Newbie to the forum here!

Been shopping for a 2000 Honda Civic for a little bit now and I have an opportunity to pick up a 2000 Honda Civic EX with 26k miles on the clock. Given that it hasn't seen a lot of use over the last 12 years, what items should I consider servicing right away because of its age? I don't have the service history on it yet, but from what I've been told so far is that it was a family car that was well taken care of.

I do plan to make sure that every Honda recall/tsb is done on the car, but other than that I'm not sure what to do. Never purchased a 12 year old car with such low mileage!

 

Personally.....Id go after any rubber items.

Id suggest changing the timing belt/accessory belts (a/c-p/s-alt) Its helpful if you can do yourself...or thats about a 6-700 dealer job. If you DIY-- its about 75 in oem parts.
Check tire ages...(stamped by DOT with a date they were made---itll be 4 numbers, 0109 means it was made in Jan,09....etc

Change fluids...oil/trans/ps/etc.

From what Ive seen from my years at a dealership, Id almost rather buy a car with 126k (thats 12 years old) then a car with 26k. Sitting around doesn't do anything good for a car really. I mean- to an extent, was it driven a few miles a week, and was it in a garage? or was it drive a thousand mile and then sat for 8 months? was it parked outside...etc. Lot of variables---

 

Change everything per scheduled maintenance.

 

26k miles is not bad if driven a few times a week, if it was sitting for a few years, then more problems arise.

 

Inspect brakes, rotors can rust to hell if they aren't used often, make sure the
brake fluid isn't 12 years old. Same for hydro clutch fluid if it's a 5-speed.

Bushings can crack and rot if they sit for long periods without cycling. I can
almost guarantee the trailing are bushings will crack and rip soon if they haven't
already.

Personally I would replace all fluids.

 

Pretty much this. Most of those low mileage cars end up being lemons from sitting.

Definitely replace the timing belt if it hasn't been done recently. As well as the oil and coolant.

 

Plan on some tires if it's been sitting for too long. Flat spots love situations like this.

 

I'd go after the stuff that can kill you or the car first.

So timing belt, tires, brakes.

Sitting can kill a car.

26,000 miles over twelve years is only about 6 miles a day.

 

Has it actually been sitting or just used very infrequently?

 

flush all fluids and change belts would be my first step.

 

Immediately pull the engine out and drop in a K20/K24 built for N/A, then spend at least $1.2k on a proper suspension. Drop another $800 on an exhaust system. Spend about $1500 on a proper tune.

Dispense of the old parts as like-new to unknowing people on craigslist.

 

Congrats on finding a Civic with such low miles! That is extremely rare, hopefully it's not damaged from sitting from so long .

As others have said before me, check anything that is rubber, such as hoses, belts, ect. And check all fluids such as coolant, oil, brake, AC (freon), and especially the wiper fluid! ;P

Hope it works out for you man!

 

wow! great minds think alike!!

 

^LOL genius

 

^ and this is exactly why I avoid ebay/craigslist for car parts----

 

Exactly.