Decision - Civic or TL?
06-17-2010, 12:30 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Decision - Civic or TL?
My friend (19 year old girl) is looking to replace her old Accord.
She was leaning towards buying an 07 Civic sedan EX with 49000 miles listed for $14850 but she likes my TL.
So she found an 06 TL near by. It has navi and 48000 miles and listed for $16950. I think this is a very good price.
Both are within her price range and I am suggesting the TL for her. Maybe I am biased because I have a TL myself. Besides TL getting less gas mileage and recommending premium fuel, do you think TL would be much more to maintain and repair than the Civic? Thank you for your inputs.
She was leaning towards buying an 07 Civic sedan EX with 49000 miles listed for $14850 but she likes my TL.
So she found an 06 TL near by. It has navi and 48000 miles and listed for $16950. I think this is a very good price.
Both are within her price range and I am suggesting the TL for her. Maybe I am biased because I have a TL myself. Besides TL getting less gas mileage and recommending premium fuel, do you think TL would be much more to maintain and repair than the Civic? Thank you for your inputs.
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06-17-2010, 01:18 PM
#8
This is a slightly tougher decision because your friend is a girl (I'm not being sexist at all, please don't interpret my opinion that way).
To me, the TL is WITHOUT A DOUBT the better deal. WAY more car for not much more money. I think that's a nice deal for a TL, regardless. And she could probably find a better deal on a Civic...maybe(?).
My 23 yr old girlfriend drives an 08 Civic sedan. It's a very nice car, with leather, heated seats, aux in, sunroof, and even a front lip spoiler. She really likes it. I drive an 05 WDP TL with Navi. She likes both of our cars, and enjoys driving both. I can't stand driving her car, but she enjoys it. It's "cute," gets good gas mileage, and is comfortable for her (she's 5'1" on a really good day). However she really enjoys the "luxery" aspect of my car. It's MORE comfortable, and drives much easier with the v6 engine.
I think this is the biggest factor- to me, my car is much, much, much easier to drive. I'm 6'2" and so the larger car is more comfortable for me, and I like how it drives smoother with much more power. I don't have a hard time seeing cars around me while I drive, or navigating it while I park. To my girlfriend, while she appreciates my car more and can't deny it's more comfortable (simply because it's a higher end car), I believe she finds her car much easier to drive. It's easier for her while she's on the road, and with parking. She does get better gas mileage than I do. And while nothing you can do will change this (4 cyl > v6 with gas mileage), I think the TL is a better compromise. Personally, I would rather get a little less mileage, but have a car that can go when I need it to. If I'm in her car and need to get on it, it's almost painful for me. THERE IS NO COMPARISON IN THE ASPECT OF POWER AND GET-UP-AND-GO. But it doesn't bother my girlfriend as much. And I find that the TL get's very good gas mileage if you drive it nicely (considering it has a v6, of course).
My main point is, while I think my girlfriend would pick my TL in the end, the decision would be harder for her to make then it would be for me. I would pick my car without question, while she may not find the decision as easy. It really comes down to what your friend prefers.
To me, the TL is WITHOUT A DOUBT the better deal. WAY more car for not much more money. I think that's a nice deal for a TL, regardless. And she could probably find a better deal on a Civic...maybe(?).
My 23 yr old girlfriend drives an 08 Civic sedan. It's a very nice car, with leather, heated seats, aux in, sunroof, and even a front lip spoiler. She really likes it. I drive an 05 WDP TL with Navi. She likes both of our cars, and enjoys driving both. I can't stand driving her car, but she enjoys it. It's "cute," gets good gas mileage, and is comfortable for her (she's 5'1" on a really good day). However she really enjoys the "luxery" aspect of my car. It's MORE comfortable, and drives much easier with the v6 engine.
I think this is the biggest factor- to me, my car is much, much, much easier to drive. I'm 6'2" and so the larger car is more comfortable for me, and I like how it drives smoother with much more power. I don't have a hard time seeing cars around me while I drive, or navigating it while I park. To my girlfriend, while she appreciates my car more and can't deny it's more comfortable (simply because it's a higher end car), I believe she finds her car much easier to drive. It's easier for her while she's on the road, and with parking. She does get better gas mileage than I do. And while nothing you can do will change this (4 cyl > v6 with gas mileage), I think the TL is a better compromise. Personally, I would rather get a little less mileage, but have a car that can go when I need it to. If I'm in her car and need to get on it, it's almost painful for me. THERE IS NO COMPARISON IN THE ASPECT OF POWER AND GET-UP-AND-GO. But it doesn't bother my girlfriend as much. And I find that the TL get's very good gas mileage if you drive it nicely (considering it has a v6, of course).
My main point is, while I think my girlfriend would pick my TL in the end, the decision would be harder for her to make then it would be for me. I would pick my car without question, while she may not find the decision as easy. It really comes down to what your friend prefers.
06-17-2010, 01:29 PM
#9
It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing her financial situation. She's pretty young, so she needs to take some things into account: Can she afford possibly $150 or more per month in insurance bills? Can she afford to fix the TL when it breaks? Can she afford the premium fuel (I know plenty of 19 year olds who would have trouble with the extra 20 cents or so per gallon - -the college students who consider a Big Mac to be a luxury meal). Can she afford tires for it? (I just got relatively cheap tires and it still cost me a little over 600 bucks).
