Advice on buying an EK GLi

[na-118]

check the rears if it looks like the front or not

[mugen_ctr]

jus check the rear brakes, if they look the same as the fronts, its Disc brakes, if its a grey/black round thing, its drums
Dont always go by Kms, its the overall condition you should be looking out for, low kms maybe a bonus, but it could be in a crap state

[japa_VTEC]

Ask the seller for "1) 1997 GLI, green, 150000 km, w/ roof racks. $5500" if he would reduce the price if he sold them without the racks

If not probably go for the "2) 1999 GLI, black, 200000km, $5000". The others are right, it really all depends on the paint, bodywork and engine condition though.

Don't be scared to give the seller a much lower offer (maybe $1000 less than the asking price, as long as you can back it up)

[Doriya]

Ask the seller for "1) 1997 GLI, green, 150000 km, w/ roof racks. $5500" if he would reduce the price if he sold them without the racks

If not probably go for the "2) 1999 GLI, black, 200000km, $5000". The others are right, it really all depends on the paint, bodywork and engine condition though.

Don't be scared to give the seller a much lower offer (maybe $1000 less than the asking price, as long as you can back it up)

Don't go for number 3? I thought that one would be good due to low price, but slightly higher km...

The roof racks are a bit of a put-off for me, as they're not removable (even if they are, they'd leave pad marks on top).

Number 2) is enticing purely because of the year, but I haven't seen any pictures yet.

Thanks for the advice on the disc brakes though, will definitely check that out.

[Alvis]

The only thing mentioned there which I don't know how to check, are disc brakes.

How do I make sure it has disc brakes?

Also, I've found 3 at the moment.

Please tell me which one you'd pick.

1) 1997 GLI, green, 150000 km, w/ roof racks. $5500

2) 1999 GLI, black, 200000km, $5000.

3) 1998, GLI, black, 214000km, $4700.

Thanks.

Not sure if you're in Sydney but there was a good Civic for sale in Friday's Daily Telegraph - was a white one for around $7k with what I think was less than 100,000 on the clock - it would have got snapped up pretty quick tho for that price. Option 1 sounds best to me without seeing any pics.

FYI to your question below

Disk brakes:


By civica at 2010-08-01

Drum brakes:


By civica at 2010-08-01

[Doriya]

Ask the seller for "1) 1997 GLI, green, 150000 km, w/ roof racks. $5500" if he would reduce the price if he sold them without the racks

If not probably go for the "2) 1999 GLI, black, 200000km, $5000". The others are right, it really all depends on the paint, bodywork and engine condition though.

Don't be scared to give the seller a much lower offer (maybe $1000 less than the asking price, as long as you can back it up)

What should the price be for an EK GLI these days?

Are you saying it should be around $4000? Or is that just your bargaining advice?

If $5000/5500 (not willing to budge), is that still a decent price?

[Alvis]

What should the price be for an EK GLI these days?

Are you saying it should be around $4000? Or is that just your bargaining advice?

If $5000/5500 (not willing to budge), is that still a decent price?

Like has been said depends on engine, bodywork, how the car has been looked after (you can tell if it's had any love or not), has it been garaged, extras (tint, alarm, wheels - if it has mags get them to put stock rims back on to further get price down) - and find out if the car due for a major service because if it is you have good grounds for a price drop, check out rego expiry as well.

BUT most importantly do a REVS check to see if any money owing or stolen (happened to a friend of mine)...

http://www.revs.nsw.gov.au/

Good Luck

[Doriya]

Like has been said depends on engine, bodywork, how the car has been looked after (you can tell if it's had any love or not), has it been garaged, extras (tint, alarm, wheels - if it has mags get them to put stock rims back on to further get price down) - and find out if the car due for a major service because if it is you have good grounds for a price drop, check out rego expiry as well.

BUT most importantly do a REVS check to see if any money owing or stolen (happened to a friend of mine)...

http://www.revs.nsw.gov.au/

Good Luck

Just went to go inspect one.

Here is what I found. 1997, dark green hatchback, manual GLI.

Here are the rest of my findings:
1) Front bumper has cracked paint here and there, owner said it was due to small bumps (people with tow bars reversing into car, etc. looks to be only cosmetic damage)
2) passenger side of front bumper is hanging SLIGHTLY (seems to be a bit loose).
3) roof racks on top aren't removable (if removed, will still have the pads on there)
4) long key scratch on passenger side door (25cm)
5) slight bump on rear of roof (on the spoiler ish thing), due to bicycle being mounted there in the past. (width of a bicycle wheel)
6) muffler looks very "stock". Not sure how it should look, but should a GLI have a chrome muffler tip? or just a normal pipe?
7) accelerator was unresponsive for the first 0.5~1cm. Not sure if this is common with all civics, as I haven't driven one before, but i found the tacho didn't move until I pressed it a bit more than 1 cm down.
8) front number plate is bent (see point 1)).
9) interior is very clean, looks well maintained.
10) gear's shift well, car seems responsive and quiet.
11) very slight rattle when i broke or went over a bump (not sure what caused it), but it was very minor.
12) 153000km approx.
13) service records, serviced by honda.

Based on the above report, what should I do? He wanted 5500, I said 5000? and he said ok. I'll be taking it to the local mechanic to get checked out (which will cost $99).

Should I get it checked out? Should I offer a lower price first?

Please advise on this car.

Will be looking at my second one on Saturday, and possibly make a decision after that.

Thanks.

[Doriya]

bumping this because it's on the 2nd page now.

[Doriya]

Wanted your thoughts on this car.

1998, EK, GLI.
214xxxkm

The owner said it "had" a broken pulley or something, which caused the timing belt to break. He has since repaired this.

Is this a major worry when purchasing a car?

If so, what should I look out for when inspecting to ensure there are no issues. (Noise, engine oil colour, specific sounds?)

Thanks.

[mugen_ctr]

yes its a major thing, lol, if the timing belt broke, while the engine was running, its a disastrous thing, whole engine would need rebuild, ask the seller for more info about the timing belt snapping.... id be very cautious about that, ask as much q's as u can

[Mikecivic78]

Wanted your thoughts on this car.

1998, EK, GLI.
214xxxkm

The owner said it "had" a broken pulley or something, which caused the timing belt to break. He has since repaired this.

Is this a major worry when purchasing a car?

If so, what should I look out for when inspecting to ensure there are no issues. (Noise, engine oil colour, specific sounds?)

Thanks.

Sounds dodgy mate. :\ Obviously it wasn't very well mainatined if the timing belt snapped.

Keep looking, and aim for a car with <170,000km with service history.