96hatchblack

Hi all

I just bought a 96 hatch for daily transportation. I'm 40 years old, this is my 37th car (I've been a gear head since I was 14), and my first Honda. I bought it because I love the simplicity, functionality, reliability, and gas mileage. (We are going to see over $4.00 a gal this summer and possibly $5.00 a gal by New Years!)

Not only that, but when I was an engine performance specialist in the late 80's during the transition years (when carbs, computer carbs, spaghetti vacuum lines, and modern EFI were all on the road at the same time), the tech I worked with got a job at Honda and is still there today after 15 years. So when I can't fix something myself on this car, as least I have somebody I know & trust. That is priceless to me.

I'm not doing any mods, just a stock daily driver for me. But the car does need a few improvements. It's a 96 DX Hatch, auto, 97k, one lady owner, zero rust, and meticulously maintained. This old lady kept every single receipt since new. The stack of receipts over 3" thick. She was hard-core, she even did the timing belt at 50k and again at 90k. It's pretty much turn-key. The only thing wrong with the car is the paint on the hood and roof are cooked. She lived near the ocean and the car wasn't garaged or waxed. I plan on getting the top of the car repainted. I'm happy with the car, it drives mint, and will give me a good 7 years. But I'm a little bummed out because I feel I paid too much. I think a fair price would have been $2000 to $2500. I paid $3000. (This is where you make me feel better by telling me it's ok because the past ownership and history makes it worth that extra amount for the piece of mind and less headaches down the road)

I'm just killing time, waiting for my trial membership to expire so I can post in the classifieds, and thought I would introduce myself. As an old-skool'er (been wearing Vans since 1983, still have an original pair when they were all custom made to order in California), there is a lot of high-tech mombo-jumbo you all are slinging around these boards, hard to keep up and understand it all, but I'm sure I'll get by.

Cheers!


Modified by 96hatchblack at 11:06 PM 5/8/2008

vtecb18c

a 96 dx with 97k for 3,000 isn't to bad. as far as keeping it a daily driver.....i don't know about that.. being a gear head go to one honda event at your local raceway and you'll be there the next year with a b-series turbo swap running 11s...welcome to the honda- tech...BUMP


Modified by vtecb18c at 12:13 PM 5/13/2008

VRD^sam

Congrats, Welcome to Honda-tech

Smakk

Welcome! 3k for the hatch isn't bad as long as its clean. Good luck keeping it relatively stock. I am happy with a gsr swap and getting around 32-33 mpg on the highway.

slocivic99

I dont know man, I think you got a pretty good deal. I got my STOCK 99' hatch in january with 96k and I paid 3800, so i think you got a pretty good deal. Where I live I counldnt find a hatch for months and months so I jumped on the one I got.

cdnav8r

Always nice to see another "hot hatch" joining Honda-tech



They are soooooo much fun on a race track :-)

luvmihatch

iTrader: (3)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecb18c &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a 96 dx with 97k for 3,000 isn't to bad. as far as keeping it a daily driver.....i don't know about that.. being a gear head go to one honda event at your local raceway and you'll be there the next year with a b-series turbo swap running 11s...welcome to the honda- tech...BUMP


Modified by vtecb18c at 12:13 PM 5/13/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

ha so true its scary.

welcome

96hatchblack

Thanks for the replies and comments!

Theory_EK

Congrats!

civicsi940

congrats on your purchase and welcome to honda-tech. the big honda fam.

forsakenriceboy86

congRants.. and welcome!! im with "vtecb18c" up there ^.. lets see how long that daily is gonna stay as a stock daily!!.. lols.. i got some small modds on my civic and last time i've check i still got 30+mpg.. believe it or not but yEp!!..

you did get a killer deal for your hatch!!.. are you trying to play with us here by telling us you got a badd deal when really you did get one hELl of a deal!.. especially with all those maintenance records kept and proven for its history too.. thumbS up*

SoullessJapaneseMachine

iTrader: (1)

What took you so long?

Look into theft prevention/insurance...civic hatch = theft magnet. Sorry.

newbie415

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SoullessJapaneseMachine &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What took you so long?

Look into theft prevention/insurance...civic hatch = theft magnet. Sorry. </TD></TR></TABLE>


civic hatch = theft magnet. Sorry.


X100 fo realz....get an alarm system or lowjack!!


other than that....welcome!

NOFX

That sounds like a good deal to me. 97k with a ton of receipts and an **** retentive previous owner (even though she overlooked detailing).

If you want any more creature comforts or might be interested in what other trim levels for that generation came with, read the trim differences thread in my signature.

forsakenriceboy86

know what!!!.. its like what they always say!!. whats a post without any pictures.!?!? so umm.. "96hatchblack" is there any pictures or any taken yet.!?!? curious and just wanna see..

Mark D. Surface

First off welcome aboard to H-T! All around it sounds like you got a great deal considering the amount of love the previous owner had put into the car. I would of bought it for that price. It sounds like your buddy will be able to help you tons when you have trouble but browse through the FAQ's if you ever get stuck. There is a lot of great knowledge across this board. I have to warn you though you will probably never drive another brand of car after this. Good luck!

96hatchblack

Thanks!

QUOTE: "know what!!!.. its like what they always say!!. whats a post without any pictures.!?!? so umm.. "96hatchblack" is there any pictures or any taken yet.!?!? curious and just wanna see."

Here are a few the seller sent me, I uploaded them to my photo album (select Honda link from left column)...

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v11/skybax/

It will look much better when I get the paint fixed, new headlights, wheels & tires.

Being a 1996, it's the first year for newer body style, but it was the last year for the 13" rims. They are pathetic. I want to put 14" steel wheels on it with 195/60/14 tires.

I found a set locally, he said they are off of a mid 90's Integra. I know they are 4x100 and will fit. But do they share the same hub bore?

Modified by 96hatchblack at 8:05 PM 5/29/2008


Modified by 96hatchblack at 12:17 AM 5/30/2008

RuDaGeR

You should be fine. I put the stocks of my old 1995 Integra on my 1998 Civic Ex and it wasn't a problem.

96hatchblack

Oh, I know they will fit, 4x100, many people do it, but I wanted to know for sure if they were the same hub bore. Because if the Integra hubs are slightly larger, then I'm not going that route.

CivicSwapper

welcome

Guess I got a good deal then. Have had my '96 hatch since '02 and paid $4000 out the door (tax, tag, title) w/ 76k miles.

nix94delsol

thats not a 96....

Nice pick up none the less

SinsEvil666

Welcome to H-Tech family. Have fun and im sure sooner or later you'll end up modifying that civic. Have fun.

Priority - Alarm (at least a pager alarm and stealth install)