Replacing and old and loved 2003 civic
Discussion
We inherited a civic, the 1.4i model and over the years we have treated it quite badly. Everything has been chucked in the back bar dead bodies. Left outside in all weathers, cleaned every 6 months, but oil, plugs etc cleaned/replaced every year ish. Its kissed a few walls, said hello to narrow country lanes. Has now done 85k miles. Passes mots pretty well apart from the usual suspects, tie rods etc. Engine and manual 5 speed still good but its getting tatty. And smells of farm....conjour that one!
We have been sort of waiting for it to die, but it wont....just keeps on going so do we pull the plug now. Whats it worth, well....fill it up with petrol and it doubles in value!!!
So thoughts are, we are having a savings policy mature soon and will have around £8k and might just get a newer car to do the same job and last maybe another 10 years. BUT maybe take a bit better care.
Initial thoughts were a Skoda Fabia estate 1.2 tsi, most journeys are under 20 miles, 3 times a week. (we have only put 40k on the car in 11 years). Cheap tax, 50 mpg, large boot etc....whats not too like? The civic does 40 mpg and tax is £200 something pa.
Skoda has a big boot, plenty of power, we will put a towbar on to pull a small trailer weighing 250kg occasionally 20 miles here n there, twice monthly.
PLEASE PLEASE READ PREVIOUS COMMENTS BEFORE REPLYING
We have been sort of waiting for it to die, but it wont....just keeps on going so do we pull the plug now. Whats it worth, well....fill it up with petrol and it doubles in value!!!
So thoughts are, we are having a savings policy mature soon and will have around £8k and might just get a newer car to do the same job and last maybe another 10 years. BUT maybe take a bit better care.
Initial thoughts were a Skoda Fabia estate 1.2 tsi, most journeys are under 20 miles, 3 times a week. (we have only put 40k on the car in 11 years). Cheap tax, 50 mpg, large boot etc....whats not too like? The civic does 40 mpg and tax is £200 something pa.
Skoda has a big boot, plenty of power, we will put a towbar on to pull a small trailer weighing 250kg occasionally 20 miles here n there, twice monthly.
PLEASE PLEASE READ PREVIOUS COMMENTS BEFORE REPLYING
Edited by romft123 on Thursday 14th March 09:21
Personally if it still works and isn't costing an arm and a leg to keep on the road I'd keep it as the beater / run around. Sometimes it is a "They don't make them like they used to", so you may find that a newer £8k Fabia will be needing a bit more work every MOT than you're used to.
I wouldn't really take the tax and MPG into consideration as a plus for the newer Fabia either. Think you'll be having to do a lot of miles to make back your £8k in terms of savings.
However, if your reason for changing is because you want to change, then fire ahead. Might be worth comparing it to other VW Group cars too and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised how much less it costs to buy.
I wouldn't really take the tax and MPG into consideration as a plus for the newer Fabia either. Think you'll be having to do a lot of miles to make back your £8k in terms of savings.
However, if your reason for changing is because you want to change, then fire ahead. Might be worth comparing it to other VW Group cars too and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised how much less it costs to buy.
Jayho said:
Personally if it still works and isn't costing an arm and a leg to keep on the road I'd keep it as the beater / run around. Sometimes it is a "They don't make them like they used to", so you may find that a newer £8k Fabia will be needing a bit more work every MOT than you're used to.
I wouldn't really take the tax and MPG into consideration as a plus for the newer Fabia either. Think you'll be having to do a lot of miles to make back your £8k in terms of savings.
However, if your reason for changing is because you want to change, then fire ahead. Might be worth comparing it to other VW Group cars too and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised how much less it costs to buy.
I know.......and thats the problem, the bloody thing keeps on going! But its tatty, really tatty but it keeps on saying love me......Tax/mpg isnt really an issue, just a bonus. (We didnt buy the car, inherited it). First world problems................I wouldn't really take the tax and MPG into consideration as a plus for the newer Fabia either. Think you'll be having to do a lot of miles to make back your £8k in terms of savings.
However, if your reason for changing is because you want to change, then fire ahead. Might be worth comparing it to other VW Group cars too and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised how much less it costs to buy.
Another thought is we bought a subaru forester as we needed to tow 2ton occasionally and that has now gone. Its a 2013 XT, worth £9400 according to WBAC......so we could sell that and buy the fabia estate???? AND keep the civic as the cheapy?????
We would still need to tow a trailer but its weight is not higher than 400 kg??
We would still need to tow a trailer but its weight is not higher than 400 kg??
romft123 said:
Another thought is we bought a subaru forester as we needed to tow 2ton occasionally and that has now gone. Its a 2013 XT, worth £9400 according to WBAC......so we could sell that and buy the fabia estate???? AND keep the civic as the cheapy?????
We would still need to tow a trailer but its weight is not higher than 400 kg??
