Hello everyone,
I don't have much knowledge with cars so I'm looking for some advice on what to do. I have a 2008 Civic Hybrid with about 179k miles on it. I've had this car for a little over a year and have had no problems with the car whatsoever, until recently. My car's CEL popped up with a P0420 catalytic code. I've brought it to my mechanic to diagnose the issue because from what I've read, there could be multiple causes for the P0420 code besides the cat converter. After the diagnosis, my mechanic confirmed that both front and rear cat converters would need to be replaced, and they quoted me about $2100 to fix it. I'm hesitant to do so because I've already spent over $2000 in the months prior for tune-ups (new battery, spark plugs & coils, tires), and while I am able to afford $2100 to replace the cat converters, I'm just not sure if it is the right decision financially speaking for an older car. What makes me even more anxious is if I have to replace the hybrid battery, as that would be even more money out of my pocket. Looking at the Carfax and service reports on my car, it doesn't show that the hybrid battery has ever been replaced, and if that is the case, then that is roughly another 2 grand out of my pocket should the time come where I need to replace it. In total that would be over $6000 spent in the span of less than a year (which is more than what this car is worth from what I've searched). My question is, should I stick with my car, replace both front and rear cat converters, and possibly the hybrid battery (if the time comes)? or should I use the money that I would use for repairs on a newer (used) car?

Background info: I live in Salem, Oregon. Emissions testing isn't required here, but I've been reading mixed things about cat converters. Some people say only to replace the cat converter if you live in a state that requires emissions testing, as it's required by law. Others say not replacing a faulty cat converter can eventually cause engine failure if the cat is clogged. The CEL on my car turned on in early January, and I've been driving it daily ever since. So far I've noticed no difference in performance whatsoever and the car is running normally. Is it worth the hassle to replace the cat converters at all if 1. I live in an area where emissions testing isn't required, and 2. the car runs normally? Will my car eventually break down if I don't replace them? (as it stands right now, car is running fine. Has no problems accelerating, no loss of power, no "rattling" sound under car from possible broken down catalyst material, runs like new if I'm being honest).

Should I repair my car or use the money to buy a newer (used) car? Any advice would be helpful and appreciated.

 

Have you looked at the cost of finding a new car? Also no guarantee that the next car won't also need $6000 in repairs.

The hybrids in general do have some extra maintenance liability for sure. The CVT transmissions and batteries are not cheap to replace when they go bad. You have the worst of both EV and ICE all in one complex package. They are neat but hardly worth the very slight performance increase vs plain gas burners.

Says the guy with 4 Honda hybrids of various generations. Oh wait they were all sold off or made non-hybrid.

Anyway catalytic converters go bad on everything. About everything at this age is due.

 

Hi, thanks for the response. I have also been looking at the costs of finding a new car. If I were to get a newer car, I'd have to finance it, but payments aren't a problem whatsoever. While I understand that there's no guarantee that this new car won't also need to be repaired in some way shape or form, there's just something about have peace of mind with a newer car knowing that the chances of it needing repairs is significantly lower than an older car. I'd also be more inclined to repair a newer car as opposed to an older car, because the chances of another thing having to be fixed/replaced is a bit higher on an older car when compared to a newer car.