Figured I'd share this little project I just picked up. I usually keep an eye on my local copart locations to see what older Hondas pop up, and this 97 DX sedan caught my eye. Threw a bid on it, and won it for $625 (little over $900 after copart tacks on their fees).

Here's a few pics from the copart ad:





So obviously it took a rear end hit, but it's not all that bad, I'm surprised it was totalled out, but given the age and low value of the car I can see why it was. Will need a new filler piece under the taillight, bumper cover, inner support, and a just a tad of pulling on the unibody to pull out some crinkles in the trunk area.

Now for the best part:

Just under 62,000 miles, and besides the damage, it shows like a true low mileage car. I haven't seen an interior this clean in a long time (will get some interior pics soon). The headlights are crystal clear with no hazing. I live in PA where rust eats these cars badly, but there's not one spec of rust to be found on this car, rear wheel arches are mint; that's just unheard of around here.

I think this was the stereotypical "little old lady only driven to church" type of car, as it still has a "church parking" pass on the inside rear view mirror. Even has an oil change reminder sticker from a local Honda Dealer, so I'd bet this car was always dealer maintained (I'm gonna call them and see if they'd be willing to share their maintenance history on the car).

I'll post some updates as it comes back together. Gotta find the replacement parts, hoping to find one in a junkyard that's the same color.

 

Not bad for a low-mileage Civic. The DX is likely the better model because the LX and EX have power window issues galore. What are your plans for it??

 

Not bad at all but I'm sure its time for some major maintenance to be done.

 

My plans are to repair it, and just keep it as sort of a back-up car. My daily driver 2000 CRV is approaching 300K miles, and although its still a good runner now, the day will come when it's reached it's useful life. Plus I have a daughter who's quickly approaching driving age, maybe it'll make a good first car for her.

But yeah, I hope the dealer who did the last oil change will share their maintenance history with me (assuming they've done all the prior service as well), and if there's no evidence of a timing belt water pump service, I'll go ahead and knock that out.

 

it's all about maintenance. Fortunately, you can still get a lot of new Genuine Honda parts when you need them.

 

My 00 sedan is coming up on 300k but the engine probably now has 150k, still gettin good gas mileage.

edit: I freshen up the suspension bushing, ctr springs and bilsteins, engine has all new seals except the headgasket and intake manifold gasket, ac reworked, dual core aluminum radiator (gettin ready for a lil bit of boost to get more mpg)

 

Oh I want to play the mileage game. Original motor

 

43 miles to the gallon there’s no way...


my 1997 LX has 255,000 miles and gets currently like 27 because I installed a header for it and it’s running rich without the catalytic converters. I wa t to see if someone can tune that out or if I have to install my stock exhaust back on. Before that it got consistently like 32 mpg

 

I have 2 parts cars if you need something let me know! I live in WV.

 

What color are they? I need the rear bumper cover, inner support, and driver sids under taillight garnish. Maybe a front bumper as well. Would also like a light gray armrest. Send me a PM when you get a chance. Thanks.

 

I have a green 99

 

Few quick interior pics, been years since I seen an interior this original/clean; only thing I added were the new floor mats.

 

damn, that is clean.

 

This is cleaner than mine after I cleaned it 12 times. Dang that's nice.

 

Its basically brand new in there.

 

Got the collision damage buttoned up, its not perfect, but it'll do. I found a 99-00 rear bumper in a junkyard that was the same color, so I went with that. I tried getting that trunk lid gap to line up better but thats as good as it gets, I think the lid itself is tweaked/bent a bit, I might go back to the junkyard and grab that matching lid or I may just live with it.

 

you can try to flex it by hand

 

Wonderful car, man. Go get that trunk lid at the junkyard... this car is so clean and was so cheap that it is worth the extra touch. Also, props to ChryslerKid and his super clean Civic with 40+ MPG at 300,000 miles.