$10K-$15K budget: LS or Honda Civic
08-21-13, 11:46 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
$10K-$15K budget: LS or Honda Civic
I am in the market for a $10K to $15K used car. I was recently in my friend's GX and was really impressed with how quiet and comfortable it was, even in the 2nd row middle seat where I sat. I have no need for an SUV, but I would like to buy a very comfortable and reliable sedan.
With the same money, I could buy a lightly used Honda Civic, but I want the comfort, quietness, safety, and performance of the LS. My main concern is the LS' higher cost of ownership such as maintenance, insurance, fuel, and other costs. I am looking at non-UL LS models, since I want lower repair costs. I will only repair mechanical damage and broken AC, since I can live with dents, broken stereo, having to hold the trunk lid open, etc. I drive about 7000 miles per year, not a lot.
Approximately how much more expensive per year would it be to own the LS instead of the Civic? Thanks for all your help.
With the same money, I could buy a lightly used Honda Civic, but I want the comfort, quietness, safety, and performance of the LS. My main concern is the LS' higher cost of ownership such as maintenance, insurance, fuel, and other costs. I am looking at non-UL LS models, since I want lower repair costs. I will only repair mechanical damage and broken AC, since I can live with dents, broken stereo, having to hold the trunk lid open, etc. I drive about 7000 miles per year, not a lot.
Approximately how much more expensive per year would it be to own the LS instead of the Civic? Thanks for all your help.
08-22-13, 01:09 AM
#2
You could get a nice well taken care of LS for less than $15k
You just gotta be patient. It took me 3 months to find mine just last week for $12k w/ 93k miles
Its out there just gotta keep looking on the daily. And settling for a civic? Come on bro theres no comparison.
You just gotta be patient. It took me 3 months to find mine just last week for $12k w/ 93k miles
Its out there just gotta keep looking on the daily. And settling for a civic? Come on bro theres no comparison.
08-22-13, 07:50 AM
#5
You're kidding right?
Based on that you want: ' but I would like to buy a very comfortable and reliable sedan.'
That rules out the civic immediately
And for less than $15k you can get a very clean LS 430 with 100k on it that will last a long time. There are at least 3 for sale in the Dallas area for that much or less that look very clean.
Maintenance is no more than other cars...especially with how little you drive. Fluids/Brakes/filters... just like all cars and this site can always help you.
As for gas cost...look at 40 cents higher price for premium in TX and then do the math:
7000/20 mpg avg * .4 = $140 more a year in gas... if that's going to break the bank...then you need to go get your civic.
My dad recently wanted to downsize from his 93 LS400 to something smaller and better gas mileage. Found him a low mileage 98 Avalon... after a week in the Avalon, he wanted his 20 year old Lexus back.
Be warned: you can get spoiled.
Based on that you want: ' but I would like to buy a very comfortable and reliable sedan.'
That rules out the civic immediately
And for less than $15k you can get a very clean LS 430 with 100k on it that will last a long time. There are at least 3 for sale in the Dallas area for that much or less that look very clean.
Maintenance is no more than other cars...especially with how little you drive. Fluids/Brakes/filters... just like all cars and this site can always help you.
As for gas cost...look at 40 cents higher price for premium in TX and then do the math:
7000/20 mpg avg * .4 = $140 more a year in gas... if that's going to break the bank...then you need to go get your civic.
My dad recently wanted to downsize from his 93 LS400 to something smaller and better gas mileage. Found him a low mileage 98 Avalon... after a week in the Avalon, he wanted his 20 year old Lexus back.
Be warned: you can get spoiled.
08-22-13, 09:10 AM
#6
I am still driving an LS400 that I bought new in 1991.
I think it is fair to say that when something breaks, it is more expensive to fix (mostly in labor, although parts can be quite a bit higher than on other cars like the Civic).
However, the car is a tank, and repairs are less frequent than on others. So, if you choose to do your own work, maintenance costs are fairly low.
