Where does he say "more than $2k"??

My buddy has a 2005 Civic and we spent approximately $150 in parts from Rock Auto and maybe another $100 at the local parts shop to do his timing belt, water pump, valve adjustment (with new gaskets, grommets, and tube seals), new spark plugs, coolant flush, oil change + new filter, power steering fluid flush, brake fluid flush, and new serpentine belts (there are 2). I already had the crank pulley removal tool, but if you don't then add about $35 to buy it.

So we're at under $300 for all of that, and 1 day of DIY labor.

My buddy didn't need it, but lets assume that OPs car needs lots of work so it also needs new front brakes ($160 new calipers, pads, rotors, good quality), rear brakes ($80 drum kit w/hardware, new drums, and new shoes, good quality), and a transmission fluid exchange ($180 -- I usually just let the dealer take care of this one), ball joints ($40), shocks ($200). So that's an extra $560... And that's assuming full-replacement of a lot of components. In reality the car may not need some of this, and in many cases things like calipers and drum hardware can be re-used or re-built... But again, I'm quoting some realistic worst-case scenarios here.

So we're at $860 and probably 2 days of DIY labor to rehabilitate a civic that was probably very neglected. And for most civics (assuming no transmission issues, blown engine, or something major) that will take care of all the "big" maintenance items for several years.

Need new tires? Okay, add $500. We're still at only $1360. We're ahead of the game in less than 4 months of "new 2016 civic payments".

I'm not saying he shouldn't buy a new car. But to think that buying a new car is CHEAPER than repairing an older civic is 99% of the time INSANE.

This is all based on a whole lot of assumptions, of course. Maybe he's missing doors, the transmission slips, the paint is gone, and a hobo defecated on the drivers seat.... Then I'd say total it out and buy a new car... But it would take a LOT for his old car to truly cost more than the payments of a new car.