Debating between these vehicles-

[Magusigne]

I currently own a 2001 Honda Civic LX 4dr. It is now paid off..@175k miles. I can sell it now with little difficulty in my area between 3000-3500. Or I could drive the wheels off. I have no idea when it will blow up, however I have taken extremely good care off it.

This is dilemma number 1. Sell now and get good money, or take a risk and keep it for another few years.


Budget for newer car 10-13k- and vehicles I'm finding in my range I'm interested in-

2006-2008 Civic - 90k miles typically
2006-2008 Subaru Legacy 80-110k miles
2007 Toyota Camry LE -70k miles
2006-2007 Nissan Altima-60k-90k miles

There are also other possibilities.

However, I commute 25-30 miles a daily and do most of the driving as my wife has an Equinox. Gas mileage is under a bit of consideration. I would however like something a little larger than a civic.

 

[punjabiplaya]

camry or the altima depending on mileage and/or service record

 

[manimal]

Any would be fine if they have been kept up. Those altimas are plentiful and cheap. The Legacy may be the most fun to drive.

13K can get you into alot of other vehicles as well. Look 300 miles away as well and travel for the car if you can find a steal somewhere.

 

[KIAman]

Out of your list and assuming prices are identical, I would get the camry.

 

[SearchMaster]

Keep it. My 98 Accord has 215k and has given me no reason to think it's near the end.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I say keep it too but I'm cheap. You already know what you have with your car and if it is in good shape there isn't any reason to get rid of it.

 

[SJP0tato]

I'd say keep it & do the following:

Figure out how much car payment you'd be comfortable with the new car. Set aside half that monthly into a savings acct until you reach $3k or your first repair. Pay for all maintenance/repair work from that fund, and replenish it via the half-payment/monthly method.

Most of the time, even when it feels like some months all you've done is spend money on keeping the car running, it's still much cheaper than a car payment averaged over a longer period of time.

Worst case if it's a more expensive repair and you're ready for the new car, you'll have $3k towards the new purchase + whatever you can get for the old car.

 

[CurseTheSky]

For $13k, I'd want something with a lot less miles.

I got my 2008 Fusion V6 SE with 26k miles for $14k. It was a pretty decent deal, but you could easily find something similar, especially if you opt for the I4 instead.

 

[Magusigne]

For $13k, I'd want something with a lot less miles.

I got my 2008 Fusion V6 SE with 26k miles for $14k. It was a pretty decent deal, but you could easily find something similar, especially if you opt for the I4 instead.

To some degree you are right. However my gut and previous experience is Fusion V6 with 26k miles<Civic with even perhaps 100k miles.

However Ford and GM finally have their shit together so a 2008 is different beast.

 

[Doppel]

You should keep it or save up more money to upgrade to something even better. Absolutely do not replace it with another civic, it's just a bad use of money; with the camry or altima at least you're getting more size.

 

[BUTCH1]

To some degree you are right. However my gut and previous experience is Fusion V6 with 26k miles<Civic with even perhaps 100k miles.

However Ford and GM finally have their shit together so a 2008 is different beast.

I'd say that degree is 100%, 13K for a '07 civic with 90K on it is not worth it to me and if your saying that a Honda power train with 100K is better than a domestic with 26K that's just nuts. At one point in time that was true but not anymore, it's paying the "Honda" tax, LOL..

 

[kaerflog]

I just bought this from craigslist for my daily.
'06 Civic lx sedan with 70K miles for $9K.
Great gas milage and looks great to me..
Doing 3 things to the car.
- Wheels
- Tint
- Lowering springs.
Found some Si wheels for the car.

 

[manimal]

I just bought this from craigslist for my daily.
'06 Civic lx sedan with 70K miles for $9K.
Great gas milage and looks great to me..
Doing 3 things to the car.
- Wheels
- Tint
- Lowering springs.
Found some Si wheels for the car.

By looking at the tree behind your car rust isnt something you had to worry about. Clean car!

 

[Jumpem]

Last generation Subaru Forester.

 

[manimal]

Last generation Subaru Forester.

very sturdy and dependable

 

[Doppel]

I just bought this from craigslist for my daily.
'06 Civic lx sedan with 70K miles for $9K.
Great gas milage and looks great to me..
Doing 3 things to the car.
- Wheels
- Tint
- Lowering springs.
Found some Si wheels for the car.

Don't forget the 100 shot of NOS. Just be careful with the welds on the intake.

 

[MovingTarget]

Keep it. Even with 175k miles, Civics of that vintage are still decent cars. You just have to be sure that it is properly maintained. You may even want to start replacing a few things before they wear out. It certainly is a lot cheaper and less of an unknown then getting a new or new to you car.

 

[slugg]

Do you not love your Honda? Keep it!