I currently have a 2004 Honda Civic with 138k miles. It's on the MMM Top 10 cars for smart people list, but I must have a lemon. Let me back up. I replaced the timing belt at 110k at a local shop as preventative maintenance. One month after the warranty expired the timing belt tensioner broke and required a $2000 head rebuild from the dealer.
Two months after that warranty expired the tensioner broke again. This time I took it to an independent shop and it cost $1400 for the head rebuild. Everybody says this should never happen, but it's the second time on this car.
I've been looking for a white hatchback with a manual transmission and no timing belt off and on for the last year. Since the Civic was in the shop 3 weeks ago I've renewed my interest. I like the Fit, but the resale value on them is so high. My second choice is the Matrix/Vibe. I found a 2009 Vibe with 39k miles and one owner for $12k. It has every option I'd get if I were to buy a new car.
I was offered $3k for the Civic trade in. I think I can easily sell it private party for $4k.
I don't really NEED a new car. I'm trying to increase my baddassity and phase out car use as much as practical. Could lightning strike the Civic a third time? Is the Vibe likely to lower my travel expenses for the next 10 years, or is it nothing but a shiny new toy that I want?
A little about me. I don't currently have a wife or kids to haul around, but would like to someday. I payed cash for the Civic and would pay cash for any replacement. All of my past cars I've bought in the $3k to $7k range and would sell them after a few years for within $1k of what I bought them. I don't currently have the space to work on my own car, so that isn't as good of an option now.