New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I am able to lease a CR-Z for about 303 a month, plus insurance would be 97 a month. Total of around 400 dollars give or take a few dollars. I currently have a civic as a winter beater that has 228k miles. It is doing fine but I was wondering. for only 400 a month I could have an extremely gas efficient car, that wont break, and that I won't have to fix because it will be under warranty.

Would you do it? I could sell the civic for about 2000 dollars. That would be the first 5 months of 36.

Your opinions/suggestions are welcomed :)

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Id do it, I dont really see the dilemma here actually.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

To each their own, but I personally hate car payments. Even more so if it's a lease where you are left with nothing in the end.

My vote would be towards either keeping the Civic, or buying something you can afford with cash.

That's just me, I hate debt :)

Good luck!!!

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

this. ;)

I think if the civic is more than reliable, keep it. Just imagine if you bought my car! hahaha! Car payments FTL. I'd personally keep the civic and have my $400 bucks a month spent somewhere else. 400 a month for me personally, in my situation could definitely go to bills or goin' towards a project car for sure. good luck Colin :)

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Yeah it would be nice to have the extra 400 a month...

But think of it like the civics tranny or engine went out... Then I would be stuck with a non working car... and out 2000 dollars. Where as if I went with the CR-Z I wouldn't have that extra 400 a month but I would have a car that would always be reliable and if it wasn't I would just take it in and get a rental...

-Colin

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

First off, never lease. If you MUST finance a car then get a traditional loan.

Second, I'd just save up some cash and make a huge down payment on a nice car or even pay for it in cash.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

i personally hope to never have to finance a car. Buy a car you can afford that is reliable enough for you to manage. If you absolutely cannot afford something as reliable enough as you need, then finance. Like mattd said, dont lease unless you have gobs of money and just want a new toy every few years and not have to worry about selling or whatever.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

The general rule is that if your monthly repair bill is over $200 or it causes you to miss work, you're better off making a car payment. That being said, I would almost always say only buy used, because all but a few cars depreciate by thousands the minute you drive away, and that doesn't stop. But with reasonably priced Honda's and Toyota's, it actually does make sense to buy new because they hold their value so well. Just make sure you're getting a ~4.5% rate if you're a 750 credit score or better.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I agree. I bought a 09 Civic new last year (cash) because if you take a look at the prices of the used ones, it isn't too much more. I ended up paying the base price for the second best model due to a shipping error and didn't need to pay new title registration as well. I travel a bit for work and the car will pay for itself a few times over with the reimbursements I receive if I keep it long enough.

Currently, I have 2 DDs (civic and E55). It doesn't make sense for me to keep the E55 with how much more economical my honda is but I just can't bring myself to getting rid of it.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I vote keep the civic. I personally don't really like the CR-Z. It is supposed to be a "sporty" hybrid. It still takes 9 sec 0-60 only gets 39mpg hwy and costs $20k-24k. I would think you would be better off buying a base civic for $16k and getting 36 mpg, might be cheaper to insure as well, hybrid insurance is going to start rising a little. They are also offering .9% financing on the civic for 24-60mo. Much better than leasing!

Autoblog sums up my opinion on this car well....

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

The new CR-Z is unique, but I don't think it's unique enough to warrant me to purchase one unless I was set on buying a hybrid. I've seen a few in person and they do look kind of cool though. I'd probably go after a Civic or Fit instead. Otherwise Hyundai is putting out some decent stuff lately (if you want a cheap and reliable A to B car) and I think the Lancer would probably be the most fun of all the compacts.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I saw that thing at Honda this weekend and the front looks nice but the rest is uuuggly.

You are better off either keeping your old civic or getting rid of that, taking a short term small loan out for a used civic with low miles or something similar and rock it.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I would just keep the civic until it dies then worry about getting a new vehicle.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I honestly have little to no time to fix a broken car. I work 40 hours a week plus have 14 credits of school. I am focused on getting As so I study quite a bit more than normal. I also have drill some weekends, oh and a gf on top that lives in Mankato. That's the reason I thought this might be reasonable to do. I don't really want to take out such a huge loan to buy one and insurance is about the same as a new civic. I called on it today, told them to find me a white, 6 speed, EX(HIDs, better sound, blu tooth, heated mirrors and fog lights) and I will come out and pick it up. I just need to have an extremely reliable car. Not saying the civic isn't, and I love the way the CRZ feels, I don't give a crap if it is slow... It looks nice, gets good MPG and is affordable.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

You could buy a new civic EX for that same price a month almost i'd bet. They offer .9% for 60mo. The payment with 2k down (same as that lease offer) with out haggling the price at all (i bet you could get a good deal on a 2010) would be about $320 a month and you would get to keep the car in the end!

