So SWMBO's G20t is slated for replacement. My brother works at a car dealer and has a 2008 civic and 2008 impreza, both about 100k miles, both stick shifts, base models, sedans, similar price etc...
What should I know? I'm assuming the Subaru has a little less room, worse mileage, but AWD for winter, OTOH the civic is a bit roomier, less complicated AWD stuff to break, etc...
Suggestions?
Why are you asking here? SWMBO will let you know what she wants.
I would make that decision based entirely on MPG vs AWD. I think both will be reasonably reliable. I would err toward the honda for a non-enthusiast driver.
If snow and ice are an actual thing in your area, Subaru without a doubt.
Fobroader wrote: If snow and ice are an actual thing in your area, Subaru without a doubt.
This. But if ice and snow aren't a huge thing then I'd take the civic. I'm not saying anything negative about Subarus reliability but the less parts that can break the better. But I think all things with them being equal, you would be fine with either one.
We do have snow, but it never seems to build up. The town salts pretty heavily/plows frequently, so only once did it get kinda bad. Even then, the g20 with all season tires never got stuck, so it wasn't terrible. I also discovered I already have a set of wheels and nearly new blizzack tires taking up space in my garage that should bolt onto the civic and not the Subaru. Looks like the Honda is pulling ahead.
Honda + Blizzacks > Subaru + all seasons
Between the two, I'd probably lean towards the Honda since you already have a sporty and fun ride. FWD and proper snows should get you through anything a sane person would be driving in.
If you intend to keep the car for a long time, I might look a little bigger or go with a hatchback. While it is certainly possible to use a Civic and and RX-8 for family cars, if you want to take a long trip with stuff packed, both options might have you wanting a bit more room. Nothing critical, but it could be the difference between being able to bring a few "good to have" items versus just the essentials. If you plan on having more kids, it might get cramped quickly.
We were using a Mazda3 hatch. With one kid in a rear facing seat, it worked fine. If I had to do it over again, I would have gotten a 1st gen Mazda 6 and been fine with 2 kids. We had a Chevy Malibu as a rental car (in 2010, I think) and that was also plenty big enough for a family of four.
Of course, the space issue could also be solved with a small hitch on either vehicle and a small trailer or cargo carrier.
Fr3AkAzOiD wrote: Honda + Blizzacks > Subaru + all seasons
Subaru + Blizzacks = Unstoppable
Even with snow and ice, AWD is wasted without proper hills or mountains...And just to throw it out there:
Miata + Blizzaks = 
I am in the boat of take her to the dealer and have her drive both and let her decide. Both should be fine, so it is down to what she is comfortable with. Also, seeing that you are in NY I would recommend getting a set of snow tires for either one so that negates the subaru AWD benefit a little.
Yes, if you have snow you'll die in a fiery pile without AWD.
I've never understood that mentality. I'd likely say the Honda, but there's got to be better options out there IMO.
singleslammer wrote: I am in the boat of take her to the dealer and have her drive both and let her decide. Both should be fine, so it is down to what she is comfortable with. Also, seeing that you are in NY I would recommend getting a set of snow tires for either one so that negates the subaru AWD benefit a little.
Amen to that. If you bought the better vehicle and she actually liked the other one if she happened to drive it, you wouldn't hear the end of it.
Any chance your brother would be able to track down a similar Impreza hatch for a similar price? If not, I'm going to throw my lot in with the "let her test drive both and decide" crowd.
1988RedT2 wrote: Why are you asking here? SWMBO will let you know what she wants.
I'm with Red here. Why ask us? My SWMBO has had 2 Mustang Convertibles in a row, all season tires and Michigan winters. What does she want need out of a car.
To me, both those choices are appliance cars so maybe she doesn't care. If that's the case then the Honda.
GET HER A 2014 HONDA all wheel drive crv-l, 250,000 mile car
Adrian_Thompson wrote:1988RedT2 wrote: Why are you asking here? SWMBO will let you know what she wants.I'm with Red here. Why ask us? My SWMBO has had 2 Mustang Convertibles in a row, all season tires and Michigan winters. What does she want need out of a car. To me, both those choices are appliance cars so maybe she doesn't care. If that's the case then the Honda.
A 2008 impreza is an appliance car?
ryanty22 wrote: A 2008 impreza is an appliance car?
To me yes, if it had a magic spinning snail of awesome on the top then it may not be, but a plain Jane Imreza is just an appliance. I've never driven a non STi Subaru I've been impressed with the dynamics of stock. STi's are awesome but the NVH, particularly the harshness makes them a non start for me. WRX's are OK, but need less lag and less understeer as well.
Adrian_Thompson wrote:ryanty22 wrote: A 2008 impreza is an appliance car?To me yes, if it had a magic spinning snail of awesome on the top then it may not be, but a plain Jane Imreza is just an appliance. I've never driven a non STi Subaru I've been impressed with the dynamics of stock. STi's are awesome but the NVH, particularly the harshness makes them a non start for me. WRX's are OK, but need less lag and less understeer as well.
Very fair assessment.
Both cars have already lived 100,000 miles. I'd buy the one in better condition and that she liked better. Gas isn't getting any cheaper so the better mileage is a very strong consideration.
Interestingly, nobody has brought up the relative safety of each. I think the nod there goes to the Subaru if that's something worth considering.
I'd go with Civic + snow tires if needed. If need more space, you could always snag a roof rack and/or hitch/small trailer.
I love both brands. I would pick the Honda. Less moving parts, less things to break, Honda parts are more plentiful, R18 is a pretty dead nuts reliable engine, and the 8th gen is probably the best civic ever even in base form. Just my own personal opinion.
We went with.... wait for it.... neither.
Looked at a few others too and none of them were very nice. That civic drove best of all but it looked like a series of metal-clawed cat fights were held on every body panel.
My brother worked some number magic and got us a new focus SE for an insane bargain, couldn't pass it up. It helps to have a relative who's the sales manager I guess.
Its an SE with the appearance package so it has 17" wheels which will fit those blizzaks I have (though not the wheels they are mounted on), the baby seat fits real securely in the back seat, 4 wheel disc brakes and a few cool electronic gadgets that my wife likes. Also she loves driving it. It really does shift nice. I've read some horror stories from the twin clutch box but we got the stick so I'm not worried. Put this down for a new car raising the manual sales statistic.
When did cheap cars get so nice? My neighbor took me for a ride in his new Mazda 3 and I was very impressed. I might have chosen one of those if my brother wasn't a ford salesman, but this focus seems hella nice, and its only 1 step up from the base model. Also, I now love satellite radio. The whole sync thing can stay or go for all I care, but uninterrupted tunes rock. SWMBO loves that sync stuff though and when she's happy I'm happy.
The somewhat progressive nature of America made cheap cars nice 
. Actually, I think it's making sure they can keep customers buying their cars instead of someone else's. It's also interesting that 6 year old cars are already beaters. I also can imagine that it was better for your brother to get you an employee discount on a new car versus a used car.
When I lived in boston, 6 month old cars looked like beaters 
It was odd for this one to look so scraped up. The engine bay, underbody, and interior looked NEW, but the paint was berked.
IDK what my brother got out of the deal, but the price was under invoice after I got a bunch of rebates from ford.
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