Would it be smarter to buy an older, used Honda or a new American car?

I have had nothing but luck with Hondas. I love them. They are runners. AND everybody I know who has had them says the same. I would go for the Honda. My in-laws by american and have nothing but problems.

I should point out that I know very little about cars other than my experience of use.

I’d go with the Honda Civic. Although I have to say the European model (3 door hatchback, especially the Type R variant) is better looking than the US one.

I’d go for the Honda. I got into a major accident with an ‘07 Honda Civic last year (a truck hit me on the driver’s side, and I escaped without a scratch, though the car was totaled. They’re not glamorous but they’re reliable. Although if money is a serious factor you’d be more likely to get great incentives from American manufacturers given the current market.

its all personal preference really. german, japanese american, a car will be a car no matter where its made, it will get you to point b.

this question is on a case by case car by car basis…

from my expirence and research however, ive found that toyota, mazda, and nissan are the better car companies for general lower to mid class price ranges. find an older mazda 3 and it will do everything your little hatch back civic could ever dream of, more effectively. (have driven both cars personally in multiple model years… sorry but that little 1.8 litre engine isnt gonna cut it at all.)

It’s really two questions: Is it smarter to buy and old car versus new? I say ‘yes’ because the resale value doesn’t drop as fast for a used car. My approach is to buy a 4-year-old or so car that I don’t have to finance to afford. Then I expect to spend a budgeted amount for maintenance each year instead of paying a lease or car payment.

The other question, should you buy Honda vs. American. Currently I would buy a Honda. GM and Ford are both saying that’s based on old information, but I would tend to wait and see. So lets see how these wonderful new Impalas are doing four years from now.

Every American car (all Fords) I’ve owned died at 10-years/150,000 miles [dead means the engine or transmission failed in a manner that would cost more than finding a used replacement]. I’m at that point with my first Honda. If croaks, I’ll change my mind.

My major complaint about the Honda is that the sun visor is disintegrating.

I am on my second Honda and love it. The american cars I had did not last like the Hondas. My first Honda had 110,000 miles on it before I had to start putting a little money into it maintence-wise. The american cars needed maintence around the 60,000 mile mark. By maintence, I mean starters, alternators, brake boots, etc.

Take the Honda. Even used, they are the more reliable choice, they retain their value, and if you take care of them there really is no way to kill them (mechanically, anyway).

Go with the Honda, you’ll be more satisfied. You won’t take the hit on taxes, title, licensing, or depreciation. Plus, they are highly reliable and safe cars. I love my CRV, it’s safer tthan other SUVs and is easy to drive. It would be difficult to convince me to buy an American engineered car again.

Here’s another vote for the Honda!!

Unless you like the Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan, get the Honda.

Go with the Civic. You cannot go wrong with a Honda. The only reason my mother got rid of our last Honda was because it was so old it didn’t have air conditioning. Otherwise, we’d probably still have it.

Was your wife in the car when it got hit? If so, is she all right?

I know this isn’t exactly what you asked, but after my ‘03 Civic was totaled I got an ‘05 Mazda 3 and I love the crap out of it. It’s almost as good on gas (although not quite) but waaaaaay more fun. I only have about 85k miles on it but have never had any problems of any kind.

HONDA!

I have had luck with American cars that have lasted well over 100,000 miles. The big thing is to never let the dummy lights come on. Change your oil and fluids when they are up and make sure you keep up with the belts and general care.
Honda is fine too but keep in mind that if you buy new you also get a warranty that come with it.
I own one American truck (73 Ford), one Toyota (06 Prius) and one Audi (05 S4). I don’t have problems with any of them.

wow…..

i really must be on the wrong website….
i think hondas suck something fierce, only one id drive would be the 98–02 accord.

@katawa She is fine. The accident wasn’t at all her fault. The only reason the car was totaled is because it was an old, American, POS car.

No matter what, I am going to have a car payment. However, if something unforseeable occurs and I need to sell it, the older Honda would probably sell for more than a newer American car.

I really don’t care about cars. One is just as good as another in my opinion. I’m just nervous because this is the first time in my life that I am ever going to finance a car. And aside from student loans, it’s the most amount of money I will have ever borrowed. I just want to make sure I am putting that money towards the best possible car.

wow, no

that was the dumbest thing i think ive heard in a while…..

older honda, i can buy one for 5k even if i dont know how to haggle

you go out and buy a 16k cobalt turn around in 3 years and sell it youll still get about 7 to 9 grand.

the honda in the same time frame will prolly drop to 4g’s

I got $4,000 on my 2000 Honda Accord in 2007. My sister in law couldn’t get that much on her 2000 ford explorer at the same time, only $2,500 and she had much less mileage. Not sure where you are getting your figures Fallenangel.

No offense to either of you, but let’s just stick to the question.

@Fallenangel if you are going to call me an idiot, then spell it right, but this isn’t the forum to call people names that disagree with you

@Fallenangel: Chyna was comparing the resale value of the two cars manufactured the same year. She did imply the Ford was new at all.

Secondly, Fluther is a site for civilized discourse. Even when disagreements become heated, we are respectful of each other. No name calling – or get the hell off the site.

As for the question, I am on my third Honda with no complaints. Two of them were Civics that we drove into the ground. I got 10 years, over 200k miles out if each of them and never brought them in for a single tune up (and only about 3 oil changes). They are indestructable.

@Fallenangel: Just curious – did you end your last response by crushing a beer can on your head?

@Fallenangel get the hell off the site if you can only make rude comments to people. That is not what this forum is for. We all have opinions and they are to be respected.

[Mod says]: Flame off please. There is no need to call each other names, you are all old enough to control yourselves and respect other peoples’ opinions.

With all do respect. You never compared two cars. You compared an SUV and a small car. Of course the cars resale value is more. It also costs more new. American cars are fine if you are not buying crap. Good luck withyour purchase.

I’d go with the Honda. They’re more American than you may think. I apologize if anyone gave a very similar answer, I didn’t get to this until there were a lot of responses and didn’t feel much like reading them all.

@Random…: I heard they had a manufacturing plant in Ohio. Is this true?

yes, it is true, I have friends that work there.

Random sold me. Honda it is.

Oh by the way, I have a Honda Civic 03 that I bought in 2005….still working great, and I have over 100k miles now. No failures yet. I’m glad I could help =)

Cool, now I lurve my Hondas even more.

I had a 1985 honda crx stick that I just verified is still running great. I miss that car. I bought it in 93 in SanFrancisco. I could park anywhere.

I recomend getting a used Honda or Saturn, they will run forever around American dealer’s.

Update: I bought a 2005 Mini Cooper S. I absolutely LOVE it! Thanks for all the advice.

lol wtf?

Haha, that’s great. I hear those are amazing on gas mileage, is that true?

Yes, great gas mileage, super safe, and sooo fun to drive. People in another thread are saying borrowing money for a car is bad, but I can afford the loan payment.