Yep, you read right. my insurance is high as hell with the TL. Gas is ok. Idk, I'm considering getting an '06 4 cylinder accord sedan to save money and upgrade to a nicer in a couple years (G37, yes sir). I'd lose power, style, and the fun factor but the TL also almost has 100k on it. With the '06 accord, I'd lose power but I'd get a LOT better mpg, insurance would be a lot more affordable for me, and best of all, no more car payment. Idk, what would you guys do. I'm kind of leaning towards the accord.

2004 SSM TL 5at
Stock
99,8xx miles
non-navi
v6
Ok MPG
Monthly Car Payment


2006 White Accord Auto
Stock
36,xxx miles
fully loaded
4 cylinder
Great MPG from what I've read.
Much Lower Car Payment.

It's like what I want to do versus what I should do.

 

I have both a 4 Cyl Accord and a TL. I think each have their own charm but i LOVE my TL. You have to do whats makes the best financial sense. You can always buy another car later when you have more disposable income.

 

That's exactly how I feel. I love my TL and the freedom to mod it but right now it's just not financially smart right now. I'm 17 working 25-30hrs a week, going to school, paying my insurance, and half my car payment hahaha. It's killing me! lol I get to see the accord this weekend. I also plan to test drive a G35 and 350z while I'm there. hahaha

 

to be honest, that sounds like a sensible trade. At your age, having a TL carries a lot of baggage that you really shouldnt need to worry about. Hell, just having a beater that can get you through highschool and college is sufficient. The only thing I would consider is that if you do plan on going to college, and have lots of crap, having something that could carry all of it back and forth might be better. Although if you have a friend/relative that can help with this, that would work too.

At this point in your life, you should really be trying to save as much as possible to reduce the burden you will need to pay back later.

 

Financing a car at 17 is just really stupid. You should buy whatever car you can afford to pay for with cash, even if it means driving a $2000 pile of junk.

Watch this:

[youtube]iIgLyl66QxQ[/youtube]

 

Thanks man, I think that I'm looking at things in a pretty mature way. I pay for my stuff and I now realize the value of a dollar. Most of my friends are gonna' be like "WTH?! you traded in the TL for the accord?!" I understand there dismay, but it's just smarter for me to have the accord for now. They don't pay my insurance or fill up my tank. Plus, a 2006 car with 36,xxx miles vs 2004 car with 99,8xx miles? Umm, duh! lol

BUT, 3-4 years from now I may be back in the market for something big hahaha.

As far as having a car to haul my stuff back and forth from school, I don't need it. I've decided to continue living at home, attend a JC for 2 years, and "TAG" over to SDSU or San Marcos. An 18 year old moving out on his own right now (to me), is financial suicide. lol. I'd rather have money to go out and have some fun, while still building my savings account.

 

Less debt > Nicer car.

 

Don't wanna' come off like a jerk, but it wasn't my idea. It was a gift from my mom and dad. haha I didn't think they'd actually buy the TL for me.

 

Most definitely. TL + debt < Accord for a few years + save money < Graduate from uni. plus + G37 = Profit! lol

 

A friend of mine has a white 4cly accord. I like it. Good mileage, easy to drive.

 

YUP! I like that video. I own a 2003 RSX Type S, it's not the best condition but 82.5k miles for only $6,500.00 I sold my TL payed $4,000.00 cash and owe only $2,200.00 on it which isn't a big deal I plan to keep the RSX till I'm out of college and get my career rolling =).

 

Holy shit you found an rsx for 6k?

 

Yes sir, it has a rebuilt title. I made sure he gave me before pictures and receipts for all purchases on the car. The accident wasn't bad at all, the parts replaced were fender, headlight, bumper, hood. The paint condition isn't the best and some small rust is forming which I will take care of it all as spring comes in slowly. Also I bought it with brand new Dunlop Signature all season tires, new pads. Also he changed all the O2 sensors which is a common problem on RSX. So far I only changed battery and the car runs like a champ.

 

stock market average of 12%

 

That's good to hear. If I get this car though, I'm keeping it 100% stock. The only thing that's going in there are some subs. haha. I'd keep this car and average around 10,000 miles a year. So, if I graduate from Uni. in 2016 then the accord would have right under 100,000 miles on it. That's perfect, my TL as of now is only a couple hundred away from 100,000 miles hahaha. Like I said before though, in a few years, I will have a G37. What's life without goals? hahaha

 

I bought my car new when I was 17. Looking back at it I don't think it was stupid at all. I paid it off in four years, haven't had a car payment for over a year and I'm left with a solid/reliable car to get me through college.

 

im 17 and i bought an 02 tls in june '09 for 5800. i plan on paying it off in 2.5 yrs and that makes my payments about $210. i plan on keeping it for a while so hopefully i will have no car payment and a nice, reliable car soon.

 

Good to hear it worked out for ya'.

I have $300 payments every month, and I think 3(?) years left.

Even if I don't get the accord, I want to get out of the TL. If I'm gonna' pay this much (high insurance, gas, payments), it should be for something I truly love. Aka a Z or G coupe.

