Well you're married so that changes the equation. If you were single it would be a bit different. What's your plans on kids? How much debt? What's your plans housing wise? If you were single I'd say go for it. I truly regret not trading my 98 Escort in on a 00-01 Miata.. adding a turbo down the line. I almost did that when I moved down to Austin. But I did the responsible thing and kept the Escort for about the same reason's you're keeping the Civic. Now that I'm married with kids of course that's not a option. You don't say how much you drive. Most high performance cars get decent mpg if you stay out of the go peddle. If you want something fun for now and can afford it go for it.. if/when kids comes around sometimes the big boy toys have to go.
Replacing a perfectly good vehicle
- Thread starter rationull
- Start date
- Status
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Well you're married so that changes the equation. If you were single it would be a bit different. What's your plans on kids? How much debt? What's your plans housing wise? If you were single I'd say go for it. I truly regret not trading my 98 Escort in on a 00-01 Miata.. adding a turbo down the line. I almost did that when I moved down to Austin. But I did the responsible thing and kept the Escort for about the same reason's you're keeping the Civic. Now that I'm married with kids of course that's not a option. You don't say how much you drive. Most high performance cars get decent mpg if you stay out of the go peddle. If you want something fun for now and can afford it go for it.. if/when kids comes around sometimes the big boy toys have to go.
Looks like our posts crossed but I answered some of the above in my last post. We "plan" on not having kids but I can't be 100% sure those plans won't change of course. We bought our first house last year and have no debt other than its mortgage.
The funny thing is if we had kids we might want to replace this car anyway since a baby seat in the back is a pain in a 2 door car. The replacement would end up being different most likely, but a hot hatch would make a decent kid car. Although like I said kids aren't in the equation and if they turn out to be, that's at least several years off anyway.
I drive 15k per year or so including commute (12 miles each way) and road trips to visit family. I am capable of driving for good MPG so I figure driving sanely I should be able to get 25 or so in the sort of car I'm talking about here. I'm honestly not all that worried about the difference in cost of ownership after running the numbers on gas and talking to my insurance company. Biggest change percentage wise would most likely be more frequent oil changes on more expensive oils, but I can probably make up for that by watching for sales
Well you're married so that changes the equation. If you were single it would be a bit different. What's your plans on kids? How much debt? What's your plans housing wise? If you were single I'd say go for it. I truly regret not trading my 98 Escort in on a 00-01 Miata.. adding a turbo down the line. I almost did that when I moved down to Austin. But I did the responsible thing and kept the Escort for about the same reason's you're keeping the Civic. Now that I'm married with kids of course that's not a option. You don't say how much you drive. Most high performance cars get decent mpg if you stay out of the go peddle. If you want something fun for now and can afford it go for it.. if/when kids comes around sometimes the big boy toys have to go.
Looks like our posts crossed but I answered some of the above in my last post. We "plan" on not having kids but I can't be 100% sure those plans won't change of course. We bought our first house last year and have no debt other than its mortgage.
The funny thing is if we had kids we might want to replace this car anyway since a baby seat in the back is a pain in a 2 door car. The replacement would end up being different most likely, but a hot hatch would make a decent kid car. Although like I said kids aren't in the equation and if they turn out to be, that's at least several years off anyway.
I drive 15k per year or so including commute (12 miles each way) and road trips to visit family. I am capable of driving for good MPG so I figure driving sanely I should be able to get 25 or so in the sort of car I'm talking about here. I'm honestly not all that worried about the difference in cost of ownership after running the numbers on gas and talking to my insurance company. Biggest change percentage wise would most likely be more frequent oil changes on more expensive oils, but I can probably make up for that by watching for sales
Originally Posted By: rationull
Yes, I understand, and I actually didn't mean that the way it sounded. What I meant was closer to, as FL-400S mentioned, "you can't take it with you." Point taken though.
No worries. Like I said I personallly. No kids?? Smart man.
do what you want.
Sounds like you have things under control. Kids are the financial killers. ..the car is chump change.
Yes, I understand, and I actually didn't mean that the way it sounded. What I meant was closer to, as FL-400S mentioned, "you can't take it with you." Point taken though.
No worries. Like I said I personallly. No kids?? Smart man.
Sounds like you have things under control. Kids are the financial killers. ..the car is chump change.
Last edited:
I got a Civic and wife has an Accord, both boring cars to drive but at the same time they are economical and trouble free, not to mention paid off. We always go to the car show looking at new model cars but never really get bit by the new car bug and new car smell.
How much are you looking to spend on buying the WRX ?
How much are you looking to spend on buying the WRX ?
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
How much are you looking to spend on buying the WRX ?
