Went vehicle shopping today...

[zroger73]

After almost a year with the RL, I got the new car fever today - or so I thought. Notice there are no trucks or SUVs here, as the main goal was to increase fuel economy and attempt to get into a vehicle that better suits my relative lack for the need of a 4-wheel-drive truck.

My lifestyle: I'm a single guy and the only driver of my RL. On rare occasion I'll have a passenger or two. I work 5 minutes from home and rarely, if ever, take road trips for pleasure. A few times I year I might drive a few hundred miles for work. I don't own anything to tow and don't plan to anytime soon. Once in a blue moon I'll make a run to Lowe's to load up materials for a project or haul a new appliance home - which is where the RL has really come in handy. Once every decade it might snow or ice here, but it's gone in a day and I never venture off-road, so two drive wheels are sufficient here.

Here are the vehicles I considered...

1. 2008 Honda Civic Si - I've never owned a "pocket rocket" before and have had the desire to do my own shifting for a while. I LOVE the looks of the Civic and would realize some savings from the increased fuel economy. It's a blast to drive! However, I'd be stepping "down" to a tiny, noisy little vehicle.

2. 2009 Acura TSX - Redesigned for 2009, a nice-looking, sport-luxury sedan with lots of gadgets I've never had such as Bluetooth, HIDs, trip computer, and traffic/weather integrated with the navi. Although a great engine for a 4-cylinder, I'd expect and prefer a 6-cylinder in this class of vehicle. I've already experienced a version of this engine in my Accord. Silky smooth most of the time, but you just can't totally eliminate that 4-cylinder idle shake.

3. Honda Accord EXL-V6 Navi - I saw a white diamond/beige. Beautiful, luxurious color combination - particularly with the chome door handles. This would be the lower-cost, faster, but less upscale alternative to the TSX and still no HIDs.

4. BMW 3-series - Mostly just for bragging rights, I'd be pushing my budget on this one. At a little over $32K, a fine-handling sedan. The handling and driver interaction makes this a VERY fun vehicle to drive. But, adding navigation, real leather, and a few other gadgets pushes it out of what I'm willing to pay for a vehicle.

5. Lexus IS 250 - Neat looking little car. I like the smooth inline-6 engine and handling of RWD, but this is another one that pushes beyond a reasonable price when decorated with gadgets like navigation.

At the end of a long day driving and looking at vehicles, I realized that the RL is a LOT of vehicle for the price. Of course, it doesn't offer every option possible and isn't 100% perfect even in the areas it excels in. But, it has a fine balance of luxury, comfort, convenience, performance, utility, efficiency, and reliability to end up happily back in my driveway this evening. After today's experience, I'd personally like to see an improvement in fuel economy and either a higher end trim level or an Acura version of the RL.

In the end, I still may end up with one of the 5 vehicles I looked at today. If I do, the main reasons will be those listed in the first paragraph. Oh yeh, and I got SMOKED by a Camry SE. Thank goodness I was able to smoke a kid in a Corolla S to balance that one out (although it was close). Otherwise, I'd have to add the "need for speed" to my list of vehicle requirements.

[ToyTruck]

All those cars are quite a change from the RL. If you don't really need a truck, why drive one when you could go zoom zoom? Only fly in the ointment is the bath you will most likely take on a trade since 08 RL's are soooooo cheap right now.

Know what you mean about the new car bug--I've got it too! I'm looking at a additional second-hand run around fun car since I need a truck around. Plus for the bath I'd take on a trade in, I could buy a second car.

[r-squared]

I saw the civic SI at the dealer yesterday (while shopping for my RL). Maybe it was some hard-to-get trim level but it had a market adjustment on it of 8K over sticker. It brought it up to around 38K, which flirts with the price of the nicer cars on your list. Also, being that it looks like tricked-out import racer, I bet its a ticket-mobile.

My wife just got the new accord with navigation back in November. Her and I both are into cars, and at first it was odd we were considering the accord because "Everyone has one". But its such a nice sedan, especially for the money. Those leather front seats are like nothing else I've been in. She loves it.