In all these things the Civic is going to be much cheaper, so unless she has one hell of a job for a 19 year old, or is bankrolled by someone else, I'd probably say go with the Civic.
In all these things the Civic is going to be much cheaper, so unless she has one hell of a job for a 19 year old, or is bankrolled by someone else, I'd probably say go with the Civic.
06-17-2010, 01:36 PM
#10
Like most 19 year old girls I'd assume she'd hate the expensive maintenance and taking the car in to be serviced with the TL. Generally girls don't do much maintenance on their cars or often do it later than needed.
If maintenance and cost of it being done isn't an issue, along with gas mileage and possibly insurance pricing also isn't an issue, than she should defiantly get the TL. The only other thing to look at is pricing of replacing parts, but that doesn't happen every day and the TL isn't too much more expensive.
If maintenance and cost of it being done isn't an issue, along with gas mileage and possibly insurance pricing also isn't an issue, than she should defiantly get the TL. The only other thing to look at is pricing of replacing parts, but that doesn't happen every day and the TL isn't too much more expensive.
06-17-2010, 02:42 PM
#13
if she gets the TL, she will be more supportive/interested in the mods you do, you guys can work on your cars together, and you could save on sharing things, i.e. same parts, same fluids, same tools and work needed etc.
06-17-2010, 03:35 PM
#15
W T F - excellent comparison.
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06-17-2010, 04:04 PM
#16
Don't know where the fuck you go but there's a huge difference in price when it comes time to replace brakes & shit on the TL compared to my '08 Si.
there is no comparison.
06-17-2010, 06:19 PM
#21
אני עומד עם ישראל
Just get the Civic and find a better deal on an EX-L w/nav, I'd rather see a 19 yo beat on that then a TL.
Insurance is cheaper, repairs are cheaper, and gas mileage is better. The Civic is safe, reliable, and cheap to run.
Insurance is cheaper, repairs are cheaper, and gas mileage is better. The Civic is safe, reliable, and cheap to run.
06-17-2010, 07:10 PM
#22
Team Owner
If it were me, there is no comparison, TL all the way. However, different people have different taste. Just look at all the Pontiac Aztecs and Nissan Cubes that have sold.
I've never taken my car in for service but oil is oil, filters are filters, brake pads are brake pads. No difference in price. Like it was said, take the TL to the Honda dealer and get Accord pricing.
And come on, $5 difference in the cost of a fillup between regular and premium... I think anyone could afford that.
I've never taken my car in for service but oil is oil, filters are filters, brake pads are brake pads. No difference in price. Like it was said, take the TL to the Honda dealer and get Accord pricing.
And come on, $5 difference in the cost of a fillup between regular and premium... I think anyone could afford that.
06-17-2010, 07:25 PM
#24
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I've never taken my car in for service but oil is oil, filters are filters, brake pads are brake pads. No difference in price. Like it was said, take the TL to the Honda dealer and get Accord pricing.
And come on, $5 difference in the cost of a fillup between regular and premium... I think anyone could afford that.
And come on, $5 difference in the cost of a fillup between regular and premium... I think anyone could afford that.
The price per fill up wouldn't really mean much to me, but the frequency may matter to a teenager if they are filling up more often.
06-17-2010, 07:29 PM
#25
Team Owner
Frequency for sure. I'm not really talking about anyone in this thread but sometimes I think people have never done the math on a premium vs regular fillup. It's barely noticable. I did have a time in college, parents hated me, nearly homeless, and hanging on by a thread where I pulled the wastegate off (no boost) and drove the GN on regular fuel. In those days, $5 meant eating or not eating. However, I get the idea that the person in question won't be going hungry if they can afford an $17,000 car. I don't mean this is a bad way at all.
06-17-2010, 07:35 PM
#26
Banned
I agree. Most girls seem to neglect caring for their car. That in the end will cause maintenance costs to rise. I think the Leather, navi, 360 watt mp3/wma stereo, xm, aux jack, heated mirrors/seats will be luxurious enough. 26mpg in city vs 19 (im sure she'll does most to all driving in these areas) is another big plus.
06-18-2010, 09:21 AM
#32
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If she looked like Brooke 
06-18-2010, 09:30 AM
#33
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Frequency for sure. I'm not really talking about anyone in this thread but sometimes I think people have never done the math on a premium vs regular fillup. It's barely noticable. I did have a time in college, parents hated me, nearly homeless, and hanging on by a thread where I pulled the wastegate off (no boost) and drove the GN on regular fuel. In those days, $5 meant eating or not eating. However, I get the idea that the person in question won't be going hungry if they can afford an $17,000 car. I don't mean this is a bad way at all.
06-18-2010, 10:15 AM
#35
Team Owner
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06-20-2010, 08:42 PM
#39
Team Owner
True, but if you asked what you should get, a TL or Lamborghini on this forum and they were the same price, I think most of us would agree with the Lambo. Maybe not quite as much of a difference between the TL and Civic but unless fuel is a concern I can't imagine choosing a Civic at the same price.