I haven't run the exact numbers yet but if I were going to do it it would have to come in at about ~20k (or less) out of pocket after trade in. That's with getting them to work in a swap from the stock summer tires to all seasons because it gets cold around here (but no snow).
How much are you looking to spend on buying the WRX ?
I haven't run the exact numbers yet but if I were going to do it it would have to come in at about ~20k (or less) out of pocket after trade in. That's with getting them to work in a swap from the stock summer tires to all seasons because it gets cold around here (but no snow).
I really wish I could get myself to do this because I know I'd have a lot of fun with it. But, I don't think I can. Oh well.
I really wish I'd cross shopped a broader range of vehicles when I bought the Civic 4 years ago...
I really wish I'd cross shopped a broader range of vehicles when I bought the Civic 4 years ago...
Test drive a 2.0L ES Protege. Depending on which Civic you have it can be a good upgrade in driving "entertainment" and you might come out ahead in cash and end up with 4 doors in case kids come into the equation.
Also you could do some autocross with your Civic, then you get to wring it out fully, and compete against similar cars. My bucket of bolts Neon feels a bit "better" for my daily commute since I won our clubs autocross championship this year.
Also you could do some autocross with your Civic, then you get to wring it out fully, and compete against similar cars. My bucket of bolts Neon feels a bit "better" for my daily commute since I won our clubs autocross championship this year.
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
Simple. Get a motorcycle.
That way you get the best of both worlds. You can still be the responsible practical guy while feeding your wild streak.
+1.
I bought a bike and it's killed my urge for upgrading any of my 4 wheeled vehicles. Bikes are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, cheaper to run, and can outperform anything other than the top supercars. And they take skill to master.
Simple. Get a motorcycle.
That way you get the best of both worlds. You can still be the responsible practical guy while feeding your wild streak.
+1.
I bought a bike and it's killed my urge for upgrading any of my 4 wheeled vehicles. Bikes are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, cheaper to run, and can outperform anything other than the top supercars. And they take skill to master.
My brother is going through the same dilemma of replacing a serviceable but very rusty minivan with a new, more fun car. He's looking at hot hatches that have some utility like his minivan has, but far more fun to drive than an old minivan.
I am trying to convince myself not to replace my perfectly good G35 with a new 2011 G37 6MT. I was totally fine with my car (still am really) until my brother came home with his new G37. I only have 110K on my current G which is about half what I normally put on a car but I am tempted. I now officially have the oldest car of anyone in my family including spouses and in-laws. Well except for one older nissan truck.
The big difference for me is that right now I have no car payment, the new G37 would be a pretty hefty payment since I don't want to part with any cash and my current car is worth almost nothing due to the mileage. I could deal with a $300 a month payment but I would have to dig into my savings to get to that point and right now I want to keep as much cash in the bank as I can.
I keep telling myself that my car, although perfectly reliable up to this point, could become a money pit any day. 110K on the original clutch - how much longer can that last? I will need tires soon - $1,200. what if something breaks?
I just need to get through this fever and all will be good in the world again.
I wonder if you can even get a trailer hitch for an '11 G37? That might be a deal breaker.
The big difference for me is that right now I have no car payment, the new G37 would be a pretty hefty payment since I don't want to part with any cash and my current car is worth almost nothing due to the mileage. I could deal with a $300 a month payment but I would have to dig into my savings to get to that point and right now I want to keep as much cash in the bank as I can.
I keep telling myself that my car, although perfectly reliable up to this point, could become a money pit any day. 110K on the original clutch - how much longer can that last? I will need tires soon - $1,200. what if something breaks?
I just need to get through this fever and all will be good in the world again.
I wonder if you can even get a trailer hitch for an '11 G37? That might be a deal breaker.
LOL. I feel your pain man! In a way you're closer to the insanity than I am because you're talking about replacing your car with a newer model of the same. OTOH you have a lot higher mileage than mine and yours is one year older. You talking about a G37 coupe or sedan?
I will not be getting rid of my car anytime soon. The car is paid for, has low mileage, good fuel economy for future gas prices, no electronic nannies and gizmos that will break and most important of all, I STILL LOVE DRIVING IT, despite the slushbox.
But I do avoid new car dealerships and never go for a test drive, I don't want to tempt myself.
This is exactly what car salesman want, impulse buyers. People go in for an oil change and end up buying a new car.
But I do avoid new car dealerships and never go for a test drive, I don't want to tempt myself.
This is exactly what car salesman want, impulse buyers. People go in for an oil change and end up buying a new car.
Another 6mt Sedan. I have a kid so I need the backseat.
I need to put it off for 6 months or so and see if I still NEED it.
I need to put it off for 6 months or so and see if I still NEED it.
- Status
