netplaceus

Okay this is my question guys. I am thinking about buying a 1996 Honda Civic HB with 240K miles on it for $2800.00. I don't know if I am being stupid.
The car run just fine, but looks to have original everything.

Here is my reasoning. The cars body is great, the inside looks almost like new.
I have found this to be very unusual. Unless you are very lucky, $3000 bucks
buys little more than junk and something that is going to need a lot of work.

I am thinking I would get more bang for my buck if I bought the car and replaced the engine. There is a place here in my town that will pick up a long block, rebuild it, and return it to me for $1500.00. They will rebuild my manual transmission for $500.00 The have an excellent reputation.

I figure if I add another $500.00 it should cover most other things I can only get to (or much easier anyway) when the engine is out. Clutch,
etc. At another $500.00 and I could do brakes, CV joints and more.

I know it is going to need more, but I figure everything else is easy to get to.
and when I am done I will have something decent that will be reliable.

I don't think I could get anything that nice for $6000.00, could I?
I mean at $6000.00 I still have to be worried about blowing a head gasket,
transmission problems, etc.

It this a stupid idea? Or should I just get what I can for $6000.00?

Thanks for your advice!

Mr. Bojangles

EX came in hatchback? I thought they were only coupe and sedan.

pye174

anything as nice as a rebuilt 96 civic??

mikekh10a

iTrader: (2)

correct. hatchbacks only came in DX, and the even lighter model: CX.

$3000 is realllyyyyy steep even if the body is clean. there's tons of stuff thats bound to go out sooner or later in the motor or suspension etc.

PunchedGuava

Get what you can for 6K. 3K for a car with that many miles is a little sleep. Even for 3k you can get a Civic under 200k miles.

jbpnoman

There's a value sticky for this kind of thing.

That said, $3k can get you a clean 96-98 with 150k or less. That's a crackpipe price for a car with that many miles.

CJBankai

3k is way too steep for that car, even with half the miles.

B_Swapped93

The car may look good visually but there's no way that you're not going to have to start replacing stuff(lots off stuff) sooner or later swap or no swap

S2BumpsticksGSR

2k tops! Explain to the guy you'll have to swap/rebuild engine regardless. Sadly, someone out there will probably pay that inflated price for without knowing much about cars...suckers

netplaceus

Thanks for all advice, I really appreciate it. And you are all right of course, it is a DX.

I think cars might be more expensive here in San Diego California. Found a car value site that said the car was worth 1700 private and 2800 dealer.

My insurance company just told me my 1998 Honda Civic DX, Totaled twice before and never fixed, 265K, no radio, totally trashed interior, almost every part of car has been hit except doors, was worth $3,100!

I bought it for $1500 at a dealer (at 150k) 10 years ago. First total no repairs and keep was $700.00, Second total no repairs and keep was $1700.00. Now it has been hit in back, but she still runs! But State Farm said the game has changed.

If I want to keep the car this time it will be $2100.00 or I can take a check for 2700.00. Well, I will take the check of course! They said it has very high part value. To me all the parts are smashed or broken. I don't get it.

This is so weird? Have any of you seen this happen before? Even when I add all the repairs I did to the car I ended up making money off it.

When I have gone on line to look for a replacement car I have found as a whole VERY few used Honda's that get the kind of MPG mine had. It seems the few that are out there for under 6k are in very high demand here in San Diego.

Maybe because of gas? Average $4.10 per gallon.

