Guess it's time to get another car

DH drove my soon-to-be-16-year-old car today (the car is now old enough to get her driver's license!!!!). He's a former mechanic, and knows a lot about cars. He said that the transmission bands are loosening, and, on my make of car, they can't be tightened by a mechanic. (They are self-tightening.)  He spoke to his Dad, who has owned a truck repair business all of his life, so he knows a lot about repairs; he agrees with DH.

I probably should think about buying another new or used car. I hate to see Sionnach go (Celtic for "Fox"--yes, I named the car). I actually cried a bit when he told me.  I had planned to keep it until it died, but it would cost at least $1000 to fix it, and each inspection, it's another $300-1000 bill to pass inspection.  I love my little red car. It was my first new and reliable car, and my life opened up when I bought it--I traveled, went to reenactments states away, etc.  I haven't had a car payment for nearly 13 years, and my insurance is low. I can't complain, though--16 years is a long time for a cheap car!

I thought about a used car, but, in my price range, they are not good makes and are 6-7 years old.  I'm thinking about a (new) 2012 Honda Civic XL.  Most of the user reviews on various sites are very good. It seems to be a good, basic, reliable car. I don't care about appearance, interior, etc.  Consumer Reports said it was awful. Does anyone have experience with this car? Thanks.

I have a 1999 Honda Civic and it's never given me one bit of trouble. I'm almost afraid to get a new vehicle, LOL. But I do want a Subaru Forester.

I thought Consumer Reports always says that Civics are great?

A few of my friends have the more recent Honda Civic's and complain about their battery. I'd trust Consumer Reports, honestly (as long as they give good reason).

If you're a member of AAA or Costco, speak with them as well.

Eh, if the battery is the only problem, no big deal. I prefer to replace the battery anyway; the ones they give you from the dealership are usually crummy in any vehicle. Batteries are cheap, even the good ones.

I'm going to find the Consumer Reports car issue; I always thought they were fans of Civics. Unless something happened to the 2012 model.

http://www.hondaproblems.com/Civic/

http://www.hondaproblems.com/problems/

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Civic/2012/

Type-honda-civic-complains,in-your-search-engine,a-ton-of-stuff-comes-up,these-are-just-some-of-them.I-have-no-personal-knowledge-about-Honda's.

l know people who buy a new Honda Civic every 4 years, l've never known them own anything else.

Up until 4 years ago, l had fought buying any foreign car. Then l bought my 2002 Accord EX (sight unseen, from the States - l'm in Canada, through Ebay!!).

l would never go back to a domestic now, l love this car. l'm a Honda fan all the way.

Everyone I know that has a Honda of any type loves it.  I don't know if it's still true but at one time it was really important to get the timing belt replaced at the age and mileage recommended.  All car engines can be destroyed when the timing belt breaks but the Honda used to be particularly bad for it.  If you keep up with periodic replacements though it won't be a problem.

I'm also considering a Subaru Impreza sedan:

http://autos.aol.com/cars-Subaru-Impreza-2013/photos/  (in that deep red color). Subarus are supposed to be quite good, basic cars, with all-wheel drive (nice for the snowy hills here).  It's only about $300 more than the Civic. I kinow several friends who have various Subaru products, and DH once had a Brighton, and they loved them. Has anyone ever had an Impreza? Thanks!

My husband drives a civic which we bought new around 4 years ago or so. He's happy with it. The gas mileage is great. Maintenance and repairs can be pricy though.

Our DIL loves her Civic. It's her second Civic and she loves it as much as she did her first. DS drives a Honda Pilot and he's really happy with that one, too. We looked at the CRV when we were car shopping back in 2011.

I hear you about your old car. Our Clarence (the Cruiser) will be 12 and I didn't have the heart to trade him in when we bought Hannah, (the Hyundai Tucson)  in 2011. In fact, I cried when we talked about it. When Rick asked me if I wanted another car, I said No, because I wasn't ready to give up Clarence. Rick said we could keep him and we both still like to drive him during the summer....he's much better on gas mileage than the Tucson. Since Rick drives a Tundra, Clarence helps him keep more of his gas money, too. And besides, I just couldn't trade him in. He is the first car that I utterly fell in love with in all the years I've been driving.

We just took Clarence to the garage for some brake work.....he needed new front brakes. And this spring, he's going to need 4 new tires, too. I consider tires regular maintenance; all cars need new tires at some point. (And brake work, too, really.) But for the last three years, other than regular oil changes and tire rotations, he's not needed a thing. You can't beat that, especially for an older car. I won't give him up yet; there's really no need to.

I talked to his mechanic last night; he said we'd driven Clarence about 4,000 miles in 2012. So we still do drive him around town. I won't drive him any long distance anymore, but he's great to tool around town. And I love shifting his gears!

dont talk to me about old cars, mine is very nearly the same age as me (all but a few months) 1982 austin metro, i bet all you guys in the usa have no idea what that is, but its a small very bitish little 3 door hatch back. everyone had one, including lady dianna!

its 31 in a few months, and its in truly top condition, i wouldnt be without it.

jezmondo69 said:

dont talk to me about old cars, mine is very nearly the same age as me (all but a few months) 1982 austin metro, i bet all you guys in the usa have no idea what that is, but its a small very bitish little 3 door hatch back. everyone had one, including lady dianna!

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When we lived in Scotland we had an Austin Metro. It was because of that car that DH and I got together!

We're car shopping now too. DH is quite keen on the Toyota Matrix and Nissan Versa. Me, I just want something reliable.

As for Hondas, everyone I know who has one loves it. My sister had a lot of problems with her Odyssey battery though.
I loved my Subaru Forester (unfortunately died last year when the timing belt broke) and would recommend a Subaru, especially if you have snowy winters. The downside with those are the fuel efficiency isn't as good as Hondas though.