Second Hand Sense:THE FACT that an acquaintance was able to buy a two-year-old Honda Civic before Christmas for just under €10,000 confirmed that the second-hand car market is now a buyer's market - and such deals will not be rare this coming year.
The problem for dealers trying to establish the value of a second-hand car now is that not enough are selling to give an average market value. In many cases, dealers are being forced to accept whatever is considered a reasonable offer.
This strikes a positive chord for second-hand buyers and the new model Civic, an appealing hatchback with great styling and interior, is now within the range of more people.
It has been around since 2006 but its list price has made it rather exclusive. Bold styling and a sporty rear give it a modern look and a keener appeal than an equivalent Focus or Golf.
The interior is even more impressive. While not an overly big car, there is lots of space in the front. The digital dashboard and ergonomic design of everything from the driver's perspective is very welcome.
There is a choice of petrol engines, from 1.4- to 1.8-litre, and even a hybrid option. The 1.4-litre makes the most sense, but power is an issue. Normal driving conditions however, are well handled, and economically too.
The boot is big and practical and seats fold cleverly to create even more room. The greatest appeal of the car is its level of comfort and smart design. It drives well and makes life easy for the driver in every respect.
The car has only a four star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test programme while most competitors have five. However, reliability is where the Civic really scores. Hondas are famously reliable and you won't have any major problems here.
Now to the guessing game of pricing: A 2006 car with the 1.4-litre petrol engine and just 25,000km on the clock is on offer for €14,750 at one garage. A 2007 model with the same engine and just 10,000km is €21,000 at another garage. Both have good levels of equipment, including cruise control, air conditioning and multiple airbags.
STAR RATING: 7/10