Hi Again,

Need to "rephrase" folks (sorry mods)

I'm purchasing a HX Civic Coupe.

Without having a CarFax what is it that you guys/girls (HT'ers) look for when purchasing a Honda?

Here is where I am:
-Double check no frame damage
-Clean Oil/Fluids
-Car runs well, Obviously???

What am I missing here? Is there a golden rule or list of specific things to be "weary" of? Please chime in!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Check for rust, especially the rocker panels and quarters.

 

Look for non-factory welds where the radiator support is welded on. Don't get a "rebuild" or salvage titled vehicle. If it's auto trans then make sure the trans shifts ok.

 

^ Right on guys... Anyone else?

Something like this should be a "sticky" so people don't make ill-advised purchases! HAHAH

 

all body parts line up well, no clunks, beat on it and have someone watch for smoke, and leave it running the whole time your looking at it for headgasket issues.

 

make sure all the body panels match color and line up right. or if theres any visible spots where works been done.

 

If possible check for wiring hacks in the fan plug, distributer plug...and so on. Check the shock and make sure there not blown. Make sure the engine is not stolen or anything like that. Be sure that it dose not smoke too much( if the smoke is white and smells sweet it has head gasket problems, if it smokes blue'ish when first started and gradualy gose away it has bad valve stem seals,if it smokes blue'ish all the time it has bad rings)Make sure the radio wiring is not hacked( ive had fires inside my cars for this reason). Check the tie rods and for gods sake, make sure the ball joints are in good condition. Ive had a ball joint come of on the highway a few weeks after buying my hatch need less to say it was crazy. I had to replace the axel,fender, wheel, tire brake line and the tie rod along with the ball joint. Ive learned alot of these things the hard way

Even if you do decide to buy it with a few of these flaws you should fix asap. Specialy if its for safety reasons. Good luck with your purches.

 

make sure all electricals are working

 

All this information is awesome...thank all you guys for everything!!!

 

Easy things to check:
1. Vin #'s on dashboard, firewall and transmission match. If something does not match, ask why. If the trans doesn't match that's not really THAT big of a deal...
2. Make sure the hood/headlights/grill/bumper/fenders line up. If the hood sticks out, bumper sags, headlights aren't positioned correctly check for damage/repairs to the radiator support.
3. Check for uneven tire wear.
4. Look for fluid leaks (look under the distributor for oil going down towards the trans, valve cover gasket, etc...)
5. Make sure all fluid levels are OKAY (oil, coolant, ps fluid, brake fluid, clutch fluid, blah blah)
6. Stick your hands up into the body on top of the rear wheels, feel for rust. Get a tetinus shot before hand lol.
7. Hit a few good bumps and listen for odd noise in the suspension. (sqeaks are OKAY for an older car, loud clunks/pops/bangs are bad)
8. While test driving give the car some gas and gradually engage the clutch. Make sure it isn't engaging at an odd place (right off the floor, all the way up top)
9. Check for grooves in brake rotors, that will indicate the need for new brake pads.

 

All the glass should say Honda
S/N's on the panels
Low miles
All records
One owner with the window sticker
Low miles
No rust
All stock
All records
etc, etc,

 

if service records are avaliable, or owner has mechanical knowledge ask about timeing belt/water pump. when and who changed it.

 

The above guy is just posting what HE looks for in a perfect car. Much of his post will not be applicable to anyone else. The few people who follow these guidelines certainly don't need anyone else to list them off for them. Finding cars from 2000 and before that follow all his guidelines, it's just not very common.

Most owners do not keep all their records or their window sticker or anything.

Remember that many cars on the road, I'd be willing to be most, have replacement windshields. These pieces of glass, if not purchased from the auto maker, will not say the brand of the vehicle on them.

This is normal and not anything to worry about.

It's the same as if someone got locked out of their car and smashed a window to get back in. Most people don't want to shell out for the glass from the dealer just so it has that little logo.

 

Check rear window defroster works, I made this mistake and it cost me $$$ to replace the whole back glass, due to someone scrapping and damaging the defroster grid/wires to the point of not being able to repair.

But you get the idea and any discrepancies can be used in your favor in negotiating a lower price.

I got lucky and found my 1999 civic lx with matching VIN's on all panels, all service records from birth and Honda glass all around.

 

umm.. check for check engine lights? cant believe it hasnt been covered yet.

when you turn the key on it should come on a for a few seconds (this is important because this will tell you if the light works or not).. then if its staying on or flashin ya might have a problem.. what i usually do is pull the door panels off (few clips, 2 screws) and see if the plastic has been messed with.. its usually a sign of **** being messed with.

i also checked on the black step (?) which sits under the doors when you open it.. if it looks like theres watermarks on it, the door could be leaking

 

Btw, OP, sometimes dealerships and even private sellers will supply a CarFax for a car they want to sell.

 

All you guys are killer, I appreciate all the friendly responses....and lack of flaming.

I was able to get a carfax, everything seems in order. Now its just a matter of taking some of these posts into account when I go look at the car tomorrow.

Wish me luck all!!!

 

Just remember that most cars this age will have some issues that needs to be resolved. Depending on price, this could be acceptable.

 

Check both rear quarter panels for bondo and if the whole quarter panel was bondod stay away,if a shopping cart hits them you will regret getting that car it will crack and look horrible,i had a 240sx,i thought it was perfect and it was beautiful till something tapped that quarter panel lightly,the crack got worse and worse over time and water will get in it and make it even worse,now thats the first thing i look for is lots of bondo

 

Watch out and look for LOVE stains....lol

 

word. both my cars have been hit =\

 

i check for factory air boxes. i wont buy a car that has been previously modded.

 

as retarded as this sounds make sure the windshield wipers work and the squirters. if an aftermarket radio has been installed ask who installed it and maybe pull the radio if allowed to see if the wires have been hacked. as many have stated making sure the bumper hood and fenders all line up correctly is a big thing. even small visual issues can have major damage beneath.
honda rust, check ur rear quarters and underhood around the shock towers. see if they have a sticker on the inside of the windshield for the last time oil was changed. is it a reputable place? tells you a little about the owner that way. is everything generally clean? was the car professionally detailed just for the sale? has it been modded? listen to the exhaust and look it over for any hack fixes.
ask during the test drive if you can have it looked at professionally at a shop(preferably at a friends shop) you may have to pay to have this done but its worth it in the end.
cant think of anything else.
adam jeffery

 

Very true i bought a car back in the day and the wipers had only one speed very slow,found that out during a heavy rain storm,and my current civic hatch i just bought a week ago didnt have a radio and i just looked at it closer today,and all the wires are cut,now i have to go to the junk yard and redo it.but i enjoy finding little problems and learning to fix things myself.

 

Oh and if your buying an automatic car take it on the freeway,i got ripped off last year trying to buy a 92 honda accord for a daily driver,it was perfect in every way i even took it around the block for a spin but only hit 25 to 30 mph,the paint was beautiful not a dent or a stain anywhere,i handed them the asking price,and picked it up the next day,they werent home they "had to be somewhere"so i got dropped off started my new car thinking everything was cool tryed to go real fast like 50 to 60 mph,it didnt shift i was redling going 50 mph,i called and called they didnt answer back for a total of 2 weeks.Always take it on the freeway for a good 5 to 10 min and also let it get to normal operating temp. and see if it overheats with a/c on and ask them if you can do a compression test and what not