I feel like I'm cursing here, but I'm seeking advice in the Honda Civic world. I'm assuming that at least somebody here has some knowledge on them. Looking at getting the wife a "new" daily driver/commuter. Something with better mileage than our WRX. Got one specifically in mind that I'll explain in the next paragraph, but looking for advice in general. What to look for. What to watch out for. Good/bad years. Maintenance things that should be done. Etc. "This 1998 Honda Civic LX sedan is black with a grey fabric interior. It is a 1-owner vehicle with no accident history. The title is clean and the miles are actual. The exterior has no dents and the interior is non-smoking and clean with no rips, salt, or worn areas. The 4cyl engine with 5-speed manual trans gets 34+ mpg hwy and the timing belt was previously changed. The clutch is good. This Civic has been adult driven and has no aftermarket parts. Comes with power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise, and factory am/fm stereo. This is the perfect starter car for someone looking to learn how to drive a manual. Free lessons. Come in today." Has 145k. Was asking $2500 I think, now down to $2150. It's extremely plain but looks pretty decent. Perfect for what the wife wants, and she actually likes it (at least from pictures). Only even semi-concern I have is that it's been on the site for a month or so, when everything else he sells seems to turn pretty quick. Maybe the price isn't that spectacular? Thanks for any help/advice/suggestions!
Kbb, nada, and craigslist to compare values locally. Other than that, the honda formula is pretty easy. Cheap reliable and easy to fix. I'd say bring it somewhere to have a PPI done, and if that comes back clean and the seller isn't adverse to the idea, and the price seems in line, go for it. If the seller doesn't want to let you get a PPI, skip. There's 5837275848273748583829359954726274958472728384847272 more hondas out there.
I can tell you for a fact that that 98 Honda will get better milage than 34. I had a 98 civic dx, and in the summer I was averaging 42mpg. Hwy was at least 45. I was the 2nd owner, bought it from my parents at 200k and drove it to 287k with no major repairs. Did the timing belt just after I bought it. Clutch was still original, a lot of travel in the pedal but never slipped and it's a civic so who cares. They are crazy reliable.
Advice? It's a Honda. What I mean is, it could get stolen at some point in time during ownership. 92-01 are the most common Hondas stolen for parts. I had a buddy with a 96 AT civic. Family car, car seats in the back everything, and it got stolen and stripped clean. What was left was the 2 car seats. If you go honda, get a steering wheel club or some sort of theft protection alarm. They r super reliable and easy to fix and parts are even easier to get. .
Well, it's not gonna get stolen living rural East Bethel. So not really worried about that. Wife will be driving it from home to Owatonna a couple times a week so really just gonna be highway miles all the time. Strictly for better mileage. And a little nicer than our haggered 95 Legacy.
I know you're talking used, but the few times I have ventured into a dealership when in the market for a car, the attitude of the salesmen was so off-putting that I will never buy a Honda. It was such an elitist attitude about their product and they tried to make you feel like they were doing you a favor by even acknowledging your presence. Almost as bad as Subaru dealerships.
