RE: Honda or Subaru

[TradEddie]

Probably keep the Subaru for those Maine winters, especially if you've had the famed headgasket repair done and you are satisfied with the quality of the repair. If not, look up Subaru head gasket issues and start reading.

Sound advice there. If yours hasn't already gone, you're way overdue.

TE

 

[firefighterjake]

No offense meant against your wife but that sounds a bit pennywise but pound-foolish. If you have the money put aside why are you sweating a major repair bill? And how can a "maybe" repair bill be more of a money issue than a certain down-payment and monthly car loan payments? If you have a $200 loan payment per month that's $2400 in one year. That is probably the same or even more than what you would consider a "major repair bill". Plus, you are out of the downpayment (plus interest!) and you will need to carry higher insurance.

You both seem like prudent savers who don't spend more than they need to. As long as you take care of your cars and they are running without an issue you can put the money aside and probably save some even when one car needs to go to the shop. I am not sure how far out you are living but if a car breaks down one cab ride will still be cheaper than the lost value of a new car within one month.

HehHeh . . . nearest cab is a 20-25 mile trip from here. I can only imagine what the cab bill would be.

The issue is partly the bill for a possible major repair . . . but also the convenience aspect . . . and safety aspect. It's not such a big deal if my car strands me beside the road since I'm driving in daylight hours, but my wife is driving in to work around midnight. Knowing that the car will always get here there and back is important for her.

I hear you on the savings though for a repair vs. loan payment.

But to get back to the original question folks . . . keep the Subaru or keep the Honda?

 

[firefighterjake]

I think they both suck. Honda's handle with the responsiveness of a wet turd. Subaru is a definite step up in that department, but some of their fanatics are more annoying than a splinter, somehow thinking they're driving something akin to a BMW. Both are to be avoided!

I think it must be different here . . . lots of Subbie lovers here . . . especially teachers and healthcare workers for some reason . . . but lots of other folks just like the ability to drive a car and have AWD at a reasonable price.

 

[firefighterjake]

Sound advice there. If yours hasn't already gone, you're way overdue.

TE

See previous page . . . Random thoughts . . .

. . .

" HomeBrewz . . . . Oh yes. Very familiar with the infamous head gasket issue. We did that major fix last year . . . and changed out the water pump and other important parts at the same time. Perhaps this is another tick in the "Keep the Subaru" column since we did invest a bit of change on that repair. . ."

 

[TradEddie]

keep the Subaru or keep the Honda?

Although I no longer own a Subaru, I'd keep the Subaru. We put 145K on a '98 model with nothing whatsoever breaking down, 100K on a 2005 model when the head gasket started to leak, not catastrophic, but we took it as a sign. We weren't as happy with that one anyway, first of the new model year, lots of minor annoyances. If you've had the head gasket done already, I'd say its a no-brainer to keep the Subaru.

TE

 

[Grisu]

HehHeh . . . nearest cab is a 20-25 mile trip from here. I can only imagine what the cab bill would be.

Even if it is $100, you lose more the moment you drive a new car from the dealers lot. I calculated I can take a cab easily 10 times a month to work and would come out ahead compared with owning a second car. Usually I carpool with my wife anyway.

The issue is partly the bill for a possible major repair . . . but also the convenience aspect . . . and safety aspect. It's not such a big deal if my car strands me beside the road since I'm driving in daylight hours, but my wife is driving in to work around midnight. Knowing that the car will always get here there and back is important for her.

Totally get that one; overlooked your previous post where you mentioned that. Nevertheless, also new cars especially with all the new electronics fail suddenly. I think an old, well-maintained car that you know in and out will be very close in reliability than a new one. Our Subbi is 15 years old and the only time I was stranded (at home) was due to a flat tire. Could have happened easily with a new car. We will probably buy a new car soon since our mechanic indicated that various parts are showing their age and will need to be replaced within one to two years.

