I'm looking into buying a black 1989 Civic Si pretty soon. The car has ~150k on it, and according to the current owner it has a new radiator, 2" custom exhuast, clutch, KYB GR-2 struts, stainless brake lines, and would come with two setts of wheels (13's with Blizzaks and 14's with Victoracers, I have a set of 15x7 Kosei's from my old car). He also said the car is rust free, and it does have a/c. The body is clean except for one dent on the passenger side front fender, nothing major.

I'm going to try to go look at it close up tomorrow, or sometime early next week. Is there anything I should be looking or listening for outside of the standard once over? I'm not overly familiar with these cars, and any common problems that I need to look for would be a great help.

Thanks

BTW, I have a few pics of it. What does everyone think?




And now the interior:






Modified by skierd at 3:33 AM 12/13/2003


Modified by skierd at 3:34 AM 12/13/2003


Modified by skierd at 9:37 PM 12/13/2003

 

Appears to be in good condition, how much is he asking for it? Just gotta remove all them damn stickers and throw on some nicer wheels it would be mint

 

He's asking $3000 for the car with blizzaks and victoracers, but I'm going to try to go lower. As far as the stickers, I have goo gone and some razor blades ready to go.

Anyways, drove the car today. Holy crap this thing drives well. Everything feels tight and in place, everything works well, and the car is in GREAT shape. Gonna try to finalize the money side next week, so it looks as if I'm buying a civic.



Modified by skierd at 3:35 AM 12/13/2003

 

I say go for it it looks great (minus the stickers) It looks like it has been well mantained.

if you get it great buy for a mint looking hatch

 

nice ride looks like someone treated it right! Rob

 

its super clean. that interior looks brand new!! good luck with it

 

I luuurv the 4th gen hatchies- actually I love 4th gens... go for it bro!

 

Thats is crazy how perfect everything on the inside looks.

 

wow..looks real clean...i would try to talk him down byt telling him you dontwant the 2 sets of wheels and just put ur 15's on there to save some money...

 

i would go that thing is cherry

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EKsnatchback &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow..looks real clean...i would try to talk him down byt telling him you dontwant the 2 sets of wheels and just put ur 15's on there to save some money...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh but I do want 2 sets of wheels. Snow, summer, and race tires is sweet (i'm a wheel *****, lol).

 

looks like its in great condition

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by airshifta &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">looks like its in great condition</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

looks clean inside and out, but check to see if there any rust spots?

 

too bad you live so far, I could pick you up a white 91 si hatch missing only the front seat for like 500 bucks

 

Yeah that is definitely in good condition, probably because he keeps it in the garage. Just try to lower the price a little. Tell him that the car is a Si but it is still almost 15 years old. Oh yeah when you get it please take off the pacesetter exhaust, that thing is and it sounds

 

thats a clean hatchie

 

Here are some common items to look for with the beloved 4th gens.

RUST-make sure that it hasnt started on the framerail under the car. The obvious places are the rear qtrs. Ive seen a few crx's that had no rust until you looked under the car.

Prob/concerns

Main relay issues- not a big deal an easy 10 min fix
Distributor probs- once again not a big concern but it does fail on occasion
Head Gasket leaks- on several of the little D series that I have seen there is some head gasket leakage near the engine code on the block. I just clean the engine often. Not a big deal to me.
Sunroof leaks- make sure that the sunroof motor works and that the drains are clean. If not you WILL get wet the next time it rains.
Blower motor- a few of the speeds wont work, yet another simple fix.
Ball joints/tie rod ends- if you can, check out the condition of these parts. They arent hard to fix but without the right tools can be a pita.

Im sure there are a few more items I cant think of. Ive taken plenty of these cars apart. I love the 4th gens, always have and always will. Hope my advice helps.



Modified by Cory man at 11:05 AM 12/14/2003

 

nice car!! needs a drop though id buy it from what ive seen here