I am looking for a used car, I received an offer from the owner of a 1997 Honda Civic for $2990.
We are in 2008, is the car too old, or is Honda a very good brand that last forever as I heard? How many more years in average can I expect this car to live. What should I be looking at in order to be sure the car is fine mechanically.
Thank you to help me figure out a.s.a.p. I need to give him my answer.

 

wrong forum, but anyway, any car will last as long as you maintain it.

 

forever

 

first of all how is this the wrong forum for that question to be asked in?

It all depends on how many miles and how well the car is maintained. I bought mine aug. 99 with 68k miles and now it has 166k so I've put roughly 100k on it but I've had to do some things along the way but nothing too serious, for reliability you can't go wrong with a honda.

 

It's a Honda. My EJ1 has 250K....still going...
That's a very good price but most importantly...check the chassis, open close doors, look for leaks, TEST DRIVE THE CAR....take someone who knows about cars and if something does not look right....RUN


Modified by WIKID EJ1 at 7:39 AM 3/21/2008

 

my car is a 95. its 13 years old and still running strong. have had no problems with the car itself since i bought it. maintain ur car and it should do good for u. if u have a friend thats a tech, maybe u should have him check out the car there. i was lucky enough to have my bf (whos a tech) check out the car i bought. plus fixing the ek ur gonna b getting is gonna become more easy as more of them come into the junkyard now and there are plenty of good working parts on them!

 

My 97 EX had 158k on it when I bought it a year ago. Picked it up for just over 3k. It ran good was well maintained, and the only damage to it was on the passenger side quarter from someone running a stop sign. Currently it has 172k on it and in that time I have only had to do general maintenance, and replace the tires. Basically, as long as you maintain your Honda, it will run forever, much longer than most cars.

 

1993 civic dx hatch, 1.5L 267000kms on my Second Motor and Auto Tranny...... I can Honestly say I have Maintained this car, Front Ends Tight. Minor Leaks here and there its lowered on rims.... I HAVE BEATEN THE **** OUT OF THIS CAR...its my daily driver now im not saying you can Beat the **** out of yours you just have to be Prepared to Replace Worn things.

If you want a Fuel Sipper that lasts forever UnMolested......Buy a Toyota.....

I know what your thinking......... But ask yourselves Have you ever Done a Toyota Ball Joint?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kista20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">first of all how is this the wrong forum for that question to be asked in?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it might have been moved from another forum.....

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dianef20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am looking for a used car, I received an offer from the owner of a 1997 Honda Civic for $2990.
We are in 2008, is the car too old, or is Honda a very good brand that last forever as I heard? How many more years in average can I expect this car to live. What should I be looking at in order to be sure the car is fine mechanically.
Thank you to help me figure out a.s.a.p. I need to give him my answer.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is not a bad price, the Honda engine (well maintained) can last a very long time. How many miles are on the engine?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EL Vap133 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

it might have been moved from another forum.....

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

true but usually a mod will add in "moved to the appropriate forum"

The only issues I've had with mine is the axle boot busted so I went ahead and replaced both axles since I had a pair lying around just waiting for the right time to be put in. I put front brakes and rotors on, the dealer had also installed new pads right before I bought the car so I'm on the second set the whole time I've had it, the drums have never been changed but they last a longtime anyways might have to change the shoes when these pads wear out. I need to replace the struts sometime soon as I've never replaced them but it still rides pretty good. Like I said all my stuff has been minimal and what has gone bad would have sometime eventually anyways.

imo I would much rather buy a honda with 100k+ miles than a brand new kia or hyundai.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kista20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">true but usually a mod will add in "moved to the appropriate forum"</TD></TR></TABLE>

Key word being "usually".

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kista20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">imo I would much rather buy a honda with 100k+ miles than a brand new kia or hyundai.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Funny 'cause it's true.

With good maint Honda engines can handle some serious abuse, when driven normally they can last a long time.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EL Vap133 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That is not a bad price, the Honda engine (well maintained) can last a very long time. <FONT COLOR="red">How many miles are on the engine?</FONT> </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

It depends on how it's been treated in the past and how you'll treat it in the future.

