Looking For a New Car

lastcall190

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Driving less than 10k miles a year, you could buy a civic or something with 50k miles on it, and have 5+ years before you need to worry about replacing the timing belt for preventative maintanance at 100k. Many cars last 150k+ easy. Especially non-turbo ones.

For what it's worth, I am not sure at what point but I know my buddy bought an Accord specifically newer so that he didn't have to do a timing belt service. IMO it's not difficult even if you had to do it.

Point I'm trying to make is I bet if you bought new enough, you wouldn't have a timing belt to wonder about... ever.

Edit: Looks like at least around the 8th gen Civic they went to a chain if anyone cares

-J
 

Snagged

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For what it's worth, I am not sure at what point but I know my buddy bought an Accord specifically newer so that he didn't have to do a timing belt service. IMO it's not difficult even if you had to do it.

Point I'm trying to make is I bet if you bought new enough, you wouldn't have a timing belt to wonder about... ever.

Edit: Looks like at least around the 8th gen Civic they went to a chain if anyone cares

-J

That is very important to know, I know the Toyota is getting away from timing belts too and this is high on my list as well. I would think about getting a nicer older Civic too.
 

lastcall190

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Bought my buddy's wife's 04 coupe 5spd, did a timing set and water pump, drove for a few months, and even made a little $$ when I sold to get a bigger car. I loved the MPG but flat out didn't feel that safe on the highway. If you have a mostly city commute it would be excellent, IMO.

-J
 

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Yeah, this is just a commuter car I'm looking for, just for putting around town. I do want good resale value something some what nice. I can't find any good Civics at the two major dealers in the area.
 

nxhappy

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Nope, you can't. Where did you get it and do they have more? lol
I went to my local Honda dealer. They had to sell it used. Someone bought it and traded it in after 5k miles lol. But you can find some great deals on certified pre-own for 15-18k. The accords are a little bigger but will cost $18k and up.
 

Snagged

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Yeah, I saw that very same one earlier. I had a black car once and never again lol. And I'm thinking if I'm going that range of price I'm going to buy new because I found brand new ones selling for $19,000.

Buying cars is a huge pain... sigh.
 

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Yeah, I was kicking those around thinking about them. I liked the sport version of them. I found a couple new Civics in $19,000 range and figured I would jump on one of those if they were that close in price.

From what I've found from the bigger guys so far, there appears to be your very tiny commuter car (Fiesta, Fit....). Then there is the a little bit bigger tiny commuter car (Focus, Civic....). For those entry level cars there is your basic bare bones (no extras on the insides and bland exterior) and there are the "sporty versions" where the are some extras on the inside and a nice looking exterior (this is where I'm at and what I'm looking for I suppose). I can deal with a smaller car because I don't have kids or things to transport.

Then there are the sedans that are for people who are looking to spend a nice chunk of money (Taurus, Accord...). That is not my range for right now. Perhaps in the future, which is why I want good resale value.

So far on my radar I'm thinking about the Fit sport version, Civic coupe perhaps (anything with a nice exterior that has actual wheels and not the plastic hubs), Nissan Sentra (sport version), Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota iM, used Veloster possibly....

BTW, I'm looking at Carvanna. Anyone have any experience with that?
 

nxhappy

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I am not sure on the Fit, but the Civic is roomy "enough". I am 6 foot and it's comfortable to drive. When we went on vacation we had a crazy amount of shit. I folded down the seats and I was amazed at the room LOL. It's so cheap to fill on gas and gets 40mpg highway. It's tough to beat for $20k brand new.
 

DHG1078

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The civic is definitely hard to beat. I think there is a new "sport" trim level coming out that is actually one of the lower trims, but with a few more hp.
 

nxhappy

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mine is the non-turbo so it's slow haha. My buddy has the turbo, it's a fun little car. we drove his car 1200 miles to get my Cobra. It was comfy and they ride very very smooth.
 

RDJ

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the focus is a really really nice little car. I would recommend you get the hatch .. and get the manual transmission. I had the DCT in my 2012 and while I didn't have any real issues in the beginning it was beginning to have problems. I took a bath on trade in because of the trans reputation, but I did not want to bother with trying to sell it. I also would not get anything other than the titanium focus or the ST. they are worth the extra money. my 2012 was a really well built fun car. I would by another one in a heartbeat.

