by "Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
Published 05/09/2017 at 22:44
by "Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
Published 05/09/2017 at 22:44
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STARS: 1
So I’ve been grappling with the whole idea of trading in my financed Accord with the CVT and my brain just keeps running in circles. Buy something close to the value of my Accord like a Civic Si, but something older like a 8th gen Si or RSX, buy a Miata...
I guess I like the idea of getting out from under a loan sooner, really want to but a manual ever since buying, fixing and selling the $500 manual Saturn. Sometimes I think I should just live with the Accord (there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, I like it but don’t love it), but I just keep thinking about it. What say you Oppo? What’s with my fixation on needing a manual; too much time on jalopnik? Should I find a new hobby? Should I buy something interesting?
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
05/09/2017 at 23:01, STARS: 0
Why not a manual accord sport? I really want to test drive one because I love the look, and as a daily driver I feel like it would be a cool ride.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/09/2017 at 23:04, STARS: 0
If you have the space and can afford it, keep the Accord and get a second car that you can tinker with. Tinkering with your daily driver can be stressful if you only have the weekend to work on it (or take it to the track) and it has to be ready for work Monday morning.
If you had fun with the Saturn, find yourself another $500 to $1,000 car and have fun with it!
"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
05/09/2017 at 23:05, STARS: 0
That’s kinda where I’m at, an Accord sport would be great or basically get another a Accord coupe with the manual. I love the 18" wheels that come on the Sport.
"WRXforScience" (WRXforScience)
05/09/2017 at 23:09, STARS: 2
Ultimately, your car is a tool (a loved and cared for tool that you have an irrational attachment to and possibly an illicit relationship with, but a tool nonetheless).
The question becomes: what do you need your car to do?
Personally, I’ve been really enjoying my Subaru BRZ, purchased new in Oct. 2014 (which got me a great deal since the 2015's were already out and included minor changes). If you like to go on spirited drives, are into autocross, and/or like doing some track days then you couldn’t do much better than a BRZ (used 2013-2014 models with low miles can be found for about half their original MSRP).
If you don’t plan on regular autocross or track work and you need a backseat, I’d recommend a Mazdaspeed 3: turbo, manual, hatchback with a focus on fun (the only downside is fwd, but the chassis is willing and surprising fun for fwd).
Miata isn’t a bad choice, but it could be tough as an only car and if you don’t have a garage the soft top could age prematurely.
"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
05/09/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 0
Good call, I’ve put some thought into that too. I can afford it, but driving around the Saturn at the end of the driveway was a minor inconvenience (that and I’m pretty sure the clutch was on its last legs). I wonder whether having a manual project car on the side would curb my appetite for a manual; I imagine it would. Drive the manual when I feel like it, drive the Accord when I don’t. Hmm, good thought. If I had more space I think it’d be a no brainier; still something to ponder.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/09/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 1
My truck has been sitting in the driveway since I bought my WRX, ahem, three years ago. I just put the truck in first and park the WRX behind it. If I were parking in the garage, things would be a bit more complicated. Now that we have four vehicles, the truck, my WRX, a newly-acquired Outback which will become my daughter’s car, and my wife’s Explorer, we are doing a lot of car shuffling. I also have a new-to-me trailer parked in the side yard and a new-to-me lawn tractor that I need to build a small building to house. It’s getting crowded around my house!
Since getting the Outback, I’ve been switching between it and my WRX for daily duties. When the traffic is heavy, the auto in the Outback is really nice to have. The WRX isn’t nearly as much fun in stop-and-go traffic.
"briannutter1" (briannutter1)
05/10/2017 at 01:50, STARS: 1
Every morning on a certain on-ramp, my commuter’s 106 whp D16Y8 hit’s third gear directly over a perpetual puddle and breaks the 185-14's loose. Very invigorating between carefully timed sips of coffee during my commute. Enjoy yourself.
"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
05/10/2017 at 07:36, STARS: 1
That’s just awesome. You’re right, I should enjoy myself!
"briannutter1" (briannutter1)
05/10/2017 at 08:38, STARS: 0
The CVT would drive me crazy, but there again I’m driving the slowest car on the road. I AM putting in the Eibach Pro Kit and some Koni’s to liven things up a bit. This little car is on 14" original steelies. I have the original hubcaps. The car is clean as anything. I’m pretty sure I’ll ruin it if I put on 15x7 mags because surely then I’m a delinquent.
"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
05/10/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 0
I’ve driven my fair share of CVTs (Nissan’s are horrible) and I must say, Honda’s are pretty solid. Doesn’t get in the way of a daily drive and doesn’t moan when pushed. That said, even with the paddle “shifters”, it’s not terribly engaging.