I found a car but I don't know what to do

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
07/26/2016 at 21:12 • Filed to: Advice, Cars, Accord, V6, Volvo, C30

The car is a 2013 V6 Accord Coupe. 46k miles for $16k. It’s really nice. Fully loaded, great power,and its a Honda. Factoring my trade in (which I’m underwater on) my payments would be less than $20 more than I pay now. But..

I still love my car! Unlike an Accord, I barely see any other cars like mine. I love how it looks and drives.

But I’m having issues. AC isn’t ice cold. I have a weird popping noise so I think my front suspension needs a lot of work. I don’t have cruise control, Bluetooth, or a sunroof. And it’s a Volvo so if something goes wrong I’m screwed.

The Accord is so practical and has all the options I really want. My payments barely change. It is more powerful than my car now. I just... I don’t want buyers remorse. Help. Please.

NOTE: Both are automatics. Sorry Oppo. Take my oppo card away.

DISCUSSION (58)

dogisbadob > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:14

The Accord has VTEC, which adds like 1000 hp. And it’s a better car, too. You will not regret it :)

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:15

But is it a manual?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Slant6
07/26/2016 at 21:16

Should’ve clarified that

No. It’s also an automatic. Kill me. I don’t think I want a manual for my daily. Sorry. Revoke my oppo card

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:16

Sweet S550 Mustang, bro!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
07/26/2016 at 21:17

The car is at a Ford dealer. Really need to park them near each other

E90M3 > dogisbadob
07/26/2016 at 21:18

Kinja'd!!!

wkiernan > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:19

My instinct is if you love the car you already have stick with it unless the alternative is awesome . Unlike most other machines, but like shoes and wine, cars only get better the longer you keep them.

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:20

Nah, I may be a manual elitist, but not a dick (although I have been accused, but on all cased I’ve been acquitted by a trial of my peers).

I will say I have had no problem dailying manuals for 4 years now.

Also why such a new car? Couldn’t you just buy a $4000 Accord and get out of payments? Just get something you can afford straight out. You’re like a year younger than me and I’ve never even considered taking a loan out on a car.

RPM esq. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:20

I feel like a doctor, not a car dealership, is the right place to get that pooping noise checked out, but you do you buddy.

Oh, and get the Honda. It'll treat you well.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > wkiernan
07/26/2016 at 21:20

I love the idea of my car.

But the actual reality of it kinda sucks. My payments are way too high. It’s having a lot of problems. The whole insurance and registration situation right now are funky on it...

E90M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:21

How does a modern non-rental car not have cruise control? I had a Kia some base model piece of shit as a rental car, and that didn’t have cruise control and that was I think the only car I can remember that I’ve driven more than 5 minutes that didn’t have cruise control, other than the B180 Mercedes I had in Europe.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:21

There were a few kids killed in NJ the other night after they raced and crashed their 2009 Honda Accord Coupe into the river.

I’ve always loved the car, but I find out here at least, I often hate the owners.

It’s a shame because they are great cars.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > RPM esq.
07/26/2016 at 21:21

Thanks for that laugh! And thanks Kinja mobile

My computer is currently upgrading to Windows 10 (God help me) so this is all I got

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > E90M3
07/26/2016 at 21:23

It was a $350 option :(

Drives me crazy. Every day.

wkiernan > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:24

Oh hey, saw your plate, where in Florida are you at? I too am an inmate in this open-air insane asylum. I work in St. Petersburg and live in Clearwater.

Kinja'd!!!

bob and john > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:24

if the payments are already to high, why would you go EVEN HIGHER for the honda?

Textured Soy Protein > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:25

Trade in a car you’re upside down on, for one where you’ll be paying more per month? Sounds like a great way to save money.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Slant6
07/26/2016 at 21:25

I have a lot of problems. I like fancier cars than I really should be able to afford.

I’m very good with money, and I’d rather spend it on something like a nice car than dropping it on expensive electronics, fancy dinners, or other things. I don’t know why.