I really like the redesigned 3 series as well. I think it has a little more of the 6-series look to it. I can't comment on the lexus IS - I havent been in one in several years and I think it may have gone through a redesign. My friend had one (2003?) and it was pretty hot.

If you are considering the 3-series, you may want to check out the Benz c-class sport sedans. They are in the same price range, even though its at the top of your limit, but one of my friends got one and its pretty sweet - oh, well the maintenance has been expensive...I think he just spend 350 bucks on an oil change and some other routine maintenance thing.

I am sort-of in the same boat as you. I commute 3 miles a day. But I want the RL for the Lowes/Home Depot runs, and I destroyed my last SUV using it like a pickup. But I think if I was going to get a car, I'd be all over that accord coupe.

Good luck with your shopping.

[craigger]

I'm sure you already know this, but you'll be taking a big hit if you sell your 1-year-old vehicle. I commute by bike 3 days a week to save on gas. On the weekends, I still have the RL to haul the kids and dogs around. Or, if you're not into the bike thing, you can always buy a motorcycle. For the hit you'd take in depreciation, you could keep the RL and get a used bike to boot. If you go this route, make sure and take the MSF course.

-craigger.

[Tcape]

zroger73, you're looking at some great cars. Don't think you could go wrong with any of them. If I were shopping, I'd have basically the same autos on my list. I'm a bona fide car nut, and I subscribe to 4 different car mags. So I've read lots about each auto you listed. All are great rides. As others have said, you'd sure take a hit if you traded in your '07 RL. But hey, life is short. Drive what you want. Looks to me like you're in a Win/Win situation. If you keep the RL, you're a clear winner. If you trade for one of the cars on your list, you'll get a wonderful auto. My suggestion....keep the Ridgeline...AND get the BMW 3 series! It's only money!
Tom

[k757]

Originally Posted by zroger73

Here are the vehicles I considered...

1. 2008 Honda Civic Si - I've never owned a "pocket rocket" before and have had the desire to do my own shifting for a while. I LOVE the looks of the Civic and would realize some savings from the increased fuel economy. It's a blast to drive! However, I'd be stepping "down" to a tiny, noisy little vehicle.

3. Honda Accord EXL-V6 Navi - I saw a white diamond/beige. Beautiful, luxurious color combination - particularly with the chome door handles. This would be the lower-cost, faster, but less upscale alternative to the TSX and still no HIDs.

Curious why an Si w/o NAVI but an Accord w/Navi. Is spending ~$1,800 for nav worth it on one vehicle and not the other? If you are looking at Accord sedans, they can be had for invoice and in some cases, just under invoice. I think the coupes are still fetching well above invoice.

The increased economy with the Civic Si is partially negated cost wise as it take premium gas. The Accord takes regular. So far with the V6 Accord (>3k mi), I am getting ~25 mpg with high speed interstate cruising and fast starts off the line. (love the power!!! )

You can also get the Accord coupe V6 with a manual tranny. Your fun just increased. You say stepping down to a noisey Si.... eh, maybe so, but if you look at it this way: you are getting a race car for $21k and will beat or tie the Accord V6 in a race

For a lot of photos of my Accord, click on the link in my signature

Originally Posted by r-squared

I saw the civic SI at the dealer yesterday (while shopping for my RL). Maybe it was some hard-to-get trim level but it had a market adjustment on it of 8K over sticker. It brought it up to around 38K, which flirts with the price of the nicer cars on your list. Also, being that it looks like tricked-out import racer, I bet its a ticket-mobile.

Your dealership is on drugs. You saw a Civic Mugen Si sedan and they can be had for less then MSRP, not $8k over. Some special edition, where I got my car, they are letting people test drive it and they leave it on the lot overnight.

The Si can be had for ~$21k

[zroger73]

Wow, lots of great feedback. I'll address everything I can remember...

I purchased a bicycle last year with the intention of riding with a buddy and getting some exercise. It still has the protective plastic covering and price tag on it.

