DaM[A]N

Hello all, I am looking at a new project and have located a '95 Civic Ex coupe for sale for less than 2K.

I own a 2001 Accord and a 2007 CRV already but never owned a Civic.

The car has 108K and has no rust. I am planning on going to see it this week but I am not sure what trouble signs I should look for in this model. It can use paint but I am looking to tinker with it a bit so cosmetics are not high on the list for me to mess with.


Can you all point out the obvious things to check for before forking over the cash?

Thanks!

David

murphy95si

make sure there is no water on the floor especially on the passenger side. also personally I still look for rust even if someone says its rust free. on that model the inside lip of the rear wheel well and in the trunk area is where I would look first if those are okay then i would assume that pretty much the rest of the car is rust free. I would also do reg things like check fluids and such to tell if they really took care of it. I would ask if they know when the last time timing belt was changed. other then that just look around and make sure everything is there and intact and take it for a ride


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strategy400

I never buy a car without inspecting the dipsticks, under the oil cap, the exhaust at operating temp, and watching the opened radiator neck until operating temp (fans cycle on). That's after I lay on the ground in front of the car and size up the undercarriage/leaks (rear main seal in particular) and look at all the wheels and body panels for evidence of collisions/bent parts/uneven tire wear. Then a stethoscope to diagnose any noises and a test drive to test shifting, running and let go of the wheel to see if it rolls straight. Also the A/C test... it loses points if it doesn't spit ice cubes.
Anything that fails may be an argument to lower the price or walk away.

Also, after you buy the car, pull the top timing cover. If the timing belt is not a Honda or Gates belt then it has likely been changed and you can wait a bit to change it.