JHZR2
Staff member
Hi,
The scenario is this: My gf has a 94 acura integra, which she bought in 2000. I dont think she got that great of a deal, as she paid about $8000 for it in Miami, and the car had 140k at the time. She immediately put about $800 into it, and it has been a pretty good car, needing since then tires, an ignition coil, clutch and a few other things. It has broken down once, but it never has since I have known her (two years now). I am constantly impressed by the way the car runs, mechanically it is quite excellent besides the clutch feel and operation (but I drive a BMW and saab, so there is no comparisson). The car starts on the first cylinder firing, in single digit temps, after sitting for a week covered in snow. It gets 31 MPG easily, and the engine has a lot of power and runs smooth. She has never had a check engine light or any other issue with any system, and it ]passes emissions easily.
She was thinking of replacing the car this past spring, as she found a really good deal on a mazda protege 5, brand new, being cleared for the intro of the mazda 3. The dealer did a carfax for her, and it found that the car was in two accidents. It was clear that the windshield was replaced, but the car looks good and straight, so it is not noticable that it ever was hit, and the car finder she got it through (she lived in the USVI, so had a 'professional car finder get it for her) never represented it as hit. The dealer offered $1500, and finally said that theyd give $2000.
She never bought the new car, and still has the integra. It runs fine, and I forsee it running well through at least 200k. But it may nickle and dime her a bit, and we currently live ~40 miles apart, and worse, will both be going on rotations, me for work and her for DPT school over the next two years. So I might not be around to help her if an issue arises. The car is in great shape right now, she has had a lot of stuff tuned up, but you never know. her real reservation is the loss of $6000+ for 4 years of use and about 20k of mileage. Maybe thats normal, thats life, I dont know, and personally, I think the car is worth what it costs to replace it. Its running fine now with no indications of any need for any repair, uses no oil leaks nothing, runs fine, etc.
Her parents would be willing to pay about $8-10k for a slightly used civic coupe or corolla (thus my previous post regarding the value of buying a slightly used car). She may be able to find a stripped one for that, which is an 02 or 03, and if so, shell have a slightly more valuable car, which ought to have at least the same life if not a bit more left in it, and which would most likely have a higher resale value down the line. She would also consider an older VW diesel, bacause I like diesels and always talk about their great mileage. Id be worried to get a 3-5 year old diesel (probably where the 8-10k price point is for a VW TDI), as I cant be sure that it wont have lots of problems, more than a used toyota or honda, at which point the value of MPG is offset by repairs. Personally I cant see the justification of getting any replacement car. Id rather she take the $8000, put $1000 into the car and $7000 towards future student loans, rent, or just save it for the future. Its not like a relatively good acura is going do die suddenly without much warning, even if it does have 160k on the clock.
Any opinions on what the smart move should be?
Thanks,
JMH
The scenario is this: My gf has a 94 acura integra, which she bought in 2000. I dont think she got that great of a deal, as she paid about $8000 for it in Miami, and the car had 140k at the time. She immediately put about $800 into it, and it has been a pretty good car, needing since then tires, an ignition coil, clutch and a few other things. It has broken down once, but it never has since I have known her (two years now). I am constantly impressed by the way the car runs, mechanically it is quite excellent besides the clutch feel and operation (but I drive a BMW and saab, so there is no comparisson). The car starts on the first cylinder firing, in single digit temps, after sitting for a week covered in snow. It gets 31 MPG easily, and the engine has a lot of power and runs smooth. She has never had a check engine light or any other issue with any system, and it ]passes emissions easily.
She was thinking of replacing the car this past spring, as she found a really good deal on a mazda protege 5, brand new, being cleared for the intro of the mazda 3. The dealer did a carfax for her, and it found that the car was in two accidents. It was clear that the windshield was replaced, but the car looks good and straight, so it is not noticable that it ever was hit, and the car finder she got it through (she lived in the USVI, so had a 'professional car finder get it for her) never represented it as hit. The dealer offered $1500, and finally said that theyd give $2000.
She never bought the new car, and still has the integra. It runs fine, and I forsee it running well through at least 200k. But it may nickle and dime her a bit, and we currently live ~40 miles apart, and worse, will both be going on rotations, me for work and her for DPT school over the next two years. So I might not be around to help her if an issue arises. The car is in great shape right now, she has had a lot of stuff tuned up, but you never know. her real reservation is the loss of $6000+ for 4 years of use and about 20k of mileage. Maybe thats normal, thats life, I dont know, and personally, I think the car is worth what it costs to replace it. Its running fine now with no indications of any need for any repair, uses no oil leaks nothing, runs fine, etc.
Her parents would be willing to pay about $8-10k for a slightly used civic coupe or corolla (thus my previous post regarding the value of buying a slightly used car). She may be able to find a stripped one for that, which is an 02 or 03, and if so, shell have a slightly more valuable car, which ought to have at least the same life if not a bit more left in it, and which would most likely have a higher resale value down the line. She would also consider an older VW diesel, bacause I like diesels and always talk about their great mileage. Id be worried to get a 3-5 year old diesel (probably where the 8-10k price point is for a VW TDI), as I cant be sure that it wont have lots of problems, more than a used toyota or honda, at which point the value of MPG is offset by repairs. Personally I cant see the justification of getting any replacement car. Id rather she take the $8000, put $1000 into the car and $7000 towards future student loans, rent, or just save it for the future. Its not like a relatively good acura is going do die suddenly without much warning, even if it does have 160k on the clock.
Any opinions on what the smart move should be?
Thanks,
JMH
