It was the best of cars, it was the worst of cars. The 4Runner was the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned, but, it was the hungriest one too. It got to 110,000 miles with only a few minor complaints, but it only got 16 miles to a gallon along the way. It always went through the snow and always got me home, but it was an uninspired drivng experience, no fun at all.

Our son Andrew recently got his license and the plan was to give him the use of the 4Runner, get Liz a TSX, and I'd take over our Acura TL TypeS as my daily driver. Alas, the best laid plans of mice and men.......

We test drove the TSX and were very impressed with it, but Liz started having second thoughts. It was more car than she wanted to run around town. She wanted something small and light and with an appetite for regular gas. Let them eat cake didn't seem right. She was more comfortable with letting them drink regular.

She originally wanted a Mini, but decided that it was not quite right. Next she considered the Civic. We have a long history with Honda, and after a test drive she was sold. We decided on a Civic EX SE 4 door Sedan. The dealer asked if we were going to trade the 4Runner. We hadn't thought of it but on a lark we asked how much he'd give us. His offer blew us away. It was too good to be true. And, the 4Runner was starting to show it's age so we thought it would be a good time.

But what about Andrew? "How much for two Civics", I asked. The deal was irresistable, so now it is the best of times with one Civic EX SE 4 door Sedan for Liz and one Civic EX SE 2 door Coupe for Andrew.

It is the best of times this evening in my driveway.

Andrew's Coupe




Liz's Sedan




And everyone lived happily ever after.

 

That's very cool Rob! I've never bought two cars at once. What was the salespersons response? Was he/she blown away? I can't imagine they have people buy 2 cars every day.

 

Buying two cars at once is quite an experience. The dealer becomes very willing to negotiate. Especially if, like us, you don't care if you get the cars or not and are willing to walk.

This was a very good time to buy. I don't think Hondas or cars in general are selling. Honda is redesigning the Civic next year, and it is late into the model year. On top of that, my 4Runner, while old and with a lot of mileage, was well maintained and in very good shape. Also keep in mind that we've bought 3 other cars from this dealership, so they know us.

What was very good was when the "closer" tried to sell us an extended warranty and told us he never heard of Honda denying a claim. I asked him if he'd ever heard of this site and if he ever read the threads in "Under the Hood". He didn't know what to say.

This is the first time I can truly say I had a great deal of fun buying a car. And, I couldn't believe the deal we were able to make.
Usually, the dealer takes the buyers heart out, this time that didn't happen. I don't think I fooled the dealer, but he didn't fool us either.

 

Rob I was wondering what the story was when I read your previous post stating that you had just gotten Andrew a civic as I knew you were planning on giving him the 4 Runner. IMO the civic will be a lot safer for Andrew over the 4 Runner and I'm sure it will be just as reliable.

 

Andrew wasn't very happy with the Runner. He felt it was too big and clumsy for him. He was especially unhappy about the 16 mpg. The 4Runner had a lot of miles and I suspect that it shortly would have started to cost us a lot of money. No knock on it, it was a great vehicle, possible the best, highest quality ride I've ever owned, but it was time.

I think the Civic will be good for him. He opted for the auto transmission, and the only option that he really wanted was the spoiler because he thought it looked good. It should be a very reliable car for him through college.

 

Congrats on such excellent choices for everyone involved. I just wish I could be as smart as my lil' brother. Can't wait to talk face-to-face next week. Now your big sis needs you to cover that license plate somehow, please.

 

Funny but this strikes me as 'out of character'. Your son Andrew just got his license and you are handing him a brand new car!

I understand your reasoning and it makes sense but . . . maybe your experinces will be different than mine. I hope so.

I raised three kids and all three managed to trash their first car(s) - fender benders, neglect, etc. Only now that they are older do they appreciate the responsibilities that come with a new car. My youngest didn't learn until she was out of college. As for me being a positive role model of exceptional car upkeep and preaching proper safe driving style - that didn't factor in until they had to shell out their own hard-earned money for the car/insurance/maintenance.

I know its a different time. Looking at the school parking lots I am blown away by the quality of cars the kids have. I should have been so spoiled. My parents would never have considered buying me a used one, let alone a new one.

All that aside, congrats on the deal.

 

I think all of us in Vintage come from a similar upbringing and have the same reaction to kids getting a brand new car as their first. That said, I let Chris use our 5 year old Contour, then I bought him a brand new Cavalier when the Contour got stolen. But that only lasted a few weeks. Chris had other ideas about how to live his life and so I traded the Cavalier in on the S2000! Then I got Chris the beater Mazda, spent hours and dollars getting it running and keeping it maintained and when that died, I got him the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Now we are both happy. But look at what I went through to get there. I hope Rob's shortcut to automotive family happiness is a short, direct route.

Congrats Rob.

 

Don't think that I'm not concerned. I had/have those exact same thoughts. As I said, the 4Runner was supposed to go to Andrew for his first year. I'm still not sure I did the right thing, only time will tell.

 

^ I think you did, Rob. Post back in a year.