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My next new car?

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shmokes:
I have a 2006 Honda Civic and I still absolutely love it.  I test drove about 10 different cars (including a sport and normal Corolla), and none of them even remotely compared to the responsiveness and overall good driving feel that the Honda had (I wasn't test driving sports cars, mind you).  Also, the Honda has a great dash board.  I love it.  And if you're into the hybrid thing, you can get a hybrid civic, too.

Crash test ratings are top of its class.  Definitely at least test drive it.  Also, get it on a three year loan if you can afford to.  That's what I did, and loan payments have been a ---smurfette---, but this time next year I won't even have loan payments on it ever again as opposed to still looking at two more years of monthly payments.  Also, the car was like $1,500 less overall due to less interest.  In fact, IMO if you can't afford to get the Civic on a three year loan, you actually just can't afford to get the Civic and should be looking for a car that you can afford to buy on a three year loan.

I gotta say, my decision to get a Honda is going to feel REALLY good a year from now.  No payments, but looking at potentially 3-5 more years of reliability.

knave:
The most economical way to handle this is to find an older car that gets ~25mpg or so.
Not dealing with the depreciation and interest will save you a bundle and the fuel savings of going with a more efficient car will make you smile at the pump.

Now, if you are just into new cars (and there's nothing wrong with that if you're willing to pay for it) My Wife swears by honda.  She spent the last 6 months test driving everything rolling on for wheels that can get more than 20 mph.  For a while every day she would show up at my work with a different new car for me to look over.

After looking at all those I think that the standard civic is a pretty good choice.  Up to 40 mpg highway (though real world would prob ave. ~30-35) Looks pretty sweet.  Ant thats not even for the hybred.

I'm sure the toyota is similar wenough but I thought the finish of all the honda cars was just a bit better.  The materials in the toyota's and nissan seemed cheap in comparison. (but just my opinion.)

When it'a all said and done What do I know...I drive a Jeep.

Get what you like the best. Mini's are pretty cool cars if tiny. (just hope you don't get hit by an SUV!)

ChadTower:

--- Quote from: shmokes on March 17, 2008, 11:54:40 am --- No payments, but looking at potentially 3-5 more years of reliability.

--- End quote ---

If you stop hitting things on the highway (  :) ) you're looking at at least 150k of reliability.  I'm at 114k now and I can only remember twice having repairs that weren't wear parts.  The thermostat went at about 60k and the radiator at 75k.  The radiator was hit by a highway rock, though, so you can probably disregard even that.

patrickl:

--- Quote from: RetroACTIVE on March 17, 2008, 11:51:30 am ---
--- Quote from: HarumaN on March 17, 2008, 11:47:27 am ---
--- Quote from: RetroACTIVE on March 17, 2008, 11:36:58 am ---is it stick or auto?

--- End quote ---

I bought an automatic this time, my last vehicle was a manual, which was irritating me to no end in rush hour Phoenix traffic.  I bought the Fit Sport, which has paddle shifters if I ever feel the need for manual shifting...   :D

--- End quote ---

Yeah... I live in the DC area... my commute is more stop than go... the stick would probably become a bit of an irritant as well... some folks buy sticks because they like and because it makes the vehicle feel a bit more peppy.  Paddle shifters seems like a nice compromise.


--- End quote ---
I drive a stick shift, but then in Europa that's the standard. I never have much problem with driving in heavy traffic. After a while you don't think about it.

I test drove a Porche Boxster with paddle flippers once and I hated the flippers (didn't like the whole car to be honest). You really have to be aware in which gear you are driving and count down to the one you want to go to. I often accidentally ended up in first when switching down. Maybe it's something you get used to, but I really doubt it will ever be as second nature as a stick shift. Those you just put in the gear you want.

HaRuMaN:

--- Quote from: ChadTower on March 17, 2008, 12:52:27 pm ---
--- Quote from: shmokes on March 17, 2008, 11:54:40 am --- No payments, but looking at potentially 3-5 more years of reliability.

--- End quote ---

If you stop hitting things on the highway (  :) ) you're looking at at least 150k of reliability.  I'm at 114k now and I can only remember twice having repairs that weren't wear parts.  The thermostat went at about 60k and the radiator at 75k.  The radiator was hit by a highway rock, though, so you can probably disregard even that.

--- End quote ---

My wife's 99 Honda Civic went for 256K miles before we were totalled by a '64 Camaro.  Biggest thing I had to replace in it was the coil (about $70 bucks).

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