But to get back to the original question folks . . . keep the Subaru or keep the Honda?

Since you can usually put more miles on a Honda I have the feeling they are both pretty much at the same stage of their life expectancy. So I would weigh higher trade in value of the Subaru versus driving AWD in winter.

 

[Ashful]

I think an old, well-maintained car that you know in and out will be very close in reliability than a new one.

You're free to think that, but history and statistics are not on your side!

 

[DevilsBrew]

I think they both suck. Honda's handle with the responsiveness of a wet turd. Subaru is a definite step up in that department, but some of their fanatics are more annoying than a splinter, somehow thinking they're driving something akin to a BMW. Both are to be avoided!

Don't be shy. Tell us how you really feel. Ha!

 

[Ashful]

Said tongue in cheek, guys!

 

[jharkin]

If you think a Honda has the responsiveness of a wet turd, you might be driving the wrong ones? Sure Accords and Civic handle blah, but many of the Acura division cars - recent styling disaster aside - handle about as good as you can get within the limitations of the FWD platform. The SH-AWD cars are supposed to be amazing but I wont try one till they put it in something that isn't butt ugly. Honda manual gearboxes are some of the best in the business. And these days a V6 Accord is a sub 6s to 60 car (ie. quicker than the holy 328).

Subarus are not bad cars either but their manual gearboxes suck in comparison and that boxer engine, thought great for a low CG, is a real pain to work on. Interiors used to look about 10 years older than everybody else.

Neither car should rust much as they all galvanize the unibodies these days.

/Honda fanboy rant off.

 

[Ashful]

If you think a Honda has the responsiveness of a wet turd, you might be driving the wrong ones. Sure Accords and Civic handle blah, but...

The OP's Honda is an Accord with 174,000 miles.

FWIW, in the OP's shoes, I'd keep the old Subaru for myself. Get the wife a new car, and ditch the Accord. The Accord may have the lower projected cost of ownership, but at least the Sub is AWD.

 

[begreen]

How does the new Outback ride? If it is nice then replace the Accord, especially if the Honda is coming due for timing belt+water pump.

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

I would post them both on craigslist at retail value. Sell the one that sells first. the Honda may even go 500 or 1000 dollars over retail based on condition. cruise your local lots and try to find the same cars and see the asking price. You may well be surprised. the lots have very little used stock so anything under $10,000 is still selling even with mileage on them. I vote to keep the Honda! Cat. convertors are expensive on the Subaru and most likely will need soon since the head gasket went along with o2 sensors.

 

[eclecticcottage]

My vote is for keeping the Subie. It's got lower miles, AWD and it sounds like you've just done the big 100k maintainance stuff anyway. It's probably got another 100k in it easily.

 

[firefighterjake]

Thanks for everyone's opinions . . . right now I'm leaning towards keeping the Subaru . . . it will be less money up front and I don't particularly care for the ride compared to the Honda, but as many pointed out the advantages of not having to run my truck in the winter, less mileage on the odometer and general overall condition makes me think I could get at least another 75,000 miles on it.

 

[brian89gp]

I'd keep both, or buy a 3rd cheap one for a spare, but of course I am thrifty. Buy my cars for around $6k right around the 100k mark, drive them 100k-150k miles, then sell them for $4k.

Since break downs are not acceptable, I guess you got to stay ahead of the mileage game and get a new car. I'd sell the Honda as it is looking off the resale value cliff and the Subaru has at least a few years till it gets to that point. In the car shuffle game, selling at the right mileage to get the best return is as important as the deal you get on the next car. In this area of the country 180k-190k is that magic point, same as 100k is, that people get squeamish about mileage. Go over by just a little and value drops and if you hit 200k you might as well just keep driving it cause resale is not going to drop much more as long as it is still running.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Subaru is a definite step up in that department, but some of their fanatics are more annoying than a splinter, somehow thinking they're driving something akin to a BMW.

