My girlfriend needs a reliable cheap car that will get her through the winter. I told her to look for a '92-'96 civic(or accord) with 80K-90K miles; manual transmission. She wants 4 doors. I am clueless about the engine options for those years. What should I look for? She and I both like quick, tossable cars.

Is there any other advice you can give me? Are there weak points to check for? When should the timing belt be changed generally on these cars? We're looking to spend between $2500 and $5000.

Thanks!

 

You should try to stay away from any Civic that is starting to rust around the wheel well and rear quarter panel. Even if it has been fixed and repainted the rust will come back within a matter of weeks or months!

Once that area has started rusting, there is no cure. Even if the body shop cut away the rusted area and welded on some new sheet metal, the rust will come back! You could repair and repaint the rear quarter panel every year and the rust will still be back.

Also, if the car you are interested in is a 5Spd, be sure to check that the 3rd gear syncros don't grind at high Rpm's. That's the first sign of death for a tranny!

 

Thanks, 35!

Is the manual transmission a problem for civics or are you stating that about all cars?

 

Get a 1990 2dr integra. They have some decent speed. Or even a 92 since that is the years you clarified that you are looking for.

 

90integra- The trannies in the EG-EJ are kinda weak.(very) My 95 CX tranny is going out. 3rd came first, then4th. But I'm still driving it, injured and all.

 

OH, I've suggested a G2 integra alright, but she's been in mine so much, she wants something different. Who knows? If we see one, she might latch onto it.

Thanks for the help people!

 

thats real smart