desmonsm

I'm a newbie here, so thanks in advance for your advice....

I'm trying to decide between a new 2012 base TSX or a 2011 CPO base with 5k miles. They want 26.5 OTD for the CPO.

I hadn't really considered a new purchase until I read that Acura was offering .9% financing. For the CPO I can get 1.9% for 5 years through a local credit union.

Which is the better option? What kind of price should I be looking at for the 2012?

Acura_Dude

I'd go ahead and by the 2012 base. Invoice for the '12 base is $27,818 (according to edmunds.com). For about $2-3k more (speaking of OTD price) you'd end up in a brand new car with no miles on it, plus 0.9% financing.

Plus the used car maket is still inflated price-wise.

MrOtocinclus

I'm trying to sell my 2011 with 3k miles on it so I'm a little biased, but if I were you I'd go for the newer car any day of the week, considering the 0.9%. I just like new cars more.

TSXy Luster

up to you. if they are both base, then go for the newer car. If the older one is tech, then see if you really want tech or not.

denwhat

how much are taxes? cuz you can easily get a 2012 for low 27k without taxes.

desmonsm

Doing the math, the new 2012 would be about $35 more/month. Not a deal breaker, obviously.

The thing that keeps going through my mind is that the 2011 has super low miles (it was a loaner), and as a certified vehicle the warranty is extended to 5 years/62k miles. I know Honda/Acura make reliable vehicles - I have a 2004 Accord and my wife has a 2007 TSX and we've had no problems with either of them.

Now I'm half thinking of keeping my Accord - it has 115k miles and has been trouble free so far. I've put some money into it in the past few months with new plugs, new tires, and new pads and rotors on all 4 wheels.

It seems like the responses so far feel the new car is the better way to go. The used one is 25.5 before TTL, while a new one would be between 28 and 29 based on the responses. It just seems to me like 2500 is too much of a difference for 5k miles and 1 model year older.

Acura_Dude

Also see what kind of deal you can get for the 2012 base TSX.

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

i would not buy a loaner car. if there's anything i'm sure of, it's that loaner cars are abused. the one i was in before was dirty, was overdue for an oil change by over a 1k miles. i know i didn't treat it well...i drove it hard and carefree cuz well...it's a loaner.

MrOtocinclus

Is the Accord paid off? Think of what you could do with $400+ a month if you didn't have a new (or new to you) car. Would it be better than having a new car?

I don't know what your financial situation is so I'm not judging, just offering an alternate suggestion.

Lastly, I tend to agree with mrstak. Loaners are treated like crap. I had a ZDX loaner where the moonroof was falling apart, and a TL that had Cheerios all over the back seat.

ceb

This. Loaners are abused from day 1 (unless they became a loaner because the car was previously sold and returned) and will have a greater chance of having problems. Some guesstimates are that every 1k on the clock of a loaner reduce the life of the car by 10k miles.

The car would have to be priced well below the auction price for me to consider it and I'd have to have had that car as a loaner myself recently.

ginamber

I say wait another 2 months if you can and see how low prices will go when new models come out. That is, if you can. I think I saw a reference from another you have an Accord. That should last you so you don't ever feel rushed to make a deal. The 0.9 is not likely to go away too soon but I guess you can check that too...

ceb

The .9% for 5 years will most likely go away at the end of the month reverting back to .9% for 3 years.

The OP said he can get 1.9% from his credit union - probably the same that the Acura rate will revert to.

That additional 1% translates into about $800 in additional interest so that needs to be taken into consideration as well.

The OP needs to decide why/if he really needs/wants a new car. If he's looking for an upgrade from the Accord then the TSX is a great choice. It is unlikely that the ILX will meet those needs unless he is looking at downsizing.

jpelej66

I was faced with this same decision last week. I had the choice of a 2011 w/ Nav. and 2,500 miles vs a new 2012 base. After driving the service loaner, I noticed a few minor smudges of grease on the inside and the alignment was a little off. None of these issues were deal breakers but the better financing on the 2012 and knowing it was new was enough for me. One week in and I am happy with my decision to get the 2012.

xakeo

Hey desmonsm.... just curious where did you find the 2011 @ 25.5... I am in the process of getting a use one and that seems to be a nice price. Maybe they have 2010 or 2009 in the range I'm looking for....appreciate the info!

I also have to agree about the service loaner comments. I used to work a for a dealer and these cars get abused w/o mercy. On top of that you have to be careful since any minor scratches, hit, bumper/panel collisions you name it will get fix by the dealership therefore avoiding any reporting on the title info (carfax). So there is no way to know what the car has gone through since the dealership would have taken care of it prior to deciding to putting it in the lot...The same goes for the inside, where forget about the cheerios, but the people who smoke on these cars despite being ask not too, and the list just goes on and on.... sorry to be so negative about it but that's what I've seen and it is not pretty.

Acura_Dude

Poor loaners