Congratulations on the two Civics. But I am curious why you bought your son a 2-door coupe and not a 4-door sedan.

After my son got his license, we went looking at used Integras and he wanted to buy the 2-door coupe, but I insisted on the 4-door sedan. Years later (and thousands of miles later, he is still driving it with close to 200K miles), he told me that getting a 4-door was the best decision I made for him because he knew how hard it was getting in/out of his friend's 2-door cars. So what was your reasoning for getting a 2-door for your son?

 

Thank you. Andrew would have gone either way, two door or four door, but thought the two door was nicer looking. I thought the two door was sportier looking too. When we looked at the cars the two door model looked "younger".

I too think the 4 door is more practical, but the two door is sportier. I've always like two doors better.

 

Nice cars, Rob. We helped our oldest daughter buy a Civic last year. She originally wanted a 2-door, but after some discussion she came around to the practicalities of a 4-door. She loves it!

Dealer loves us too... 3 cars in less than a year...

 

I love them both, Rob. My sister-in-law (the one married to an SAE member and who always buys American) just bought a 4 door titanium '05 Civic.

I absolutely LOVE the shape of the 2 door coupe, but I'd pass on the spoiler. (Tell Andrew he will in 40 years also).

However, I'm holding onto my Prelude for AT LEAST another year and then I might get an '06 Civic Coupe, hybrid? 6 speed? who knows.

Next year should see side curtain airbags available in the Civics at least as an option. I only buy cars once every ten years, or so, (and I only drive about 4,000 to 5,000 miles a year), so I can wait a bit to get that feature.


Or the Accord Coupe six speed. Bigger than I need, but it's shape is growing on me, at least in plain unspoilered condition.

Congratulations on two great cars.

 

Until I got my Jeep, I always drove two door vehicles.


I just like the look better.

 

Remember my "kids and cars" thread from way back when? Rob, you did the right thing for your situation. Only you know your kids and their situations. Trust that everything will work out ok. I'm sure it will be fine.

 

Thank you everyone for the kind comments. We think we bought two great cars too. The Civics aren't fast cars, especially with automatic transmissions. I think it is a good choice for Andrew, and Liz is delighted with her's. This evening Liz asked Andrew which car he would have bought if we gave him any choice up to $35,000. His answer delighted us. He said, "This one."

We've laid down the law to him. As always, school comes first. If the grades slip so too does the driving privileges. He is not to have more than one friend in the car at a time (as per New Jersey law), and no one else is to ever be allowed to drive it. I have a great deal of faith in him, I think he'll obey.

We are paying for the insurance and he has to pay for the gas, oil, maintenance, tires and all of the other normal wear and tear parts. He is responsible for the car. If it gets abused, he loses it. I'm not worried, I think our arrangement will be fine.

I taught him defensive driving and gave him a lot of time behind the wheel this past year. This summer he is going to one of the performance schools that Matt recommended.

This evening Andrew took us out for ice cream. Liz and I sat in the back, Andrew and Adam sat in the front, and off to Maggie Moo's we went. It was a nice scene, my two little boys are growing up.

 

Carm

I do remember that thread. As any parent would be, I (and Liz) am a bit concerned, but in my heart of hearts I too think this will work out fine.

 

Barry,

I absolutely agree with you about the spoiler, but that's the fun of being 17. Anyway, they came standard with the SE package (Alloy 15" wheels, Spoiler, 6 CD in dash player) so they are on both cars.

Don't tell Andrew, but I don't much care for spoilers, I don't even have one on my S.

 

I guess that dealer got a good return on offering a nice trade in for the 4runner. Nice to see that work out. Of course, if he was really observant, he might have figured out where the 4runner was slated to go and what might go there instead....

Hope things work out well. I hate to say it, but an automatic might make a first year accident a bit less likely. Interesting that he's getting an automatic and a spoiler ... maybe he's trying to make sure you don't drive it!