I usually try to find out common issues and what to look for when buying a used car. I know the basics (CELs, brakes, rust, etc). What are common issues to look for in this generation of civics, namely the CRXs?

 

When you turn the car on, make sure the CEL flashes! Some people remove the bulb.

Check the engine code, old hondas often get different motors.
Check the ECU to make sure it matches the motor.

As far as common issues, mostly idle and crunching gears. Just give everything under the hood a good wiggle. I would look for a car with a decent interior. Just something clean. Try and get the most OEM honda you can find. The less someone else has done to it, the better. It's hard to trust someone's work. Also, receipts. If they say they got a new distributor, check the receipt for it. If they don't have it, don't consider it new.

 

Yes. Good. Keep it rolling fellas.

 

open close doors hatch, make sure they close evenly.

check spare tire well for rust/holes/aborted fetuses.

interior pieces can be expensive, and parts in general are getting hard to find. Finding a complete car is the hardest part.

now if you just want a track car then ignore everything I said.

 

Very much so. I'd say a good interior and everything in working order is more important than a quality motor. You can get a good running motor easy. But a good quality chassis is harder to find.

 

make sure there's no rust on the quarter panels.
try to find one as close to original as possible
receipts like everyone else said
make sure it doesn't smoke at all

if you can tell him not to start it until you get there so you can see the behavior of it's cold start, previous owner of my crx knew the tensioner was going out, you could only hear it squeal on a cold start so he conveniently had it warmed up.

let the owner drive it first with you in the car to see how he drives it (might give you some history on it's abuse.)

check any and all wiring you can, wiring damage sucks.


when you buy it one unless receipts have been shown immediately do an oil change, fuel filter change, spark plugs, plug wires, rotor and cap.

 

make sure there's no rust on the quarter panels.
try to find one as close to original as possible
receipts like everyone else said
make sure it doesn't smoke at all

if you can tell him not to start it until you get there so you can see the behavior of it's cold start, previous owner of my crx knew the tensioner was going out, you could only hear it squeal on a cold start so he conveniently had it warmed up.

let the owner drive it first with you in the car to see how he drives it (might give you some history on it's abuse.)

check any and all wiring you can, wiring damage sucks.


when you buy it one unless receipts have been shown immediately do an oil change, fuel filter change, spark plugs, plug wires, rotor and cap.

 

Check around the hatch hinges for rust, rusted holes in this spot are common and lead to water leaks inside the car causing even more rust and interior damage.

Check operation of intermittant wipers and turn signals, another common failpoint is the control unit that controls these things.

If it has a hood scoop or Altezza lights, turn away.

 

I bought my car with 2 hood scoops! Don't let some ricey things deter you too much. It should be an easy fix, plus you can carbon fiber wrap the hood after you remove the hood scoop for 5KW!

 

The only real common problems are cracked climate controls and worn RTA bushings. Make yourself familiar with any missing parts before you buy, many are discontinued.

 

Just try and find one as complete as you can that doesn't smoke like a freight train. The nickel and dime **** adds up fast though.

 

Yes! A new starter, bad distributor, missing seat, they all add up. Found that out when I bought my motor swap.