E90M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:25

Did you buy the Volvo new? I had also remembered you said that you looked into Beepi and that they didn’t cover your area. You having similar luck trying to sell it? I’m surprised the cheap bastards at BMW make cruise a standard feature and not part of “premium package 2".

Steve in Manhattan > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:26

I never judge by what transmission you have ... and that car looks very nice. GO FOR IT.

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:29

You could just continue not buying all those things and save the money for a nice car for when it actually matters.

You can get nice cars that are reliable for cheap, you can get cool cars that are reliable for cheap. You can get fast cars that are cheap.

It also sounds since you’re behind on your loan that you’re not doing any good for your credit score (which is one of the few reasons I could possibly justify this).

Think about it, the same caliper of transportation, just a little older and no car payment.

Also insurance and registration are cheaper.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:29

05-09 Outback. You know you wanna.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > E90M3
07/26/2016 at 21:30

No I got the Volvo about a year and a half ago (I dont have a problem!)

It’s a weird car to sell privately. I really need someone who is specifically looking for this exact car to get it.

Whoever bought mine new was weird. He got a rather expensive metallic paint, a lesther wrapped wheel, upgraded aluminum trim, and that’s about it. No Bluetooth, trip computer, or cruise

Trying to trade it in right now is one of the hardest things. I’ve had offers all over the board ranging from $4000 to $9000

My payments are really high for the car I have. And because I got it when I was 17, it’s technically not even in my name. So I have to pay two insurances and its a whole big nightmare.

And all the little things starting to go wrong (it’s an 08) and I’d really like to not be responsible for it anymore

It’s cool having a somewhat rare car. It just sucks when you can’t really take care of it properly

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
07/26/2016 at 21:30

Oh ive been looking at a ton of Subarus

Sadly being in Florida they are not very common and also don’t depreciate

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Textured Soy Protein
07/26/2016 at 21:34

Considering the amount of work my car needs to be perfect again, and the fact that the new one has lots of features mine doesn’t, spending a little more doesn’t seem that bad.

Maybe I will see one less movie a month

E90M3 > Slant6
07/26/2016 at 21:36

My 128i was auto and sometimes it’s nice not to have to shift gears, but the times I was glad it was an auto was much less frequent than the times I wished it was a stick. That said, I’d be content as long as one of my cars is a stick, I’ve been eying 335d’s for a little now.

Car loans are somewhat of a necessary evil. Help you afford something that it would take forever to save for. I think as long as you look at total cost and not monthly payments and have more than enough income to comfortably support a car payment, there’s nothing wrong with it. Sometimes people don’t want to write a check either, example: I could have written a check for my 128i, but I decided I’d rather not write that check.

Slant6 > E90M3
07/26/2016 at 21:39

I can agree with you on all of those points.

I’m pretty sure JQ is still in high school, or just graduated high school. Personally I don’t think it’s a great time to have a car payment, just from my experience as a current college sophomore. I’d have no food money if I had a car payment. Granted I do save quite a bit.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:41

The V6 Accord is worth it if you want the power. It is a bit of a luxobarge but can quietly accelerate to redline.

E90M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:42

Sounds like a massive headache especially with insurance and all, the best thing might be to get rid of it and get something else even if you are underwater on it. Payments is not necessarily the best way to look at the cost of a car. If it’s going to add 3 years to the loan, then obviously it’s gonna cost a lot more. My friend bought a 2012 VW Golf brand new for like 24k, and I bought a 2011 M3. Our monthly payments were almost identical, but his was 3 year 0% interest and mine was 5 years 4.5% interest. (I put 40% + taxes down on my M3, so the loan was a lot less than the total purchase price)

E90M3 > Slant6
07/26/2016 at 21:45

Very good point, there is a time and place for everything. A car payment for a college student isn’t the best thing. College took all my time so there was no time for a side job to pay for a car, plus the car I got after college was a hell of a lot better than anyone I might have been able to afford in college.

