gomez_regina

So here's the deal:

With the price of gas now hitting $1.10.9/litre for premium (approx $4.00/gal US) I've decided that it's time to trade down my TSX for something that not only costs less per month, but also uses Regular gas (which is still stupid-expensive at 99.9 cents per litre). Plus, wifey & I are starting to think of kids so we are thinking about something like a Honda Element which would be a lot more practical.

I'm just curious what anyone here on the board has been quoted for trade-in values on their vehicles...here's a little background on my car for reference:

2004...Milano Red w/parchment leather interior...6spd MT...48,000 kms...usual exterior wear & tear...all maintainence performed on schedule.

Any thoughts?

iamhomin

Some offered me $17,000 for my 27,500 CG/Ebony 6MT. I laughed.

Others offered anywhere between $19,500 - $20,000.

gomez_regina

Just a quick follow-up...gas just went up here in Regina - now it will cost $1.15/litre for premium!

(insert swear words - and lots of them - here!)

STL

/rant on/
Why does everyone think they have to have a minivan or SUV when the have kids? My parents were able to get through the process of raising two kids with them both driving sedans -- actually my mom had a 280Z 2+2 coupe (but with a very small backseat) until I was like 13 years old.
/rant off/

Have you actually added up the annual difference between premium and regular gas taking into account the MPG difference of the TSX and Element?

NightShredder

It might not be that much of a savings in the long run. Plus as long as your kids are 6' and below they should fit comfortably in a sedan like the TSX.

A friend of mine owns an Element and I must say that my first impressions were wrong, they are pretty cool vehicles. It has a 2.4l vtec engine similar to ours.

gomez_regina

Sounds like my Honda dealer is willing to give me approx $26,000 to $26,500 as a trade in for my TSX.

As far as the savings on gas goes it's not so much in the long run as it is the price at the pump I'm concerned about. The real savings is going to come in the monthly payments - I'll save approximately $150/month on the Element vs. TSX.

And when it comes to having kids, trust me - I'd be all about keeping the TSX but it will be a lot easier to haul kiddie-gear in and out of the back of an Element vs. trying to load it all into the TSX.

Wish me luck!

virtualbong

$26K for 30K car??? Seems like a great tradein value.

amadeus303

iTrader: (2)

VB... I think that's in Canadian dollars. I did a double take too - I was ready to go trade-in for a new 2006

cheepung

Canadian dollar not USD

Nd4Spd

Yah that's 26K CDN

You're proably better off to sell it privately. I imagine you should get closer to $30K for it then...

crisco

Well, I've jumped back and forth over these questions for a while.
First, I really don't think the price of gas is that big of a difference (premium vs. regular) ~10% maybe?? Second, this is a 4cylinder car that gets very reasonable gas mileage. Not sure how much difference there will be in comparo to the Element.
Third, I have 2 kids (ages 2 and 8 months). I've often contemplated/debated whether I need more space, cargo room etc than I get with the TSX. So far, I can honestly say that the TSX has met my space needs admirably. I can carry all the kid stuff (packnplay, strollers, car seats, diaper bags, toys, etc etc) in the trunk and back seat. I think the only way I'd go the minivan (or Element) route is if we went on alot of road trips to see relatives and such. But, both sets of grandparents live in town - so we rarely spend more than an hour or so in the car anyway.

Anyhow, my $0.02 is that the gas issue is a minor point, but how much road trip travel might be the determinant.

zircon

I agree. 26 sounds low. If the car is <2 yr old and retailed for 34K, it may be a little steep depreciation. Private sale may be worse since you lose the tax benefit of trading in with the dealer of your next car (15% savings in Ontario).

We have a CR-V 5-speed manual as our 2nd vehicle and almost always use it when we have the 2 kids (13, 11) in back. IMO it looks better than Element and is safer in side collision. You will save on monthly payment as you stated, regular vs. premium fuel, and probably 10% better gas mileage.

Too bad the wankers (oil companies) in Canada sell premium for 10-11 cents/L (about 38-42 cents per gallon) more than regular. Saw the difference was only about 10-15 cents per gallon while travelling in USA last week. What a ripoff.

STL

Yes, you'll get lower monthly payment -- but in the longer run it might cost you more than you think. For instance I bet you'll be paying more interest in the long run AND when it comes time to trade the Elelment it won't be worth as much as your TSX would have been.

You're going to fill your vehicle up with kiddie crap now matter how big it is. The way I see it, the kids don't need to take every toy everywhere they go. Also what's your wife going to be driving? Do you both need SUVs?

STL

Really? Here in the US you can get the tax offset by selling a car up to 90 days after buying a new (or used) one. You just have to fill out and form and get a rebate.

gomez_regina

$26K does sound low, however I did check the Blue (Black?) Book value and they give $21,500 on the low & $23,500 on the high end.

As far as going to a CRV goes, I'm not a big fan of them...I've driven them and find them to be a little underpowered and slightly "tippy". Also, the versatility of the Element impressed me - being able to remove or flat-fold the seats is a big plus to me.

gomez_regina

Actually, right now my wife is 2 years into a 4 year lease on a Civic SE Coupe. So, in 2 more years we can trade her car in for something sporty for me

STL

I see. Now your Element talk makes a little more sense, but why not see if the TSX is going to work first?

zircon

Yeah, it may suit your needs better, especially if you'reyounger or more active. The V in manual form is fast. Our previous one (2000 auto) was a total, utter dog powerwise. This one can light them up in at least 2 gears of you feel so inclined. I like th big back seat, which is moveable and foldable. I would grant that it is a lot tippier than thetsx, don't know about Element. My sister in law has an element and adores it.