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Honda Accord vs Honda Civic

25 messages,  Last post on Jun 08, 2010 at 11:09 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 3

#18 of 25 Please Help Me Decide by diana_elaine

Jun 07, 2010 (9:07 am)

#19 of 25 Please Help Me Decide by diana_elaine

Jun 07, 2010 (9:07 am)

Hiya,
 
I could really use some help form experienced Honda owners, since I've never had one, and am looking at 2 right now, from a local dealer.
 
I need to decide this alone, am 58, and really need a dependable car! Here are my choices:
 
2000 Honda Accord EX - 4 door sedan
Mileage: 99549.00
6 cyl. 3.0 - Automatic
Asking price: $6995.00
 
Alternator has to be replaced (that's being done today)
 
On down the road at 135,000 miles, he suggested the water pump & cerpentine belt $500.00.
 
Here it is: http://www.hondacity-cny.com/inventory/preownedcarsearch.jsp?ptitle=Search%20Inv- entory&listingperpage=25
 
---------------------------------------------------------
 
2001 Honda Civic EX - 4 door sedan
Mileage: 100,000
4 cyl. 1.7 - Automatic
Asking price: $6995.00
 
It's been in an accident, according to dealer, no damage to frame, just bumper (which is being fixed today).
 
Here's this one: http://www.hondacity-cny.com/inventory/preownedcarsearch.jsp?ptitle=Search%20Inv- entory&listingperpage=25
 
----------------------------------------------------
 
He's telling me that the Civic with the 4 cyl. is a better buy .... since that's the engine that made Honda famous for being so durable, etc. Is that true?
 
Says the 6 cyl. isn't as good ... gas wise of course, but also because it's not the original engine of Honda, etc.
 
I don't like the idea of the Civic being in an accident, but how would I really know what damage was done?
 
I have looked at the CARFAX for that car, and it looks like it was in TWO accidents, unless I'm reading it wrong. Here's the carmax for it:
 
http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DSP_0&vin=2HGES26771H5- 21280
 
-----------------------
 
Also, if he's telling me the Accord has to have work done on the water pump and belt, should I tell him I want that done now?
 
---------------------------
 
Here's the CARMAX for the Accord: http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DSP_0&vin=1HGCG165XYA0- 81484
 
Sorry if things aren't in order here ... hope you can keep in all in perspective, when giving advice.
 
Which of the two .. would you consider? How is the 6cyl. engine on the Accords? As dependable as the 4cyl.?
 
How are the prices? Should I get him to come down? My bank has approved me for 6500, so I'd like to get a car down to that if I can.
 
Thanks ever so much for any help you can give.
 
Diana

#20 of 25 Re: Please Help Me Decide [diana_elaine] by tallman1

Jun 07, 2010 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: diana_elaine (Jun 07, 2010 9:07 am)
If you are just looking for reliability, you will probably be fine with either. I would certainly check on the other accident with the Civic though.
 
Your needs should come into play a bit too. If you need a bigger car, then the Accord will be your best bet. I'm sure you have driven both so you can tell how the V6 can move the larger Accord around. The Civic is smaller so the I4 is enough. I doubt if you will see much difference in the reliability of the engines. In reality, both can have issues or last a long time. If the Civic did have some other damage from the first accident, a reliable engine may not matter.
 
I don't know offhand if the Civic used a timing belt on it's engines in 01 but the Accord V6 does for sure... then and now. That may be what the dealer was talking about instead of the serpentine belt. One usually changes the water pump and timing belt at the same time. It's a pricey maintenance item but it's very costly if the timing belt breaks.
 
If you don't need a bigger car, if the accidents were both minor, if you don't mind the maintenance of a black car (I think I noticed that was the Civic color), then the Civic may be the better choice. The I4 is indeed a great engine and should last a long time. If gas mileage is important, the Civic comes out on top too.
 
There are many more folks around here that know price better than I do so maybe someone can be of more help. There is no harm in asking for less, however.

#21 of 25 Re: Please Help Me Decide [diana_elaine] by thegraduate

Jun 07, 2010 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: diana_elaine (Jun 07, 2010 9:07 am)
There are three Accords in my driveway every night; a '96, an '02, and an '06 (all 4-cylinder automatic, 4-door), so I speak from some experience.
 
