value would drop.
Simple economic.

I'd imagine same year fusion (05?) would be on par with reliability at this point.

 

[Magusigne]

Update:

I didn't need to really upgrade desperately at this point. So I stuck with a 7800 firm offer. He said, 8400 minimum. Looks like I'm taking a flight sometime in the next year or two to florida

The Car itself was very clean. He'll get his asking price no doubt.