Monkey B > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 21:48

If you like something different than you could potentially be looking at the wrong car...though Accord coupe’s aren’t the norm. You may want to investigate getting one at a Honda dealer for the certified pre owned warranty. You’ll pay a premium, but you’d pay more for an aftermarket warranty elsewhere if so inclined. Honda finance offers excellent interest rates on new and CPO cars. For instance, that car may cost $1500 more at a Honda dealer with CPO certification and come in at a similar payment. You could pay that or more for an extended warranty and not get as good a rate as you may from Honda. I had a Honda and financed via Honda Financial Services and my rate was 3.9%. Had that been a regular bank I was looking at probably 6-7% at the time.

But, any good deal is one you are happy with. If it’s a clean no accident car the price isn’t bad for a V6 model. Hard to argue buying a Honda.

Slant6 > E90M3
07/26/2016 at 21:48

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…

This thread made me check out of curiosity. I could probably afford payments on this. Granted the down payment would wipe out my savings, and it would be over 6 years.

But it’s exactly what I want.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > bob and john
07/26/2016 at 22:01

Should’ve been clearer

My payments are high on the C30 for what it is. At the end of the day, it’s a 2008 base model car with crazy maintenance. Or I can get a fully loaded newer honda for a little more

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > wkiernan
07/26/2016 at 22:02

Very nice!

I’m in Venice and work in Sarasota. Constantly up your way for Rays games though!

iaintafraidofnoghost > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 22:09

$16k seems a little high for a car with 46k on it. Best of luck with the car endeavours.

chilichez > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 22:19

Bag both, get a GTI

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > iaintafraidofnoghost
07/26/2016 at 22:21

Appreciate it

On these Hondas, it’s a really great deal. Most every other one is sitting around $20k by me

This is one of the cheapest ones

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > chilichez
07/26/2016 at 22:21

You know ive driven a couple of them and even a GLI. I just didn’t enjoy it all that much

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Slant6
07/26/2016 at 22:23

I’ve considered it a lot and still am

And no I haven’t missed any payments. It’s just because I didn’t put money down getting the C30 (and kinda overpaid) I owe more than its worth on a trade. In reality I owe right about retail price on it...

Noah - Now with more boost. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 22:26

That honda will bore you to death after the volvo, and you know it! no matter how nice it technically is. there’s always an alternative

E90M3 > Slant6
07/26/2016 at 22:44

I’d wait, get a good job and get a truck with less than 100k on it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/26/2016 at 23:30

Have you gotten a solid appraisal for your trade or just estimating.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
07/27/2016 at 00:25

In this particular instance this is a done deal that I can sign on tomorrow and come home with the Accord

iaintafraidofnoghost > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/27/2016 at 00:29

If you’re willing to travel a little I bet you can shave a thousand or two. That would definitely help on reducing the payment. By me the only 18-20k ones are completely loaded one year newer and sub 20k miles.

Hope that info helps.

chilichez > chilichez
07/27/2016 at 09:06

I threw some Koni yellows and some sticky tires on it - hard to have more fun in something that can fit 3 mountain bikes inside, haul kiddos to school, and still be parkable in a city.

Textured Soy Protein > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/27/2016 at 10:39

The impression I have of your situation is that generally speaking, you want to spend less money on a car. Not just because your C30 has problems.

If you’re upside down on the Volvo, what are you planning to do with that negative equity when you trade it? Roll it over to another loan? Do you have the cash to pay off the negative equity?

If your only option is to roll over the negative equity, you should be thinking about how much cheaper of a car you can get that meets your needs. For example, if the payments are $100/month less than your C30, you can pay an extra $50/month or more on top of your required payment, in order to knock out that carried-over negative equity ASAP, while still spending less per month than you are now.

Don’t justify to yourself spending more money than you should with talk of “it’s only $20 more per month.” You want to get in front of that negative equity and get to a point where you keep a car for a while, and you have at least some positive equity in it, or pay it off entirely.

Vicente Esteve > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/27/2016 at 12:21

Honestly, I’d go for the Honda. It will be a lot more reliable than the Volvo, have more features, be faster and in the long run it will net you more money than the Volvo for sure. For a slight increase in payments I’d say go for it.

Important: Take it out for a long drive and be sure you want to drive that car for some good time in the future.

