I am going to be purchasing a 99 Civic SI Milano Red and was wondering before I purchase it what things I should check out? I recently had a 2000 Maxima and I had to put almost 2k into the thing within a year after I bought it. I know like with the 2000 Accords the transmission slips around 100k and needs replacing, but with the civic si I can not really find out information about them. Here is the specs on the one I am looking at:

CLEANNNN TITLE 111,XXX MILES
ALL ORIGINAL VINS ALL AROUND THE CAR INCLUDING ENGINE AND TRANNY
NO SMOKE, NO POP OUTS, NO GRINDING, NO WIERD NOISES, EVERYTHING IS IN TACT!!!!

black housings headlights (brand new)
8k xenon hid kit (brand new)
oem hoodbra and bumper bra kit
oem si wing
blackworks machined towhook
si oem front lip
si oem foglight kit with the painted foglight covers
si badges
16inch gold jmags (brand new lexen tires 205/40/16s)
function 7 lower control arms (brand new)
function 7 subframe (brand new)
tokico coilovers rides smooth
type r headers
with forza catback exhaust
s2000 very fresh steering wheel
jvc headunit
also have oem si tape player
gold valve cover
08 si floormats

 

Not too much to really check for other than your basic used car issues.

* Check for oil leaks around the cam seal, vtec solenoid, distributor, head, valve cover.
* Have them or someone else rev the car up while you watch the exhaust for any signs of smoking.
* Check the oil level.
* Try doing some higher rpm gear shifts to check for grinds
* If the car isn't too low and you have access look under the car for any torn boots, torn mount inserts, leaks
* Check the a/c and heater assuming it has them
* Make sure all electronics work: windows, mirrors, sun roof, cruise control
* Check the radio and make sure all speakers are functioning
* Let it idle for several min to check for over heating

 

Please create more informative thread titles in the future. Title edited.

 

If its really worth purchasing have a 3rd party shop that you choose do an inspection on it. They're usually 60 bucks or less on the buyers tab. If the guy refuses to do it you know that somethings up.

 

check too see if it is stolen those things r thief magnets

 

Check for missing bolts and other items. Check ALL the under hood wiring and hoses-make sure they are all intact.

If the car is lowered MAKE the owner jack that bad boy up so you can get underneath it.

Get in the car and make sure every button, switch and light actually works. Check the horn and wipers for functionality. A/C working? Cruise control working?

Make sure the windows and sunroof open and close without issue.

Check for any hacked wiring INSIDE the car.

I'm just curious if it's an SI why did he have to list the SI badges?

Make sure it really IS an SI and not an EX made to look like one.

As for any and all receipt for parts and any work done.

 

To check if it is a legit Si, check the vin. It will have EM1 in the first few numbers/letters of the vin. The stock seats will have holes in the head rest, it will have rear disk brakes, and the engine should be a b16a2. Check vin numbers on fenders,hood,firewall, front bumper, transmission plate, bottom of the block,doors, etc to know if it's been wrecked and body panels have been replaced. Just my 2cents.

 

Thanks for all the information. I was curious since this is my first si and I have always had sedan cars before, I know that it is more of a sports car but how are they in the snow? I know snow tires are always good to have during winter months but some cars just suck in snow no matter what you do. Since my Maxima got totalled by some young kid in an f250 and the price of the SI is below what im getting, is there a certain brand of snow tires that are better than others? And do you have to put on all 4 wheels or can I just put them on the front? I live in New Jersey and the snow sometimes gets bad. I know I have to watch for clearance levels cause I dont want to plow the snow, more concerned about the driving on snowy roads with hills.

 

I would use snow tires. They work best if you have all 4. I like Nokian and Michelin tires for snow tires. If you want inexpensive ones, Firestone Winterforce and Cooper are a couple.

 

do studded tires really make a difference? I figure i need the best for winter since no abs on the 2000 si

 

are u sure?... my si has abs..

 

my 2000 SIR has ABS as well, and if the car has a stock clutch, motor mounts, and shifter it may grind in third from time to time. easily fixed by replaying the parts i just listed. take off the car bra as well and check it for rust, the bra could be hiding something. and as stated above check all fuilds.

 

-check vin to see if it is a true si
-check for oil leaks
-make sure timing belt and water pump was replaced
-f-u-x-i-t- do a carfax :-)
-check for rust and body damage(if there is some use it to ur advantage for price negotiation

 

Ok so now I am confused. I read that the US version of the 2000 SI did not come with abs or traction control. Is this not true? I actually went and looked at the car I posted the info on above and it was beat to hell so it is out. I did find another one and i have no idea if the parts added are good or not. Let me know what you think.
GSR MOTOR BOARDED TO A 2.0, THE EXHUAST HAS A 2 1/2IN. PIPING FROM FROM TO BACK, IT HAS JE PISTONS, GOLDEN EAGLE RODS AND CRANK, IT HAS FERRERA VALVES, SUPERTECH SPRING, RETAINERS AND GUIDES. IT HAS SKUNK 2 CAMS WITH A B16 TRANS, IT HAS A SKUNK 2 CHIP COMPUTER. THE OUTSIDE IS CLEAN, STOCK WITH 2IN. DROPPED SKUNK 2 SPRINGS WITH SWIRLEYS.

One thing I am questioning is the 2inch drop. What would be a good size wheel and tire to put on if tis dropped 2 inches. I am going to get new rims because I actually like the stock ones.
Thanks for input

 

Is ther ea way to tell if the water pump has been replaced? People can always lie you know and thats what im worried about buying from an owner. The first SI i looked at said that the car was in great condition just a small dent from a curb and it ended up being the entire passenger fender and the door. The control arm was bent as well.

 

nah u really have to go off there word unless the timing cover was not put back and u can see the pump itself... but if u can see the timing belt if it looks new more then likely the water pumps been replaces

 

timing belt, waterpump, etc....and when i bought my coupe the rear trunk was leaking, which i thought was the seal but it turned out to be rusted out metal underneath the rear window, you might wanna check that..

 

2 inch drop go with a 205/50r15 u get a comfortable ride trust me
and U.S. civic si has abs i know that for sure not sure ablut traction control but i dont think so

 

and as far as buying a si(or any car) with all that work done... it could be risky... my theory is if it built then it beat on so u have to be careful(but thats how i think)... but also if it built it realiable then oem so it can go either way

ONCE AGAIN MY OPINION

 

Nope. The Canadian SiR (basically the same car had standard ABS as well as heated mirrors) ABS was not available on the US Si.

 

SIR's rule

 

thanks

 

can anyone tell me if the aftermarket parts that are added on are any good? I dont know anything when it comes to brands in this field so curious if they are cheap mods or if they are actually worth it

 

When it comes to engine parts like that, they are only as good as the person who prepped and assembled them. They could have used all the best parts in the world, and done a terrible job clearancing and assembling them. You would never know until the motor was drinking oil or blows up. Plus a custom motor requires a custom tune, and you would dyno sheets and the like to prove it was done right. No basemap would make a setup like that run right. If there is no proof of dyno tuning, I would not even consider that.

May want to skip the custom motor build thing. Patience is a virtue...