To Buy .... or Not to Buy

[hvc78]

Hi guys,

I got a friend who's selling his 1989 2 door hatch civic and his willing to sell it for me dirt cheap. well.. anyway.. really cheap. so I can say that the price for the car can almost be ignored.

But I do want to know about the maintenance and common problems of this car, and especially, whether most problem in this car can be done DIY.

I've driven the car a couple times and I cant really notice anything much wrong with it unless the aircon seems to work at 2nd level only. it doesnt switch on at level 1.

I also know that he hasnt been using this car for quite sometime. i think there were once the car was just parked for 2 months. and then after that it seems to be used for just once a week/fortnight.

anyway... my only intension of buying this car is just so that i can have a little car to drive from home to the train station. just 5-10 mins distance. hehe. I wont be using this car for far distance for sure.

so.. that's the things i know bout the car, and i;ve never had a honda before, and that's as much history i know about it.

Would like to know some idea about part cost, whether parts for this car can be easily get, part cost, etc etc.

Waiting to hear your advises!! Cheers guys.

[muzukashi]

A car that age the most common problems may happen like a flat battery, lights stop working, startup problems, freq jumpstarts to startup if left cold alot, stalling at weird times
But because of its age labour and parts may not be that costly to fix or obtain,
im not 100% sure as i've never purchased a car anywhere near that age, someone correct me if i'm wrong :)

but because in your situation its only goign 2 be used on short trips i dont see whats the worse that can happen
and getting it for dirt cheap sounds like a good bargain :P

just out of curiosity how much are u actually paying for it? and how much kms is on the clock

[bummy]

My advice? If the car is mechanically sound, I think you should buy it! Get someone that knows a little more about hondas to also have a look for you.

Why? Because it's a great little car to get around with, and if you're buying it for a price that can practically be ignored...why not then?! :) Plus, as it's only going to be driven locally, you have nothing to lose. It sounds like it's still good to go, and I doubt a friend would sell you a dodgy car.

I had an ED as my first car and it was the best! I really miss it now that it's gone. I drove it as a daily for about 3 years and after selling it, it was still in good nick. :thumbsup:

I guess the maintenance and problems on cars are different depending on the car itself -age, mileage, changes made, parts used. I don't know about DIYs as I was slack and let my mechanic do the servicing.

With a carby engine, my mechanic often said that parts were a bit harder to find. For DIY, I personally think that if you were to have the right resources, you can find anything you want! I purchased my ED with a little high mileage and a second engine swapped. First problems I had and about the only problems I ever had was the gearbox, clutch, and alternator. I think it was about time the car needed new ones. After that, I spent money only on minor services and re-gassing the AC.

Good luck!

[MWAKU]

My carb ****ed up, that was GG. Kept trying to find new carbs, but could only find 2nd hand ones, which still were no good. fkn bitch, gear box ****t, fixed, for free though.. but yeah. only thing i would really be concerned is the carby, but its summer now, shouldn't have too many problems in the morning. plus its only 10min drive. just buy it.

[irusti]

what is dirt cheap ? if it 5-10 min to the station, why don't walk it? i don't think it worth getting a car if your rarely going to drive it anywhere. also keep in mind that you have to pay on road cost and regular services to keep it alive. is it really necessary? get a bicycle

[SeverAMV]

if you dont drive like an asshole its a fairly decent car.

gearboxes are supposedly weak, but i havent had any problems with mine and im making 180hp out of a carb'd d15b4.

your major problems would be carbs leaking fuel, head gasket issues (check oil cap for murky colour), piston ring issues (oil smoke coming out exhaust) and the occasional worn out muffler.

also check that the radiator is working properly, they seem to be prone to overheating. but as long as you check the coolant regularly, you shouldnt have problems.

[hvc78]

A car that age the most common problems may happen like a flat battery, lights stop working, startup problems, freq jumpstarts to startup if left cold alot, stalling at weird times
But because of its age labour and parts may not be that costly to fix or obtain,
im not 100% sure as i've never purchased a car anywhere near that age, someone correct me if i'm wrong :)

but because in your situation its only goign 2 be used on short trips i dont see whats the worse that can happen
and getting it for dirt cheap sounds like a good bargain :P

just out of curiosity how much are u actually paying for it? and how much kms is on the clock

Sounds like a very tired alternator huh...

[hvc78]

My advice? If the car is mechanically sound, I think you should buy it! Get someone that knows a little more about hondas to also have a look for you.

Why? Because it's a great little car to get around with, and if you're buying it for a price that can practically be ignored...why not then?! :) Plus, as it's only going to be driven locally, you have nothing to lose. It sounds like it's still good to go, and I doubt a friend would sell you a dodgy car.

I had an ED as my first car and it was the best! I really miss it now that it's gone. I drove it as a daily for about 3 years and after selling it, it was still in good nick. :thumbsup:

I guess the maintenance and problems on cars are different depending on the car itself -age, mileage, changes made, parts used. I don't know about DIYs as I was slack and let my mechanic do the servicing.

With a carby engine, my mechanic often said that parts were a bit harder to find. For DIY, I personally think that if you were to have the right resources, you can find anything you want! I purchased my ED with a little high mileage and a second engine swapped. First problems I had and about the only problems I ever had was the gearbox, clutch, and alternator. I think it was about time the car needed new ones. After that, I spent money only on minor services and re-gassing the AC.

Good luck!

Well.. another story about alternator... im pretty sure that the gearbox & clutch are still ok. but.. just for my reference... how much did that cost u?

[hvc78]

what is dirt cheap ? if it 5-10 min to the station, why don't walk it? i don't think it worth getting a car if your rarely going to drive it anywhere. also keep in mind that you have to pay on road cost and regular services to keep it alive. is it really necessary? get a bicycle

dirt cheap = $ 500 man. a bicycle cost 250bucks.. so i dunno... driving a 1989 civic looks a bit better than riding a bicycle right?

i most of the time work till late, and walking or taking the bus that late is kinda.. well.. just not comfy i guess. i drive a W140 merc at the moment. Love this car to the heart, and leaving her at the train st during this summer under the cruel 40degree UV kinda heart breaking.

but above all, here's the real reason... sometimes i got the girls from the ofc taking a ride home with me... taking them home with a bicycle is kinda... wierd... dont u think?.. hehe :D

but u got the point there... the rego kinda bothers me..

Thanks mate.

[hvc78]

if you dont drive like an asshole its a fairly decent car.

gearboxes are supposedly weak, but i havent had any problems with mine and im making 180hp out of a carb'd d15b4.

your major problems would be carbs leaking fuel, head gasket issues (check oil cap for murky colour), piston ring issues (oil smoke coming out exhaust) and the occasional worn out muffler.

also check that the radiator is working properly, they seem to be prone to overheating. but as long as you check the coolant regularly, you shouldnt have problems.


Thanks for the tips man. I'll check the points you wrote there this weekend, and let you guys know what i can find.

[aaron182]

IMO, if iot drives well and seems like a good deal, it may just be that, a good deal.
before i bought my accord i bout a 1984 toyota liteace for $200, and it was the best $200 i spent, lasted me 2 years before i sold it again for $200 for scrap haha.

[Moey.C]

i wreckon get the car and worst case scenario it brakes down on ya... ur only 5 - 10 mins away from home... do it

rego will probly be more than any repairs needed n the car itself

[bummy]

Well.. another story about alternator... im pretty sure that the gearbox & clutch are still ok. but.. just for my reference... how much did that cost u?

New clutch kit and gearbox was about $700.