lets say u were fourty years old. ur sixteen year old daughter is getting her first car. ur looking for a honda because they are reliable and easy if any problems. ur at the current owners house. WHAT DO YOU CHECK FOR TO MAKE SURE THE CAR IS SAFE, IN GOOD CONDITION, AND RELIABLE? the more detail the better. i dont have a daughter but i just wanna know what i should look out for.

 

Check the motor to see if there is any fresh oil on it (indication of leaks). Make sure the motor sounds somewhat smooth (some valvetrian noise is typical). Check the condition of the oil pan (damage may cause oil starvation). And give it a run around the block to see that it tracks straight, brakes well, and that the clutch (if applicable) is functioning properly.

 

Maintenence records are key. Good luck.

 

Also, watch the gauge cluster for tell-tale signs of premature failure, i.e. needle bobbing and backlight issues.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Archidictus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, watch the gauge cluster for tell-tale signs of premature failure, i.e. needle bobbing and backlight issues.</TD></TR></TABLE>
what are back light issues?

 

I'm guessing he means the cluster backlight, flickering/not coming on at all. Might be signs of poor electrical system condition.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HalfAnP &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm guessing he means the cluster backlight, flickering/not coming on at all. Might be signs of poor electrical system condition. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yessir. Burned out swaths of bulbs in our gauge cluster are usually indicative of soldering coming loose. This will start to happen to your tach and satelite needles and then you're up **** creek with no way to measure engine load .

 

carfax for sure...

 

inspect the motor thoroughly for any leaks, ask how recent the timing belt and water pump was replaced along with maintenace records...pretty much what everyone else has said...and take it for a test drive

 

forget honda!! I will buy my daughter,if i had one, a f'ing yellow M4A3 Sherman tank, with reflectors on every inch of that ****!!!

 

brrrump still asleep before work

 

make sure the odometer moves smoothly...and doesn't just jump to the next number...signs of odometer fraud....i dunno if its like that in all cars...but my sisters celica was doin that and the dealership said whoever had it before us turned it back...

 

It all depends on what you want to do with it.

Since its for your future daughter, (or in this case probably just you looking for a honda) bring a friend with a car, walkie talkie's, and a compression testor.

I would first check the body for any rust, that would cause you problems later on down the line.

Next check the interior for any major rips and tears.

Then bust out your compression testor and test the motor to see if it has alot of life yet or is ready to die when your out the driveway.

Now bust out the walkie talkies and take the car out for a drive and have your friends car next to you and make sure the speedo is the same speed, that the trip is working as well as the odo. Also since your driving make sure for alignment problems, bad shocks, bad clutch, bad brakes, etc.

 

make sure you start it/stop it many times to make sure it doesnt **** on you.
go from a stop, full throttle, to highway speed then slam on the brakes. See if one tire locks up before the rest/or if none lock up, or if it has ABS that it still works well.
If you want one in good condition that is reliable, dont buy it from some ghetto fool who has no reciepts and doesnt give a **** about the car. Buy from someone with reciepts who has had the car for a while who kept it maintained.

 

Just give her your car. That way, u can go buy yourself an S-2000. hehehe