Do you want this fabia estate? We would still need to tow a trailer but its weight is not higher than 400 kg??
It sounds like you have a reliable Subaru and a reliable civic. It sounds like your lusting after this fabia but why?
Mad Maximus said:
romft123 said:
Another thought is we bought a subaru forester as we needed to tow 2ton occasionally and that has now gone. Its a 2013 XT, worth £9400 according to WBAC......so we could sell that and buy the fabia estate???? AND keep the civic as the cheapy?????
We would still need to tow a trailer but its weight is not higher than 400 kg??
Do you want this fabia estate? We would still need to tow a trailer but its weight is not higher than 400 kg??
It sounds like you have a reliable Subaru and a reliable civic. It sounds like your lusting after this fabia but why?
tty jobs, the subaru replacement a nice car.....but cheaper to run. I am not set of the Fabia estate....but it is a nice car!
romft123 said:
I know.......and thats the problem, the bloody thing keeps on going! But its tatty, really tatty but it keeps on saying love me......Tax/mpg isnt really an issue, just a bonus. (We didnt buy the car, inherited it). First world problems................
How much do you think the Civic is worth? Where about in the country are you? I would very be temped to take it off your hands to rasp about in as my daily / hack and get rid of my more modern VW which I use as daily just now. Another vote for keeping the Civic until it does / costs too much to get through the next MOT etc... As Kylie sang 'Better the devil you know...'
I'd look at maybe selling the Forester and getting something to replace that but by using the money from the sale of the Forrester rather than your pension pot. I know you don't need to tow as much but do you need 4wd, if not plenty of estate / tourer based cars, A4 Avant, Leon ST, Octavia VRS, Civic Tourer to name but a few...
I'd look at maybe selling the Forester and getting something to replace that but by using the money from the sale of the Forrester rather than your pension pot. I know you don't need to tow as much but do you need 4wd, if not plenty of estate / tourer based cars, A4 Avant, Leon ST, Octavia VRS, Civic Tourer to name but a few...
I feel your frustration at some posters still commenting without reading all the posts 
Your decision to keep the Civic is a sensible one.
Maybe keep a grand from the sale of the Subaru to tidy it up a bit?
How about a newer Civic?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...
Or an Auris
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402226...
Your decision to keep the Civic is a sensible one.
Maybe keep a grand from the sale of the Subaru to tidy it up a bit?
How about a newer Civic?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...
Or an Auris
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402226...
The 1.4 and 1.6 petrol 8v "EU" shape civics are known as 'cockroach' cars along with the Jazz and Toyota corolla of the same era. You'd do well to kill one, mechanically at least. We had a 1.6 8v Exec years back and we hammered it mileage wise and it never gave less than 40mpg or missed a beat in service. Safe, good visibility, easy to drive and practical.
I'd personally be compelled to keep it. If it's looking (and smelling) tired, then maybe treat it to a 'full valet / deep clean' at your local car wash , the sort where they want it for a few hours and that may just rejuvenate your relationship. Furthermore, perhaps get a touch up stick and give it some TLC, replace any broken/worn plastic trim and get it looking presentable again because you'll have hard pushed to find something that will offer you as good service.
I'd personally be compelled to keep it. If it's looking (and smelling) tired, then maybe treat it to a 'full valet / deep clean' at your local car wash , the sort where they want it for a few hours and that may just rejuvenate your relationship. Furthermore, perhaps get a touch up stick and give it some TLC, replace any broken/worn plastic trim and get it looking presentable again because you'll have hard pushed to find something that will offer you as good service.
Why spend 8k on another car you'll just mistreat? Clean up the Civic and I bet you'll find it's not as ruined as you think. They're akin to cockroach in thier ability to just survive. In a far off time, when the last heat of the very last dying star in the universe has ebbed away and all that's left is the cold expense of dead space, there will STILL be at least one Civic running.
A vallet and a visit to the bodyshop will cost you a damn sight less, and you'll have a brilliant car at the end of it.
A vallet and a visit to the bodyshop will cost you a damn sight less, and you'll have a brilliant car at the end of it.
Truckosaurus said:
GreatGranny said:
...
Maybe keep a grand from the sale of the Subaru to tidy it up a bit?
....
That would be my thinking. Swap the Forester for a cheaper/newer car and keep the Civic - maybe treat the inside to a clean to get rid of the smell.Maybe keep a grand from the sale of the Subaru to tidy it up a bit?
....
Unless you want to go down to one car.
The civic isnt worth a lot. Cornish hedges are just plain nasty.
I only mentioned the Fabia as the estate is huge inside, a frugal engine, modern and for the 2015-2017 £20 tax BUT we might go newer. Is there another option to the Fabia?? Yeti....no no no.....
Maybe a Kamiq.....
Edited by romft123 on Thursday 14th March 12:39
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