 

it seems like your parents didn't buy the car for you man.

 

In a way, yeah I agree. But, they said they'd make the payments if I pay for insurance. I just figured that it'd be nice if I help and take half the payment as well. I don't have to though, just wanted to help 'em out and show some thanks for such a nice first car.

 

Are your parents adopting? I'm a good kid!

Sounds like you're making the right decision. Just resist the urge to mod it now! I have an Accord, and it has treated me very well!

 

lol. nice try, you would definitely be the oldest sibling. hahaha

Good God, I made an entire list of things I wanted to do with the TL. But with the accord, since it's an i4 and Auto, I really don't see the point in modding it. That's a good thing and a bad thing.

This friday I'll get to see it. If I like it, I'll do the swap. If not, I'll have to pick between heavily modding the TL or keeping it stock and picking up a G35 coupe eventually. (1-2 years down the road)

 

video is crap. doesnt factor in the depreciation of a car over 10 months. or the insurance cancellation/start fee or the dmv or tag fees, inspection

 

Pay off car before you start doing crap to it. Except for window tint. That should have already been done though.

 

Nor a recession.

And just because your trading cars doesnt mean you have to get a boring 4 cyl accord, how bout a 6sp CL-S? Probably equivalent in price to the Accord..maybe a B6 A4, you get the idea.

 

Nope. I'm not tinted at all, yet.

The whole idea is for me to get a boring 4cyl accord to save money in the long run. lol. It will go one of three ways.

1) Give the TL to my uncle, have him give me the Accord. straight up trade. switch titles and that's it. drive a 4-banger for a little while, while saving money and then pick something nice up i.e. G35/G37 or TL type-s.

2) Roll around in the TL (Stock) for another 1-2 years and pick up a G35 coupe 05-07.

3) Pay off the TL, mod it with the basics, and then drive it till I graduate from Uni. and get a new car.

I hope that makes sense, cause for some reason to me it doesn't. Maybe I'm tired. lol

Anyways, I took the TL out tonight and drove it like I did when I first got it and I gotta' say, this car still impresses me when pushed hard.

 

Why don't you just keep the TL for a long ass time. I bought mine when I was a lot younger, probably put more into it than I should have, but I did so knowing I wouldn't need another car for a long, long time. Unless the insurance is really killing you.

 

It is! lol. $900 every 6 months! That's why I feel I might as well drive a Z or G coupe if I'm paying that much for insurance.

 

17 yr old + TL will pay much less than a 17 yr old + 2 door sports car.

Have you gotten insurance quotes with those cars? You'll shit your pants.

 

dude if your insurance is that high with TL, it should be much higher with Z or G coupe for sure.

i'd just keep your TL and make sure to keep it stock. (tint it right now though) Enjoy what you have right now. i personally wouldn't trade it in for Accord. just reduce your spending in other areas?

 

Yeah, sucks huh lol.

That's the thing, I don't spend a whole lot of money. Most of it goes to insurance + payment.

BTW, that's sick that you got a MS3. Those are some quick hatchbacks.

 

I know, I know. lol

I seriously lol'd at this statement. Thanks for that hahaha.

 

All I'm gonna say is, you don't want to bring a nice car to college

I've seen two hit and runs at my school, just walking to and from class. Who knows how many happen while I wasn't at school.

 

I feel you man, it's bad enough at my HS and I live in a GOOD neighborhood. Somebody tried to slash one of my tires like 2 weeks ago.

 

I guess. I had my mustang and TL in college, never really any issues.

 

if you are thinking of dropping the tl for the accord get a quote from your agent first you may be suprised to learn that your insurance will not change. mt insurance pretty much stayed the same when I went from a 98 LX-V6 accord coupe to a 2002 CL type S.

More safety features = larger discount

the addition of

Traction control
VSA
Alarm system
better / more airbags

offset the premium increase caused by going to a higher performance car

 

Yeah but I go to a community college and there's a wide scope of cars here. Tiny commuter cars, rusty old pickups, then there's that one chick that brings an Expedition and somehow fits it in a "compact" space, then there's spoiled kids driving their 335i around who don't care if their car gets wrecked cause mommy and daddy will buy them a new one. Combine that with my school's slang name, De Asia (De Anza) due to the high Asian population (mostly fobs, who are the worst Asian drivers) and that's a recipe for a screwed up rear bumper and door dings.

I usually park in the auto tech lot since there's a higher chance of people who actually care about their cars, and next to an island, but one time I damn near had to get into my car through the hatch

 

Type DM, you should keep the TL. You'll save money on gas and insurance for sure, but the ROI that you would see would not be worth it (IMO).

I would keep the TL and drive it into the ground. That way when you graduate college, you can get a "better" car.

 

^ werd.

 

I would kill to trade my Accord straight up for a TL three years ago, but now I have most of the functionality of the TL (5.1 surround sound, leather, V6 engine, navi, bluetooth, etc.) that to me it could be a downgrade.

The reason why the OPs insurance is so high is because he's 17. Doesn't matter what car he drives his insurance will be high.