Advice: 01 Acura Integra vs 05 Honda Civic

Citius · 03-18-09, 05:02

Ok I need some advice. I'm a poor college student and I'm looking at buying a car for under $10,000. I'm looking at two of them at the moment. One is a 2001 Acura Integra GS and the other is a 2005 Honda Civic EX. They basically have the same mileage and the same price.

Between those two, which one would you choose? They're both autos and coupes if that makes a difference. (and the integra looks like its stock which is shocking)

Might be a stupid question, but I could use some opinions.

Dunncsu · 03-18-09, 05:41

Even though the Integra looks stock does not mean it has never been modded.

Between the two i would pick the EX. Mostly because it is newer and less likely to have been beaten on (IE had a younger driver).

of course i would have to drive them both to figure out which one is the better buy.

Even though the cars are around the same mileage the Integra is 8 years old as where the civic is only 4 years old.

Not only mileage effects a car. There is a lot of bushings and rubber that can dry up in 8 years if not properly maintained

Just my 2 cents

HappyWax · 03-18-09, 05:51

I've owned both a Honda Civic (2002 si) and an Acura Integra (ls) Both were 5 speed. As well as driving numerous Civics 1998/2003 etc etc...

In my opinion, if the price is the same on both then go to the newer civic. -Only because it is newer and will hold it's value a little more. -and should get better gas mileage.

Having said that, I loved my Acura it was a 1994 and looked exactly the same as your 2001 - keep in mind it is a VERY old design. (Note: Yes, Acura updated the integra in 1998 but lets face it, it was a minor face lift and overall not much changed in its 7 year run)

BigAl3 · 03-18-09, 06:00

agreed ^ get the vic...

Setec Astronomy · 03-18-09, 07:19

+3 for the Civic, also it's a little lower profile ride, perhaps less time doing the "license, registration, insurance" thing.

Citius · 03-18-09, 08:20

Thanks guys for the advice. I'll probably go with the civic or an accord then.

XRL · 03-19-09, 10:06

IMO for 10k you can get a hell of a lot more car than that. Seriously you can probably get a newer Focus or Cobalt that's under warranty, as opposed to an older Honda. If you're dead set on getting a Honda, go for it, but IMO buying a used Honda/Toyota is a fool's choice. They don't depreciate enough, and if you can get something under warranty then the whole "imports are better" idea goes out the window.

EDIT: A few cars you might like

2007 Ford Fusion S - $9500

2007 Ford Fusion SE - $10k

2008 Focus SES - $10k

2006 Mercury Grand Marquis - $9k

2006 Mazda6 - $10k

2006 Sentra SE-R Spec V - $10k

I think you get the idea. Another thing to note, if you can save up another 2k or so, 12k is where you start to get into some significantly nicer cars than 10k. Just my opinion though.

HappyWax · 03-19-09, 05:04

As long as we are offering alternatives

I bought my 2000 BMW coupe w/72 miles for around $7500
- I lucked out though...

termigator · 03-19-09, 05:55

I have a question for you. Is the "fun to drive" factor important to you? If it is, I would opt for the Integra. I think it will be a lot more fun to drive.

As far as age/mileage goes, I used to read Click & Clack when my newspaper had it. When asked about if it was age or mileage that hurt a car more, they quoted Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "It's not the age, it's the mileage."

Almost forgot. You only mentioned the age and mileage of the cars. What's the actual condition of them? Does one look more worn. I would guess that if the Integra's condition was just as good as the Civic's, the Integra's owner probably took pretty good car of the car.

HappyWax · 03-19-09, 07:37

If someone is asking 10 grand for an 8 year old Integra it better be in PRISTINE condition.

-As far as "fun to drive" the Integra has 140hp -vs the 127hp of the civic -since they are both auto, I bet you would never know the difference in performance.
Drive both then decide.

I would go with the Integra ONLY if it were less expensive.

My advise, browse your local craigslist and search for "Integra" and "Civic" in the search tab. It will give you an average of what they are going for-

termigator · 03-19-09, 08:26

There's more to performance than just horsepower. Cars can have automatics and still be a lot of fun too. IMO, having a manual is overrated.
In any case, ten grand seems awfully expensive for those cars, given the age of the Integra and the mileage on the Civic, but I'm not the one getting the cars. OP mentioned getting an accord also. Personally, I'd go that route. A lot more space to haul stuff when you eventually have to move, being in college and all.