New or Used: The Last Temptation of The Honda Civic

Ryan writes (again):

Ryan from Chicago again. My fiancé is currently driving a 2006 Civic Sedan that she loves. It was bought by her parents in cash 5 years ago. It has 55K hard miles on it. As a car that gets driven around the city a lot, it is starting to show some wear and tear, but obviously has a lot of life left.

Her father is someone who lies to replace cars every 3-5 years, so in his mind the Civic is due for an upgrade. I don’t see the need for the change, but this will be like a free new car for a wedding present.

Now the question: Is there a better car out there for my fiancé than a new Civic. Here is what she loves about the car; it is small, it has 4 doors, it has cloth seats, it has a small steering wheel. That’s it. Knowing her father, he will only buy new and the budget is between $15K and $22.5K

With the wedding a few months away, any and all input is much appreciated.

Sajeev Answers:

I’m a big fan of brand loyal people staying that way. That said, if you bought one of the countless heaps of crap from every automaker and feel the need to leave, that’s more than cool: that’s the beauty of living in our capitalist utopia. Sludgy Toyotas, anything VW for the past decade, decades of hit or miss Detroit sedans, etc. are all good reasons to bail on your lover. No judgments here!

But come on, this is a Honda Civic: a legendary car that has either excited people to no end (V-TEC, son!) or provided a nearly perfect small car ownership experience for everyone else. Either way, why on earth would you mess with a good thing?

More to the point, as the son-in-law, don’t say a critical word about Daddy’s gift. Pick your battles for something more important, like the size of the flat screen TV in your rumpus room or how much time you can spend partying with your homeboys on a Saturday night. Done.

Steve Says:

“My fiancé is currently driving a 2006 Civic Sedan that she loves. It was bought by her parents in cash 5 years ago. It has 55K hard miles on it.”

I am sure the anger brigade will be out in force thanks to just these two sentences alone. They will be absolutely right in all their self-righteous glory. But perhaps there is a bigger lesson here.

Do you know much about cars? I’m not talking about what your read in the monthly mags or at TTAC. I’m asking if you know how to check your fluids. Change the air and oil filter. All the simple stuff that most folks aren’t taught.

The fiance may not know these things. If you do, and she is willing to learn, everyone may benefit from it. Why? Because financial independence begins and ends with all the little pearls of wisdom inside your head. Teach her a few things and perhaps you may learn something as well.

Her folks have done more than enough to help. The Civic is an exceptional car and any improvement you get by dumping $20 large on another vehicle will be minimal. If the folks are hellbent on spoiling the love of your life, let them dedicate the money towards a down payment on a house. But better yet, take a look at a book called ‘The Millionaire Next Door’. You’re in the death throes of ‘Economic Outpatient Care’ and even the wealthiest young couples can become debtful lifestyle addicts with little in savings.

Need help with a car buying conundrum? Email your particulars to mehta@ttac.com, and let TTAC’s collective wisdom make the decision easier… or possibly much, much harder. In a rush? Don’t be shy about asking to cut in line.