What would you do?

[XtremeModder]

Hey everyone, so about a month ago I sold my BMW as it was just horrible with gas mileage and wasn't worth the price.

Anyways I'm still driving my Honda, it's a 2000 civic SE (basically base, no power windows, etc)

The car needs the following:

-ac system has a leak somewhere, not sure but I know the compressor still works as I can hear it come on... Haven't tried filling it myself with one of those kits yet but I may as it is brutal in this heat)

-all ball joints replaced
-new rear wheel bearings
-new windshield (cracked)
-new tires
-soon new alternator
-struts
-rotors

So yea a lot of work and I don't really want to put any $ into it...

The car has 193,xxxkms on it.

That said, would you put the $ into it or would you finance a new it off lease vehicle? I really want a new(er) civic (not the 2012 really though) or I like the 2012 mazda3 sport.

I am just having a hard time trying to figure out what to do, I really don't want another car payment (who does?) but I don't want it to die on me completely.

PickeringHonda has a 2010 civic ex-l that I really like but they're asking a little too much and won't budge much (dropped it to $20k taxes in, ex-l is the fully loaded model, below the SI) but I'd rather buy a trim or 2 lower for a new one at that price...

3 cars I would consider.

Civic
Mazda3 sport (hatchback)
Veloster

[booblehead]

For a 12 year old car, I would not spend about $1000 for the repair (based on your list). If you are looking for new, there are so many incentives out there as they are starting to clear out the MY2012.

[XtremeModder]

For a 12 year old car, I would not spend about $1000 for the repair (based on your list). If you are looking for new, there are so many incentives out there as they are starting to clear out the MY2012.

Agreed, part of me wants to sell the civic for $2000 as is (but realistically I won't get that, that's just a point to start at then negotiate) but part of me wants to wait until incentives start on 2013 models (id like to see what Honda does to fix the horribly cheap looking 2012s...)

Oddly enough, my insurance right now is $156/month. If I get a new (2012) civic, it would be $148/month, something to do with less claims on them or something...

Forgot to add, yes I can afford a new car no problem, I just don't want to (who does?)

[Pete_Coach]

Realistically, you have over 1 grand worth of work (if you do some of it yourself). You could do the work and then try to sell it for a couple grand (maybe a bit more if it is safetied). Then you could buy down another one.
Civics, especially ones under 3 grand, sell fast. There is always someone willing to buy a cheap car. If the car owes you nothing, then it may just be worth it? Spend a little to make a little (or a lot).

[XtremeModder]

Realistically, you have over 1 grand worth of work (if you do some of it yourself). You could do the work and then try to sell it for a couple grand (maybe a bit more if it is safetied). Then you could buy down another one.
Civics, especially ones under 3 grand, sell fast. There is always someone willing to buy a cheap car. If the car owes you nothing, then it may just be worth it? Spend a little to make a little (or a lot).

As it stands right now the dealer is offering me $500 for the way the car is now but I know I can get more than that...

[Franchise10]

If you are looking at replacing your windshield call Pedro from Speedee Gonzalez Autoglass. Search the forum for his reviews or on google. Just used him to replace my OEM windshield on my 06 accord. Paid $280 416-908-8526. Like others said you are looking at a high bill to replace everything on your car. Best bet would be private sale not through dealership/used car.

[lildevilx]

As it stands right now the dealer is offering me $500 for the way the car is now but I know I can get more than that...

i think you get $500 for selling any old cars now day
isn't there a program for that? :P

you prob can get more if you part out the car and sell for scrap/spare parts lol

[Brian99]

Add the Elantra GT to the list :P

[spike1128]

As it stands right now the dealer is offering me $500 for the way the car is now but I know I can get more than that...

Look for a car heaven or cash for clunker program that offered by the some manufacturers. It's worth to go with those manufacturers if you can get 1000 bucks for it. I regret not doing that and went with another manufacturer who didn't offer those programs before. Time to get rid of that old civic, it served you well. Let it go.

I think your A/C pipes might be leaking Refrigerant. That's why it might not be working.

[bbdhomer]

hey XM

I actually went through the same dilemma with my Civic 05 @ 175K. Runs fine but repairs have just started and I ended up spending $3K on the damn thing within a month :/. Realistically, it's not worth the hassle spending more money on older cars is brutal on the wallet. If your financial and long term goals go in your favor (car payments+insurance+gas is affordable?) then I say go for a new car.

