Brandon Lawhorn

Hey, first time posting here. So, I'm a 22 year old college student and I have been wanting to learn how to drive a stick shift and to do my own auto mechanics. But do not want to work heavily on my own DD vehicles. So after researching what vehicles are cheap, reliable, and easy to work on, I decided on a 5th or 6th gen Honda Civic. I am wanting to get the most mpgs as possible since my 2003 Silverado gets around 14mpg. What models do you all personally like? I've researched and found that the Civic VX models seem to get better mpgs, but its just a cheap beater car for me to work on and learn stick shift, so i shouldn't care so much about that. Anyways, I'm just looking or any advice you all could give me. Thanks!

P.S. I keep seeing the acronym SIL and found that it means Shift Indicator Light, this sounds beneficial to me and would like to find one with this feature. Any specifics to look for when searching for a civic with an SIL?

eh2_Trav

iTrader: (1)

Many people will give you different answers and it really all depends on what you plan for in the future. If you plan on a engine swap, which you will probably will even if you don't feel that way now, I personally like any honda civic from 92-95. They're cheap, easy to fix and good on gas but that goes for any civic between 92-00. Also a benefit of 92-95 chassis is theyre OBD1 which is the most tunable if you do plan on a bseries swap. About the SIL, honda's dont come stock with that light. That normally is something that is implemented during a tune.

Caoboy

Get a Corolla as they aren't thief magnets.

Brandon Lawhorn

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Yea, I was leaning towards the 5th gens more. My budget is pretty low, around $1500-$2000ish, give or take a few hundred depending. As for miles on the vehicle, I know that these cars last a long time, but een though it would be a beater car or me to learn to wok on, would you have any advice when going out to look at vehicles? Like what to look for or watch out for?

Brandon Lawhorn

I definitely looked into them, but I couldn't pass up the mpgs of the civic lol

eh2_Trav

iTrader: (1)

Try and find an unmolested stock car from on older person. When I say older I mean anyone over the age of 30. Kids beat the **** out of their civics, shoot I know I did, and they don't necessarily keep up on preventative maintenance. You should be able to fine a civic in decent shape for your price range. My biggest concern when I buy a car is a stock wiring harness, a hacked up harness can be a HUGE headache for a beginner. Stay away from any car with rust, so look under the car, look at the wheel wells. Check that the engine isnt covered in oil, most of them will be. No check engine lights, no loud noises and see when the last water pump/timing belt was done. These are basic things that I look for. Good luck with your purchase.

eHMxhACk

iTrader: (17)

OP,

Buy a CX. It'll be less expensive than a VX and still get about 2/3 the fuel economy (40-45mpg). Simple to work on and if you ever do decide to swap engines it's not a rare one like the D15Z1.

Both the CX and VX (92-95) came with an OEM shift indicator light.





eH.

TomCat39

Sorry everyone, in my haste I assumed this thread was concerning value, so I moved it into the value thread. After retrospect, I see my mistake and have put it back into it's own thread as was appropriate to begin with.

My apologies.

eh2_Trav

iTrader: (1)

Oh my fault, I had never heard of that before. Learn something new everyday.

TomCat39

To add to this, the USDM CX may have the SIL.

The CDM CX does not have the SIL.