Thinking about a new car, looking for ideas

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

This one just popped on the CL. Low miles, great price, needs a few things fixed up but nothing that bad IMO. I shot em an email.

Honda Civic 2004 - $1000

Common problems on these cars:

• Compliance bushings (big rubber bushing in the lower front control arms). Look for cracks. It's possible this is the "CV joint noise".
• Struts fail early on. Listen for thunks or leaking fluid from the struts. This is the first generation of Civic with MacPherson struts.
• Tranny failures. Typically Input Shaft Bearing fails or the bearing on the 3rd gear shaft (it's up higher than the others).
• Exhaust manifold cracks between cylinder 2 and 3.
• Head gasket failure. Failure mode is often leaking exhaust into the radiator which pukes fluid out. Until it loses enough coolant, it won't overheat... Don't think it's fine just because the oil isn't milky.
• Oil pump leak. $0.75 o-ring causes a significant leak. $600 in labor to replace...

I'd guess the timing belt hasn't been changed out either. Proof or it didn't happen...

[Daox]

Well, after a couple days, I ended up nabbing it. Someone had laid claim to it but couldn't come up with the cash. I was next in line and just had to arrange to go see it.

Overall, its in pretty good shape. It is a 12 year old car with scratches and a few small dents, but hardly any rust for the Wisconsin area which was surprising. It is a 2004 Civic DX (base model) 5 speed with 116k miles on it.

It definitely needs some work. The tranny input shaft bearing is definitely bad. The compliance bushings I'm guessing are shot as I got a lot clicking coming home. It also seems like the clutch is close to needing to be replaced. At the very least it needs the pedal to be adjusted. I'll take a look at it when I pull the trans out. I'll be starting a repair thread on it once I get it in the garage.

[freebeard]

Congrats.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

Well, after a couple days, I ended up nabbing it. Someone had laid claim to it but couldn't come up with the cash. I was next in line and just had to arrange to go see it.

Overall, its in pretty good shape. It is a 12 year old car with scratches and a few small dents, but hardly any rust for the Wisconsin area which was surprising. It is a 2004 Civic DX (base model) 5 speed with 116k miles on it.

It definitely needs some work. The tranny input shaft bearing is definitely bad. The compliance bushings I'm guessing are shot as I got a lot clicking coming home. It also seems like the clutch is close to needing to be replaced. At the very least it needs the pedal to be adjusted. I'll take a look at it when I pull the trans out. I'll be starting a repair thread on it once I get it in the garage.

Congrats. I think... I hope yours is less of a headache than mine has been.

[Daox]

I hope so too. I don't plan on keeping it very long. I just need something to drive while I fix the Metro's engine.