I came to a conclusion of leasing (personal preference) a new vehicle. I've also been test driving lots of cars, test drove a 2012 Civic as well. Sigh, after driving the competition I came to a conclusion that CIVICs have fallen way behind because of the 2012 models - its not only boring on the exterior but interior looks like the same damn thing from '08, 09, 10, 11 PLUS road noise is louder than my '05. They aren't worth the money (unless you look at resale value), or you can wait till 2014 lol. Not sure about you but the competition surely lures the interest away from them this year.

In the end, its personal preference anyway. Make sure to test drive all vehicles but don't spend more money on the Accord. If you think you can't get a good price on Accord then do a trade-in for a new vehicle.

Tip: Don't negotiate/mention/hint the trade-in before deciding on the final price/MSRP of the vehicle with the salesman.

[bbdhomer]

PickeringHonda has a 2010 civic ex-l that I really like but they're asking a little too much and won't budge much (dropped it to $20k taxes in, ex-l is the fully loaded model, below the SI) but I'd rather buy a trim or 2 lower for a new one at that price...

DUDE, there's a dealership in scarborough [Finch/Markham] selling 2010 civic LX-S for $17k [37,000km]. And another one danforth honda dealership selling same model but 50,000km for $16-17k. check them out.

[ihearyou]

What do you think about the price of GT? Add the 5th door for $900?


Add the Elantra GT to the list :P

[XtremeModder]

hey XM

I actually went through the same dilemma with my Civic 05 @ 175K. Runs fine but repairs have just started and I ended up spending $3K on the damn thing within a month :/. Realistically, it's not worth the hassle spending more money on older cars is brutal on the wallet. If your financial and long term goals go in your favor (car payments+insurance+gas is affordable?) then I say go for a new car.

I came to a conclusion of leasing (personal preference) a new vehicle. I've also been test driving lots of cars, test drove a 2012 Civic as well. Sigh, after driving the competition I came to a conclusion that CIVICs have fallen way behind because of the 2012 models - its not only boring on the exterior but interior looks like the same damn thing from '08, 09, 10, 11 PLUS road noise is louder than my '05. They aren't worth the money (unless you look at resale value), or you can wait till 2014 lol. Not sure about you but the competition surely lures the interest away from them this year.

In the end, its personal preference anyway. Make sure to test drive all vehicles but don't spend more money on the Accord. If you think you can't get a good price on Accord then do a trade-in for a new vehicle.

Tip: Don't negotiate/mention/hint the trade-in before deciding on the final price/MSRP of the vehicle with the salesman.

I have no intentions on buying an accord.

Anyways thanks, but at a dealer what do I say when one of thr first questions is will you be trading in? Guess I can say I'll tell you after we come to a final cost....

[bbdhomer]

I have no intentions on buying an accord.

Anyways thanks, but at a dealer what do I say when one of thr first questions is will you be trading in? Guess I can say I'll tell you after we come to a final cost....


Don't even give the slightest of a hint, just say "Nope".
After MSRP adjustments, then you say "oh i was thinking about trading in my car as well, like you suggested earlier" - know the market value of your car upfront, use canadian blue book, autotrader, kijiji etc and suggest that as a beginning price.

[zilber]

I thought you are saving up for a property, I would just fix up the civic and drive it to the ground.

[XtremeModder]

I thought you are saving up for a property, I would just fix up the civic and drive it to the ground.

I am saving for property. Keep in mind at my work, when there is overtime I am the first one called, I just worked 3 12 hour shifts, extra $400 on my pay, got one more 12 hour shift on Thursday and maybe when today, I'll get paid around $2000 for one pay.

So with lots of overtime why not...

I've also decided to go to school in January next year, my work will pay for it all when I'm done the course 2 years, 1 day a week) so my property goal won't be for another 3 years maybe... Gives me tons of time to save.

[zilber]

I am saving for property. Keep in mind at my work, when there is overtime I am the first one called, I just worked 3 12 hour shifts, extra $400 on my pay, got one more 12 hour shift on Thursday and maybe when today, I'll get paid around $2000 for one pay.

So with lots of overtime why not...

