I'm currently on an "extended" test drive. Please advise.

Kinja'd!!! "ShiftyMcGrifty" (ShiftyMcGrifty)
07/08/2014 at 22:52 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 23

Hey Oppo,

I've been in the market for a new(tome) car. I've been rowing my own gears in a 2005 Eclipse GS for 8 years, and I'm ready for something else.

I went to a dealership that is known for their "no haggle" pricing, which means the price I see is the price I pay. I'm totally okay with that. The experience was actually nice. I have the car for a 48hr test drive, and I'm on hour 27. I return it tomorrow, and they're hoping I buy it.

Car Details:

2011 Honda Accord SE (auto Tranny 4cyl)

56k miles

$15,600, OTD with taxes is somewhere around 16,9 I think.

This is a certified used honda as well, and will come with a warranty, and I believe it is still under the 7yr 100k factory warranty. It has a 12mo everything warranty.

Car fax says this car has had two owners, and it shows that it was taken to the dealer for all of it's services, and that the recommended services were preformed. I've driven this car, and I am so far pleased with it. I was actually able to take coworkers out for lunch. The feature set is more than I'm used to.

Is there anyone out there with experience in this vehicle that has any input on the deal?

This will be my only car I've ever purchased since my first car (the eclipse). I no longer want to row my own gears, as I've just grown to hate it in my long commute. I get more pleasure out of riding my motorcycle for fun, so not looking for a canyon carver.

I've shopped around, looked at some Hyundais and Mazdas. But I couldn't find one I liked. Any input would be appreciated.


DISCUSSION (23)


Kinja'd!!! jkm7680 > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 22:55

Kinja'd!!!0

What happened to that idea about getting a GTI? :)


Kinja'd!!! deekster_caddy > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 22:56

Kinja'd!!!0

Look at VWs? pre- '11 Passat is a nice sedan. We have an '08 wagon and it's fantastic. Saw a '10 wagon loaded for somewhere around $11k.

Also check out Impalas if you aren't anti-GM.


Kinja'd!!! CRider > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 22:58

Kinja'd!!!1

Kinja'd!!!

2011 Honda Accord SE (auto Tranny 4cyl)

Ok, you've got $15k to spend on a car. What do you need it to do? Do you need 4 seats?


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > jkm7680
07/08/2014 at 22:58

Kinja'd!!!1

GTIs are pricy in my area. At least one's with relatively low gas milage. Plus, I'm loving the cushy ride. Steering still feels surprisingly tight for a big car.


Kinja'd!!! AM3R > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:00

Kinja'd!!!0

$16.9 for a used accord? You can get a NEW Accord sport 4 cylinder row your own for $21k at some dealerships. I'd try to get a 2013. I have experience with the gen before this (dad owns an '07 V6 SE auto) and the newest one (road trip in my friends accord sport manual). I really like the new accords. Pretty fun to drive and the manual was GREAT. For what it is, you really can't go wrong.

I'm sure you'll like the accord. I can't chime in on the 2011 but my dads 2007 is still going strong with no major problems. Try to get a 2013!!


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > deekster_caddy
07/08/2014 at 23:01

Kinja'd!!!0

Not a big fan of VWs unless its a GTI :/

The only big Chevy I would want is the SS, which is in another price bracket.


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > CRider
07/08/2014 at 23:04

Kinja'd!!!0

4 seats, 4 doors, roomy for roadtrips (with friends), still be a car, have good gas milage, be comfortable for a shitty San Antonio commute.

I know a lot of people are salty about the idea of having a automatic boat. It doesn't bother me, as I have my fun on my motorcycle.


Kinja'd!!! deekster_caddy > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:04

Kinja'd!!!0

since you mentioned liking the Accord I figured I would throw out some mid size sedans that I like. Although the Passat is not a "performance" badged model it really performs well. The 2.0T is a very fun motor with great milage and the car handles like a german car should.


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > AM3R
07/08/2014 at 23:08

Kinja'd!!!0

I don't like the idea of buying new and eating depreciation. This model has leather seats and some creature comforts. Plus, I'm really really tired of driving a manual car. My next car, which will be proper sports car (not an accord) will definitely have a manual. I'll see what the options are, but I've never owned a Honda. If I do buy tomorrow, I hope they live up to their expectation.