That is great to know, because I looked at one yesterday and it was by far the best price of all the newer cars I looked it. I wasn't sold on the looks but the price was very tempting for me. I was kicking around the idea of those Sonics for CHevy but have no clue about those.
 

AAG

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Yeah, they are hard to beat for sure. Good reliability and hold their value well.....too well in fact lol. I was looking at some used '15's and 14's and they were extremely close in price to the '17 and '16 models. It didn't really make sense for me to get a used one when just a couple thousand you can get brand new.

It really doesn't, especially since the 10th gen Civic is a much better car than the 9th gen. And if the stock HP isn't enough for you, Hondata has a tune that bumps the power by 25 hp/25 tq.
 

Snagged

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The civic is definitely hard to beat. I think there is a new "sport" trim level coming out that is actually one of the lower trims, but with a few more hp.

Exactly. That trim level is something that fits people just like me and there is a big enough market of us to make the bigger car companies make a special niche for. I don't care about all the "bells and whistles" but do want at least a decent sound system and nice steering wheel in the interior. Then of course a a nice looking exterior. Extra HP is nice too, but not much of a concern for me. It would be nice to be able to merge with traffic and what not though, ha.

the focus is a really really nice little car. I would recommend you get the hatch .. and get the manual transmission. I had the DCT in my 2012 and while I didn't have any real issues in the beginning it was beginning to have problems. I took a bath on trade in because of the trans reputation, but I did not want to bother with trying to sell it. I also would not get anything other than the titanium focus or the ST. they are worth the extra money. my 2012 was a really well built fun car. I would by another one in a heartbeat.



It really doesn't, especially since the 10th gen Civic is a much better car than the 9th gen. And if the stock HP isn't enough for you, Hondata has a tune that bumps the power by 25 hp/25 tq.

I'm not a big on the power front for this car but nice to know you can get a nice bump so easily.
 
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1Slowfocusst

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Exactly. That trim level is something that fits people just like me and there is a big enough market of us to make the bigger car companies make a special niche for. I don't care about all the "bells and whistles" but do want at least a decent sound system and nice steering wheel in the interior. Then of course a a nice looking exterior. Extra HP is nice too, but not much of a concern for me. It would be nice to be able to merge with traffic and what not though, ha.
There is a guy here locally that has a 9th gen SI with a few bolt ons and a hondata tune. It has gotten to the point that he avoids me bc I've embarrassed his ass so many times with just a tune


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Steve@TF

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i dont think youre going to find any new rwd car for under $20k. even the most basic colorado starts at just over $20k.

my mom has a civic. i hate that thing. you can feel every little thing in the road. just not a comfortable dd imo. id at least spring for a used accord. way more comfy for a DD and will go a looong time before needing anything.

as far as timing chains/belts. i havent looked into it but from what ive seen with toyota/honda is that the V6s have chains and the 4s have belts.
 

AustinSN

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The Fit is really well designed, it has almost the same front leg room as a Toyota Camry and more rear legroom than the Camry. The cargo room (with the seats down) is somehow twice what the Fiesta has, and more than what the Focus has.

Honda engineers are really good at getting interior space out of their cars. I remember that from my buddy's CRV, that thing could hold more than my Exploder.

My biggest hold up would be that it's built in Mexico, so there might be some build quality issues but overall, I would expect it to be a reliable car with very good resale.
 

PaxtonShelby

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Lol,
I gave $3500 for an 03 SVTF with 89K miles for my beater.
I put a little TLC in her and right now I'm at 108K and loving it.
Screw 25K for a DD. Never again.

X2 - In November I gave $4k for a super clean '03 SVT Focus ZX3 with 130k. Not RWD but very fun. I drive it in the winter and on rainy days. Maybe 5k miles a year. Great handling. Needed nothing - all maintenance done - timing belt - brakes & rotors - with heated Recaros ( they are amazing seats - way better than base interior ), power moonroof, EAP, Borla exhaust - and the best color CO. Good mileage and you can have a lot of fun without going fast. Great solid little car that is done depreciating - sell it in 3-5 years and break even. And I've had people 6 feet tall in the back seat with plenty of room.
 
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