Well, my '94 Volvo just bit the dust. I've been looking at cars for the past week, and I've ruled out everything besides an Element and a Civic. I also liked the Corolla, but the dealers around here aren't willing to deal.

The local Honda dealer has quite a few left over '03 Civics. All of the them are LX models. We worked out the numbers and I could get one for $14,000, with the 2.9% financing. I also test drove an Element, although I do agree it's ugly as sin. I think I could actually use the room and plastic floors. I'm trying to get a DX 2WD (i already have a 4wd suv) auto/ac/armrest (no radio..:eek , for $16,000. I've contacted just about every Honda dealer in a 100 mile radius and only one has said they could give me the Element for 16K.

Which do you guys think I should go for? I just need a basic, no frills beater.

 

Element is just too ugly for me. Civic still looks great.

 

is it going to be a daily driver? or are you actually going to "haul" things around. I would go for the civic, it would be much more practical as a daily driver: mpg, handling, maneuverability, etc. 2.9 is great for a honda.

 

It's going to be daily driven, and that's a plus for getting the Civic. It's just so boring. The thing I like about the element is that atleast I could use the room/ect.

 

How about a Protege 5?

 

werd..or the upcomming Mazda 3? both the protege 5 and Mazda 3 would be more fun and practical than the civic....too bad you don't get the Scion brand in VA yet...from other message boards and mags, they are great value and IMO i kinda like the looks of the xb

 

Thank you for mentioning that. I currently have an '02 mazda tribute. I just checked my dealers inventory and they have a loaded '03 Automatic P5 for $14,799. I'm going to go look/drive it tomorrow. Plus it's got the 0.0% financing, I could get the payments to $247 a month. It's marked down from $19k.




I just hope i'm seeing things and that inspection sticker doesn't say "1". It would mean the car has been sitting on their lot since January.

 

Ummmm, well a 10 year old Volvo certainly fits the definition of "beater". Which Volvo? 940? 850? 960? Is it truly terminal? Is it on life support? Except for the 960s I thought there were piles of used Volvo drivetrain parts around.

I just bought a new set of snow tires for my old Volvo, rather than beat the stuffing out of the new car this winter....

 

it's a 94 854/Non turbo. It needs a new engine. At the cost of $4K it's just not worth getting fixed. I'm going to have it towed for a second look, maybe it's not as bad as the Volvo Specialist said.

The only thing about getting a new car is that I lose leather/sunroof/alloys/keyless entry/abs.

 

A Certified used RSX ?

That will give you most if not all of those things plus it can carry stuff (hatchback design with fold down seats) and fun to drive

 

Go for the Civic. Maybe try to get the 04 one, as the styling is a bit different on it, and it doesn't look as boring. You probably want to get whatever model in the 'States that comes with the 127HP VTEC 4 Cyl, as I find that engine adequate (In Canada, those are the Si Sedan, Si Coupe, and Acura EL)...the base engine I could only imagine would not be as good.

You can't really beat a Civic as far as value goes...they're rock solid reliable, and seem to retain their value well. A fair amount of space inside, considering their dimensions.

The Protege 5 seems like a good deal too. It's probably one of the last Mazda's that Ford hasn't screwed with...and it has a peppier engine than the Civic (I think the Protege 5 comes standard with the Protege 2.0ES engine?)

Another option might be a used Accord or something...

 

Edmunds gives a trade in value of $3819 and a prvate market value of $4615 for a '94 850 GLTS in my zip.

Tommy Magliozzi of Click n' Clack Car Talk fame said if he limited repairs and maintenance costs of the cars he drove to the value of the car, he'd never be able to justify filling the gas tank.

How much is the 850 worth as junk? Just a thought. I hate the idea of beating up on my shiny new TSX with the kind of winter driving I do!

 

The price to get the Volvo fixed is $4,000. It's never been fully reliable, so I'm going to take this chance to fully rid myself of it. It's a good thing that car was so safe, or it would have been gone a long time ago.

 

For praticality I'd go Protege 5 or Element. If fuel consumption is your thing then go Civic. What about a Corolla? Almost as good as the 115HP Civic on gas but with more power.

i kinda like the looks of the xb

You would Gibo.

 

we have a P5 that we got at Brown's in Fairfax. it's an MT, and the clutch wore a bit early and my husband pronounced it a POS and has had it replaced, but the otherwise, the car handles fairly well, for what it's worth.

 

I just can't see driving a toaster around.....nomatter how versatile it is.

 

I would wait for the Mazda3, which should come out December. Oh well, P5 would be a good price especially when Mazda3 is coming out.

 

I've been trying to deal on a new corolla but the Toyota people wouldn't budge. They also kept telling me how much of a lower car the Civic is.

Ricecake- How did you like Browns in Fairfax? I bought my Tribute at the one in Alexandria.

 

The Civic is a nice looking car and a good value. If hauling room is an issue, I'd personally go for the P5 before the Element. The Element to me is not quite ugly, but it is odd. I call it quirky or funky. Keep in mind that with the bare interior and hard interior materials, it's fairly noisy inside. If you're using it as a basic runabout vehicle that might get annoying pretty fast.

 

civic or used rsx.

 

Civic...or...Element....
My answer is None of those.

 

I'm one of few, but I'm totally pumped about the Element.

Reason's I would choose an Element over a Civic.

Element's 160hp K24 engine is exactly like the Accord, way better then the 127hp wizzer aged D-series in the Civic. K's don't need timing belts.

Vinyl floor that will never get dirty or stained from mud, snow, or winter grime.

Optional AWD when the front wheels slip. Tons of cubbies for storage.

Removalable rear roof panel, if your primary car has a sunroof; how much fun would it be to have the elements windows down on summer days and the rear section of roof removed?

Rear window wiper is handy in bad weather.

Tinted Windows, way more storage then the Civic's trunk, way more comfy to haul 4 people then in the Civic.

Plus I really like all the bizarre accessories the Element has that the Civic and CR-V don't.

 

Eeeew. Don't get an auto! You won't be able to beat it properly.

Just kidding. I'd definitely get a P5 before an Element if stuff-hauling is what you're looking for. It's a great looking car.

 

why dont you get a mini cooper?? It's cheap, it's popluar, and it's HOT!!

 

I'm with you on this one. I like the Element. To me it says "I don't take life too seriously". It's an innovative car with innovative styling.

 

I was going to order one, but the 2 month wait was not something I was up for.

I ended up with an '03 Civic LX/Side airbags/auto. It's red with a tan interior.

 

I think the Element is a great little car... I went to try it... It's not my cup of tea but I would gladly buy it for my wife :-)...

It's got a great engine too...

 

you already have a mini-van so the element can be eliminated. how about a used honda civic? it's just a beater, right? you dont need to get fancy, huh? think about the amount of money you save in the long run on gas. and think about the amount of money you can save avoiding buying a "new" car. well, just my thoughts. i tell everyone i wish i had spare cash to just buy a beater to give my TSX a break and that beater would be a used honda civic

 

I got email today from Mazda that Mazda3 will be out this month. If you r considering P5, take a look at Mazda3