Should I get another car?

[Wonderboy]

I found a 98 civic EX coupe for sale (check it out on binghamton NY area craigslist). I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it - I drove it, and it seems fine. AC doesn't work (don't care) and it has 176k. It costs $2500 and I'm going to make sure the heater works tonight. Should I buy it? My 93 Corolla works like a champ and burns a little oil - has 140k, but I really want a honda and a little more stock MPG capability... OBDII would be nice too. What do you guys think?

http://binghamton.craigslist.org/car/768780201.html

Edit: it's a 98. I carfaxed it and it looks like the first owner was very nice to it for about the first 80-100k/ 7.5 years. The second owner had it for a year, not much info about that one. The most recent owner is in Turkey, and had studied here at the university, but decided not to come back, and needed to sell the car. He didn't seem to do too well with oil changes. I looked at the dipstick and it wasn't pitch black, but it was pretty dark. The heater DOES work, and when I press the a/c button, the compressor does seem to make an "engage" sound and the tach doesn't drop (which leads me to believe that the compressor isn't broken, or else the rpms would drop visibly when engaging the a/c... right?), but it doesn't cool. I think maybe it just needs to be recharged.

I watched for smoke out of the tailpipe when the engine started - nothing.

I told the seller that I would buy it on monday for 2300. I'm thinking it's a worthwhile calculated risk... any input appreciated. Still slightly nervous.

[Z man]

It's much newer, get it if you can!

[Wonderboy]

I bought it, and added it to the garage. Can't wait to see what kind of mileage I can get out of it.

[sdprius858]

Congratulaions. Honda's are some of the best cars out there. That car probably has another 140k in it at least.

We have a 1998 Accord DX 5 speed 4 cylinder that just hit 210,000 miles with just basic oil changes, tires, and the brakes were just changed last week after 54,000 miles on the old ones. My dad uses it every day and drives 68 miles a day as a hauler/van for cargo and merchandise so the rear suspension is probably hte next to go. He gets an allowance from his company for payment,fuel, and insurance, but hey its paid for, gets about 33 mpg when loaded down with about 400 pounds constantly.

[TestDrive]

Originally Posted by Wonderboy

when I press the a/c button, the compressor does seem to make an "engage" sound and the tach doesn't drop (which leads me to believe that the compressor isn't broken, or else the rpms would drop visibly when engaging the a/c... right?), but it doesn't cool. I think maybe it just needs to be recharged.

Assuming the "engage" sound is the AC compressor's clutch kicking in, the fact that rpms don't drop visibly indicates it's not seized - it may still be broken.

Use a thermometer in an AC vent to check for temperature change while running it for 5 minutes with the AC on and engine @ 1200 rpm or so. If there is some degree of cooling, a simple recharge may (or may not) do the trick. If no termperature change at all, expect to buy parts.

Better yet, test drive it over to your favorite mechanic and ask for a quick guestimate.

Good luck.

[MazdaMatt]

engage with no rpm drop tells me there is a blown seal preventing the compressor from having any resistance... but I can't say for sure.

Good luck with the "burns some oil". That can be a small problem that lasts forever, or a big problem that costs you an engine and a tow at any time. It may be worth your time to learn how to do compression/leakdown testing, or get it checked out.

[Wonderboy]

@matt that car is off the road for now anyway, but 'twas a trusty steed. Once I drive my new civic for a while, and find that there's no problems, I'll probably end up selling it. I never could get the MPGuino working, and I think I fried my chip because it got really really hot one time when i was testing it. oh well. I may end up finishing it and giving it to my friend who has an old civic hatchback...I'll have to get him to join up here too.

I was looking at the AC with my dad yesterday and I think there actually is a tiny bit of cooling, which could be a good sign. If it is indeed b0rked though, I really hope there is some way of replacing the compressor with a passive pulley. anyone heard of people doing that?

[Will]

Originally Posted by Wonderboy

Edit: it's a 98. I carfaxed it and it looks like the first owner was very nice to it for about the first 80-100k/ 7.5 years.

Gee, I would sure hate to see a carfax on my Metro!!

Good purchase, though. Hope you get some good numbers with it!!!

[metromizer]

I picked up and drove a used '88 Accord for more than 160k, very few problems at all (the AC compressor went bad... I replaced it with a used one from a wrecking yard and converted the entire system over to the new R134a freon myself). By most accounts, the newer Civics are even more bullet-proof. Sounds like you did good!

My theory on driving older cars is this...
We depend on reliable transportaion to get to and from jobs, businesses, and school. Miss a few days, and it cost time, money, and then what is called 'missed opportunity cost'. Buy a new car and make monthly payments (and take a huge hit on yearly depreciation), or own two older cars outright for less money.

My old cars rarely break on the way home from work heading into a three day weekend, where I'd have time to perform repairs at my leisure. They seem to break on the way to a job interview, the first day of school, or Monday morning when I am already running 15 minutes late. If you drive older cars like I mostly have, IMO you need two reliable cars running at all times. When one has an issue, you fix it within one week, while driving car #2. You don't loan it out, you don't leave it sitting with a flat tire or a blown head gasket for more than a day or two, one week tops. You keep both running well, insured, registered, the whole enchilada. When one is getting a little 'long in the tooth' and two-hundred and five-hundred-dollaring you to death, you take your time in finding a deal on another little commuter to replace the tired one.

[Wonderboy]

Amen. I'm thinking the same thing. So far she's working out just fine... There have been a couple days where I wish I had the AC working, but Fall is coming, and I know the heat works so I'll get round to the AC eventually. I'm very happy to have broken the 40mpg mark with ANY car, so now I'll have to give myself a smaller goal margin of 45mpg to break with this new civic.