miles high club

[civicMR7]

how many miles is too much, im looking at a 95 ex civic with 200k miles, 1 owner fro 2200, well maintained, and a 95 ex civic with 117,000 miles, well maintained for 2900, and a 94 ex with 102k miles for 4,000. Im trying to spend the least possible, what would your choise be? should i be scared of the high miles or be blind to it and allow the honda;s reliability to take over?

[polacek]

I have 212,000 92 dx getting 41mpg. Only problem I had once was the Ignitor inside the distributor cap went bad. Other then that, oil, filters, belts, fluids, etc all have been changed per the shop manual. A lot of guys here like to upgrade their cars for racing, but if you are looking for an A-B car, I have no doubts in my mind that anyone of those listed are good to go. Problem with the 200k car is that everything rubber starts to fall apart, including CVJ boots, hoses, etc. Something to consider in the purchase. Another thing, if you know how to do minor repair, oil, belts, etc, then you should have no reason to buy a car with high miles. Engines with about 35k miles go for (plus or minus a couple hundred) $800, depending on mileage and add on's. I just bought a Honda CBR, 22k miles, most would say that is high mileage for a bike, but it looks great and the engine is in top notch condition. Keep doing your homework and you'll be happy .

[Miataracer]

my car had about 170k on it before i started modifying it and it still ran great. high miles are nothing to be scared of if the car has a decent history

[cndctrdj]

i just bought a 92 with 200k on it. the car gets me to and from work. it burns oil like you would not believe. i am trying to fix it the cheapest way possible. but it has gotten me to and from work with no problems yet. just remember its a civic. dont try to go fast in it and you wont have problems.

[Miataracer]

by the way, i bought my car mostly stock for 2,000 about a year and a half or two years ago

[polacek]

I should note that my car had 16 miles when I bought it from the dealer 11 years ago. I know exactly what went in and what came out of the car. I still have not lost a single drop of oil. Ok, maybe the time when the rear main seal gave out...not to good on the driveway.

[Miataracer]

Originally Posted by polacek

I should note that my car had 16 miles when I bought it from the dealer 11 years ago. I know exactly what went in and what came out of the car. I still have not lost a single drop of oil. Ok, maybe the time when the rear main seal gave out...not to good on the driveway.

that is always good. i really like to know the history of a car. on the other hand i bought the car i have now off a dealer back lot knowing nothing about it other than the fact that it looked like it was rode hard and put away wet and wasn't starting

good thing i changed out all of the drivetrain and suspension

[polacek]

Mind me asking what you have added / upgraded to your car Miataracer?

[Shaguar47]

Good question there. The 5th gen is coming up here soon for me to buy one and the miles are scaring me too. But wouldn't you say that 150k and after is usually when you need to start replacing the basics, like oil filter, spark plugs, wires, dist. cap/ rotor, all that good stuff. But you guys are serious though that the high mileage doesn't affect say activation of vtec in the ex models and performance they are supposed to have. Mines only to 130k now but getting a newer car with higher miles might be better since the newer they are, the better. RIght?

[GScivic7]

150k on a Honda motor is just barely breaking it in. My world history teacher sophmore year in high school had an 82 Accord that had close to 325000 miles on it, ran strong still, and she sold it for $800.

[rushb18]

Well its always good to change the oil filter when you change the oil.

[Shaguar47]

Originally Posted by rushb18

Well its always good to change the oil filter when you change the oil.

Well, there's a ton of idiots out there that don't change it with ever oil change so I guess you'll need to check with them.

[polacek]

I think everything that you mention Shaguar47 should be replaced even if the car you are buying has 50,000 miles. The only person that knows what was done to the car is the previous owner. Some people say the best cars to buy from are the older crowd. I think it is better to buy one from someone in their 20's or 30's. This is purely an opinion, but the reason I think is, is because as you get older your priorities change and changing the oil ever 3-4k miles as well as other PM's gets passed up. I never asked anyone about what I think, but if you think I am crazy, let me know.

[polacek]

Mines only to 130k now but getting a newer car with higher miles might be better since the newer they are, the better. RIght?

The one thing Shaguar47 I would question is, does the car get you from point A-B? And if (probably do) you do all the PM on your car wouldn’t you be more comfortable knowing if there is a problem, then you would know what to do? I sure as heck would, the only way I am getting rid of my car is an accident or theft. I hope I didn’t jinx myself!

[civicMR7]

ok, I went the checked out a 94 accord ex. Looks great outside, a couple small dings, but new paint job, and looks great. The interior needs some work, like a new door panel on the left, a speaker grill on the right, a few bolt covers on the ocea handles and maybe a new armrest if im picky. Overall the interior needs work but its not my concern.
The car has 140,000 on the odometer. The dealer told me that while in his possesion the engine blew up, something about the piston ring going? So he replaced the engine with a used 60,000 mile engine, did the timing belt while he was at it and said the distributor was going so he fixed that and the alternator.

Now obvisouly the transmission is still stock, 140k on it. It rides nice, if i step on it, it still has the overdrive. It sometimes shifted real smooth other times its lagged for a sec then kicked in hard. I spoke to a freind today who has a 94 ex and he explained the same shift affect in his car. He said that's how the accords shift at the time.

The car was at 3950, and he dropped it down to 3300 to which I agreed upon. I had it checked out by my mothers honda mechanics she has been going to for 20 years or so. They said the car is fine, needs a new exhaust probably by the end of the winter. And they have no estimate with the transmission. They said to offer him 3,000 for the car.

Now my roomate swears I should haggle more. and says that the dealer is lying about everything just to sell me the car and the transmission has TOO MANY MILES. I know the transmission will go eventually, but how many more miles should I expect out of a 94 tranny with 140k on it.

I need help and I need it fast, any one have suggestions?