S2BumpsticksGSR

Gas AND reliability. As long as kids haven't "fixed" anything on it hahaha. Keep in mind most owners don't maintain their vehicles to keep the fuel mileage/reliability maxed.
Reality is most people take their car for granted and abuse it instead of taking care of it and these have almost 20yrs of abuse by now.

sleepyaccord96

i just bought a 96 dx hatch thats silver and all stock from original owner, same original owner also had a 97 dx hatch that was blue and i bought them both for 3200. So for 3200 i got 2 mint condition hatchbacks both dead stock and both are 5 speeds and both are original owner with all paperwork.
Now i must admit i got a excellent deal and it was a rare find. They were listed on craigslist and i bought them 5 minutes after being listed....

i know it is hard to find a stock 96 00 hatch but be wise with your money

cvcrcr99

$6k will get you something like an Is300, or a MUCH newer civic. 2006 Civic EX, 140k for $6400. :whynot:

Kista20

Personally I would say $2k it will give you more room when other things come up and go bad. I paid $2600 for 99 hx w/ 209k from a dealer but it had a clean title and it's never been in an accident and it cleaned up nice inside, the outside has the typical ding or two but otherwise nice.

You will really need the room for when stuff starts breaking, I've only put 20k miles in the 2-1/2 yrs or so I've had it. Right now the stuff it needs replaced is the a/c compressor, cat, and the tranny which I have picked up a spare to use. Ok here are things I have already replaced... 5 wire o2 sensor, window regulator, window seal, egr valve, all new exhaust from the motor back, and all that has just been this year in the last couple months.

Also when I got the car I did the standard 100k tune up but also included the oil pump and all the seals and gaskets except for the rear main. So anyways I would say you will need to hold onto $1000-$1500 at the very least and at all times.

street93eg

There was a 92 hb at my local honda dealer with about 175k on a stock automatic and they were asking 5300! I asked the guy at the parts counter if the dealer was insane and he told me that they had offered it to the employees for 3500 but no one took it.

Great car in near mint condition but too much

LazerBro

i agree. 3k is a little steep for 240k miles. i only paid $2000 for my 97 EX and it had 175K miles

Joshka89

Too much, hands down.
I bought my first 98 EX coupe on craigslist for 4k with 130k miles, and only because the kid was dirt poor and wanted a 96 camaro so I didn't haggle him.
The best value I've gotten so far is 3100 for a 97 del sol Si with 150k miles.
Paying more than that for twice the miles is not smart.
If you want to fix up an old car, you need to be buying something with over 200k for less than $3000 or else don't bother.

corkey723

Id say no. I just picked up a Milano red 00 EX coupe, clean title, for $4,000. It has 84,000 miles and not a spec of rust. There are much better deals out there, just keep looking.

netplaceus

Thank you all so much for your advice, it was very much appreciated! I agree it is too much, not sure what I am going to do.

The problem is I don't have much time too look and I will soon have to rent a car. So I have to add that into the equation. Used 38+ MPG Honda's in San Diego, CA are overpriced because few people want to sell them. At any given moment there are maybe 2 or 3 of the Honda Civic HB's near 1996 in my local market that are in decent shape. However, there are Hundreds of EX coupe's. It's just simple supply and demand.

To give you an idea what the market is like here my 265K, no radio, totally trashed 1988 Honda Civic was valued at $3,100 by my insurance company. I only paid $1500 for it 10 years ago, and that was from a dealer. It is just unbelievable how some Honda models increase in value.

I asked my agent how much the car I was looking at was worth. He said it was a little high but would sell because lots of people like to mod that model. "They are among the lightest hatch you can find. Install yourself a JDM ITR engine and you can run 13's 1/4 mile no problem".

I have no idea if that statement is even remotely true! I just know if you like this car there are not many to be found for sale in my area in good condition.

Joshka89

What region is your area? If you drop by the marketplace I'm certain people will be happy to help you find something of decent value that isn't on its last leg

honda-x5-guy

duuude, me too. i just bought a 97 dx, metallic blue, for 3200! it is a 5-speed, only 118k on it, everything is there from the factory too. rare find, good find, great buy! I am the 3rd owner however, but all the manuals, paper work, and service sheets are there! And im picking up an all stock silver 96 hatch, 5-speed, with a blown d16y7 for $400. Its in great condition but not running.

Former User

This non-technical topic belongs in the Value sticky at the top.