Author Topic: Which car would you choose to buy?  (Read 7178 times)

Giro

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Which car would you choose to buy?
« on: January 16, 2015, 09:31:07 AM »
I am looking at both cars.  Which would you go for? 

09 Honda Civic Manual Transmission.  51K miles.  Does have a rebuilt title after an accident.  This is a coupe and I do have a 9 year old child so a bit of a struggle getting in and out of the backseat but nothing I haven't been doing for the past 2 years.  $8500

07 Honda Fit Sport Manual Transmission 63K miles.  $7990

I imagine I can get both down another $500 in price. 

Giro

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2015, 09:50:21 AM »
I also found a 2010 Honda Insight with a rebuilt title.  The owner gave me pics of the accident and it really was only cosmetic and no frame or engine damage at all.  He had the body repaired and is selling it for $8300.


schimt

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2015, 10:01:45 AM »
I would go for the fit that wasn't in an accident. No idea if there is frame damage ect. even if it was "rebuilt"

neo von retorch

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2015, 10:03:01 AM »
I'd buy the Fit, though my personal reasons may differ from yours.
  • The Fit works better for me as a 6'2" man. Oddly the Civic driver's seat feels very cramped.
  • The Fit is very light and fun to drive. Not a big difference from the Civic but my preference.
  • I like to help people, move stuff, etc. You can put an amazing amount of stuff and large stuff in a Fit.
  • The miles on these cars is close and the Fit is cheaper. It'll be easier to resell if it ever comes to that.

Also, I *did* buy the Fit. I got an 08 Sport Manual with 56K miles on it back in July :) I paid a little more than $8k, too - I'm jealous.

southern granny

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2015, 04:31:16 PM »
I also found a 2010 Honda Insight with a rebuilt title.  The owner gave me pics of the accident and it really was only cosmetic and no frame or engine damage at all.  He had the body repaired and is selling it for $8300.
I wouldn't think that an accident with only cosmetic damage would have a rebuilt title.  Must have been a lot of cosmetic damage.

gimp

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2015, 04:34:32 PM »
Not the rebuilt unless you're a mechanic and can easily spot issues.

Mr. Frugalwoods

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2015, 06:57:20 PM »
People with rebuilt titles always have stories.  Some of them are even true...

Janie

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2015, 07:02:00 PM »
I've had both a Civic and a Fit. Prefer the Fit.

SaintM

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2015, 07:40:24 PM »
Some insurance companies won't cover a rebuilt. If they do, expect to pay big bucks. The assumption is that the rebuilt suffered structural damage and is unsafe.

dunhamjr

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2015, 08:28:32 PM »
I would go for the Fit as well.

Lmoot

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2015, 11:45:33 PM »
I'd keep looking for a certified used Honda Accord, if it's a car you plan on keeping for a while. It's roomy enough for kids, and not that much more than a coupe.

alsoknownasDean

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2015, 02:09:09 AM »
Why would you consider that Civic over the Fit? The Fit sounds more suitable for your needs and cheaper.

raylit20

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2015, 09:59:10 PM »
Why would you consider that Civic over the Fit? The Fit sounds more suitable for your needs and cheaper.
I will echo alsknownasDean's recommendation, and add that the Fit will typically cost less over it's lifetime than a Civic.

GeneralJinjur

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2015, 11:38:45 PM »
My dad has an 09 Civic coupe.  My 5'6" 13yo is uncomfortable in the backseat and the 10yo who hasn't even broken 5 feet is getting there quickly.  Go for the 4 door Fit with more leg room in the back and the non-rebuilt title. 

southernhippie

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2015, 06:25:48 AM »
Easy decision.

get the fit.  more room and mpg is almost the same

TheThirstyStag

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2015, 12:30:01 PM »
Another vote for the fit.  I've had rebuilt cars for many years, but only because it was repaired by myself and family, so I know the extent of damage.

Props to you for going for a manual, too!  Best way to make cars with small engines infinitely more fun

capital

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2015, 06:51:41 PM »
A hatchback is a lot more useful than a coupe. You can stuff it full of bikes and Craigslist furniture and lumber, and sleep in it when you go camping. So, Fit.

M2 pilot

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2015, 07:12:51 PM »
I believe the criteria for a rebuilt title varies from state to state.  Not sure about this but I believe that some states label the title "salvage" instead of rebuilt.  I think I'm correct that at least in NC a car automatically gets a salvage title if an airbag is deployed or if there is flood damage.  In some cases a car may get a salvage title if it's insured & wrecked & the $ needed to repair said car exceeds a certain percentage of the cars value. I believe that most if not all insurance companies won't sell collision insurance for a rebuilt or salvage titled car.

roadtofreedom

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2015, 12:49:37 AM »
Without doubt, I'd choose Honda.

Cheaper, less miles and with more space


Giro

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Re: Which car would you choose to buy?
« Reply #19 on: January 20, 2015, 07:56:49 AM »
Well, I ended up repairing my Accord instead.  $500 and I'm back on the road.

I swore I would not put another penny into that car, but alas, I caved.  I think I found an honest and decent auto mechanic tho.  And for that, I'm very grateful.