Good buy?

[JonnStar]

I'm in the market for a car. Prev one was written off.

I can put 40k down immediately.

Was looking at a saloon 2009 Honda Civic vxi I-vtec 1.8 with automatic, cruise control, leather seats and other standard features. Very nice interior and looks in perfect condition.

Has 95000km on the clock and is going for R129-500.

Is this a good deal? Some say 95000km is a bit high, but I say that would also mean it has just been through a major service which is good. Also 1.8 is a decent size engine and should last for a long time.

I would appreciate some opinions though on the deal as a whole I haven't driven Honda before and I am taking it out for a test drive tomorrow.

 

[Archer]

The saloons tend to be a bit cheaper than the hatchback counterpart, and from what I've gathered a 2008 hatch with 75000km will be around 130k. So one year younger, but a sedan, and higher mileage... I think 125k would be the place to settle. I have no clue whether the auto version would be any more expensive (second hand) than a manual. Wouldnt worry about the mileage on that car, those engines can go forever if they've been looked after just a little bit. edit: what region are you? Sometimes you'll see huge variations based on where in the country the car is.

All of the above is just my opinion of course And I'm biased to the hatch because I'm currently selling mine

 

[JonnStar]

Thanks Archer. I have been through quite a few choices already and this is the first car that really caught my attention. Just don't want to make a fools choice by not getting valuable input from others

 

[HapticSimian]

Have a dig around AutoTrader for cars of similar age with comparable mileage and you'll quickly get a feel whether they're in the ballpark with their price. Of course most cars are sold for a bit less than they're advertised for, so keep that in mind.

Civics are well regarded, and they age and maintain value reasonably well. If I recall the VXi should also offer you pretty much everything that opens and shuts. I have however heard that maintenance on Hondas can be a bit pricy, but I have no personal experience of this. 'Sides, if you're servicing the car once or twice a year, R500 this way or that will hardly break the bank.

See how you feel after the drive, but don't allow yourself to get all starry-eyed in the process. Assess as much as you can as critically as you can; from your comfort behind the wheel, to all-round visibility, to luggage and utility space to - most importantly - how you feel behind the wheel. You're going to be spending a lot of time there...

If it doesn't 'speak' to you, take a step back and remember that R130k will buy you a substantial variety of very nice cars.

 

[pboy]

90 000kms on a honda and you are only beginning to run her in!

i would say absolutely jump at the the honda!
in Japan, they dont have the hatch, and the sedans come out looking pretty nice! the sedan type R (fd2 at 166kw) there will also anihililate our hatch type R here (fn2 ar 148kw)!

when I was in thailand i saw plenty of thise sedans, with the honda factory spec wheel upgrade option, and smal other bits and pieces extra. looked absolutely stunning!!

servicing costs on honda's are not bad at all.
i service my type R and the wife's accord type S once a year at Honda Melrose during the december vacation special.
last year was R1650 per car.
the year before was the same!

nothing breaks on a honda man! get it!

 

[JonnStar]

Appreciate it guys thanks again. Tomorrow will tell, hopefully I can test it down the M1 and up through Grayston to get a good feel.

 

[Type RSA]

These are better deals

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...ndcommercialpricerangeszar/125-000-to-149-999

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...ndcommercialpricerangeszar/125-000-to-149-999

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...ndcommercialpricerangeszar/125-000-to-149-999

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...ndcommercialpricerangeszar/125-000-to-149-999

Also, as far as I know the 90 000km isn't really a big service. The 105 000km is a biggy. They replace your plugs with new ones and that costs quite a bit. Think Honda quotes up to R3000 for this as it's some special Iridium plugs. Car doesn't have a cambelt (has a chain), so no need to worry about that. Just check the clutch, and all other normal goodies before you buy. 90 000km is is nothing for a Honda. That is as good as 20 000km on other cars You can't go wrong with a Honda bud, that car will last you forever.

 

[JonnStar]

That is as good as 20 000km on other cars You can't go wrong with a Honda bud, that car will last you forever.

I just worry about another accident, I have had such bad luck with my previous car

A motorbike ploughed into the back of it.
Then later someone reversed their bakkie into it at a parking hitting both side doors.
And now what wrote it off was some foreigner with a rental didn't yield at a circle and hit into the side of my car at speed. I don't know about challenging the write off but I don't want that car anymore anyway

My previous car was a Getz 1.6 so I think the Honda will be much better. A blessing in disguise perhaps