I'm thinking of trading in my Accord 190HP EX for a Civic Si, both are '09 MY. I've never driven a M/T car before so I'm a bit worried, but the thing that tempts me to do the trade is the fact that both cars are priced the same $24,000, so the lease payments will be nearly identical. Probably a bit higher for the Civic since Accords have better resale value.

I'm just bored with the Accord, and I never liked it since the day I got it, I keep it clean and I tried removing some weight and never keep junk in the car, but yet the car still gets 22MPG or so. I've got about 5500mi. on the ODO, so I'm thinking maybe I'll get an Si. I think they look pretty cool, but I really dispise the digital speedo.

Do you think it's a good idea to trade in the Accord for the Civic Si, I'm looking for input because maybe you guys might suggest getting something else. By the way I can only get a Honda vehicle because it'll result in a lower early lease termination costs.

 

You mentioned that you have no experience with manuals so I'd try getting a beater manual car before I get a brand new manual car and end up messing my transmission. IMO

 

Cut your losses asap. Its hard as hell to pay monthly for something you dont like. SI are very very fun no doubt, just dont compare the 0 to 60 time with the other pocket rocket 4 cylinder turbos out there.

 

If you want the better mileage, and don't need a big car, do it. If the payments are a wash, you'll be OK.

 

just do it

 

I wouldn't do it until you learn to drive manual on another car and determine if you like to drive stick or prefer an auto. You have no experience driving a manual and you already stated you hate the digital speedo, so you might hate the Si as much as you do your Accord, then your stuck with another vehicle you don't like.

 

depreciation ftl

 

 

Thanks for the input, I'm still deciding. I'm leaning towards the Si, I have friends who will help in the learning process of driving stick, so we'll see.

 

I hope the OP is not serious.

 

I am going to give my and say DO NOT DO IT.

 

May I ask why you bought the Accord if you hated driving it? It is very obvious that the Si will be a more engaging drive, but like many others have suggested, learn how to drive a manual transmission properly and if you like it, take it from there. Depreciation sucks but paying for something you don't like driving sucks even more imo. If you prefer automatic, look for a cpo Golf GTi with the DSG.

 

i'd stay put in the Accord. it's a reliable,safe ride.

 

Stay with the Accord, unless the financial hit is worth it. Even then, learn how to drive stick before getting your new car.

 

cant you rent a manual from enterprise and just beat the hell out of that clutch?

 

You might increase some of the fun factor with the Si, but at a significant financial penalty. I'd stick with the Accord, especially considering the manual transmission issue. Warranties don't cover fried clutches.....

 

I think that's one of the reasons why rental companies don't have manual rentals..... at least when I asked my friend he said they didn't have them.

 

The reason I got the accord was because my father was involved in the decision process when we were looking to get a new car to replace the TL. He suggested that I get the Accord because the Civic was to small and he was concerned that (because at the time I was driving my mother around) my mother would feel uncomfortable being a passenger.

Now that, that issue is no longer a factor and I have assumed payments for the car, whereas prior he was paying for the car, I can pretty much get whatever I can afford.

So yeah after assuming the payments for the car I can pretty much say that the car is total crap (quite obviously I could reserve that right if the car was free), and that I no longer wish to drive the car. The gas mileage is much worse that what I got in the TL not to mention it is also much slower and less attractive.

That's why I'm looking into other options to spice it up a bit. The Si isn't much faster, but I did have the intention of putting some minor modifications to bring it to low 14s. I would have jumped to the Accord V6 coupe, but the issue there is that there is no sense in me paying the extra $100 a mo/ for a car. I'd rather be happy paying what I pay now.

If I can get an Accord coupe v6 as a lease for $370 a mo/ I'd do it, but unlikely.

 

Oh to rebut the arguement about learning to drive M/T prior to jumping to the purchase, I wanted to pose a question, whether it would make a difference if I was tought by my two friends who have driven M/T cars all their lives.

 

wait wait....you got ride of your TL? explain?

 

my head hurts

 

You would be amazed at how easy the SI's 6speed is to learn on. I taught my sister in law in 15 minutes. The clutch is really smooth. If you understand how the transmission / engine / clutch operate together, you should be fine. A good way to learn is to let off the clutch slowly til it engages and the car starts moving. It does a little wear on the clutch, but you'll get the hang of it. After that, take a bigger step by adding fuel as you're letting go of the clutch. 1st gear will be the hardest, all other gears are easy.

 

Thanks for the encouraging words, I'm going to give it some serious thought in the next two~three weeks.

 

Yeah, the lease was up and it was to expensive to keep (I couldn't afford $500 a mo/ a the time).

 

I'm up in the air, it seems kind of odd to have an 09 and trade it for a 09 and this is coming from someone who gets a new car almost every year! I really like the civic si, but I also really like the Accord, but in very different ways. If I were 22, no doubt in my mind I would rather have a civic si, they are fun, reliable cars. My father has a new accord and he loves it, gets low 30 MPG on the highway, it is comfortable and rides well. I think it is kind of big and floaty, but he is 30 years older then me, it is safe to say we have different taste.

Financially it is a terrible move, but you only live once, if you have a stable job and can stomach the transition it probably wouldn't be the end of the world, but expect to take a fairly large hit, in particular in this car market.

 

One word = Insurance.

 

if money is tight, just drive your accord....... if not, who cares, just trade it.

 

don't forget to test drive Si

 

He can't drive stick

 

Every time you switch, you lo$e. Keep the Accord for at least a couple of years!

 

Can you even mod the car if your leasing? I'd get the Si as long as your okay with losing money on the trade.

 

Dont forget to wear a surgical mask when you burn that SI clutch. I'm sure the salesman will get a laugh or two over it.

 

Eoanou, I remember meeting you several months ago and I saw how much you hated the accord. I can't imagine paying for something that I hate. I felt that way for about 2 and a half weeks after trading in my 04 TL for the RL. Fortunately, I fell in love with the car. Unlike your situation, you still don't like the accord.

Do what your heart tells you. Go for the Civic SI if you are really set on that car. I personally dislike the looks of the new accord...

If your payments do not go up by much..shoot, go for it.

 

oh god

 

Well guys, I'm also looking to get a higher paying job, if that works out I'll definitely be moving out of the Accord.

 

If the car is tabbed by your insurance as a sports car, your premium is likely to jump significantly because of your age/driving experience. You'll probably end up paying more than you pay now for the Accord sedan (loan & insurance). Make a call to your insurance and find out how much your insurance premium will be BEFORE you buy the Si.

 

The SI is boatloads of fun.. and the insurance wont be that bad. Get the sedan... and as long as you've got a clean record you should be in the claear

 

You are going to take an absolute beating on the trade in, I don't understand how your payments are going to stay the same. What am I missing?

If the accord was $24K new, it's probably only worth $18K now and they are going to give you a new $24K car with no change in payments? Why not just do that every six months and keep flipping between civics and accords and never drive a car more than six months old?

 

Can't you take manual transmission driving classes or w/e? Or have a friend teach you on their car in a parking lot and backroads?

IMO, I'd go with the Si. Will be more fun to drive and smaller/easier to manuever

 

If the hit for depreciation is that large, that will certainly deter my from making the choice of trading it. I was assuming I would probably pay $1000 down and maybe $15 or so a month extra on lease payments. That's what I had prepared for.