My '98 Civic EX is still around. The previous owner didn't take great care of it, but she didn't abuse it. So my '98 is in great condition and I get lots of compliments on it all the time. I try to keep it up.

My '97 EX is no longer around. I didn't take as good care of it, but the clincher was driving it head first into a concrete pillar. Had I not rocked the engine back and to the right in the collision, it might still run. It might still run anyway, but I suspect there was transmission damage.

Not that I think that's due to any sort of manufacture defect on Honda's part.

I've seen CR-Xs (which haven't been made for the US market since 1991) in awesome condition. Showroom perfect. Other ones look like they should be put out of their misery.

I'd check for rust behind all the wheels (especially the rear wheels).

Windows often come off track. Spray some silicone spray into the tracks of the window to keep them rolling up and down easily.

Check for CEL. If there is one, bring it to Autozone or another parts store for a free scan.

Ask if the timing belt and water pump have been replaced. Check up on service.

Call Honda to see if the VIN matches to any TSBs or recalls.

Check on CarFax for wrecks.

It's all pretty much normal stuff.

I'd recommend buying a stock car over a modified car if you can help it. You don't want to fix anyone else's problems.


Modified by NOFX at 1:40 PM 3/21/2008

 

What is the lifespan? As good as its going to get, honestly.

I bought my 97 Civic with 154k a year and a half ago, now it has 176k. This car does not leak or burn a drop of oil or coolant. It drives perfectly straight, never failed to start, never ran rough, always smooth. I drive this car pretty hard, and it sees redline almost every day. I've sunk about $300 in maintenance/repairs into it in 1.5 years.

 

Chances are, you'll have to change the axles as soon as you buy it. I swear, every Honda i've ever bought, or a friends bought, has had to have the axles changed ASAP.

I've had my 1993 for almost a year now and i've put over 30,000miles...
Total it's got 225,xxx miles.
So far i've replaced:

axles
clutch master cylinder
clutch slave cylinder
brake pads front/back
front and rear tires + allignment
radiator
radiator hoses - upper/lower/heater
alternator belt
a/c condenser belt
headlight bulbs
headgasket
and a BUNCH of oil changes.

It's never left me stranded... so it gets a in my book.
Plus... it's an awesome car! lol 5th gen hatch is what i've always wanted.

 

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

I'd recommend buying a stock car over a modified car if you can help it. You don't want to fix anyone else's problems.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

oh so true hit the nail right on the head

 

It will last until it gets stolen or wrecked.. period

Kinda a loaded question

 

Mine has over 200k on it and it's a 1996. The previous owner took great care of it.

Just depends on how it was used by the owner. But all in all, it's a HONDA.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nonvtec92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Chances are, you'll have to change the axles as soon as you buy it. I swear, every Honda i've ever bought, or a friends bought, has had to have the axles changed ASAP.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Fifth (92-95) and sixth (96-00) gens still have a LOT of differences. The age and value (and therefore the buying market) being some big ones.

I've never had any friend or myself have any axle issues on any 1996-2000 Civic unless the car has had an engine swap.

I also sell parts and have for several years. I can tell you assuredly that I have never sold any axles for a 1996-2000 Honda Civic. I have sold several sets for 1992-1995 Civics though. I was recently surprised to have a customer come in with a 1997-1998 Civic sedan wanting new struts (stock car). This is unusual though.

I'd highly suggest this car for this price. Depending on the condition of the vehicle, this could be a great buy and a great car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nonvtec92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Chances are, you'll have to change the axles as soon as you buy it. I swear, every Honda i've ever bought, or a friends bought, has had to have the axles changed ASAP.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ive never had to or had a friend that had to replace an axle. And if it does break, theres always a junkyard, or buy some from pepboys and ull get a lifetime warranty

 

the honda dealer had been telling me to replace my boots since 100k due to cracks so and I drove it a bunch more years then the drivers finally busted but the axle was still good but being they had 160k on them and the other set I had gotten only has 50k I'm hoping to go another at least 100k more on these, also I'm still running the original clutch which imo is pretty good for the car having 165k miles. If I had the money and could take off work I wouldn't be scared at all to take this thing cross country

 

Honda's are forever

Used to have a 96 Hatch with over 260K and I kept it maintained. Runs like new!