Just saying.

also, I know mini's arent what you're looking at, but another example. They are also offering 0.9% for 60mo, and they also have 3 yrs no cost maintenance.

And if your going to be driving to mankato i would guess often to see your gf. That is gonna add on the miles fast! and you'll end up paying for each mile over the amount you agreed to in the lease! I know someone at work that just had to pay $1500 extra when she turned it in because she went over! She bought a nice used car this time around!

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

A lease does not make a car affordable. Do the math. Go find yourself a certified used Honda with an extended warranty and get a loan.

Read this: http://www.daveramsey.com/index.cfm?...ntItemId=10367

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Hyundai is doing some pretty good stuff with their cars lately. My ex bought a 2004 Elantra and has had no issues with it. My wife also owns a 2004 Elantra and it has been flawless all while getting mid-30's for mpg's. The new ones are not quite as drab as the 2004's were also. They do have one of the best warranties out there as well. Plus, they don't get noticed by cops as the CR-Z might. And definitely don't get targeted as much by thieves as the civics do. Might be something to look closer at before jumping into a new civic. And this is coming from a very die-hard honda fan for reliable vehicles. I put Hyundai into almost exactly the same class as Honda for reliability. Hyundai is just more reasonable on their prices.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Mitsu is offering 0% for 60 months on Lancers (just throwing out more info to go along with Rosey's).

I understand your reasons for wanting a new car that you don't have to worry about. I'm sure the CR-Z will serve you well. You really should look into purchasing it rather than leasing it though. Your lease will cost you nearly $11k over 3 years; with how well Hondas hold their value if you were to just buy the car at current offers then sell it in 3 years you would come out much further ahead.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I should of added the fact that I am not taking out a loan and do not want to be paying for the same car for 60 months...

And it is worth itto me to have a car that will be under warranty. Oh and I also have my miata in case I get even near 36k after three years, which I won't even get close I drive about 8000 a year...

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Oh and I like the options it comes with.

Mini coopers are boring, so are the new lancers and they don't hold their value at all.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

You'll still come out ahead if you finance for 60 months but sell it after 36 vs. leasing for 36 months. Keep us posted on what you do and post pics once you get it.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Please refer to the first sentence of that quote. :)

Thanks

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Why though? Not trying to fight you, just looking for a reason since that's where most people in this thread are lost.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Yea I dont get that either. With the lease, you are basically signing a timed loan with monthly payments. I dont think a lease helps creditwise either, like a real loan would.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

I have too many student loans, I graduate in 2.5 years and will figure out my job situation then.

It's not an option to take out a loan, I like the fact that I can basically pay Honda 300 dollars and have a brand new car I can drive without having to worry about it breaking and fixing it. That being said, I take delivery on a new, 2011 white CRZ EX in 6 weeks :)

:)

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Have fun with your fleece, pissing your money away on your new Stupid Tax and having nothing to show for it in the end.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Have fun driving a played out car!!

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurn

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

1st one to have a white 6 speed in the state that I know of
They just started building the six speeds this week!!!

What up!

-Colin

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

And I didn't think you could get a car more gay than a Miata...

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

FOB car! (fresh off the boat)

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

gay * gay= straight

2 negatives equal a positive right pete?

-Colin

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

No just means you go for double penetration. Gay stable!

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Have fun being in debt up to your eyeballs. :lol:

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

A loan would actually be more debt though. If you keep up with payments on a lease, you have no debt.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Initially, yes, but as time goes on the loan gets paid off but a lease is still a lease and the car is not yours. As Kracka stated, if you kept up on the loan or preferably got ahead in loan payments and sold the car you could come out ahead overall. With leases there is no such thing as getting ahead, you are still spending cash to rent a car.

