Negotiating on a used Civic - help!

SwedishChef

SwedishChef

SwedishChef

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I'm looking at a 2009 Civic 1.4 SE petrol manual (22k miles) from a Honda dealer as a runabout/town car for the missus and kids. The sticker price is just under 9k.

If I paid a £1000 deposit and get Honda HP finance over 36 months the total with credit charge will come to just over 10k. I can shave a couple of hundred off the credit charge by getting a loan from my bank instead, but appreciate that would probably reduce any bargaining power I may have had with the dealer.

With that in mind, what would you say is a fair price that you would aim to get? The car already has mats ;) but it'll need taxing. Any advice welcome as I'm not a master wheeler dealer. :D
 
Tyres are ok-ish, 4-5mm left, and they'll service and MOT it as par of the sale prep. Good ideas though. Maybe they'd throw in a free/reduced service in a years time?
 
That seems an awful lot of money for a 2009 1.4. Trade ( not trade in) on the 57 diesel when I sold it was circa 7k - I can't see how a 2 year newer 1.4 is worth any more. Can you not at least stretch to the 1.8? Facelift should be easily achievable for that money even from Honda
 
Exactly my point. I don't mean get a better model of Civic, I mean find one that isn't costing you the earth!

If a Civic suits her needs, then so does an Astra, Focus, Cee'd, Auris, etc etc etc. Shop around, it's hardly as if you are plumping for a Type-R and so only have limited credible alternatives, you're buying a run-of-the-mill hatch for nipping to the shops.
 
rodenal said:
Can you not at least stretch to the 1.8?
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We could but then (assuming we stick to looking at main dealer cars) that's even more money on what you're saying is already a lot of money. While I understand the 1.8 is faster, more power for hills, etc, we don't really need the extra engine power for the school run, etc and would prefer to save the cash/running costs.
 
Sounds expensive, you can get 2010 2.2D Type S GTs with a proper level of trim and the glass roof fo not much more!
 
Civics are miles better than the other similar cars in my experience (except maybe the focus where you can drop 'miles'), they drive really well. The magic seats are awesome in the 5drs
 
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Simon said:
Sounds expensive, you can get 2010 2.2D Type S GTs with a proper level of trim and the glass roof fo not much more!
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While a 2.2D would be total overkill and not suited to short journeys and low annual mileage, it is interesting that what is a significantly higher spec car isn't much more expensive. If you happen to know of any examples please share!
 
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That 1.8 or a 5 door EX would be ideal - I would skip the 2.2 if you aren't prepared to potentially drop a bit of cash on it in the next couple of years but appreciate they're just examples anyway.

Op the 1.4 is just not worth that kind of money, spend a few grand less if she really wants it for insurance reasons or whatever on a 1.8 and use the savings to cover the difference. The bigger petrol is good on fuel anywayv

The civic is a better all round car than any of the competition IMO - focus included, but don't pay over the odds as it is just a shipping cart at the end of the day
 
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Does indeed sound very pricey for that engine. Could have got a 2.2ctdi es for around that but not with so few miles which is why you're paying a premium.
I'd push for the 3 year service plan but since you've already paid the deposit the car is as good as sold in the dealers eyes (speaking from bitter experience)
 
I've got a lovely type S GT I'm possibly chopping in for a diesel - lets trade (joke).

In all seriousness you should be able to get a few hundred off the price without really trying! Get them to throw in some tax but perhaps look at the 1.8 instead of the 1.4.

The 1.8 is a nice engine, but for me I just prefer the drive of a diesel car.
 
As a Civic 2.2 owner I'd go along with the others and recommend she gets the 1.8

Much more suited for the tasks she will have in mind.
 
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