Since it is paid off, it would be a better financial decision to stay with the car. Otherwise, you should have just leased the car so that you can trade vehicles later on. There are only a few reasons that you should consider replacing your perfectly good car:
- You can't afford the car and need to downgrade.
- You got a promotion or raise and want to celebrate it.
- Your current car doesn't suit your purposes anymore.
- You're bored and have lots of money to burn (or don't mind burning someone else's money while you increase your debt).
- You resent your car and it bothers you everytime you're behind the wheel (ie: you bought an automatic and wanted a manual).
I drive both a 1st gen and 2nd gen every week. I would only trade my 1st gen into a 2nd gen if I wanted a sportswagon. Otherwise, the 2nd gen feels bulkier and isn't as fun to drive. If I wanted a fun car, I would look at other brands (especially RWD). Acura's designers are on vacation or something.
If you really want a 2nd gen, why don't you just lease one? Apparently lease rates are good now, and later you can give your 2nd gen back and still have your 1st gen available.
Just remember, you will get bored of your next car eventually. It's better to have a paid off car that you're bored with than to have a car that you're bored of and still have to pay for. The 2nd gen isn't any more fun than the 1st gen (if anything, I find it more boring).