I posted in another forum and then quickly realized their automotive repair section was under the "off topic" banner and they were not nearly as active as I thought. Forgive me for the copy/paste crime, but here's my question(s).

I currently drive a 1994 Ford Ranger Supercab with a 4.0, auto tranny, auto 4x4, and A/C. When I bought her in 2014 she was so dead she couldn't break 40mph so I brought her back to life with my own two hands. This truck is my baby but as much as I hate to say it, I don't need a truck anymore. My truck gets about 17mpg right now but used to get 21mpg before an O2 sensor went bad. I'm looking at getting a used Honda Civic from a private party because the milage is great. I'm torn between the hatchback or the sedan. I like the idea of four doors on the sedan, but it seems like your mpg is a ton higher in the hatchback. I also like the hatchback because it seems like you have way more storage space, especially if you remove the seats, which is a big plus for me since my truck gives me tons of space. Anyway, I have some questions.

1. What are the problem years? I like fixing cars but parts are expensive so I'd rather not spend more than I need to.

2. What year did they start adding a lot of electronically controlled engines and transmissions? How hard are they to deal with from a repair perspective?

3. What are the typical engine/tranny problems?

4. Where are the typical rust spots? I've seen a lot on the wheel wells of Civic Sedans, but which body mounts and crossmembers should I check when I'm with a seller?

5. I am 6'1", will I fit comfortably?

I look forward to hearing from you guys! I'm on a forum for Fords and enjoy kicking around ideas with the members there, and look forward to doing that after I buy my Civic! I would like to sell my truck by Christmas and buy a Civic shortly after that.

 

Any Civic - a Ford = UPGRADE... All Civics made in the '90s and early '00s have very little electronics to deal with and are super easy to repair and maintain. I really don't know that any hatchbacks came with an auto trans, but I could be wrong about that. You would be surprised how well a 6'1" tall man can fit in these little Japanese cars, but you'll never know until you try it out. As far as rust spots... I live in Arizona so I couldn't comment on that. Good luck on your such and welcome to the family. HONDA FTW!!

 

Easy, I'm still a Ford man at heart, although I'm becoming less of one every day.

Good, good. I like what I hear. I wanted a manual transmission for my truck but I couldn't find one with the 4.0, so I settled. I've had to do some service on my auto, after that harrowing experience I'd like a manual transmission.

I hope you're right about fitting into these cars. I bought my truck from a guy who originally lived in Arizona so it had only been in the snowbelt for two years, I don't think I'll have luck like that again.

A big plus on a Honda for me would be a lot of options, which thankfully I'm seeing a lot around here. I currently have power locks, windows, seats, tilt wheel, CRUISE CONTROL (I drive long distances often, it helps) and A/C. I think I'm too spoiled to go back to the manual stuff.

 

I can only speak from my experience owning an Accord. (1996. I would check the center of the floor pan where the parking brake cables go up into the body. that part of my pan is rotted out. Wheel arch rust is common and really the only problem area. My subframes look grotty but they're still very solid.

As a young man with his hair smouldering, you could consider an Accord as well. Swap a H22 into it, have it tuned with bolt-ons, and you can still have 30mpg on the freeway (I got 30mpg with the close-ratio trans and Acura CL wheels/tires on the way down to and back up from King's Island)

 

I will definitely check the pan, thanks. I don't think I'm into engine swaps for awhile, I'm studying to be a teacher so I'm going to be moving around for awhile so I want something I don't need to mess with much.

PS: My mother grew up in Ann Arbor! Although, Detroit wasn't as close then as it is now.

 

I'm seeing a lot about timing chains failing. Also, I discovered the timing chains are actually rubber belts. Are broken timing chains a common issue with civics?

 

Timing belts are a relatively easy process on 7th-gen and earlier civics. (2000-earlier). There is a generous portion of room on that side of the engine with the serpentine belt off. They don't snap unless replacement is neglected.