Also important: It is not worth it to be a brand loyalist. I learned that with VW and was missing out on some other great options.

HONDAD > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/27/2016 at 12:23

Get the Accord. More power, less money (payments and maintenance), more options that you want, and peace of mind. You won’t regret it.

TysMagic > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/27/2016 at 16:47

Just to ask, did you try carmax on the trade? Not sure how upside down you are. And I asked this on another post but FoST or FiST?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > TysMagic
07/27/2016 at 16:56

Nearest Carmax is 2 hours away so sadly I haven’t had time to get to one

Just frustrating because I’ve had offers all over the place

TysMagic > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/27/2016 at 17:22

for what it’s worth, Carmax gave me EXACTLY what I was going to try to sell my MKZ for. Which stunned me. I took the offer. Might be worth the drive?

Long Live the Longdoor > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/27/2016 at 21:24

It’s funny, obsession we have; these cars. I have a 2015 Honda Accord Coupe with the CVT and the 2.4L and I like it quite a bit (I have an aftermarket intake for added VTEC). However I just bought a $500 Saturn to learn to drive stick and it has me pondering what I might buy if I were to buy something with a stick to replace the Accord. I just keep coming back to the Accord though; it’s a solid all around car: comfortable and quiet when you want it to be, but you can still pitch it in to some turns and accelerate briskly. If I were to buy another Accord Coupe, I’d have a hard time deciding between the 4 cylinder and the 6; honestly, the 4 has all the power I could possibly need and then some (even with the CVT). That said, the 6 sounds really good with an intake (I find most stock cars too quiet for my tastes), but the mileage isn’t as great.

Other Notes: It’s quite a big car; it’s wider than our Subaru Forester and longer by about 10" IIRC; not an unmanageable size but something to be mindful of coming from a compact car. The paddle shifters on the CVT work quite well even though you’re technically not shifting any “gears” (not sure how it’d compare to the 6 cyl).

If you have any questions, just let me know.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Monkey B
07/28/2016 at 01:09

You do have a good point about the CPO. Sadly at this point the car itself isn’t The big issue. Right now it’s the trade in. This dealer is offering me over $3500 more than the honda dealer did. I’ve got a weird car to try and trade in. And lots of dealers don’t want to touch it.

In my area, $16k is really a steal. Average is about $18k and one owner local Cars like this are worth about $19,500

It is really hard to beat a Honda. Big reason why it grabbed my attention

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
07/28/2016 at 01:10

It’s a lot bigger than I expected. I do really like that.

But yes, coming from my T5 I would like to keep or gain power.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > HONDAD
07/28/2016 at 01:11

That’s a big part of it. It checks off almost everything I wanted (only real thing missing is AWD honestly which is basically impossible to get in my price range, with power and low mileage)

It solves pretty much every grievance I have with the C30

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
07/28/2016 at 01:12

Oh man that’s awful.

My area all the crap car owners drive lifted bro dozers or V6 Camaros and Mustangs.

I think I’d be one of the youngest people to have an Accord coupe! (My town has a median age of 69)

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Long Live the Longdoor
07/28/2016 at 01:15

My parents had an 07 Pilot and 07 Accord EX sedan. We got rid of the accord before I could drive (we were moving up north and couldn’t take both cars with us) but we had the pilot until about a year ago. That truck was great. I loved driving it. Nice power and smooth and quiet too.

I’m only worried because I had a 2013 Civic before the C30. And I hated it. So I got rid of it 16 months into a 36 month lease.

But then again, a base model Civic LX sedan and fully loaded V6 Accord coupe are two very different beasts.

I was shocked how big it was. But I liked driving it and it has almost every feature I want in my next car.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Textured Soy Protein
07/28/2016 at 01:18

I have the cash and plan on putting it down to offset it and considering I put no money down to get the C30 and have a warranty which will be prorated, it really isn’t that terrible. Also, I’m getting the accord for right about $16k. It’s worth about $19k in my area and its condition. Because of that it’s not a terrible thing. and its honda so it should hold value a little better than my C30