When you lease a car there is no saying that you will pay for the exact portion of the car that you "use up" because in fact the bank is does not have to disclose the interest rate of the lease. When the lease is up there is no guarantee that the buyout price of the car will be anywhere close to the actual value of the car on top of what you've already paid for.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

If you didn't want to hear, nor accept, any of the advice that 99% of us are giving you, then why even post this thread?

If you honestly work that much, plus go to school that much, plus have military obligations, plus a g/f that takes up what little free time you still have after doing everything you just said you do, plus already have a Miata that you said you can drive, and already have a bit of debt (student loans), then why on earth are you planning on dropping 11k on renting a car for the next 3 years? That 300/month (plus however much you'll be dishing out for full coverage on that) is MUCH wiser spent on your existing debt.

You remind me of my roommate. She sold her old Camry that was starting to have issues here and there. She doesn't have a lot of money, but still bought a new car. Her reasoning being that the old car was becoming too expensive to repair (a valid reason in my eyes). But rather than trying to stay within any sort of means, she went out an bought a brand new Silverado.

If you are on any sort of tight budget (which I get the impression you are), then there so many better options then brand new cars. How about an 06 Hyundai Elantra with 48k miles? You could get a 3 year loan, probably pay less than that lease is, probably have very minimal problems (if any at all at that year/mileage), and you will OWN it after 3 years.

I already am sure you're rebuttal will be "see above post, i don't want a loan/more debt". Which makes no sense to any of us because you won't explain why, yet you accept the idea of monthly lease payments? Wat? If you don't want more debt, why do you accept the idea of a lease?

OK that's enough from me. You obviously had your mind set already when you started this, so nothing we say will persuade you. Enjoy your rental car.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

Because this whole crapola about .9% interest is not .9 for me. It is more like 3-5-6 percent. Depending on where I go. Why would I take out a loan, worsen my credit, pay 300+ a month, and then who knows in 3 years if that car will be worth the same amount as the loan. Then try and buy a house, oh wait my credit sucks, back to square one.

You guys need to start thinking, leases arent a bunch of crap. Certain situations determine the need for them. I personally think "renting" a car is awesome. I don't have to deal with ANY repair bill, and in 3 years I get a new car. Hmm....

We can go more into detail about why I don't want a loan. Trust me it is not because I do not make enough or anything of that sense at all.

Yes elantras are good cars, but how well was that 48k mile car taken care of? Compared to a car with 0 miles on it. I can then only blame myself and not wonder, why shit broke, oh wait I won't have to repair anything just bring it to honda and away they go, while I drive away in a brand new accord/civic/whatever they give me as a loaner.

It is not like I am going beyond my means at all. I am not going out and buying a corvette or something that gets terrible gas mileage. I am getting a cheaper reliable car that has ALL the bells and whistles I want (HIDs, nicer stereo, and heated mirrors) and I don't have to get aftermarket parts and replace things. They are just there. If they break, honda fixes them.

-Colin

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

You're failing to see the big picture, the end game. It's not about the $300 a month, it's about the entire sum of money you will be paying for this car and what you'll have to your name when you're done forking over the money.

If you really truly think that getting a loan and making your payments in full and on time for however many months the loan is for will ruin your credit then may the lord have mercy on your soul.
Cheaper is relative. You want a nice new car with all the gadgets, but you need a cheap, reliable car with good mileage. It's unfortunate that all you're doing is talking yourself into pissing your money away.

Re: New CR-Z or Old civic?
 

[QUOTE=cudvig;358414]I am able to lease a CR-Z for about 303 a month, plus insurance would be 97 a month. Total of around 400 dollars give or take a few dollars. QUOTE]

Make sure to take a good look into your actual price of insurance if you haven't yet. Insurance on my civic is HIGHER than my Viper and my viper is worth twice as much as the honda.

You can be happy for yourself right now, but within the first year of owning it, you will regularly see many of the same exact car on the road... That is what you get for buying a popular brand of car. I see the same exact honda that I have on the road just about every day.

This is funny to hear coming from someone who is getting a honda and thinks his car is unique. :rolleyes: