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Hey all,

I bought a 1998 Civic EX about 6 years ago with 70k miles on it. I'm now at 135,660 and for the most part it's served me well. Had to replace the hood latch assembly and now just this week the fuel ignition coil had to be replaced to the tune of $613. (Dealership also replaced the distributor cap and spark plugs).

So my question is: Does it make more sense, since the vehicle is paid off, to just drive it into the ground and make repairs as necessary because the engine etc... will last another 40k miles? Or does it make more sense to trade it in now while it still has some value? I did the Kelly blue book survey yesterday and they estimated the value to be about $2,200.

What are you experiences with over-all maintenance costs and the life of this model car in general? I'm torn as to what the smart move is.

Thanks!

Vinz

 
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Hey Vinz, I'm gonna tell you the same thing I tell all my friends and relatives: Why get into another debt when you've just come out of one? Doesn't make sense to me.

I don't know your financial background, and age but from my experience it's better to be in debt for $2000 to fix a car than to be in debt for $30K (new car). And with the way the economy is right now, you just never know when you'll need that extra money. A lot of my friends believed their jobs were secured and everything is going great so they spend, spend, and spend. But then their company was bought out and they were eventually laid off.

And I've seen people's cars repo'd because they no longer could afford the car payments. Whereas if one was to keep their "paid off" car it would not have been a problem. Then again if the car is constantly breaking down, and you're having to replace the same thing over and over again...maybe an used car might be better. Or if you have money to burn (pay the entire loan in full) then go for it. But from the sound of it, I don't think you do. You may be better off learning to replace the parts yourself which can save you tons of money. For example, check out how much I saved: Click me

My sister & brother-in-law recently traded in their 98 Honda Accord (no problems with the car...just a lot of miles) because it's getting old and they wanted the highest resale value possible before it goes lower. That, and they just recently paid off one of their cars. I told them, that makes no sense. You got out of debt just to get into another debt? WTF? Why not use that money towards a house or stuff that you really need.

I just don't get people. They complain about what they don't have or wish they had yet if you look at their expenses...that's where all the problem lies. They have poor budgeting skills.

Sorry for the rant. I'm a budget geek. I should become a financial planner. LOL!

 
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+3 Keep.

Now for sure it will start to require more maintenance from now on, but the math still comes on on top by keeping it.

Only reason(s) to change: (1)You are tired of it (2)Oil leak, a good puddle under the floor each night. (3)Engine starts making a noise that nobody knows where it's coming from.

Ppl say "Enjoy your New Car!" I say "Bless those old cars for they are paid, already-dent so u don't have to obsess about its appearance up-keeping, and of course you already took the collision coverage out because, hey! hit me I don't care!

 
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Hey, what happened to Noobkiller's posts? All two of them? They got deleted? Was he banned? LOL!

 
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I would say get a new car and sell the old one while it's still running lol. It's the American way!

 
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I think this guy is the reincarnation of NoobKiller.

 
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Huh?

 
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