Kinja'd!!! CRider > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:11

Kinja'd!!!0

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/4531553159…


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > deekster_caddy
07/08/2014 at 23:11

Kinja'd!!!0

I just don't like the way they look (says the guy who thinks the accord is handsome). The wagon is sweet, but none are around me.


Kinja'd!!! Milky > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:13

Kinja'd!!!0

Going to need a new name - "PutItInDMcGrifty"


Kinja'd!!! PatBateman > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:13

Kinja'd!!!0

"Shitty San Antonio commute."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA that's cute.

-Houstonian


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > CRider
07/08/2014 at 23:14

Kinja'd!!!0

woah... the money save could help pay for future maintenance. I need to see with my insurance what that would do to my rate.

Although, if I got a BMW, I would prefer that to be manual.


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > PatBateman
07/08/2014 at 23:22

Kinja'd!!!0

Hey man... everyones commute is the shittiest commute. Seriously though, going through 610 to visit my aunt at 4pm. Fuck me... At least Houstonians drive fast.


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > Milky
07/08/2014 at 23:23

Kinja'd!!!1

LMAO... luckily I carve out the hill country on my motorcycle regularly. So I won't lose all of my dignity.


Kinja'd!!! PatBateman > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:30

Kinja'd!!!0

610 sucks. Badly. I HATE the 610/59 South intersection.


Kinja'd!!! Makoyouidiot > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:32

Kinja'd!!!0

TwoWheelsMcGrifty!


Kinja'd!!! Makoyouidiot > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/08/2014 at 23:44

Kinja'd!!!0

Inbound CL listing swarm...I was hoping for a Mazda6, but in 10-current with an auto around 12-16k, I didn't see any on San Antonio's CL. Still, some decent stuff and good prices, compared to what you have, although the one you're driving has lower mileage and of course warranty.

My fav, Jetta TDI wagon, my mom has one, that thing is sweet. Love the torque and the mpgs. Will hold it's value as folks really seem to want them.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/4541874775…

Maxima, bleh CVT but otherwise I love the car, looks great and holds value well.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/4557301482…

Fusion, good solid car, good handling, good mpgs, just good all around imho.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/4557610691…

Chrysler 300, bit thirsty, and large, but the most comfy car I've ever driven, and the V6 was suprisingly tolerable. (this was an 06, I can only assume a 10 would be even better)

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/4530702358…

Slightly older Accord, better price, but no warranty, although it is an Accord, after all, the name is a synonym for reliability.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/4542217367…

Dart, one of which I owned myself for a time, good car, although my 1.4t did have turbo lag issues, this 2.0 wouldn't have as much. Plus comfy leather interior and Uconnect, which is very very good.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/4517255847…

And that's just from a cursory 5 minute search, from 200 miles away. :P


Kinja'd!!! ShiftyMcGrifty > Makoyouidiot
07/09/2014 at 00:28

Kinja'd!!!0

I appreciate the reply. I never really thought about CL. but I may have to see if a seller is willing to take it to a shop for a close inspection if I like it.


Kinja'd!!! Makoyouidiot > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/09/2014 at 00:33

Kinja'd!!!0

Indeed. Quite a few dealers are also listing on CL nowadays as well, several of those cars seem to be at one.Usually stealerships, but eh, if the price is right....


Kinja'd!!! CRider > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/09/2014 at 00:37

Kinja'd!!!0

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/4534977657…

Remember, you don't sit back there. Your friends are lucky you're generous enough to let them ride in your car, they can deal with getting in and out of a coupe. ANd this is better, because if you bought an automatic you'd have to change your name to SlushyMcMushy.


Kinja'd!!! deekster_caddy > ShiftyMcGrifty
07/09/2014 at 12:54

Kinja'd!!!0

Don't let location get in the way of getting the car you want! I live in Boston, I wanted a specific truck (Yukon XL 2500 with the 8.1 engine) and the ones around me were whipped. Kept watching (cars.com etc) and a really nice one popped up in Pittsburgh. I had someone there I knew go check it out before they even got pictures of it online. Bought it, got a ride out with a friend who was going that way and drove it home. Cars are easily shipped, too. (I disagree w you about the Accord being handsome, while we are at it!)

This should be a picture of our wagon loaded for summer vacation:

Kinja'd!!!