You might also look at one of the larger Hyundai models. I know several people that are very happy with theirs.
Legender is wrong - you can get addicted, not just spoiled. :-) I can't imagine driving anything else.
I think it is fair to say that when something breaks, it is more expensive to fix (mostly in labor, although parts can be quite a bit higher than on other cars like the Civic).
However, the car is a tank, and repairs are less frequent than on others. So, if you choose to do your own work, maintenance costs are fairly low.
You might also look at one of the larger Hyundai models. I know several people that are very happy with theirs.
Legender is wrong - you can get addicted, not just spoiled. :-) I can't imagine driving anything else.
08-22-13, 01:11 PM
#7
Moderator
These are such different cars in so many areas - handling, comfort, weight, options, MPG, HP, cost to repair if something major breaks, etc.
One common thread is that they are both very reliable. Likely a Civic may be just slightly more reliable because it has far fewer options. The Lexus is extremely reliable but parts and repair can be costly.
If you can do normal routine minor maintenance (filters, oil, brakes, etc) yourself and shop for parts wisely the cars are actually likely to be very close in normal maint costs.
So you really need to drive both and decide what is important to you - big luxury cruiser or nimble but humble sporty sedan.
I had a 4 door plain jane Civic briefly in the late 80's and I hated every single economical second of driving it. Gave it to my 80 yo mother in law after 2 years because I could not stand driving it. We did own a couple of Accords and those were much more to our liking.
Also check with your insurance agent - Civics in some areas are the most often stolen car and can have surprisingly high insurance costs.
One common thread is that they are both very reliable. Likely a Civic may be just slightly more reliable because it has far fewer options. The Lexus is extremely reliable but parts and repair can be costly.
If you can do normal routine minor maintenance (filters, oil, brakes, etc) yourself and shop for parts wisely the cars are actually likely to be very close in normal maint costs.
So you really need to drive both and decide what is important to you - big luxury cruiser or nimble but humble sporty sedan.
I had a 4 door plain jane Civic briefly in the late 80's and I hated every single economical second of driving it. Gave it to my 80 yo mother in law after 2 years because I could not stand driving it. We did own a couple of Accords and those were much more to our liking.
Also check with your insurance agent - Civics in some areas are the most often stolen car and can have surprisingly high insurance costs.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 08-22-13 at 01:20 PM.
Trending Topics
08-22-13, 01:59 PM
#8
yes, think this is going to come down to how much you value the superior ride and comfort of the LS. If those aren't important to you, get the Civic. No question you can get a low mileage Civic that is highly likely to be somewhat more reliable than the higher mileage LS for the same amount of money. Thats not certain but it is likely...yes the LS is a very reliable car but i really doubt it will be as reliable as say a 2 yr old civic. the civic will of course have better gas mileage but with only 7k a year that probably doesn't matter much. if you're willing to tolerate some risk, value the comfort of the LS, and do basic maintenance yourself, then its a no brainer..get the LS.
08-22-13, 03:50 PM
#9
So, OP, there is no middle ground, is it? 
Four years ago I made a decision between Camry and LS430. Both Toyota cars and very reliable. I am very happy with my decision even if the things broke and I fixed them. LS430 also has held more resale value compared to now 4 year old Camry. This is just based on how new cars depreciate faster than used cars.
Four years ago I made a decision between Camry and LS430. Both Toyota cars and very reliable. I am very happy with my decision even if the things broke and I fixed them. LS430 also has held more resale value compared to now 4 year old Camry. This is just based on how new cars depreciate faster than used cars.
08-23-13, 03:53 AM
#12
Haha... i like my women sexy, do i want kate upton or snooky? If you can find an LS for $15k in good condition, it's $45k off. $15k for a civic is $6k off tops. Not even a.choice really. I had '95 civic that went 220k trouble free before i sold it, so i love civics too.
08-23-13, 06:57 AM
#14