I've also decided to go to school in January next year, my work will pay for it all when I'm done the course 2 years, 1 day a week) so my property goal won't be for another 3 years maybe... Gives me tons of time to save.

If you can make that much, you should treat yourself a bit better:)

[XtremeModder]

If you can make that much, you should treat yourself a bit better:)

Thanks, right now I'm just trying to build up a bit more savings before i step into car payments again.

What I am doing, starting on my next pay (next week) is basically figuring out how much a new civic would cost me in monthly payments and throwing that + my insurance (+ or - the difference) and then putting money away into my savings and paying my bills, etc to see what I'm left over with and getting by on what I'm left with for 2 weeks.

The only debt i owe which doesn't have to be paid until next year in may is $1200 that's it.

Btw, I can make $2400-$2700/paycheque but I need to have time for myself, unlike some people who work overtime to pay their bills, I work overtime to save and get ahead. A lot of people think I'm spoiled especially when they saw me with the BMW but nope, paid all of it myself until a buyer paid my remaining finance on it and took it. What a nice car it was but at the same time I dont need a car like that ever again.

Also, on the weekends (Friday and Saturday for me) I also detail the odd car here or there for some extra cash to our away.

I also breed my bearded dragons (but they haven't for awhile) and sell them. Soon I will attempt to breed my panther chameleons which are worth $300+ private sale.

If you want to see what they look like head over to the pet forum here and look for a thread I started there about reptiles. It's a full time job but at the same time it's a hobby I love and don't see it as work at all.

[zilber]

Sounds like you already have it all planned out, good luck!

[XtremeModder]

Sounds like you already have it all planned out, good luck!

I pretty much do, you know what the funny thing is, pickering honda told me they couldnt go lower than $20,000 taxes in, its now $19,000 taxes in... im gonna see if I can (with a trade in) knock them down to $16,000-$16,500 taxes in and I'd take it very soon and do a 3 year finance, or 5 year and just pay more than the monthly payment except for when OT gets cut back...

[xi_32]

Well only you would know how your current car will hold up if you give it the $1000 in repairs. If, after making the repairs, the car will leave you stranded, then go ahead and sell.

BUT... if I were in your shoes I would think like this.

Well if the repairs are only $1000, I'll do them and keep the car. At $500 a payment, that's 2 car payments. I'd then take 6-10 more car payments that I'd save and go on a vacation to somewhere cheap like SouthEast Asia, or wherever for a month and relax/party and have an experience of a lifetime.

For me, in the end, when I'm 80+ years old I don't think I'd be telling stories about the 'great' civic I bought when I was young, rather the awesome vacation I had.

But that's just me.

I would just recommend that you seriously evaluate what your true priorities and desires are in life. Once you've done so then your decision is easy. It may be that buying a new car is right for you if you decide so.

One last thing. Depreciation is a B**ch. You said you wanted to save up. Buying a new car is rarely a good financial move. It's much better to buy a quality used vehicle and let some one else absorb the depreciation.

[XtremeModder]

Well only you would know how your current car will hold up if you give it the $1000 in repairs. If, after making the repairs, the car will leave you stranded, then go ahead and sell.

BUT... if I were in your shoes I would think like this.

Well if the repairs are only $1000, I'll do them and keep the car. At $500 a payment, that's 2 car payments. I'd then take 6-10 more car payments that I'd save and go on a vacation to somewhere cheap like SouthEast Asia, or wherever for a month and relax/party and have an experience of a lifetime.

For me, in the end, when I'm 80+ years old I don't think I'd be telling stories about the 'great' civic I bought when I was young, rather the awesome vacation I had.

But that's just me.

I would just recommend that you seriously evaluate what your true priorities and desires are in life. Once you've done so then your decision is easy. It may be that buying a new car is right for you if you decide so.

One last thing. Depreciation is a B**ch. You said you wanted to save up. Buying a new car is rarely a good financial move. It's much better to buy a quality used vehicle and let some one else absorb the depreciation.

Hence why i am looking at 2010 or maybe even 2009 if the price is right.

There's no way I can take a month off work, 1 week max, if it's a dire situation 2 weeks (and it's happened)

I will think about doing the repairs... The car hasn't died on me yet but who knows when it'll happen. Maybe I'll just wait until spring next year to get another car if this one holds up...