The Glade 4.0

So we've nailed it down to wanting to buy a Honda Civic. The only time we've found a car that had everything we were looking for, the guy never called back so I assume it sold.

We have $7500 cash in hand. We were prepared to go up to $8000 for one car until we found out how much more insurance it would be for being 2-door. This is all we want to spend. But now I'm seeing a car up in Phoenix that is a 2006 with low miles (43k) selling for $12k. I know I could easily qualify for a loan for this and I'm sure I could get the guy down to at least around $11k.

My Jeep has 240,000 miles on it, still runs but has no AC. I've done the last 4-5 summers with no AC and I REALLY don't want to do another. Spring break is next week. I'm worried about losing opportunities to get exactly what we're wanting. But is it worth paying additional money for? We could easily pay off that extra money within a few months. I'd see to that. But is it worth it just to get a car thats about 1-2 years newer than what I was looking at, lower miles by about 20-40k? I do most of the maintenance on my cars so my intent is to make the thing last at least until 200,000 like our current cars.

Thoughts? I'm frustrated and my convenience time frame runs out after spring break. After that, I pretty much HAVE to wait until summer vacation to buy because I won't have time in between studies to go looking.

_________________
The Dude abides.

In a word, yes.

Especially if you can afford it, and it wouldn't cause you undue stress.

20-40k fewer miles is 2-4 extra years of service (assuming 12k/year). If you think that 2-4 more years of life is worth an additional 4k, then go for it.

Also, I think the 2004 Civic is a newer body style, newer generation of car makes parts easier to get. Although, with a Civic, there's like a hojillion of them on the road anyway, so that's not really an issue.

_________________

Holy shitsnacks!

The 04 is still the older style. In Ohio the rust alone would probably be worth the difference in price for aging, but my understanding is that you Jawas out in the desert don't have those issues correct?

_________________

Etinni! Yoo toh Eta eta Utinni!!!

_________________

Holy shitsnacks!

Yeah, AZ doesn't have rust issues. The only cars that have rust aren't from Arizona.

_________________
The Dude abides.

MY2006 is the first year for the new style.

_________________
"It's real, grew up in trife life, the times of white lines
The hype vice, murderous nighttimes and knife fights invite crimes" - Nasir Jones

Yes, my '06 is of the sexy time

Ah. I knew it was around there.

_________________

Holy shitsnacks!

I can tell you for a fact that the '07 Civic sedan will let you walk away from a 40+ mph head on collision with a light pole. Not some flimsy side street one either, I'm talking one of the industrial strength ones they put around highways.

Light pole was only mildly damaged (the impact whipped the top and popped the light at the top off, no other harm done). The car, on the other hand, well, total loss. I walked away with a couple scrapes and bruises from safety equipment, but otherwise unscathed.

That'll teach me to misjudge a turn...

Remember, LSD or full open diff, a front wheel drive car almost always plows and understeers. Except for some very special factory spec racers that can literally pull themselves through very tight.

_________________
"It's real, grew up in trife life, the times of white lines
The hype vice, murderous nighttimes and knife fights invite crimes" - Nasir Jones

I vote to fix the AC in the Jeep. Drive it 'till the wheels fall off.

Ain't nothing like a car paid for free and clear. You'll probably pay as much in sales tax as fixing the AC would cost.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Interesting fact of the day. Did you know that the Toyota Avalon could be drifted...

Given enough power, and proper tires/pavement, *anything* can be drifted.

Its not the Stig... But it is the Stig's Lorry driving Cousin! Rig Stig!
[youtube]kNEcjxYX5pE[/youtube]

_________________

Holy shitsnacks!

I only mention that interesting fact cause I found out driving my mum's automatic avalon going around a wet corner... caught me off guard then tried to remember if it was front or rear wheel drive.

Was scary at the time but 5s later i wanted to do it again >.<

Haven't succeeded in recreating it though.

That's not drifting Lyd, that's slipping/sliding on wet pavement.

Oh, and Screeling, sad to say that I'd go with Taskiss' advice on this one; my Jeep hasn't had air con for ten years and it's regularly over 100 here in the summer.

_________________
"Dress cops up as soldiers, give them military equipment, train them in military tactics, tell them they’re fighting a ‘war,’ and the consequences are predictable." —Radley Balko

I'm assuming that is the uncommon condition among states, but here, anything over $6,000 and you pay no more than $300.00 in sales tax.

Well, the AC would have to be converted over to R134. Not to mention the Jeep really needs new suspension work and its starting to feel less safe. The Jeep is going to be sold, so that's not an option.

And I'm buying from private party, not the dealer. So no sales tax. Plus, if I do take out a loan, I'll be free and clear within 3 months.

_________________
The Dude abides.

It sounds like you've made up your mind and want some affirmation. I had an 05 Civic and loved it. The car held its value ridiculously well, was super dependable, the stock wheels and tires blew but we have much worse weather up here than I'd imagine you do down there.

_________________

I'm going to guess that is illegal.

You're illegal.

_________________
The Dude abides.

Your Mom's Illegal.

_________________

Holy shitsnacks!

What I do to your mom should be illegal.

_________________

Yeah, that was the last FWD car I will ever own. I have an 08 WRX now, and even when I get into the more spirited driving it holds tight in the corners like the Civic never could. Should have gone with a WRX in the first place, but there it is.

Prior to the Si I had a pair of old, ill used Hondas, an 86 CRX and then an 89 Accord. Both had well over 150k miles on them, and probably still would have had lots of life left. The CRX died on a wet day on a blind curve, the Accord I actually donated to charity, so it may well be around still. Honda definitely makes a long lived, if boring, car.

What I do to your mom is illegal in 15 states and most Middle Eastern countries.

_________________
Once, I was a ranger
Then, I was a warlock
And a mage
And a paladin
Now, I seek to be myself

I have the '06 STi, I've driven an '09 WRX, '10 WRX 5-door (which I'm starting to love the looks of these things), '10 STi 5-door and 2003 and 2004 Mitsu Evo VIII and 2007 Mitsu Evo IX and out of all of them, I like the '10 5-doors and the Evo VIII the most for dry pavement. They seem to plow the least and behave most like RWD car which I prefer on pavement. I never understood why Porsche made their 996 911 Turbo AWD with PSM system; you had to order the GT2 option to get RWD which was like another $30k.

I really am thinking of buying a Toyota MR2 because I've always wanted an MR layout car.

_________________
"It's real, grew up in trife life, the times of white lines
The hype vice, murderous nighttimes and knife fights invite crimes" - Nasir Jones