Ok, so you guys are probably biased here, but I could use some advice from knowledgeable Civic gurus so here goes...

I can only have one car and I need a practical, reliable, daily commuter. I can either keep my current car, OR my mother has offered me her "old" car since she just got a new one.

The choices:

Keep my 1997 Honda Civic CX-

• 137k miles
• 32 MPG avg
• runs great
• failed airbag system ($1000 to fix)
• broken window cranks ($300 to fix)
• broken hatch supports ($150 to fix)
• new timing belt
• new AC
• new radiator

replace Civic with 2000 Chevy Impala -

• 80k miles
• 25 MPG avg
• no major maint issues

Considerations I've thought of so far:

1. The Impala would be $30 more a month for me to use between gas and insurance.
2. I prefer the 32 MPG gas milage of the Civic and don't care that the Impala has a V6 engine instead of a 4 cylinder.
3. I'm not sure what the life expectancy of either of these cars are, but I suspect the Honda is longer?
4. The blue book on the Impala is twice that of the Civic (all features considered).
5. The Impala has significantly fewer miles on it and is a newer car.
6. Working airbags is a major plus and it's probably a safer car to be in in a wreck overall because of it's size.

What do you think?

 

welcome to the forum. I've driven many different cars. Between the 2 you have above, the impala is the safe car, Life is more important than choice of type of car. the min amount of cost above the honda cannot buy your life or the chance to save your life. With 2 sons I have, I would advise airbags impala. Its also a nice car, comfortable. Just keep your heavy foot out of the throttle.

 

Thanks for the input acmech52.

 

Impala for sure.
More comfy ride more get up and go.
If it 3800 prolly last another 10 yrs