Ugh just doesn't sit right I can't imagine going from a G35 to a Civic Si or not you can't have that much longer to go before the car is paid off I say sell them mods you have and you will have a couple grand in the bank and get a better paying part time job and tutor here and there. It may sound like you are working to pay for a car but why start all over...

 

bump

 

If money is tight, why are you buying a new car? Buy something used or you can do what I did in college. Live close to campus and ride a bike.

 

I think I can add some valuable insight into this thread.. I too am 21 years old and when I turned 18 I had the opportunity to go to college.. I instead opted to work because I figured four years of experience was much better than 4 years of education with no experience and an immense amount of bills. I've accomplished a lot (I even put myself into a fully loaded G35 sedan!) but I am not satisfied with my ability to move within the business industry due to a lack of education (right now I'm in real estate). I considered getting rid of the G35 for something more cost effective (namely the Mazda3, Accord/Civic coupe) but in the end, the cost of getting rid of the G35 far outweighed the cost savings of switching to a smaller car. I also thought if I was going to keep working at this rate that I'd look into a different, slightly more luxurious, car. I test drove the BMW 330xi and I can tell you that the G35x is a far better value with much more power than that car... I sat in the IS350 and the interior was nice (cupholders disappointed like the BMW's did) but did not get to test drive it. The point to all this is that you are already paying for the G35 so rather than pay for sales tax etc. all over again, suck it up and wait it out for another year or two and then sell and get whatever you want. If I decide to go back to school now, I would get a Mazda3 because even though I would be paying more upfront, I'd be going for FOUR years so the long run cost would be favorable. However, if you're already a few years in, trading down seems like a bad idea. Just my two cents...

 

Get a used car for your college years. Your main priority now is to afford yourself a good education and nothing else. Pave the options for your future now and you will reap the benefits later. It's only a car. You can get a better car later on.

 

It's a business decision. Typically you should have the cheapest transportation you can while not having steady income. You're investing in yourself with education currently, and should not spend much on your car. That being said....The G actually has quite a bit of resale value and if you are getting some help (money from somewhere other than your own) It may make sense to keep the G and deal with the 10 or so mpg mismatch. The value of the G once paid off + driving it could be worth the pain. It will have more value than the Civic once paid off even if you start now. Think this one through before pulling the trigger. peace

 

First of all at 21, I'd break off that engagement ASAFP. If you gave her an engagement ring, take it back in exchange for a promise ring or something of lesser value.

Second, if you're contemplating a switch to the SI to save money, why are you even thinking of going FI? Just think about it, you're probably gonna get around 25K for the G if that. A new SI goes for what, around 21K BEFORE tax, title, and license?

Then if you go FI probably another 4K for a kit. Plus you gotta buy all the other supplemental stuff that goes with FI like engine management, possibly internals, injectors, maybe beef up your tranny, etc... And don't forget all the basic must haves like lowering the car, 6" exhaust, double decker supra wing, hella vinyl stickers, blahblahblah.

I say get the SI if you like it. But if its a switch because you want to save money, I'd either wait a year or two and get a used SI or just keep the G.

 

i have decided to keep the G35, I love it so much.

 

Won't this defeat the purpose of getting good gas mileage?!?

Sounds to me like you got new car feavor and are using the gas mileage as an excuse to buy a new car

N/M just read your last message

 

IMO, it sounds like you want a new car. The G35 is a nice car, but so is the new Si. A new Si will cost you about $22K and you could probably sell the G35 for $26K. I'd bet your car payments would hardly change. Dings and dent repairs to a G35 will be no higher than those to an Si. And like someone else said, the Si's insurance will be higher. Not only bcause it's new, but because Si's have an extremely high theft rate. The new Si is light years better than all previous gens so I'm sure it will be high on the target list.

If you were really set on saving money, you wouldn't be looking at getting a new car. There are plenty of very nice $8-10K used cars out there that will run forever, are decently quick, and get good mpgs.

 

^^ All of the above = Very good point Dave...

 

Also remember your first job out of college will be an entry level position. I remember my entry level salary right out of college was nothing to brag about, but I worked hard and I received a nice bump in pay when I landed my second job. Hopefully your not racking up credit card debt so you can enjoy a nice ride in college. Nothing sucks more than getting yourself in debt at a young age.

 

if your worried about theft, i really think that getting a honda and modding it is NOT a good idea.

but either way, its a good choice if ur looking for gas mileage

 

Thinking about the future is a good thing I agree.

But also considering to mod the heck out of the SI costs a lot of money as well and isn't a smart thing to do if you are going to get rid of the G35.

Either you keep the G35, and bite the bullet on the gas a little, and don't mod it anymore.

Or get a CIVIC SI, and do not put any money into it at all and then you will have money to do other more important stuff with your life.

Personally spending money on mods is like throwing money in the trash. I do it, because I enjoy it. But if I was concerned on the money, I would have kept the car stock.

 

I think that, with what he's driving, he probably should be getting 22-24mpg. Even when I've taken my 2004 AT on the highway, I've been lucky to get 25mpg. Though speed limits of 70 or 75 probably don't help.