What to look for when buying used civic?
 

Hey guys I used the search tool but could come up with anything. I really need a dependable, efficient car, but can only afford to spend about $5k at this time. I was hoping to get in a 1996-1998 civic, 2 door, EX

What mileage is normal to replace a clutch? Are your engines typically needing work at a certain point? I know after looking at VW TDI's i realized timing belts are replaced on those at 100k and top end engine work at 120-140 on most.

Just a newb when it comes to cars. Can i get a nice 2 door 5 speed nicely loaded civic with 75-100k miles for 4-6k? My friends drive VW's and make fun of honda's but my sister has an '01 accord 2 door and i think im going to go the honda route. My brother used to drive older integras and accords in the 170-250k mile range and as long as you put oil in it, it was fine.

Any pointers are appreciated. Average price of parts would be nice, like if i had to get the engine rebuilt, are we looking at $400, or $4000. One thing i like about my jeeps are that i can get a nice new engine for as low as $250 if i have to https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Kyle
http://www.pennstatejeeps.org

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

The civic hatch (96-00) is better looking, lighter, and probably a little more efficient than the coupe.
You should be able to get one in that range.
Make sure you get a 5speed as the autos are dogs...

If its over 100k miles make sure its had the timing belt and water pump replaced.
Lots of clutches and more importantly tranny bearings seem to be dying around 135-150k

The good news about civics is used parts are cheap and plentiful, as are aftermarket goods.

DUDE MAKE SURE YOU TAKE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT HONDAS WITH YOU SO YOU DONT GET RAPED. MAKE SURE U CHECK THE TIMING BELT ON WHATEVA U BUY.

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

Take a look at the engine compartment for fluid leaks ie oil coolant etc.
body condition, interior etc. Its all common sense stuff to look for, unless you are going to do an engine swap, tranny/engine condition.

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (97civicdx)
 

how much do most people charge to change a timing belt.. im sure my dad and i can do it but what would that run anyway

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

I would just check all the fluid levels, check all the gaskets, brakes, exhaust, then drive it (test steering and acceleration). Timing belts are expensive usually around 300-350

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (94CarbonHatch)
 

I've heard price quotes of anywhere from $400 to $550 for a timing belt.

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (Frosty18)
 

look for strange holes in the intake, avoid ones with stickers and altezzas and spray-painted dash parts, they were probly owned by some assclown who beat it racing everyother honda they seen (if the other person knew they were racing or not) just my experience from kids i know..

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (Frosty18)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Frosty18 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've heard price quotes of anywhere from $400 to $550 for a timing belt.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I got mine done at the dealer (I know, I know... but it was the only time I paid someone to do something on my car) because it was winter, and I didn't have garage access. It cost me $300 for just the timing, but they usually do all the belts at once for (I think) $400 or so. It seemed to be standard dealer pricing when they looked it up.

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (EX_AutoXer)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I got mine done at the dealer (I know, I know... but it was the only time I paid someone to do something on my car) because it was winter, and I didn't have garage access. It cost me $300 for just the timing, but they usually do all the belts at once for (I think) $400 or so. It seemed to be standard dealer pricing when they looked it up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Weird. My dealer quoted me thre $550

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (Frosty18)
 

Thats cool thanks for the info. I thought belts were more than that. I know about the swiss cheese airbox mods kids do and alot about general stuff. Well, my dad does anyway.

So to the guy with the prelude for sale.. just basically find something without NAWWWWSSS? https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmileo.gif https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emwink.gif

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hiroler &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats cool thanks for the info. I thought belts were more than that. I know about the swiss cheese airbox mods kids do and alot about general stuff. Well, my dad does anyway.

So to the guy with the prelude for sale.. just basically find something without NAWWWWSSS? https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmileo.gif https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emwink.gif </TD></TR></TABLE>

No. I would never put NOS on my car and would definitely not buy one from someone else. You have to really know what your doing to use it right and odds are you had someone cruisin around on a stock motor spraying a 75 shot all day.

Edit: Not to say you can't spray a 75 shot on a stock motor, hell I remember hearing of someone spraying a 125 on a stock D series. But NOS is just one of those things, you never know what kinda shot they used at one point or how much they sprayed it.

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

Test drive the hell out of it.

If it smokes then there is some shit wrong with it.

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

Since nobody answered directly to your clutch question, here I go:
It is good to have the clutch replaced every 50K miles. I've seen clutches go up to 90K miles, but it's better for your car if you follow the 50K rule. Just my ¢2.

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (ilko)
 

i thought all hondas smoked... and burned oil? https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif

i went to the manheim auto auction today (like biggest in the world) and just gawked over the 122232156 civics there. I'll probably end up getting one from there i guess. Thanks for the pointers - touche on the 50k clutch but id have a hard time doing that personally.. maybe 75k if i had money just laying around. You gotta pull the tranny to replace the clutch anyway so you might as well let the tranny goto hell on the 2nd clutch and replace them in one bang

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

ya you dont know how much they spayed it, mine was only 55 shot a few times, but for all anyone knows i could have been shotting it all the time with 100 shot or somthin..

as for test driving a car, i always beat the hell out of it and swerv around alot, if it doesnt stink and rattle when your done, its a good car(most the time)

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (hiroler)
 

here is a list of what Honda dealers check before they 'certify' a used car to sell.

http://www.hondacars.com/certi...Num=0

http://www.hondacars.com/certi...Num=1

just print out the list and check it off as you go if you wanna be really thorough
yes, get a Civic Ex 96-00, for the price they are very nice cars. If you can get a certified used one, all the better. Nice warranty and all.

http://www.edmunds.com for reviews and prices if you need them

Re: What to look for when buying used civic? (ilko)
 

i thought all hondas smoked... and burned oil? https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif

i went to the manheim auto auction today (like biggest in the world) and just gawked over the 122232156 civics there. I'll probably end up getting one from there i guess. Thanks for the pointers - touche on the 50k clutch but id have a hard time doing that personally.. maybe 75k if i had money just laying around. You gotta pull the tranny to replace the clutch anyway so you might as well let the tranny goto hell on the 2nd clutch and replace them in one bang