Will be shopping for a Gen 6 Civic in 2nd half of September.
I'm pretty much settled on getting an HX for its mpg but could get a Del Sol if I find one I like.

What should I look for when inspecting one of these? I'm new to Civics. I've done lots of the work on our several Volvos so I'm no stranger to inspecting a car.

If the seller can't say when the timing belt was last changed should I try to look at it? Or just assume it has to be done now?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brucepick &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the seller can't say when the timing belt was last changed should I try to look at it? Or just assume it has to be done now?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You have to remove the valve cover and then the top half of the timing belt cover, this will let you see a little bit of the belt. But honestly I have yet to see a honda timing belt show signs of wear, I neglected to change mine before, had it break and even when i removed it looked fine except where it broke. If in doubt replace it anyway, do the water pump at the same time. If you live in an area where they use salt on the roads pay particular attention to the body, check where the quarter panels meet the fender and inside the wheel openings for rust. Ask if the car has ever had the headgasket replaced, if it has stay away. Try to get the car on a hoist and look at the underside as well.

 

make sure you look for rust

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brucepick &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Will be shopping for a Gen 6 Civic in 2nd half of September.
I'm pretty much settled on getting an HX for its mpg but could get a Del Sol if I find one I like.

What should I look for when inspecting one of these? I'm new to Civics. I've done lots of the work on our several Volvos so I'm no stranger to inspecting a car.

If the seller can't say when the timing belt was last changed should I try to look at it? Or just assume it has to be done now?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Check that the windows roll up and down smoothly. It's common for the glass to come off the track. Also listen to the transmission. They commonly have bad input shaft bearings and the like.

Check for rust, as mentioned before.

DO NOT get an HX automatic. It's a CVT and they appear to be prone to problems and aren't cheap to fix.

There's a few similar threads around here. I'll link them if I find them.

 

Thanks NOFX.
How easy is it to get inside the door to fix if it goes bad?
I've had other car doors open any number of times.
Just unscrew armrests and pop off the panel?? Or other stuff to deal with?

 

also look inside the trunk for rust or signs of leaks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brucepick &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks NOFX.
How easy is it to get inside the door to fix if it goes bad?
I've had other car doors open any number of times.
Just unscrew armrests and pop off the panel?? Or other stuff to deal with?</TD></TR></TABLE>
There will be a screw in the armrest handle and one in the door handle on the inside. Remove those.

Then there will be clips along the edge of the door. You'll have to just pull the panel off to remove the clips.

Once the clips are all free, lift the panel up and back to free it from the slot at the bottom of the window.

I think that's all.