My background: Know a bit about cars, never worked on any. Creatively inclined, mechanically and logically apt.

Recently bought a 1986 Civic CRX Si 1500. From what I can tell its pretty much all original parts besides the radio and speakers and one of the previous owners painted some of the panels red.

My questions are

Is the suspension normally so bumpy it doesn't rattle or anything on smooth pavement but you can definitely feel the potholes, and there are a lot here in Michigan. I want to know if I need to replace anything suspension-wise or if it is still good and bumpy is normal.

If I were to replace it what would be a good way to go for rougher roads seeing as were I live everything might as well be dirt roads because even the paved roads are junk.

The engine is in pretty good shaped but there's a loose tube toward the front end (I'm gonna get a pic of it tomorrow when the suns out) I'm thinking its got to be something for the washer fluid as that doesn't work and the car doesn't over heat and no gas oil or radiator fluid leaks.

I was also told that on this engine I should do the oil changes every 2k instead of 3k is it normal that they burn through oil faster?

The other thing is I think the starter needs to be fixed because sometimes it turns over rough but it always turns over eventually, but sometimes when I let the car run before driving it will sound normal then the RPMs will dip down and back up a couple times, sometimes several times for about a minute, but then it will be normal. What could this be?

How long do these engines last.

What are these cars worth when brought back to crispy condition. Would I be better off leaving everything original or using after market parts and accessories?

I absolutely love this car, it is my favorite ever driven old and new. So much fun to drive, almost handles like a go-cart or dunebuggy almost.

 

Welcome.

Sell it and buy an 88-91 SI. You'll thank me later.