Hey guys, I'm Thomas and new to this forum and Honda in general.

This christmas I'll be buying an automatic Civic 96-00 hatchback for around £2000 ($3800).

My questions are: what models should I look/not look for?
And are there some questions I must ask/check for when viewing the car, like rust or other problems?

Really looking forward to get a Honda Civic.

Hope you guys could help me.

Cheers, Thomas

 

I would ask which parts have been replaced. If it's around or over 100,000 miles... (or equivelant) make sure the timing belt has been changed or change it once you get it. Check the transmission when you test drive it how it does up hills and when you goose it. Push down on the back and front ends of the car to check the suspension, if it squeaks badly the shocks are on the way out or gone. Maybe also get a compression test done, ask if it's been tuned at all like the valves adjusted. If it's over 100,000 miles it should have one done if it hasn't been.

Most civics have a tendancy to get quarter panel rust, however the EX model is more resistant to it.

 

Welcome.


look for rust, as car cancer is the leading killer of cars

also.. heat cycle the car, which means

drive it more then a block.. drive it till the engine reaches operating temp.

also turn the heat all the way up for like 5 - 10 minutes.

see if you smell antireeze, froma heatercore.

see if the waterpump makes noise.

Also.

make sure the tires are properly inflated.

underinflated tires are used to hide, bad hub bearings, bad ball joints, bad tie rods.

listen for any not normal noises it makes.

bring a car guy with you.

dont let the guy tell you dumb stuff either.

well he's gonna anyways, they Always do.

just dont believe all of it.

ohhhhh you can also act like a ricer and start asking stuff like

"whut have you smoked in this"

if he starts listing alot of cars.

then its been fairly Beat on.

its just a tell tale sign

look under it for as said rust.

check for leaks, oil leaks, coolant leaks.
fuel leaks.

check front tire wear.. some tire wear on outer edges or more in the middle could be from under / over inflated tires....

but its normally from, bad front end parts, and hard cornering.

check the oil in the car.

make sure its not milky (blown head gasket)

check for crash damage repair.

if these things get wrecked hard once.

they normally dont track right after.

a fender bender is No big deal tho.

ask questions, lots of them.

find the reason for selling.

saying he wants a different honda, is not an acceptable anwser.

saying he wants abigger car cuz he has kids (thats a good reason)

 

gee thanks guys, excellent answers here, more are appreciated

i'll probably buy from a dealership as i usually dont trust individuals who areselling cars

 

[>:][sm=bananallama.gif][sm=jawdrop.gif]y you post this if your buying froma dealer,,,,, kick in da face[:@]. know1 nows about a used car than the people that have own it... i hate dealing with dealerships. thats just me.....