The Wonderful World of Honda

We currently have a 2005 Honda Civic Sport. It's a pretty good car all things considered. The sport model comes with mostly the same bodykit as the flagship Type-R (with the exception of the tailgate spoiler) and mine also has the optional 17" alloy wheels and side and rear windows are deeply tinted.

The engine while only a 1.6 is quite revvy (being a VTEC) although I think is under-powered for a sport model (108bhp). For comparison the Type-R has 198bhp from it's 2.0 engine. But the handling is excellent with the sports suspension and fat 215/45 R17 tyres. A complete contrast to the Mazda 3 I had before which handled about as well as a garden hedge. The engine seems quite economical too with the trip computer telling me I average around 39mpg currently (down from 42mpg as I drive through town a lot now). However the small fuel tank still means frequent trips to the pump.

The dilemma we have is this. The finance agreement ends next May. Truth be told we need a bigger car. Yes we do have to child car seats in the back and the fact that the front passenger seat tilts and slides allows excellent access to put the kids in. The boot is full though with a pushchair folded inside allowing only a small amount of shopping to go inside whereas large shopping trips also need bags to be stowed where possible in the cabin.

We have 3 choices next May. 

1. Keep the car and pay off the finance in one lump sum (circa £4500) 
2. Keep the car and the finance and continue on for another set period (probably 3 years)
3. Trade the car for something else and take out new finance agreement (assuming that the car is worth enough to pay off the current agreement). 

If we choose option 3, which seems fairly sensible we will have to choose another Honda which presents a new problem. I think Honda do a fine range of cars but what's the best family car. I like the Accord but they are expensive to buy and run, likewise the CR-V being a 4WD the tax has gone through the roof. Doesn't really leave much else does it. Jazz is too small, Insight and CR-Z are brand new. So it's another Civic. The new shape looks bigger than the model I have and I think a 5 door would be an idea. As they were introduced in 06 I should be able to get one for a modest price too. 

Onto another choice then. Petrol or Diesel. It never ends does it?