 

I would like to clarify a bit on this.

95 and below is OBD1 or below and the Automatic transmission (hatchbacks included) are readily inter-changable between trim on 92-95. Shift points might be a bit off but the TCM (Transmission Control Module) doesn't complain from what the tranny experts have told me. 91 and below there is some interesting things to have to look out for on manual transmissions, spline count changed from 88 to the 89. Also I believe the manual transmissions of 91 and below are cable while 92+ are hydraulic on the manuals.

96 and above is OBD2 and becomes more electronically controlled. Automatics cannot be swapped between trims even when they bolt right up (housings match) as the TCM doesn't play with anything but it's own trim tranny. You also can't flash the ECU on 96 on up until the K series ECU's in Acura's.

Personally, I would stick to 95 and below as the modifications are greater without having to convert from OBD2 to OBD1 or bring in a complete engine management system to replace the Honda ECU. Some states auto fail an OBD2 car if it's converted to OBD1.

Also the 96+ automatics if they are the Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT) they were known for problems for a good long time.

 

You might want look through this thread:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...areas-3270665/

It needs to be cleaned up and separate the normal wear items from the design flaws but it does have the most common problems with the 5th and 6th gen civics and del sols

The main design flaw is the rear fender rust on the 88-00 civics. And possibly before 88, not sure there.

This is inaccurate. Timing Chains are NOT rubber belts. Timing Belts are a special fiberglass reinforced rubber belt. Timing chains are actual chain and are found on K series motors in Acura's and anything else with a K20 or K24 motor.

Timing chains stretch, Timing Belts snap. Both are bad. Timing Belts if changed in specified service intervals tend to not cause problems. Timing chains last longer but servicing them when they do stretch is a bit more of a process and more costly.

 

inDitto the above^^^, as for the rear wheel arch rust, [a common problem on some Honda Acura] is a direct result of the rear wheel arch protectors cars that do not have them do not have that problem....
#11... http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...NG+-+PROTECTOR

Cars from dry climates and owners that know of this problem and remove the protectors will not have this problem..

You must inspect the rear wheel arch of the car as the rust starts from the inside and is not evident until the paint starts to blister and then it is too late for easy fixes.

To inspect, remove protector, they just pull off, and run your finger along the inside of the lip to feel for rust.
The problem is that the protector will hold moisture and dirt up against the inside of the lip causing the rust.

Anybody who does not think so show me an Integra Type R with rear wheel arch rust, they did not come with rear wheel arch protectors like the none Type R Integra that does have that problem. 94

 

About that rust, Just buy one from where doesn't rain that much.
Rust problems are related to pre 1996 models. coating is week,
after 1996 things get better,
For European / UK market, non coated is only the roof.

After 7 years of experience in Honda Motorbikes Dealership.
the car joke I always remeber everytime I see a car stopped on the safety lane.
Two Germans, invented a car,
a french stolen the idea, or what he tought is a good idea to have by himself.
then was an English engineer to put the pedals where we have them now, but was a left handy man so placed the wheel on the wrong side.
An American passed by and got it right for the masses. (Mr. Henry Ford).
The Italians made the first swap, from a tractor made a super car (Lambhorgini).
But after all this years, and many ideas changing owners, a single man,
Mr Soichiro Honda had a dream, and made the car to be a dream come true.
The Power Of Dreams.

I haven't seen many Hondas thrown on the emergency lane, only few ones that rent out fuel.
Keep the maintenance book with clean record, dont try to hit the Veiron´s HP´s and you are cool.
my ex boss had a Legend coupe, the only car from the park lane visiting garage for nothing else than regular maintenance, brake pads and oil change.

In UK/EURO listings Hondas are at the Top of the list for reliability.
I own a 1998 B18C4 powered Civic Aerodec, no issues so far. yeah is old, but love that car.
Bitchin AWD, was made only for Japan and NZ! and I don't want daddy's CRV!