I just picked up a '97 Civic EX auto w/98K+miles on it for a 2nd car and had a few questions.
Are there any concerns that I should be aware of? I am not looking to go insane with getting all fancied up. I got an air intake (AEM short ram) on it's way, and plan on an Eibach spring upgrade. I am not looking for full-out performance upgrades, we kind of need to keep the gas mileage UP. I don't any kind of "fart can" exhaust, but I would like any recommendations on something that doesn't sound like a bumblebee.
Sorry if I offend anyone on here, ahead of time.

Thanks for any information.

P.S.
I still need to change oil and filter, plugs and wires).

 

The only exhaust that i have seen people recommend that is somewhat quiet is the apexi world sport 2 but if you want the car just to be a daily high mpg driver just keep it the way it is and just keep up on your regular maintenance if you really want to get more mpgs toss a 5 speed in there but otherwise just keep it stock.

 

I, personally, would love to do a manual swap, but the car is for my wife to drive to work.
I'm actually surprised about the Apexi exhaust. I always thought those were the biggest culprits, when it came to the noise.
Any normal circumstances that are frequent with this model/generation?

 

An exhaust on an automatic honda will drone. Not to mention not gain any hp either. Good start with the CAI. Do a full tune up

-Plugs, wires, cap and rotor
- fuel filter, oil and filter change
-Tranny 3x3 fluid change HONDA ATF ONLY
- Timing belt/waterpump/accessory belt ( if it hasn't been done)
-coolant flush, brake fluid flush (check f&R brakes) check condition of P/S fluid as well.
-New wipers
-check all the motor/trans mounts
-valve adjustment
-check for and fix any leaks (valve cover, cam seal, valve cover bolts, spark plug grommets, distributor 0 ring, vtec solenoid gasket, f&r main seal.
-wetsand and polish the headlights
-adjust the throttle cable
-PCV valve
-check condition of the battery

 

I appreciate all the info furious.
Some of that stuff will be put on the back-burner for the moment. I'm not looking at sinking a whole ton of money into this car right now. However, I do know the brakes are good, the headlights too.
Dealing with a former friends del sol, I know the cap and rotor are real easy to swap out.
There are absolutely no leaks, which was a big reason for the purchase.
When I get all of my tools back, I will definitely be doing the oil, filter, swapping for my short ram intake, rotating and balancing the tires.

 

The only issue that I remember hearing about the D16Y8 are the cylinder 4 oil starvation in some cars. Other than that, aside from routine maintenance, you should be good to go.

I also agree with the exhaust on an automatic. It does drone and it doesn't sound all that delightful. Like you said, I'd leave it stock after the intake and just enjoy the heavy wallet. haha.

 

i would just leave it alone. it being an automatic sucks all the fun out of the car, so i wouldn't bother with performance upgrades.

 

LOL, it's a D16y8. No matter what way you look at it 100hp to the wheels isn't that much fun to begin with. It's for his wife, she could give a **** about racing it. Not everyone is here to go as fast as possible. If they were we wouldn't have Civics.

OP, take care of the important stuff first. Most of the parts for these cars are cheap. Use as much OEM as you can. Very reliable cars.

 

^^ That up there is the main reason why I purchased a civic. At the end of day there reliable and cheap to fix, either by shop or by yourself. Not for speed purposes, I switched my auto to manual all cause I wanted to shift my car LOL..??

PS: I wanted a manual ever since Power Rangers Turbo.>>>SHIFT INTO GEAR

 

^^^^^ agreed, I still may do a changeover, but thats not unless I do a B18C swap. I love the car as it is right now. Super easy and cheap to own/maintain. It just goes forever.

There is nothing wrong with either an auto or manual civic.