I've owned and ridden motorcycles throughout my life. Before my last one got stolen a little over a year ago, I used to ride it to work on nice days, but prefer the comfort and safety of an enclosed vehicle.

I'm fully aware of the depreciation. I was delighted by the trade-in value on the year-old Accord, but the RL is a different story. Not as bad as one of the "Big 3" trucks, but not good for a Honda.

In a perfect world, I'd prefer to keep the RL for utility and comfort. In addition, I'd want a smaller, more efficient vehicle for commuting and driving enjoyment. Unfortunately, the budget doesn't allow for two new vehicles.

The Si is available with navi - such as the one I looked at. I failed to note the navi option in my description. I'll never own another vehicle without it. Period. If I purchased a Civic, I'd require it to have navi, otherwise to get XM it has to be dealer-installed and has the ugly thru-the-glass antenna.

The Accord V6 won't take a corner as fast as the smaller Si, but it will outperform it otherwise. The Si isn't as fast as its sporty demeanor might lead you to believe. The Accord beats the Si in 0-60 and in the quarter mile. In fact, the Si is only about a 1.5 seconds faster to 60 than the RL. Also, the fuel economy of an AUTOMATIC Accord V6 is rated at only ONE mile per gallon less on the highway than the Si. When you factor in the premium fuel requirement of the Si that was mentioned, the fuel costs become virtually the same.

Now that I've had a day to think about, I feel the novelty of the Si would wear off quickly. The TSX is a redesigned model for '09 and has been criticized for its relatively loud engine. The Lexus and BMW are simply above what I need to spend on a vehicle right now - particularly considering that I'm in the process of remodeling my house and haven't decided whether I want to stay here, sell it, or rent it. Maybe after a couple more annual raises and my future promotion (pending retirement our Product Man) at work I'll treat myself to something in the near-luxury class.

At this moment in time, it looks like I'll be keeping the RL for a couple more years or taking a closer look at the Accord. Now, why can't the Accord coupe come in White Diamond Pearl like the sedan?

[cdepuydt]

As I stated in another thread, my wife and I are vehicle shopping right now. We are looking for a mid or small AWD SUV. Since I am the one who drives our RL the most, I found myself comparing almost every vehicle I got into to my RL.

As Z73 stated, the RL is not the perfect vehicle, but I know one thing for sure the RL really is a very good vehicle for the $$$. We looked at a couple SUV's in the same $ range as the RL and my RL is put together, handles better, and has much better fit/finish than vehicles that cost even more then my RL. Nothing irks me more than getting into a brand new vehicle, get a couple miles down the road, and start hearing rattles. I mean one of the brand new vehicles we drove had more rattles than my RL that has 42,000+ miles on it. Needless to say, that vehicle didn't make it into the "final four" of vehicles we are considering.

Anyway, long story short...I hope we can find a vehicle that will make us as happy as our RL does...

[k757]

Originally Posted by zroger73

The Accord V6 won't take a corner as fast as the smaller Si, but it will outperform it otherwise. The Si isn't as fast as its sporty demeanor might lead you to believe. The Accord beats the Si in 0-60 and in the quarter mile. In fact, the Si is only about a 1.5 seconds faster to 60 than the RL.

Civic Si
Edmunds.com Full Test
0-60 = 6.8 seconds
1/4 mi = 15.1 @ 93.8

Accord V6
Edmunds.com Full Test
0-60 of 7.1 seconds
1/4 mi = 15.5 @ 91.8

Originally Posted by zroger73

Now that I've had a day to think about, I feel the novelty of the Si would wear off quickly.

Exactly why I went with the Accord. The Accord beats up the Civic in comfort

[RTXdriver]

Hey zroger73, have you ever considered a motorcycle? Any time you don't need the RL for hauling and the weather is decent you could have a fun, fast, and high mileage alternative to the Ridgeline! Of course I'm not talking about a big dollar Harley or an import crotch rocket, but something more practical. You can buy a good used motorcycle for 5 or 6 grand.