Hello everyone,

Im looking at a late 90's civic right now. I dont know much about cars though.

I've been looking on CL and found a couple but I get paranoid about getting it when they tell me stuff like they rebuilt the transmission,changed the engine, etc.

I know a couple of friends that know about cars but learning some stuff myself would make me secure about buying a car.

What are things I should ask before getting it from dude ? Should I definitely take it to a mechanic ? What are some things I should definitely look at on the carfax ?

Right now im looking at a civic that has had 2 accidents but from the guy told me it runs perfect. It DOESNT have a salvage title. (100k miles) Should I even bother ?

Another one told me he rebuilt the transmission on it and other then that it runs good. (105K miles) Do I bother ?

How much would it cost me for a mechanic to take a look at it in the NY area ? Is it common to tell a seller if its not the in the condition you told me it was then you have to pay for the mechanic ?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

changing engines in honda's is nothing to really worry about unless it was done by someone who didn't know what they were doing. take it for a test drive, if you like how it runs, and drives...buy it. if you want to learn stuff by yourself taking it to a mechanic won't help you at all. buy a repair manual and learn yourself.

 

^^ agreed
drive it, straight line, around corners, fast, slow, listen to the car.
like it?good price? buy it. anything goes wrong afterwords, search here.
most of us are here to help

 

check for leaks and smoking, compression test on spot