Alrighty, so I'm new here, and I've got minimal (as in nearly none) experiance with Hondas. However, I need a new car, and it has to be cheap and decent, and the Honda is where it's at. I'm taking a look at an '87 Wagon tommorow. I don't expect a lot... surface rust is fine, grubby interior, shoddy paint... whatever. I just need to know if there's any key points I have to check for. Like, are the floorboards/strut towers/chassis prone to rust? Are there any potential electrical/mechanical problems I have to look out for, I.E. do the fuses like to corrode? Are there any places in the car that are prone to leaking and sitting water? If I take a right turn too hard and the engine stalls, does that mean I need a new fuel tank? Again, I'm not expecting to have a pristine car, and I can do smaller tasks like changing the timing belts and the like, and the car will have some work done to it... I just don't want to be stuck with a cracked block and an axel dragging on the pavement. TIA.

Philly

 

There are a handful of 84-87 Wagon owners here:
http://www.hondacivicwagon.com/board/

I think the biggest mechanical thing to look at is the carb. It affects how the cars runs/idles/accelerates etc.
The biggest chassis issue is rust in/around the wheel wells.

 

Thanks for the reply... and I know what you mean about the carb. I've stripped one before, but that was a different brand of carb. I'll make sure to check the wheel wells, and I'll take a good look at the carb too and make sure it's clean. Thanks for the link though. I'll try to find out more about the car as soon as I can, so I'll update as I figure it all out.

Philly

 

Why don't you go one model newer and buy a 88-91 then you don't have to deal with the carbed motor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why don't you go one model newer and buy a 88-91 then you don't have to deal with the carbed motor. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I fail to see how DPFI is any better than carbs...

 

What do you fail to see exactly? DPFI is still fuel injection,just as reliable as mpfi & better on gas than carb. Many of the brake/suspension parts off 88-91's are interchangeable making it much easier to find used parts for 88-91 than an older 87. Besides he is looking for a cheap reliable car that he doesn't have to dick around too much with I fail to see how carbs fit into that equation.

 

I agree with essex.

Go at least 88+. Much easier to work on and parts avalibility is HUGE compared to 87-.

 

Honda had a reputation for reliability/economy before MPFI came along.
A lot of opinions about carbs stem from ignorance. A carb can get great gas mileage. Better than fuel injection in some cases. And by 1987, the Honda carb operation was so refined that it was 95% undetectable. Even compared to an '88+ car.

Carbs are also a much simpler device for fuel delivery...which can be blessing or a curse, depending on the situation. Tinkering with different carb setups can dramatically change a cars character...we're talking jekyll/hyde. To get the same result in a fuel injected car requires a lot more work/expense. Of course, fuel injection will compensate for wider swings in weather and elevation. So which is better? Depends on what you're looking for.

And something I find interesting about DPFI vs carbs...The same 1.5 engine in the jdm market that came with dual carbs got similar MPG but made 10-11 more horsepower than the US DPFI 1.5 engine.

 

Why not just buy the 87 wagon and figure out what they're talking about first hand?

Or don't, and save yourself the wasted time.

 

Okay, so some first hand information would make a difference?

I already own an '87 Civic Wagon. And, surprise, I'm very happy with it.
Its received nearly as much work/modifications as my CRX.

Interchangeable parts were mentioned. The 3G shares a lot of the same interchangeability with its respective siblings. Just like the '88-91. Are there more 4G parts? Sure. But the 3G guys don't exactly have a shortage.
Let's see, what else...
Weight...the 84-87 wagons are lighter. Depending on the year, roughly the same as the 2G CRX.
For output, all the 3G Civics were underpowered. Just like the 88-91. Luckily they take engine swaps pretty easy. I've got a carb'd ZC in mine, and its fiesty.
The 3G suspension is worth noting. I particularly like the stock front adjustable ride height. And working on the rear is incredibly simple. Changing out springs and shocks is as easy as changing tires. Matched up the 4wd system, its a very agile little car...especially in inclement weather.
...I could keep going but I hope I've made my point. The 84-87 is different. Not necessarily better or worse than the 88-91.

Carbs don't have to be "dealt with". They have their own unique set of benefits, and drawbacks. Like anything, even fuel injection, if you don't understand it, its easy to write it off as troublesome when problem arise. The guy stated that he has rebuilt a carb before, so I don't think he's going to have as much trouble with it as you believe.

So the only waste of time I see in my future is trying to explain why your opinion, which you are entitled to, is not a fact the rest of us have to accept.

 

I appear to have opened a can of worms... I do understand that there are fewer numbers of parts available for the 3G, and I do understand that some people prefer FI over carbs, but I've owned a '69 Mercedes straight six... carbed and all. That was bad enough to find parts for. Mind you, two completely different cars, but I'm willing to pull my socks up and get into it. That's also why you guys are here. To help me out when I need it, and to bitch me out when I screw up. I'm taking a look at the car in a couple hours, so as soon as I check it out I'll get back to ya'll.

Philly