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Buying an Older Civic

58 messages,  Last post on Oct 28, 2011 at 8:21 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 6

#1 of 58 2002 Civic LX with 73,540 for $10,995? Is this a good 1st car to buy? by kamst152

May 26, 2006 (7:49 am)

I am a 24 year old graduate student purchasing my 1st car and I need some advice.I wanted to buy a 2006 Civic but I think it is smarter to get a used newer model.I am moving from Pittsburgh, PA to DC in August and don't need the added stress of a new car payment.I found a 2002 Civic LX sedan with $73,540 miles on it (13,540 over the suggested KBB alotment).The dealership is asking $10,995 for it.Edmunds says it is worth $10,595.Since it has slightly higher miles, what price can I reasonably get for this vehicle?I have $2,500 to put down & I'm aiming for a $10,000 selling price out the door.I already arranged good financing aside from the dealership so not to get befuddled. My uncle says this is too many miles but I thought it was good considering it is a Honda.We are test driving Tuesday and I would like some feedback. Thanks in advance!

#2 of 58 Re: 2002 Civic LX with 73,540 for $10,995? Is this a good 1st car to buy? [kamst152] by slowpedaler

May 27, 2006 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: kamst152 (May 26, 2006 7:49 am)
Your Edmunds price should reflect the miles you entered in your search. My search, assuming the car is an automatic in "clean" condition, reported a dealer price of $10,718.00 if it were in Northern California. You should be able to talk them down to an even 10.
 
If the car is a one-owner with all the services done on time, it should be fine. How many miles do you expect to put on it annually? If you are looking at more than 20,000; I would get a lower mileage car.

#3 of 58 2005 DX VP model by nyer10

May 29, 2006 (6:48 pm)

Hi,
 
Someone is offering a '05 dx vp civic for $5000 -- which obviously sounds kind of low. He says the title is clean with no liens but the car is manufactured in canada --though it's registered in new york. He says it's got 3,150 miles on it and he's selling because "i don't have the time to use it." Says he frequently works out of town ...
I thought I remembered hearing something about Honda not honoring warranties for cars manufactured in canada though i'm not sure it matters that much since this price is so low. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

#4 of 58 Re: 2005 DX VP model [nyer10] by slowpedaler

May 29, 2006 (11:01 pm)

Replying to: nyer10 (May 29, 2006 6:48 pm)
Actually I have several thoughts, and they all revolve around you not believing everything you "hear". Nobody is selling a year old Civic with 3150 miles for 5 grand unless it sat in a New Orleans dealership for a couple of weeks about a year ago. You're being scammed. Honda builds lots of cars [including mine] in Canada, as do many other manufacturers, and they are warranted like any other new car.

#5 of 58 Re: 2002 Civic LX with 73,540 for $10,995? Is this a good 1st car to buy? [slowpedaler] by kamst152

May 30, 2006 (8:03 am)

Replying to: slowpedaler (May 27, 2006 1:24 pm)
Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate it. I don't expect to put much on because I will be riding public transportation to work M-F. I just want a reliable vehicle to get around in on weekends. Wish me luck bc today I go for a test drive.

#6 of 58 Re: 2005 DX VP model [slowpedaler] by nyer10

May 31, 2006 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: slowpedaler (May 29, 2006 11:01 pm)
Heh. Yeah, thanks. It took me about two minutes after writing my post to realize something had to be up. I did a check on carfax with the VIN no. the guy gave me and everything checked out like he said ... except it had just been bought again 10 days before. Something has to be off because the whole thing is pretty ridiculous.

#7 of 58 Owner of old Civic by the_one_five

Jun 01, 2006 (8:15 am)

I have had my Civic DX since I was 16- it is a 1993 and I am now 29. When purchasing a used (and older) Civic it is important to consider several factors.
 
The most important factor is the "big" tune up-- which is done at approximately 90,000 miles. Perhaps it is recommended at 75,000 miles by the dealer. The timing belt needs to be changed. Serious and costly engine repairs can result from not performing this maintenence. The water pump and coolant fans might as well be changed at this time- they have to be manipulated in order to change the timing belt. It is not a low cost affair by any stretch of the imagination--- so if it has not been performed on a high mileage Civic-- or has been performed but once on an extremely high mileage Civic-- then these costs should be reflected in the purchase price.
 
Lets say you were to pay $1300 for a 1993 Civic with 150,000 miles on it. And it last had the timing belt changed at 80,000 miles. In order to guarantee years of continued and efficient service you will have to probably invest almost half of the purchase price in a comprehensive tune-up.
 
It can also be useful to browse the strange hieroglyphs of consumer reports. On my car (a 93 Civic recall)--- it is lauded as a wonderful vehicle- which it is- but closer inspection of the various categories reveals two possible problem areas. The exhaust and the distributor. Interestingly enough- at 130,000 miles I had a problem with my cars distributor cap- which was the only non-routine issue I have dealt with in 13+ years. For whatever reason this is not considered a problem on 1994 civics. Perhaps some issue with contractors existed during the switch from generation 4 to gen. 5 civics.
 
And it seems I have replaced various portions of the exhaust and muffler a few too many times--- although the car is exposed to the corrosive Chicago winter and I have purchased a few "el cheapo" type mufflers as an expedient.
 
In any event these are all minor quibbles for a car that has been exposed to hardship and questionable driving habits since the first George Bush was leaving office.
 
BUT THE TUNEUP IS A BIG DEAL!

#8 of 58 90 Civic DX - beeping!!!! by ariesanne

Jun 24, 2006 (9:22 am)

Hello,
Just bought a 90 civic that has had all the major tune-up/maintence done to it. It runs very nicely, BUT, there is now (after 400 miles)a almost CONSTANT BEEPING! The owner manul says nothing about beeps, only trouble lights. My lights do not flash or anything, all I have it the darn beeping! It is pretty much random beeps, sometimes 3, sometimes 5 or 6..... It's driving me crazy, what the heck do the BEEPS MEAN??????
 
Thanks, ariesanne

#9 of 58 Re: 90 Civic DX - beeping!!!! [ariesanne] by civicex05

Jun 26, 2006 (9:36 am)

Replying to: ariesanne (Jun 24, 2006 9:22 am)
It's driving me crazy, what the heck do the BEEPS MEAN??????
 
Do you have your seat belt buckled?

#10 of 58 Re: 90 Civic DX - beeping!!!! [civicex05] by ariesanne

Jun 26, 2006 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: civicex05 (Jun 26, 2006 9:36 am)
Hello, thank you for the reply. Yes, it seems to be a seat belt issue.... With no passenger, I just ride with the belt buckled, no beeping then.
 
Such a great car! 41mpg!!! No darn seat belt is gonna ruin this little piece of heaven for me ....
 
Thanks again

Messages Page 1 of 6

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