04 TSX 6MT CGP, no navi 64k miles. Ive had it since mile .05 and always done overkill maintenance on it. Throwout bearing is starting to whine on occasion, but nothing else major (yet...i dont want to curse myself but you know what it is!). Pretty much stock.

Debating if i want to pick up a new car payment for an A4 or an 09/10 Acura. I guess my only concern is that after the 09's came out, the kbb dropped down to $12ish on 1st gen, and while everything is in generally great shape (paint/body is almost perfect) I figure I have another year or two before it goes so low theres no point in trading it in.

So...would you A) plan to keep it till at least 100k and put a little money into it (suspension, audio) or B)start looking around for a newer ride? I dont mind car payments, but obviously, i can find other things to do with the $$$.

I know its totally personal preference, but just seeing what some opinions are...

 

Since it's in fine shape, I say keep it unless you have the new car itch. Sometimes I get the itch, but am trying to wait it out another year or two. My head tells me it's a waste of money to switch cars so soon, but I have yearnings for some new tech and a new look.

I was taught to keep cars until they die, since that's what my parents always do, but it's hard to hold on sometimes. I'm anal with my car's maintenance as well, so I know it's in good shape. Sometimes you just want a change, though.

 

It is a waste of money and probably the wrong thing to do. But life's short. If you can afford it do it.

 

If you decide to sell it, remember to lease your next vehicle. Buying/financing a vehicle only makes sense if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time. Since you want to switch to a new car so soon, you might as well lease vehicles...

Personally, I would keep the car. In the current economy, you should try to make more financially-sound decisions, such as trying to not increase your monthly expenditures (e.g., new car payments).

 

Leasing is also better if you drive less 10,000-15,000 miles a year (depending on the lease) I average 30,000+miles a year and usually buy a new car every 3 years. Hopefully my next car purchase will be March/April 2010.

 

I say get a BMW 335i Coupe. Stop messing with the second tier luxury import. Go for an upgrade and it'll stay looking good for at least 8 to 10 years.

 

From a strictly financial point of view, you should keep your car until the repairs equal to about 6 months worth of new car payments. At that point it starts to make sense to move to a new car. Unfortunately, if you want a new car, your TSX is not likely to give you that equation for a few more years. Sounds like you may not care about making payments, in which case it is purely an emotional decision.

 

keep it and make it a beater. then, buy a bmw or mercedes.

 

I say keep it and "make it new to you" w/ new goodies until the itch passes. I get the itch at least three times a year and just let it pass. If you are not making payments, why not save it to put down on another car when the economy lightens up.

 

Unless you no longer enjoy driving the TSX, then keep it. It ought to be good for at least another 5 years. The longer you keep a car, that does not require significant repairs, then the lower the cost of ownership.

Think of it like this -- if you were looking to buy a good, used, car would you find a deal that would match the deal that you current TSX provides? I don't think so.

Any other line of reasoning appeals primarily to emotions, ego, and other completely subjective inputs. But such factors would usually say, "I no longer enjoy driving the TSX".

 

+1

 

You probably already made up your mind before even asking the question, but it all boils down to if you want to modify you're car or if you want new again. If you keep the TSX, you're going to mod it, so if you don't like modding, sell it and get a new one.

 

First 4-5 years cars depreciate rather quickly compared to the next 4-5. So from that standpoint, you really don't loose a whole lot in the trade value by keeping it for a while. At least, not as much as you would if it were say an 07.

If it were me and I was currently happy with the car, I'd do this: I'd drive it another 30K and just put money away for a future down payment. When your car is in the 90K mile range, that I think is your "go/no go" decision point. When cars hit 100K they all take a hit in the resale value (more psychological than anything else, but if you are trading it in you'll do better with 95K over say 103K). One road to take is to keep driving it, but if you do I'd own it until it starts to become a repair problem and keep saving money. If not, you're at a good trade in or resale point for an 04 with 90K miles.

I don't know where you are in life but if you are younger, I always fall on the side of enjoying a life with no car payment and keep your cash for other things so long as you are happy with the car.