ST430

Friend of mine will be buying a compact car to replace her totalled 07' Honda Accord V6 sedan. Here priorities are:

1) Styling
2) Price
3) Gas Mileage
4) Amenities

We have test drove both cars extensively and are at a draw between the two. Honda is having a lot of issues with car allocation, so there's hardly any selection for Civics in NorCal. And with this, a lot of shoppers are going to Huyndai, so there availability is scarce too. If it was based on MSRP, then the Huyndai wins outright, but the pricing are identical now with dealers gouging due to supply and demand. Wanted to solicit your opinions on one other other, because they are practically a toss up:

Honda Civic:
- Good: 41mpg on HF model w/o GDI, Honda reputation, more interior space, price is reasonable
- Bad: Styling is bland, amenities lacking, and interior seems mediocre in quality

Huyndai Elantra:
- Good: 40mpg on GDI engine, lots of standard equipment, stylish
- Bad: Interior space a little smaller, good warranty, price gouging for a Huyndai?!!!

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Don't forget to think about maintenance, insurance, aftermarket modification potential, and resale value.

Kostamojen

2012 Impreza

ST430

thanks...not worried about aftermarket mods, but have thought about maintenance, resale value, and reliability which would favor the Honda....

Cartune

iTrader: (3)

id go with the civic. elantra is my least out of the other hyundai sedan.

LexFather

The only reason to buy the Civic is so you get the factor ricer Vtach meter so you can look at Vtechs kick in b/c you won't be able to feel it kick in.



Elantra all the way if you like the wavy look.

I also like the Chevy Govt Motors Cruze a bunch!

Och

iTrader: (3)

I'd go for the Civic, its a proven car, and the Hayondie will depreciate like a used condom.

Lexmex

Civic, also, lots of family and friends with that vehicle over the years.

LexFather

I just spit my freaking Kahuha Coffee out.

hahahahhaahah

-J-P-L-

Most posts suggest the Civic, yet the poll shows the Elantra winning 2:1.

I would buy the Elantra. Although if we were comparing the 2006-11 Civic to the Elantra, I'd go with the Civic. Honda totally ruined it, while somehow keeping it similar. Weird. It's all in the details.

The OP's friend's priorities are...

1) Styling
2) Price
3) Gas Mileage
4) Amenities

The Elantra wins on all of these (standard Civic's MPG) . Elantra also has 10 year warranty, twice that of the Civic.

Others mention resale value, maintenance, ect. Well, no one but Toyota can match Honda here. So if these are the only priorities, then Toyota and Honda are the only choice. But their are many other factors to consider.

Mr. Burns

Elantra has been having trouble meeting EPA ratings in the real world, so that's something to consider. The Civic meanwhile seems to get very good mileage in the real world. Another consideration would be the Chevy Cruze, it's the best selling sub compact car in the country and would definitely be worth checking out.

bsl888

I think Hyundai makes pretty good cars on paper. They put check marks on all the features and amenities, but when it comes to the intangibles such as handling, the feel of the material, the feel of the drive itself, Hyundai just isn't there yet. Also reliability and resale value is better in the Honda.

Many of us purchase Lexus even though a Hyundai may have all the same features on paper. It's because of quality and reliable engineering that's been time tested.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The Elantra solely because of its interior design.

If this were me though, Ford Focus.

Kamikaze2b

I'd also strongly consider the new Focus.

scgt652

Not true. Hyundai's resale values have improved dramatically in recent years. According to KBB, a 2009 Elantra SE is now worth 66% of its original msrp. That is slightly better than industry average.

That being said, the Civic still has the best resale values in the compact segment. KBB calculates that a 2009 Civic EX-L has retained 74% of its value.