The Bush economy and a Honda Civic

[Neecy]

Okay, I'm a little freaked out.

One of my neighbors - a Republican, to be sure, but a nice old guy otherwise - bought a new car and was talking to me yesterday about how he needed to sell his old Honda Civic. He doesn't have a computer so I offered to put it on Craig's List this morning for him and handle the replies.

Now, the thing is a rustbucket and I stated this clearly in the ad. It has a big rust hole by the trunk, one of the back doors doesn't open, the dash lights don't work because of a blown fuse and, well, it's a 17 year old Honda Civic. I listed it for $550 because it has a relatively new engine and it runs fine and gets good gas mileage.

I listed it at ten o'clock this morning. By ten thirty I was pulling my hair out. In less than one hour, I had over 35 email replies and more than 20 phone calls. People were offering to bring cash and buy it sight unseen. I was having strangers IM me.

If the economy is sooooooo perfect and we're all so flush, why do I have people fighting with me to be the first person to see this heap? I finally had to take down the ad because I couldn't stand it one second longer and anyway it sold within, literally, minutes of putting it up.

I walked over and told him I'd sold it. I made it a point to mention that with our economy just humming I was shocked at the response. To his credit, he looked a little ashamed. My nerves are shot, fellow DU'ers.

[tridim]

1. Damn, I'm in the market for a 1998+ Civic

I guess I'm not going to have much dealing power when I finally start making offers.

Obviously people are snapping up Civics because of quality and the high MPG. They're the absolute best value in the market.

[Kikosexy2]

5. Hmm...

think I can sell my 1997 Honda civic...still running well...put in a lot mileage on it...defects: small dent/scratch under driver's side mirror, damaged/lost border-trimming on rear passenger side and some scratches on bumpers--dark green--defects not noticable at night or in the darkness...

[DaveJ]

2. It's a "find"

It's hard to find a used car like that one. Small economy cars are perfect car for driving to and from work, exactly what a lot of people are looking for when they are looking for something used.

You are right, though. Most the people looking for a car like this probably are trying to get on their feet financially and this is all they can afford.

[damntexdem]

3. Well, a Toyota would be a more-appropriate symbol of the Dubya economy:

now that Toyota has replaced GM as the world's largest automaker.

[AlCzervik]

4. do you live in Ca? Honda's and smaller Acura's are the modifiers choice for vehicles.

[tridim]

8. Modifiers are pissing me off lately

They tend to screw up the stock of formerly good used Hondas.

I skip every ad that says "w/ many mods" because it's pretty much a guarantee that the car was driven like hell.

[AlCzervik]

9. well you know the kids love them.

[Neecy]

11. I moved out of CA a couple of years ago

No one mentioned modifying the thing - it just seemed like a lot of desperate people who needed cheap transporation. I was starting to feel guilty in a major way because it sold so quickly and so many people wanted it.

[karlrschneider]

6. If it runs, it's easily worth that...or more. I still drive a 1983 Civic locally

because it's so economical to run.

[orwell]

7. People love Hondas...

...and gas prices make them especially attractive.

Look at used Prius prices to get an idea how much the more well to do are paying to get fuel efficient.

[bullwinkle428]

10. Used Priuses aren't quite as attractive now, as Toyota has finally

upped production to the point where supply matches demand on the new ones, but they're still going to be one of the best cars on the market in terms of retained value.

I have a 5-year-old Honda Accord with over 120K, but it's been immaculately maintained, and I live in a university town, so I should have no problem getting top dollar for it once I decide to sell...

[AlCzervik]

13. i just traded my o4 accord 5 speed and i got just about what i thought i would

which is to say a good price. Honda's hold their value pretty imo experience, i've only had one but it was a good car.

[bullwinkle428]

15. Kelley Blue Book is usually pretty accurate - I've been driving

Honda/Acura products almost exclusively since '87, and even back then, they stood out (along with Toyota) amongst all manufacturers for % of original price retained after X number of years. This to me was probably the most telling stat of all, the way that Las Vegas oddsmakers always seem to know the "line" for sports gambling which allows them to make money - I know that's a weird analogy, but it was the first thing that came to mind! I guess it's just a case of "past results being the best predictor of future performance".

[Greyskye]

14. in CA, used Priuses with carpool stickers...

...are now selling for a premium over stickerless Priuses. The state only offered a limited number of the carpool stickers, and they are now gone.

Glad we got ours in time!

[bullwinkle428]

16. That is a great point that I totally forgot about! I know there

was a limit on the stickers, and once they were gone, they were gone for good. I guess living in the Midwest, not dealing with that kind of traffic density allowed me to forget about that.

Several years ago, I was making regular business trips to Southern California and was driving the freeways regularly - I got caught in some of those jams, so I know how bad it gets! Those carpool lane stickers had to be a godsend...

[lutefisk]

12. I wouldn't read too much into it- just a great deal..and a Honda!

It sounds like the perfect inexpensive beater. I've sold a number of similar cars over the years and have always had a similar response- sold right away. Apparently it was worth more than $550. Some of the people were probably anxious to get it to turn a quick profit- buy for $550 and put it back on Craigs List for at least twice that.