If it were me, I'd go with the Civic, realistically, for around $5,000-$5,500since it has had a minor accident. V6 Accords had issues with their transmissions from '98-'04. That's not to say every one of them failed, but they were a noteable problem, where Civics didn't have such an issue. I'm an Accord guy, but I'd personally avoid a pre-owned V6 Accord from those years, simply because of the potential for transmission problems being higher than that of a Civic, or a 4-cylinder Accord.
 
Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book are reputable websites to help you determine the rough value of a pre-owned car. It listed the Civic at approximately $5,600 from a private party, in good condition, with 100k miles, for my Birmingham, Alabama Zip Code.
 
Take opinions here (even mine!) with a grain of salt, but I hope you find the site helpful!
 
-TheGraduate

#22 of 25 Re: Please Help Me Decide [tallman1] by diana_elaine

Jun 07, 2010 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: tallman1 (Jun 07, 2010 12:04 pm)
Thanks for replying tallman: I'm not sure how to check the accident any further, unless I can check with the motor vehicle department?
 
I really don't need a larger car .... it's just me and my son right now, and soon will be just me.
I don't drive far .... to grocery store and back, to doctors, etc... so not a big deal for gas mileage.
 
Actually, I've not driven either of them yet ... since the Civic was in the shop and the Accord was going tomorrow. When they're both done and ready, dealer will call me, so I can test drive. He actually tried to get me to put down a deposit today, saying folks who love Hondas, will do that ... sight unseen sometimes, to grab them up. Not sure about that, but I'd never do it, until I drove it, as I've never owned one before.
 
How does one know if the accidents were minor? And what's the maintenance of a black car, as opposed to other colors? I've never had a black car.
 
Also, the Civic had a sunroof I noticed. It looked pretty worn inside, and the Accord looked much cleaner and newer .. but I've found websites that talk of the 00's transmission problems, and they're were allot.
 
Could you tell me what you think of this though ... just ran across it:
 
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Civic/2001/transmission/index.shtml
 
Thanks ever so much!

#23 of 25 Re: Please Help Me Decide [thegraduate] by diana_elaine

Jun 08, 2010 (4:40 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 07, 2010 12:06 pm)
Hi Graduate,
 
So would you go in and test drive, if you liked it ... just offer him $5,500, and see what he says? And if he refuses ... what then? I hate bargaining ... I'd rather not, but I'd also like to get it as low as possible.
 
I'm still really leery of the accident(s) on the Civic ... not just one, but two. I just wish I could find out how to tell what damage was incurred, if there was a way.
 
Oh ... and you gave the 5,500 price for 'private' party, but this is a dealer ... price would be higher, no?
 
And I came across these:
 
http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Complaint/2001/Honda/Civic/Automatic+Transmission-
 
http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/honda/civic/r12079/comments/page-4/
 
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Civic/2001/transmission/transmission_failure.- shtml
 
Thanks for all your insight.

#24 of 25 Re: Please Help Me Decide [diana_elaine] by thegraduate

Jun 08, 2010 (5:40 am)

Replying to: diana_elaine (Jun 08, 2010 4:40 am)
I don't think I realized this was a dealer price.
 
If you hate bargaining, perhaps you can do it via E-Mail? I have haggled this way before and find that it is less awkward when you can choose your words carefully and edit them before you hit send, instead of saying something you shouldn't in a flustered phone call.
 
I'm pressed for time, but tallman won't lead you astray!

#25 of 25 Re: Please Help Me Decide [diana_elaine] by tallman1

Jun 08, 2010 (11:09 pm)

Replying to: diana_elaine (Jun 07, 2010 8:03 pm)
Yeah, I won't lead you astray. How about a nice Chevy Vega?
 
A test drive is crucial and will help you decide. In the meantime, I sure wouldn't stop looking. I don't know if you really want to work with this dealer but I'm guessing you have more options out there. If you are in a hurry, you may not have time to do a lot of searching.
 
Whatever you do on the price, don't let the salesman know that you hate haggling! It never hurts to make an offer, especially if you honestly tell him your budget. I don't think the Civic is worth more than 6500 though.
 
I don't know that much about how carfax works. I'm not sure if you can get any further details out of them. I would at least ask the salesman to provide more info. I think that I remember both cars had just one owner. That kind of caution can sometimes lead to a lower price. Be skeptical.
 
The disadvantage of a black car is that they are hard to keep clean and they show swirl marks easily. If you will take it through a car wash, you may not like how it looks after a couple of years. When they are new and shiny, they look great though.
 
I may not recall the Accord correctly but I thought it was an EX model as well. That means that it has a sunroof too. Leather seats also, right?

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