Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
#1
Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
Hello Honda gurus,
I have been driving classic BMW's since the early 80's but have a chance to buy a nice older Honda Civic. It is a 1990 base model with only 36,000 original miles. I know the mileage to be true. It was traded in by the original owner (yea a little old lady) a few years ago as she had roasted the clutch and decided to buy a new car. The parts manager at the time (now a colleague of mine) bought it and had the clutch replaced. He also replaced the timing belt, tires, changed the fluids, and replaced the battery.
It has been a local Florida car and is not rusted. The red paint is dull and it needs a good cleaning as it is rarely driven. This car is so base that it doesnt have a/c or even a radio. It does however have a 4 speed manual transmission.
He is firm on $2500 for the car. Is this a good deal? Was this particular Civic a good year / era?
Thanks for chiming in!
I have been driving classic BMW's since the early 80's but have a chance to buy a nice older Honda Civic. It is a 1990 base model with only 36,000 original miles. I know the mileage to be true. It was traded in by the original owner (yea a little old lady) a few years ago as she had roasted the clutch and decided to buy a new car. The parts manager at the time (now a colleague of mine) bought it and had the clutch replaced. He also replaced the timing belt, tires, changed the fluids, and replaced the battery.
It has been a local Florida car and is not rusted. The red paint is dull and it needs a good cleaning as it is rarely driven. This car is so base that it doesnt have a/c or even a radio. It does however have a 4 speed manual transmission.
He is firm on $2500 for the car. Is this a good deal? Was this particular Civic a good year / era?
Thanks for chiming in!
Last edited by thevilla; 09-19-2015 at 05:22 PM. Reason: .
#2
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
what you are looking at is a 4th gen civic of the std designation
1.5 liter dpfi (dual port fuel injection) basically a carb stack with 2 injectors on top iirc
2000 seems pretty steep for such an old car offer 1000 and see what he says
as far as potential your wallet is the limit i just pulled mine home today(sold it a few years ago and just bought it back) thats why i joined up (also has a dohc zc swap but thats another thread)
anyway if you are looking for a reliable car that is easy to work on it is hard to beat
1.5 liter dpfi (dual port fuel injection) basically a carb stack with 2 injectors on top iirc
2000 seems pretty steep for such an old car offer 1000 and see what he says
as far as potential your wallet is the limit i just pulled mine home today(sold it a few years ago and just bought it back) thats why i joined up (also has a dohc zc swap but thats another thread)
anyway if you are looking for a reliable car that is easy to work on it is hard to beat
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: White Bear Lake, MN, USA
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
$2000 seems like a good price for a Civic with such low miles. The paint can be buffed out. Whats the insides look like? Any rips in the seats? Is it clean inside? You have any pics? I have seen Si Civics with that low of miles sell for $6,000-$8,000.
#4
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
Thank you for the comments so far. Yes, the interior is in great shape as is the rest of the car.
My intention is to use it as a commuter and just keep it stock. Being unfamiliar with the product, I'm just looking for assurance that this is a good generation and its price is in line.
It is hard to bite on a car without a/c in Florida, but man only 36,000 miles.
My intention is to use it as a commuter and just keep it stock. Being unfamiliar with the product, I'm just looking for assurance that this is a good generation and its price is in line.
It is hard to bite on a car without a/c in Florida, but man only 36,000 miles.
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
I met my wife in 1997 she had an exact copy of this car, it got 45 mpg, was easy on the wallet regarding maintenance. We sold it at 310k and bought a 91 si in 2003. The car was still nice, ran good, my wife used it to haul mulch and soil with a tarp in back. As far as I know the car is still going. If you want a/c, you can find the parts within this forum. Our current car count is: 91 civic si, 91 crx si, 91 crx hf, 99 civic si. I am in my 50's and find these cars budget friendly and fun to drive, I would buy it and add a/c. 2k is a fair price, might pay asking price, that is how much I like these cars.
Regards
Dave
Regards
Dave
Trending Topics
#8
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
There is probably not a SINGLE car on the road more dependable than a 90-91 Honda Civic.
The only thing that kills them is rust, or poorly done motor swaps with bodykits that don't fit.
Great MPG, great price. These things go to 500k all day long.
The only thing that kills them is rust, or poorly done motor swaps with bodykits that don't fit.
Great MPG, great price. These things go to 500k all day long.
#9
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
Thank you for the comments so far. Yes, the interior is in great shape as is the rest of the car.
My intention is to use it as a commuter and just keep it stock. Being unfamiliar with the product, I'm just looking for assurance that this is a good generation and its price is in line.
It is hard to bite on a car without a/c in Florida, but man only 36,000 miles.
My intention is to use it as a commuter and just keep it stock. Being unfamiliar with the product, I'm just looking for assurance that this is a good generation and its price is in line.
It is hard to bite on a car without a/c in Florida, but man only 36,000 miles.
#10
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
Just get it. You will kick yourself if you didn't. Add some AC and your golden. Great commuter car!!
#11
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: Potential first Honda purchase...advice appreciated
Adding AC is rough. It is NOT cheap. You seem to have some mechanical hook ups though, so see about getting it retrofitted prior to purchase. By that, I mean price out the cost of AC install and consider it within the car.
$2000 is NOTHING for a car like this in Florida. A 150,000 mile Civic, same year, worse condition, goes for $2000 every day of the weak down here. I bought one, in much worse condition, for $1500 and it was a steal compared to most of the other selling prices in the Orlando, FL, area.
$2000 is NOTHING for a car like this in Florida. A 150,000 mile Civic, same year, worse condition, goes for $2000 every day of the weak down here. I bought one, in much worse condition, for $1500 and it was a steal compared to most of the other selling prices in the Orlando, FL, area.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Courtenay Lewis
Honda Civic (2006 - 2015)
2
10-08-2018 01:55 PM
thevilla
Introduce Yourself
5
09-19-2015 10:24 PM
International 1989 Honda Civic 1.6i-4WD *Banzai Featured!*
Marc_EE9
Vehicles for sale
7
10-24-2010 06:52 AM