HighMileage Scenario
 

Okay so i found a 220k hatch for $1800.
i would be doing a swap when the engine dies, but my question is what other things would i need to replace and have to take care of?
how much would it cost me to replace these things as well? is it a good deal? (00' DX)

Unless that car is in near perfect running order and real clean body, I think that price may be a bit steep.

As for your questions, are you asking what needs to be done to keep the current motor running? Or what needs to be done for the swap?

well lets say i bought this car. then a year and a half later car has 300k mi. on chasis and i swap the engine to a bare 20k mi.
what body parts would need restoration (to not break down so much). I'm talking about new axles, ball joints, etc..

talk em down to 1500 and i would say you got a damn good deal..

dude that's irrelevant to my question, of course that's a good deal.
any car savvy heads want to tell me what things on the car would need new parts?
(ie. car has 339k mi. and the driver side and passenger side axle goes out and needs replacement)
what other high mileage parts would need replacement over time?

The axles have probably already been replaced at least once. Could need transmission bearings (see if you hear noise idling in neutral which goes away when you push the clutch in) or wheel bearings. Also consider the suspension bushings and ball joints and struts (hopefully already replaced).

Bottom line is if it doesn't have any obvious problem now and it's not rusted, you have a good deal there. Like any older used car expect to have to replace a few parts to get to full performance.

If AC is important to you, I've had two quarter million mile Civics have their AC compressors seize. Everything has a life span. When the compressor goes you'll have to replace a lot more than just the compressor.

Also check the trailing arm bushings. They like to crack when they get old.

thank you very much guys, very informative on what i was asking for.
so pretty much check for:

~trailing arm bushings
~suspension bushings
~ball joints
~struts
~ac compressors

anything else i might take note on?
(and just to let you know, the car was flagged for removal, to good to be true) good info for future reference tho.

Check out the exhaust too; there could be holes and what not rusted through, and you definitely don't want fumes getting in the car. Although, after 220k and 10 years, I would think it would have had to have the exhaust replaced.

great. thanks for that last part jwmm04.
well the search still continues, but I'm hoping early summer I'll have another car.