Daily Driver/Commuter dilemma....Help

Mojorator · 27 July 2005

Hello All...I need some help deciding on what car to get to replace my aging commuter.

I have a 1997 Accord with about 120K miles on her and she is still doing good, but I have this itch for a NEW CAR SMELL... BTW She is Owned/No car note.

My Lady has a 2000 Infiniti QX4 that she does not want to get rid of.

I also have a 96 NSX-T that I just recently purchased...

Basically I don't have any car notes, and probably would not like having one again and really I'm in NO position to buy a NEW car outright..So Payments will have to be made.

Leasing is also not an option as I drive 95 miles ONE WAY to work 3-4 times a week...

If I do decide to trade the 97 Accord in, I would probably get around 3K for it..

What should I do???

Keep the Accord and drive it till it dies?? Or bite the bullet and get another commuter (Budget is between 22-26K) to satisfy this NEW CAR SMELL itch??

Thanks
Mike

0ctan3 · 27 July 2005

ok, the easiest and most obvious solution here is to sell the accord, and put the money towards your tire/oil change/clutch budget for the now "daily driver" NSX.
If you have to drive 200 miles a day regularly, it's the only way to go :biggrin:

or, keep the accord. Drive it into the ground. Whenever you've got that "itch" and the weather's nice, whip off the NSX cover.

otherwise, I think your dilemma might be unsolvable!

whiteNSXs · 27 July 2005

I believe there is a product on the market that you can just spray inside the car to restore that new plastic/carcinogens/leather smell. With that I think you should be able to fulfill that new car smell itch and save a ton of money.
Steve

NSXDreamer2 · 27 July 2005

I have a modified 95 Accord, you know the typical upgrade whatever I can upgrade but not getting too overbored with a hint of ricey stuff (hey it's supposed to cool when it was at 1999

) I always wonder if I should sell it and get an EG civic or an AE86. Now if you thinking your 97 accord only worths 3k, it must be in pretty crappy condition, no?

The only complaint i have with my accord is it being an automatic. But I can assure you that if you ever step over to the dark side of modifying your nsx and smoking the go-fast-crack-pipe to the track, you will soon find out that whatever you do to improve your nsx, you are taking something away from the nsx practicality... In that case, at some certain point, you will just wish you have a 'beater' car that you are not as attached emotionally.

My first year, almost noone seeing me driving the accord, so it stay in the garage. This is the second year, and I started driving the accord more, maybe a little more than half of the time. Everyday stop and go traffic is no fun in nsx, and all i do is letting it collecting dust at my work place.

There's nothing wrong to buy an used TL, G35, 3 series or the likes for everyday car. But I will guessed that the money could be far better used for modifying nsx, or spending some money for taking it to track.

JMHO.

Mojorator · 27 July 2005

NSXDreamer2 said:
I have a modified 95 Accord, you know the typical upgrade whatever I can upgrade but not getting too overbored with a hint of ricey stuff (hey it's supposed to cool when it was at 1999 ) I always wonder if I should sell it and get an EG civic or an AE86. Now if you thinking your 97 accord only worths 3k, it must be in pretty crappy condition, no?

The only complaint i have with my accord is it being an automatic. But I can assure you that if you ever step over to the dark side of modifying your nsx and smoking the go-fast-crack-pipe to the track, you will soon find out that whatever you do to improve your nsx, you are taking something away from the nsx practicality... In that case, at some certain point, you will just wish you have a 'beater' car that you are not as attached emotionally.

My first year, almost noone seeing me driving the accord, so it stay in the garage. This is the second year, and I started driving the accord more, maybe a little more than half of the time. Everyday stop and go traffic is no fun in nsx, and all i do is letting it collecting dust at my work place.

There's nothing wrong to buy an used TL, G35, 3 series or the likes for everyday car. But I will guessed that the money could be far better used for modifying nsx, or spending some money for taking it to track.

JMHO.

Fortunately for me, the NSX was purchased as a DREAM COME TRUE rather than track/race go fast etc... So Im pretty satisfied with the way it is now. Although the NSX is going to be used as a Demo "Audio" vehicle, thats probably the most mod it will ever get.

The Accord is what KBB says it is worth... I'd love to have a G35 or TL, but as a depreciating item, I can't justify paying that much on a "Newer" car.

I just want something that is still nice that will have many many miles put in it..I'm actually considering a used 2001-2002 5series or a latr model 3 series.

Mike

Dave Hardy · 27 July 2005

Your accord has not even reached half it's useful life yet. The financially smart thing is to ignore the new car lust and keep driving what's paid for.

I find that when I'm getting bored with a car then I can generally do a mod or 2 and it keeps me happy for a while, and is far cheaper than a payment.

Mojorator · 27 July 2005

Dave Hardy said:
Your accord has not even reached half it's useful life yet. The financially smart thing is to ignore the new car lust and keep driving what's paid for.

I find that when I'm getting bored with a car then I can generally do a mod or 2 and it keeps me happy for a while, and is far cheaper than a payment.

Good point sir...Maybe I'll get wheels/tires for it.. :biggrin:

transdzn · 29 July 2005

Keep the Accord! Its way under 150,000 Miles!!! I'd say do a upkeep with maintenance and any cosmetics. It's nice to have a clean, and reliable commuter to drive w/o the worries of putting to many miles on it.

With the extra money, buy your lady a dozen roses and a nice dinner. Life's great without payment.

Vizal

NsXMas · 30 July 2005

Keep the Accord.

NSXLuvr · 2 August 2005

Another vote for keeping the Accord.

ccns23 · 2 August 2005

I'll play devil's advocate here. I say get a new car. A new Accord or TSX is in that price range.....Go for it!! :biggrin:

Hiroshima · 2 August 2005

Had 228k on a legend before I sold it, worked great and is still running strong.
Had 168k on another legend before I sold it, worked great and is still running strong.
Had 140k on an 89 accord, same story as above.

Suffice to say, you can get a lot more miles out of your honda with little additional outlay.

I just got rid of a perfectly good legend. I could have kept driving it but it was buggin me and my wife wanted to get a new car, and I don't need 4 cars in a 2 driver household.

Am I happy that I dumped a reliable car and now drive something nicer? Yes.
Was it financially wise? Hell No!

Would I do it again? Probably.

I derive a lot of pleasure from owning and playing with cars. Pure financial logic would tell me that I am loosing money (I already KNOW that I am). However, what *value* do I attribute to enjoying what I drive? Although these are 'soft dollars' I rationalize that I am not simply loosing money. I am spending it on my enjoyment.

My advice would be this: If you are already saving for your financial future, and you have excess funds (emphasis on excess), and adding a car payment is *not* a burden (just an annoyance) then consider buying. If not keep the accord.

Daily Driver/Commuter dilemma....Help

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