I'd rather have a WRX than a BMW (not to be annoying).

 

[Ehouse]

We have a Honda CRV That replaced a Forrester. I liked the Subaru better. If you want to keep the Subaru, Have the frame checked out, our local mech. has condemned several high mileage ones lately that looked pretty good cosmetically.

 

[NortheastAl]

We get some crappy winters in NY too. Keep the Honda and add Blizzaks or Michelin snows on all four wheel and don't worry about getting stuck. Learned my lesson with all season tires. The two accords and civic we've put them on are unstoppable in snow deeper than the underside of the chassis. Better gas mileage, ride and cheaper than an AWD vehicle. I've seen lots of AWD/4WD cars, SUVs and trucks with their headlights shining at me through the woods when they've slid off the interstate because they thought passenger tires work in winter. Glad I don't commute anymore, but still use snow tires on all 4 wheels.

Sorry for the rant...

 

[spirilis]

Tossing in my vote for Subaru for no good reason (haven't read the whole thread either!) besides the fact that I love my '08 Forester, it commands the snow like a boss and it hasn't needed any major repairs in the 130K miles I've owned it (yeah I know, it's barely a teenager). An old friend convinced me when I saw how his Legacy handled the twisty mountain roads. Something about the handling in those things, maybe it's the symmetry in the drivetrain or something, but it just feels rock solid negotiating mountain roads.

Then again you should already know this if you own one

 

[MasterMech]

I've seen lots of AWD/4WD cars, SUVs and trucks with their headlights shining at me through the woods when they've slid off the interstate because they thought passenger tires work in winter.

Something about snow changes me. Kinda like the moon and wherewolves.... I have NEVER called out of work due to snow. And I've been the only one there a couple times.... I used to deliver snowblowers in blizzard conditions in a 2WD Ford Pickup. Yup, tires help, but it is ALL about the driver. The equipment is only as good as the operator.

 

[Grisu]

We get some crappy winters in NY too. Keep the Honda and add Blizzaks or Michelin snows on all four wheel and don't worry about getting stuck. Learned my lesson with all season tires. The two accords and civic we've put them on are unstoppable in snow deeper than the underside of the chassis. Better gas mileage, ride and cheaper than an AWD vehicle. I've seen lots of AWD/4WD cars, SUVs and trucks with their headlights shining at me through the woods when they've slid off the interstate because they thought passenger tires work in winter. Glad I don't commute anymore, but still use snow tires on all 4 wheels.

Sorry for the rant...

So far the only all-weather tires I know that are good in snow are the Nokian WR. They are not cheap but handle snow and ice almost as well as dedicated winter tires. Given that I would not hesitate to put the Nokian Hakkepalittas on my car if I wanted real snows.

 

[Swedishchef]

So far the only all-weather tires I know that are good in snow are the Nokian WR. They are not cheap but handle snow and ice almost as well as dedicated winter tires. Given that I would not hesitate to put the Nokian Hakkepalittas on my car if I wanted real snows.

Finally someone who knows winter tires! I have had Hakka 2s and now have Hakka 5s on my 2010 Forester and 2005 Impreza. They turn Subarus into snowmobiles. I can't ever get the car to spin while starting in a straight line (including at stop signs where you normally get ice buildup from 2WD spinning, too hard acceleration). They are expensive but what's an extra $300 when you spread it out over 5-6 winters?!

Andrew

 

[NortheastAl]

Something about snow changes me. Kinda like the moon and wherewolves.... I have NEVER called out of work due to snow. And I've been the only one there a couple times.... I used to deliver snowblowers in blizzard conditions in a 2WD Ford Pickup. Yup, tires help, but it is ALL about the driver. The equipment is only as good as the operator.

I've been the only one to make it to work myself, and I lived the farthest away. You're right, It is all about the driver, and respect for road conditions, too.

 

[WellSeasoned]

We have a '99 subi outback that we have kept because it just keeps chugging along.