I Bought a 2009 Mercedes Instead Of a 2025 Honda Civic, I’d Rather Drive a Paid-Off Benz Than Have A $500 a Month Civic Payment

Is driving a used 2009 Mercedes-Benz better than buying a new 2025 Honda Civic? According to Melissa (@baklavaamami), it is the better choice, and she says so on her TikTok video clip. 

Melissa says, "Buying a brand new 2025 Honda Civic is the worst financial decision you can make. I drive an older 2009 Mercedes-Benz and am happier than if I had a brand new car."  

Her decision is not just about the car she drives, but about the financial responsibility and freedom it represents. It's a reminder that every purchase, especially a significant one like a car, should be a well-informed financial decision.

Before we hear more from Melissa, imagine turning 30; you are supposed to be well on your way to success. You should be driving a new car, buying a new condo, having nice clothes, and having the lifestyle you see other people your age.

However, you don't think like most people your age.

You drive a fifteen-year-old car, not a new Honda Civic, and your philosophy is not about image; it's about being smart with your money. By driving a used Mercedes, you don't have a $ 500-a-month car payment like many of your friends. 

People criticize you for driving an older car and not a new one. But you have your goals, and nothing will get you sidetracked. 

You have learned that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. It may look like others are happier and have a better family, relationships, cars, and houses, but comparing yourself to others is a fast way to get off track and derail your life.

Social Media Can Be Deceptive

You have learned that by looking at social media, it's all about image, and it doesn't mean they are happy. You don't see that they are stressed out. 

Because when you look closer, they are in debt. They have a lot of credit card debt and a huge car payment. 

Melissa says, 

"Here are the facts. Everyone I know with these new cars and their car payments is swimming in credit card debt every month."

"Buying a brand new car is the worst financial decision you can make."

Doesn't a used Mercedes cost a lot in maintenance and repairs?  

She says no, "So far, so good, everyone! And yes, I would rather drive an older paid-off car than have a $500 plus monthly payment that I don't even own after five years. I'm so happy with my car."  

No Repair Bills So Far

Melissa says she hasn't had any expensive repair bills on her Mercedes. "So far, so good, 1.5 years strong! It's been ok so far!! Maybe I just got lucky."

What Are Others Saying? 

"For the record. Since 95% of people in the comments are haters. I have nothing against Hondas but love my car, my fifteen-year-old Mercedes, and being debt-free. So love y'all."

Not All Comments are Negative

Miss.irenaa says, "The older Benz is better than the newest ones. It's why I'm holding onto my 2014 still with absolutely no issues versus getting a new one."

Melissa could go into debt and look successful, but she knows it's not a good choice because she has done her homework. 

"Of course, I can't afford a new one; that's why I bought a used car," she says confidently.

"The 2025 Honda Civics are very nice; I know people who have them. This is just my preference."

Of course, buying an older used vehicle can feel like a gamble, but so can buying a new or nearly-new luxury car. Unexpected mechanical failures aren’t exclusive to aging models. In fact, some drivers who spend upwards of $60,000 on newer premium vehicles encounter unusual issues far sooner than expected. Take, for example, the story of a 2019 BMW X5 owner whose engine suddenly failed at just 42,000 miles - an experience that led to a drawn-out warranty battle that went from bad to worse. If you think newer always means safer or more reliable, this account might change your mind.

Aren't newer cars safer?

"If you know anything about a Benz, it is one of the safest car brands. More people have died in a Honda Civic than have died in a Benz after a serious accident." 

I wrote another story about Michael Rusli, who drives a ten-year-old Honda CR-V instead of buying a new car. 

Michael says, "My car is ten years old, I'm making six figures, and I refuse to pay for something I don't need. I had an older Honda CR-V, sold it for a profit, and got a ten-year-old CR-V with that money; if it ain't broke, don't fix it." 

Michael is a financial wealth management advisor who is wiser than his years. He's a Millennial who "practices what he preaches." He lives a no-car-payment life and keeps his paid-off Honda CR-V as long as possible.

He proudly states, "I'm driving a paid-off ten-year-old car because it costs nothing to run, and who wants a $500 per month car payment?" 

Michael's financial freedom and control over his expenses are things he wouldn't trade for the world. This sense of empowerment is a key benefit of driving a paid-off car.

Most people want to drive a new car with the latest features and new technology, but it comes at a steep price. You have a large car payment, higher maintenance costs, license plates, taxes, and insurance. Here is why Michael's statement makes sense. 

How Much Is the Average Car Payment?

Michael and Melissa ask why they should have a $500 car payment. According to a report from Bankrate, as of February 2025, the average monthly car payment for a new car is $737, and the average for a used car is $520. 

Key Points to Consider:

Buying a used car generally results in lower upfront costs, and you don't have a large monthly payment like you would for a new car. However, used cars may have higher maintenance costs, while new cars offer newer technology and safety features. 

Used Car Advantages:

• Slower Depreciation: Used cars depreciate at a slower rate than new cars.
• Lower Insurance Costs: Most used cars will have lower insurance premiums. 

Used Car Disadvantages: 

• Higher Maintenance Costs: Used cars may require more frequent and costly repairs. 
• Potential for Unexpected Issues: Used cars may have hidden mechanical problems that require costly repairs. 
• Limited Warranty: Used cars may not come with the same warranty protection as new cars. 

New Car Advantages:

• New Technology and Features: New cars often have the latest safety features and technology.
• Warranty: New vehicles come with a warranty to protect against unexpected repairs. However, used car warranties are available.

New Car Disadvantages:

• Higher Initial Costs: New cars are more expensive to purchase than used cars. 
• Higher Monthly Payments: New car loans result in high monthly payments. 
• Rapid Depreciation: New cars depreciate rapidly, losing a significant portion of their value within the first year. 

Reddit user herrniemand gives this good advice. 

"If you don't have a car payment, think of what you can do with all that extra monthly money! It's basically like getting a raise! It might even be tempting to start new car shopping, to take advantage of high used car prices, and trade in your car while it's still worth something. You can get into something nice for the same or even lower payment than before."

"Don't do it," he says. 

"Instead, use this as a perfect opportunity to save money since most of us don't save enough. After all, you've been managing without that extra monthly money for the past few years (if you haven't, then obviously use it to pay off any other debts first), so it should be relatively painless to stash it away rather than spend it. If you can set up an automatic paycheck deduction so you never even see it, that would be even better."

He finishes by saying, "It's almost always better to keep driving a paid-off car for as long as it's in decent shape, and don't underestimate the luxury of savings vs. debt."

Conclusion:

Think of a car as transportation, not a status symbol. Melissa and Michael are not concerned about image. They look at what they drive through a different lens than many new car buyers. If you live without a car payment and don't have that debt, you'll be able to live better now and have much less stress. 

Melissa concludes, "I love to travel, and with no car payment, I can buy a plane ticket and go places I could never go if I had a $500 car payment. The experiences you have traveling will stay with you for the rest of your life, but you won't remember that expensive handbag you went into debt to buy."

It's Your Turn

Do you drive a paid-off car? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us about your experience.

Check out my 2025 Honda Civic story: I Just Bought a 2025 Honda Civic Sport With Only $1K Down, a Co-Signer and Have a $558 Payment, Because I Wanted a Brand New Car With CarPlay

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Melissa