Accord or RX350 ... Which car would you sell?

[Nukeman7]

Since this decision won't significantly affect your financial stability, I would look at it this way....how long do you expect to retain the vehicle you decide to keep?

If at least 5 years, I'd sell the RX350 and keep the Accord. However, if you plan to get a new/different vehicle within 5 years, sell the Accord now when it's value is really high. The Lexus won't depreciate as much over that period.

 

[97prizm]

Currently have two cars. My daily driver is a 2014 Accord Coupe with a V6 and a manual transmission which has zero problems and only 35K miles. Also have a 2011 Lexus RX 350 which I use to transport my elderly dad (the Accord is too low for his ingress/egress) which is basically trouble free and has a whopping 190K on the odometer.

The old man is set to move out of state to be nearer my brother and live in assisted living. The new living situation is a bit expensive so I'll be coming out of pocket around $1K a month. Since he's leaving I only need one car and I need to decide which rig to get rid of.

The Honda is a pleasure to drive and I am still enjoying rowing the gears, although I'm getting older (54) and not sure how much longer I'll want to be driving a manual. I would say I like but don't love the car, and I have an offer of $18,000 currently for it.

The RX is fine but not nearly as enjoyable as the Accord. Its comfy and even though it has high mileage I think it's still very viable as a daily driver. I'm guessing I could get around $6K-$7K by selling this car.

The $18,000 I'd pocket by selling the Accord is good margin for my newly expenses, but this car will probably go a significantly longer time than the Lexus before needing any major work or replacement.

Dilemma Dilemma. Any input from the peanut gallery on here?

Your dad doesn't have anything to cover retirement expenses? Tough one, 18k is probably what close to what the Accord cost new?

 

[fantastic]

Sell the manual

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Sell the Accord. You'll make a grand more than what you paid for it 2 years prior. Not too often something like that happens.

 

[fdcg27]

Neither vehicle will bring you a life-changing amount of money upon sale.
$18K does seem stupid high for a 12 yo Accord, but the V-6/stick/low miles combo will yield a premium price from the right buyer.
The RX (Highlander?) should be good for another 50K at least with reasonable maintenance and probably more, so if you don't drive a lot of miles will give you at least a few more years of reliable use.
So, I think I'd part with the Accord and keep the RX.

 

[andrew_j]

Pocket money on Accord. Once Lexus quits you’ll have plenty to get a nice newer vehicle.

 

[crashz]

I'm glad you are keeping the Accord. The way you worded your first post, it seems you love that car. Selling it, you will instantly regret the decision and loathe the RX. It makes you happy, so keep it. Like fdcg27 said, neither amount is life changing money and the Accord allows for only 1 more year of care costs.

 

[gfh77665]

No car is "easily" a 400K car. Expenses will increase for any make or model after 200K.

The low mileage Honda is about the safest decision you will ever make.

That said, if comfort IS the priority, I can see the Lexus as the choice.

 

[gfh77665]

Pocket money on Accord. Once Lexus quits you’ll have plenty to get a nice newer vehicle.

I dunno about "plenty", given the way vehicles prices keep increasing. I don't even want to think what they will cost 10-15 years from now. Plenty might mean "not much" down the road.

 

[Elkins45]

You can replace the Lexus with similar if you sell it. You won’t be able to replace the manual Accord. It’s the same reason I’m keeping my manual Mazda instead of trading it on something else.

 

[Tdbo]

If you really have someone willing to pay 18K for almost a 13 year old Accord, I'd recommend you be all over that like flies on a rib roast.
Take the money and park it somewhere where you might generate some coin off of it.
Drive the Lexus at least until you can find something that you like as much as the Accord.

 

[PandaBear]

have your dad move in with your brother instead of going to assisted living.

You have never taken care of a senior with deteriorating health have you?

 

[PandaBear]

Agreed on the pricing of the Accord. I bought it for $17,000 2 years and 22,000 miles ago. The market is wacky and there's a small subset of people who really like these particular cars.

That's because most of the newer cars are significantly more complex and unreliable. Even the simpler cars like Corolla today has more head gasket problems than before which is typically unheard of in those cars.

Yup leaning toward the Accord overall. It's a zippy little car and comfortable too.

Those RX are great too, and if you don't mind the wear and tear in the interior, you can in theory spend 18k refresh it to a mid-life condition and keep driving another 200k easily. So in the end you probably cannot go wrong either way.

No car is "easily" a 400K car. Expenses will increase for any make or model after 200K.
The low mileage Honda is about the safest decision you will ever make.
That said, if comfort IS the priority, I can see the Lexus as the choice.

Both the Honda and the Lexus have very reliable engine. The RX's V6 has been proven to last easily 300K and Honda's V6 typically have no problem outside of the earlier automatic transmissions but manual is bullet proof.

The RX in that era has probably some known dash crack risk and high center of gravity tend to roll over like most CUV of those era if you don't know what you are doing. Other than that the mechanicals are as robust as you want to keep the interior in great condition.

 

[dubber09]

I gave up on manual transmission when traded that car in and I was 48 back then, I did like having and driving it but my knees and back started calling for a taller car (easier to get in and out) and auto transmission (easier on knees).
Another option for you is to sell both cars and to get something newer/new and more suited for your liking and use.

 

[andrew_j]

That's because most of the newer cars are significantly more complex and unreliable. Even the simpler cars like Corolla today has more head gasket problems than before which is typically unheard of in those cars.



Those RX are great too, and if you don't mind the wear and tear in the interior, you can in theory spend 18k refresh it to a mid-life condition and keep driving another 200k easily. So in the end you probably cannot go wrong either way.

The reason for failures is less about complexity more about the supposed great car makers all finally had to modernize their engines and transmissions and are not any better if not worst than other car makers at new designs. Examples include recent Toyota and Honda.

I am floored wife’s first year 2018 VW Tiguan with 225k miles has had significantly less unexpected issues than sisters 2018 Honda CRV 1.5 turbo with 156k that blew head gasket way out of warranty and recently CVT issue.

 

[grasscutter]

You have never taken care of a senior with deteriorating health have you?

Yes. Both my parents. I never wanted them to go to a rest home and they didn't.

 

[riff1006]

My wife has that same year and model Lexus. I'd keep that one. Great vehicle, nary a problem with it and still going strong @ 178K. I'd trust that car to go anywhere!

 

[Lubener]

You have never taken care of a senior with deteriorating health have you?

It's a very difficult job.

 

[TomYoung]

No car is "easily" a 400K car. Expenses will increase for any make or model after 200K.

The low mileage Honda is about the safest decision you will ever make.

That said, if comfort IS the priority, I can see the Lexus as the choice.

Absolute facts. A minuscule fraction of cars go that distance.

 

[robbobster]

I would sell the accord for $18k before the person who made the offer comes to their senses…