To Trade or Not To Trade? That is the Real Question

[DUI Elite]

My family is being...weird and some of us (my parents) are deciding they want to switch off certain cars to make the experience of driving more pleasureable. My Mom drives 70 miles every day (round trip) for work, while my father drives 4 miles (round trip). Living in Chicago, she enjoys using the Audi Q5 for winter, while my dad could care less. She wants the fuel efficiency of a smaller car for summer though. She gave her X3 to my brother because of him finishing his masters this year, and therefore parting with us, and since he'll live up north, and because he's 6 foot 6 inch tall, the 3 series isn't cutting it. (He got it when he was 6'2" and wanted a fun car, not a practical car.)

SO My mother wants to sell the 3 series to get a civic (exactly like mine), BUT she gave me an offer. My parents gave me the option to trade my civic for the 3 series straight up, and have it in full. Its payed off, and since they helped me pay off the civic (1/3rd of it), it is also payed off. The civic has a little sentimental value to me as it was the first car I ever tinkered with (wiring, and very light mods), but I'm a BMW man at heart. I love BMW, and Honda like nothing else.

WHAT SHOULD I DO PEOPLE OF RADARDETECTOR.NET? Keep the civic? or take the BMW?

Civic was bought new, currently has 37,000 miles on it. BMW was bought new, currently has 43,000 miles on it. Both are pretty much stock (Intake, Lighting, and some wiring isn't stock on the civic). I've maintained the civic like I was gonna keep it for 300,000 miles - oil change every 3k, tranny fluid, and coolant replaced at 30k, intake "cleaned" (K&N) every 10k. The BMW hasn't been so well maintained, but I have no qualms with bringing it back on track. The BMW costs significantly more to maintain. Idk what to do.

I'm 6' 1" so height isn't a problem. Moving the RD hardwire wouldnt be a problem either. My factors to consider are cost to maintain vs. durability over time. I do plan on modding whatever car I keep eventually, so thats also whats skewing my decision. I'm slow about it now since I'm in college, but when I get out, they'll come in a little easier.

[category4]

I would worry about maintenance costs on the BMW, unless of course money in no object.

The Honda is a very reliable car, especially if it's maintained as you say.

[DUI Elite]

Thats my issue. Idk if I can afford to maintain it lol and I've never been the guy to let problems go till they cause other problems. I've always seen cars as being things that can last forever if you do the preventative maintenance.

[category4]

Thats my issue. Idk if I can afford to maintain it lol and I've never been the guy to let problems go till they cause other problems. I've always seen cars as being things that can last forever if you do the preventative maintenance.

You answered your own question, it's been my experience that if you question whether you can afford something you probably can't!

[unmamfqlm]

Yeah, while BMW vehicles are nice, they have issues just like any other vehicle out there, which normally aren't cheap fixes. It's a potential money pit, if you ask me.

[DrCoke]

.

[switch626]

Go with the Civic. You kept it up from new. Wheras you know the BMW has not been well maintained, and will cost more to fix when it does break.

If money is an issue, the Civic is your best bet.

[Akosikojak]

I would worry about maintenance costs on the BMW, unless of course money in no object.

The Honda is a very reliable car, especially if it's maintained as you say.

^Agree Maintenance is key

Go with the Civic. You kept it up from new. Wheras you know the BMW has not been well maintained, and will cost more to fix when it does break.

If money is an issue, the Civic is your best bet.

^Agree, Again Maintenance is key to a healthy car which = Long Life.

[aa2033]

.

[Weeth]

Honda for reliability. BMW's have more maintenance issues the older they become.