PLEASE Help Me Decide Between 2 Cars!

Hiya,

I could really use some help form experienced Honda owners, since I've never had one, and am looking at 2 right now, from a local dealer.

I need to decide this alone, am 58, and really need a dependable car! Here are my choices:

2000 Honda Accord (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f20c824/0#) EX - 4 door sedan
Mileage: 99549.00
6 cyl. 3.0 - Automatic
Asking price: $6995.00

Alternator has to be replaced (that's being done today)

On down the road at 135,000 miles, he suggested the water pump & cerpentine belt http://www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/e/at.gif $500.00.

Here it is: http://www.hondacity-cny.com/inventory/preownedcarsearch.jsp?ptitle=Search%20Inv- entory&listingperpage=25 (http://www.hondacity-cny.com/inventory/preownedcarsearch.jsp?ptitle=Search%20Inventory&listingperpage=25)

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2001 Honda Civic EX - 4 door sedan
Mileage: 100,000
4 cyl. 1.7 - Automatic
Asking price: $6995.00

It's been in an accident, according to dealer, no damage to frame, just bumper (which is being fixed today).

Here's this one: http://www.hondacity-cny.com/inventory/preownedcarsearch.jsp?ptitle=Search%20Inv- entory&listingperpage=25 (http://www.hondacity-cny.com/inventory/preownedcarsearch.jsp?ptitle=Search%20Inventory&listingperpage=25)

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He's telling me that the Civic with the 4 cyl. is a better buy .... since that's the engine that made Honda famous for being so durable, etc. Is that true?

Says the 6 cyl. isn't as good ... gas wise of course, but also because it's not the original engine of Honda, etc.

I don't like the idea of the Civic being in an accident, but how would I really know what damage was done?

I have looked at the CARFAX for that car, and it looks like it was in TWO accidents (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f20c824/0#), unless I'm reading it wrong. Here's the carmax for it:

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DSP_0&vin=2HGES26771H5- 21280 (http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DSP_0&vin=2HGES26771H521280)

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Also, if he's telling me the Accord has to have work done on the water pump and belt, should I tell him I want that done now?

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Here's the CARMAX for the Accord: http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DSP_0&vin=1HGCG165XYA0- 81484 (http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DSP_0&vin=1HGCG165XYA081484)

Sorry if things aren't in order here ... hope you can keep in all in perspective, when giving advice.

Which of the two .. would you consider? How is the 6cyl. engine on the Accords? As dependable as the 4cyl.?

How are the prices? Should I get him to come down? My bank has approved me for 6500, so I'd like to get a car down to that if I can.

Thanks ever so much for any help you can give. :)

Diana

i think he meant TIMING belt... which is wise to do with interference engines... good to do the outer accessory belts as well as hoses at those mileages and spark plugs etc...

at those prices, they should take care of those problems before selling them... unless they're being sold AS-IS; they're kinda high for those years/mileages

the v6 accord shares its engine/trans with the ODESSeY minivan, i believe... they have problems on their own in terms of transmissions

plus it's up to you if you really need those 2 extra cylinders for the acceleration/ power