Going in a few hours to look at a 2000 civic si w/ 70,XXX miles on it. Car is for my friend, ive never owned an SI so what should i look for in making sure this car is a good buy?, im gonna take a compression tester, what should the comp be?, any general info would be great

 

if you can drive it feel the shift between 2nd and 3rd , that get abused alot in that car

check the start up idle (should be between 1500-1700)

check the power windows, they seem to like to break on that car

thats just general stuff

ask when the last time they changed the timming belt , not after market but honda parts

theres a good start, good luck

 

thanks for the quick reply

 

compression should be over 200 and even across the board..

 

cool thanks

 

yep, what they said, and in order to detect a possible gear synchro problem in 3rd gear, you'll need to test drive the car and have the car above 5500 rpm ideally when shifting. If the windows are slow but not jammed, a little spray silicone lube will help that. When you do the comp test, just remember to pull the fuel pump fuse or just disconnect the fuel injectors (easier) and coil wire. Make sure the throttle body is wide open when cranking and you should get numbers somewhere between 200-210 psi. Other than that not much ever seems to go wrong with them in my experience.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackcivic95 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Going in a few hours to look at a 2000 civic si w/ 70,XXX miles on it. Car is for my friend, ive never owned an SI so what should i look for in making sure this car is a good buy?, im gonna take a compression tester, what should the comp be?, any general info would be great</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you don't know simple answers like those, i doubt you can inspect a vehicle properly and provide a good opinion for your friend. Take it to a reputable shop for an evaluation please.

fs

 

i know the basic things to look for i was mostly asking for input from OWNERS of these cars, thinks to look for that only might occur w/ this specific car, not neccisiarly mechanical

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by filthy_shovel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Take it to a reputable shop for an evaluation please.

fs</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

check the idle... tires, oil, drive it around and test the brakes and acceleration. make sure vtec engages properly. check if the suspension is bouncy or stiff. also, check body for dents and dings or mismatched paint

 

have him pop the vc off and take a look for carbon deposits, dirty oil....and anything else that looks out of place, in addition to what everyone else said.... check the tranny case for leaks

 

Check all the electrical stuff in the car (Power options) Make sure all that stuff works. Get VIN and check carfax.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pioneer162 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">have him pop the vc off and take a look for carbon deposits, dirty oil....and anything else that looks out of place, in addition to what everyone else said.... check the tranny case for leaks</TD></TR></TABLE>

Most people selling a car arent going to go and take the valve cover off the vehicle.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cnyej1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Most people selling a car arent going to go and take the valve cover off the vehicle. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Only people who have something to hide would not let you take the cover off. It's a couple dollars for the gasket, hell take one with you. If they don't let you look, buy a different car.

 

I find it funny that you ask this question.... I was look at buying a 99 si with 93k for my first car.....

Its really cheap thats why im considering it but since this car is kind high mileage should i be looking for service recipts or something.....

what was the asking price on the si hes looking at mines is 7988 but i would be willing to pay 3 more grand for 20-30k less miles

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pioneer162 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Only people who have something to hide would not let you take the cover off. It's a couple dollars for the gasket, hell take one with you. If they don't let you look, buy a different car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok maybe if your buying from a younger person, but a couple younger individuals walk up to look at a car that is owned by say a 45 year old couple the older people are going to be quite of the younger guys taking there car "apart" You know what I mean, most will question there intentions and probably say know to there request.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pioneer162 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Only people who have something to hide would not let you take the cover off. It's a couple dollars for the gasket, hell take one with you. If they don't let you look, buy a different car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is no way i would let anyone take parts off my car to inspect it.... I do not know how much mechanical knowledge they have and would definitaly not want to be stuck putting the parts on myself after they leave....

fs

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pioneer162 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">have him pop the vc off and take a look for carbon deposits, dirty oil....and anything else that looks out of place, in addition to what everyone else said.... check the tranny case for leaks</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's no need to do this, not only would it be highly unusual but I don't know of anyone selling their car that would want someone doing this... All you have to do is take the oil fill cap off and look inside it and shine a flashlight inside the valvecover, pull the oil dipstic too and you can accomplish everything that removing a valvecover will.

 

to each thier own..

 

check to make sure there is equal gap between the hood and fenders from the headlights to the windshield.
if its been banged up in the front thats the easiest way to tell