Decision - Civic or TL?

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Old 06-17-2010 | 12:30 PM
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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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 12:39 PM
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pics of 19 yr old "friend" plz
Old 06-17-2010 | 12:39 PM
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honestly thats a no brainer...who the hell wants to drive a civic when you can buy a tl?!?
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:00 PM
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19 y/o girls.
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:04 PM
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TL > Civic

also in for pics of said 19 yr old girl.
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:06 PM
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Well, the TL has a navi.
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by dino81
pics of 19 yr old "friend" plz
x2
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:18 PM
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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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:29 PM
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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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:36 PM
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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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 01:55 PM
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Maintenance on these cars is no more expensive than any other Honda......If you HAVE to take it in for service, take it to a Honda dealer, it'll be cheaper.
Old 06-17-2010 | 02:05 PM
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since I just came from a Civic, I can say the decision is easy...get the TL...
Old 06-17-2010 | 02:42 PM
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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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 03:17 PM
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^^That mean if you want a aspec lip kit, she gonna want one, wheels, intake, exhaust and sooo on. I say for her age, the Civic!
Old 06-17-2010 | 03:35 PM
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W T F - excellent comparison.

Ford Focus or Jaguar XF?
Smart or Mustang?
Toyota Yaris or TSX?
Old 06-17-2010 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by JMillerUA6
Maintenance on these cars is no more expensive than any other Honda......If you HAVE to take it in for service, take it to a Honda dealer, it'll be cheaper.
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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 04:43 PM
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TL all day...
Old 06-17-2010 | 04:54 PM
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i say tl....but for a 19 year old girl i picture her in a civic
Old 06-17-2010 | 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by TeknoKing
W T F - excellent comparison.

Ford Focus or Jaguar XF?
Smart or Mustang?
Toyota Yaris or TSX?
there is no comparison.
Old 06-17-2010 | 05:27 PM
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lol...post the same question on civic forums and see their answers.
Old 06-17-2010 | 06:19 PM
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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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 07:10 PM
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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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 07:19 PM
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tell her to get the TL ... if she keeps the car for atleast 6 years ... she will probably be out of college, and want a car that has some professionalism to it just my 2 cents
Old 06-17-2010 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by I hate cars
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.
It's just cheaper to own a Civic then TL. I totally get what you're saying though.

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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Hapa DC5
It's just cheaper to own a Civic then TL. I totally get what you're saying though.

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.
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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Hapa DC5
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.
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.
Old 06-17-2010 | 07:56 PM
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Tell her to get the Civic.
Girls(GF) = curbed wheels. Don't want any other TL to be treated so badly.
Old 06-18-2010 | 01:18 AM
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What about a TSX?

It's small like a Civic but has the luxury features to it.
Old 06-18-2010 | 01:32 AM
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I will marry her if she gets the tl
Old 06-18-2010 | 01:50 AM
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How is that even a comparison?

The TL wins in ALL categories except MPG (mostly city).
Old 06-18-2010 | 02:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 24no7
I will marry her if she gets the tl
Even if she looked like Hulk Hogan?
Old 06-18-2010 | 09:21 AM
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If she looked like Brooke
Old 06-18-2010 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by I hate cars
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.
Agreed. From a value standpoint the TL is the clear winner. It just might more car then is necessary for her though.
Old 06-18-2010 | 09:46 AM
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no brainer on the car, but show me a picture of you "friend" and I'll let you know if she needs tints.
Old 06-18-2010 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by lights
lol...post the same question on civic forums and see their answers.

^^^ Exactly....you KNEW the response you were going to get on an Acura forum, right?
Old 06-18-2010 | 10:16 AM
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It's a no brainer, tell her to get the TL
Old 06-18-2010 | 11:08 AM
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I would choose a TL over a civic any day... what everyone said no brainer...
Old 06-20-2010 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Souljah
Even if she looked like Hulk Hogan?
I'm quite sure she doesn't even look like that so don't worry yoursefl so...
Old 06-20-2010 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Steven Bell
^^^ Exactly....you KNEW the response you were going to get on an Acura forum, right?
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.
Old 06-21-2010 | 01:55 PM
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TL for sure and where is the pic of your friend?


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