A real conundrum (may purchase a car)

**Coopers ST** · 03-28-2017, 10:27 AM

A coworker of my wife brought two cars for interior details. She left town on vacation so we have these for a week. While working on a 2001 Honda Civic my wife says I am doing this so she can sell it. She already bought a new car and the dealer offered her $300 for trade in (yes three hundred). So the good. It's a Honda Civic, 4 door, manual, ac, cc, power locks, power mirrors, CD player (I don't even have any, but..)power windows, she is the first owner and has service records, never been in an accident, body is straight but has some scratches and scuffs you would expect with a car as old and miles, garage kept. The bad, almost 200,000 miles, the paint looks to have crows feet.

Why I am thinking, I have a soon to be 14 year old girl. This would be a great car to learn on and drive without fear of hurting our other cars. My Focus ST I think is too fast to learn on. Between now and when she starts to drive my wife or i would drive it on bad weather days.

So what I think is offer her $500, and don't charge for the details. She would be up $200 from the dealer, and she wouldn't pay for the details on either car.

We have till till Sunday when she comes back.

**Hammer77** · 03-28-2017, 10:38 AM

I would jump on that, even if you don't keep it, you will still make some coin!

**dcjredline** · 03-28-2017, 10:54 AM

I would buy that anyday, I am in the same situation as you are with my daughter being 14 now and I want her to learn to drive stick too. Sounds like a great deal for you.

**Sicoupe** · 03-28-2017, 11:09 AM

Sounds like a great deal.

**oneheadlite** · 03-28-2017, 11:15 AM

Sounds like a solid deal to me. Nice reliable car to learn on. My wife had a '97 Civic Ex and it was a great car. As an auto tech by trade, I appreciated never having to do anything to it. Make sure the services have been done like valve adjusts, I think they can cause trouble if skipped.

If you get it, I'd be sure to keep it exercised in the interim while it waits for your daughter, cars generally don't like sitting. But for the price, definitely worth having around!

**Coopers ST** · 03-28-2017, 12:22 PM

A real conundrum (may purchase a car)-img_4564-jpg

A real conundrum (may purchase a car)-img_4565-jpg

A real conundrum (may purchase a car)-img_4566-jpg

Here she is

**LSNAutoDetailing** · 03-28-2017, 12:52 PM

200K on that car is no big deal at all. IMO I'd offer her what you propose.

**Don M** · 03-28-2017, 12:57 PM

Do it mon, do it.

200K on a Honda isn't all that unusual. I agree that the daughter should learn to drive stick as well.

**Jaretr1** · 03-28-2017, 01:11 PM

The fact its a manual will give your daughter a leg up on learning how to drive. Most teens never learn how to drive a manual anymore. While its high mileage, if the timing belt had been changed (probably should have been changed twice by now), that engine probably can keep going for a while. And those Honda's were very popular so parts are plentiful. And for $500? what do you really have to lose?

Do it and you might find yourself driving it more than the Focus! (ok maybe not)

**WillSports3** · 03-28-2017, 01:59 PM

Civic manuals will last forever so jump on it. Plus if it's got failing clear coat, you got an experiment car. Your idea is right, giving a learning driver a fast car is at best a body shop trip waiting to happen.