4 Reasons I'll Continue Driving My 12-Year-Old Honda Civic in 2025

I do what I can to avoid debt. Beyond a mortgage, I have zero debt. I use credit cards regularly to pay for everyday purchases to earn rewards, but I pay my balances off every month to avoid expensive credit card interest.

Another way I've avoided taking on debt is by driving a well-loved and well-cared-for vehicle. I don't feel the need to drive the latest vehicle, so I don't have a car loan. But that's not the only reason why I've made this choice.

Here's why I plan to continue driving my 12-year-old Honda Civic well into the new year.

1. Honda vehicles are affordable to maintain

Honda continues to be included in lists of the cheapest car brands to maintain. In one such recent list from Consumer Reports, Honda made it on the list as the No. 10 least expensive car brand. The estimated 10-year maintenance cost for a Honda is $5,850.

Anytime I've needed regular maintenance work or repairs done to my 2012 Honda Civic, I've found the costs to be very reasonable. I'll continue driving my older Honda as long as possible because the last thing I want to do is deal with expensive car repair and maintenance bills.

2. I want my insurance costs to stay reasonable

Car insurance companies consider many factors when calculating car insurance premium costs. These include age, driving history, car make and model, and location. I'll continue to drive my 12-year-old car because I want my car insurance costs to be affordable.

If I were to buy a newer vehicle, I'd likely pay more for insurance. Many of the cars sold within the last few years have more tech and electronic components, which can drive up repair costs. They also tend to have higher values, which also drives up insurance costs.

I feel comfortable with my car insurance costs now, and I'm in no hurry to find out how much more expensive they could be if I replaced my car.

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3. I love not having a car payment

According to Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market report, the average driver is paying hundreds of dollars each month for car payments. Data from Q2 2024 shows that the average monthly payment was $734 for new cars and $525 for used cars.

I'd like to avoid spending $6,300 to $8,808 annually to finance a car, so I'll keep driving my dependable Honda Civic for as long as I can.

4. I want to continue saving for my next car

The end of a vehicle's life can come at any time. Even for drivers who take good care of their cars, they can be totaled unexpectedly in an accident. Another reason I plan to keep driving my car as long as possible is to give myself plenty of time to save up for a replacement vehicle.

When the time comes to get a new set of wheels, I don't want to feel financial stress. The longer I keep my current vehicle, the more time I have to stash extra money in my savings account.

Delaying a new car purchase could be a significant financial win

Drivers with dinosaur vehicles like my 2012 Honda Civic may wonder if it's finally time to replace their well-loved cars with a new model. As long as a vehicle is safe to drive and the cost of upkeep is still affordable, it's likely worthwhile to keep it. Driving an older car can free up more money for other financial goals.