New to hondas and this forum

[dan89]

Hey all, my name's Dan... Right now I have an '02 Mustang GT but I'm looking to sell it and get a 4th gen civic hatch... I've found one on craigslist near me, anything I should look for on the car?

[FrodoGT]

Rust in the rear 1/4's just above the wheels. Leaks into the cabin mostly in the rear. Bad synchros. Brurning oil etc, normal for old cars. Also check turnbuckles and ball joints, they will likely be worn. They really do run for freaking ever and they dotn have a ton of "problems". More just stuff that comes up on any old car that should have had maintenance and didn't lol.

[Christ]

don't forget excessive bushing wear, and check the rear trailing arm bushings, if they're broken, you can usually get another $200 off the price of the car.

motor mounts, look for tape on the wiring harness in places that it doesn't seem like it should be (very common), check the overall condition of the engine just like you would any other car, take it to a mechanic before buying, and check the floor under the car where the firewall meets the floor pan for rust.

Ensure that the undercoating is intact, and all the plastic pieces under the fenders and bumper are there and properly mounted. (These protect the car from getting moisture and dirt in areas that may cause it to rust.)

[Tony]

Show me a car that hasn't recently had the trailing arm bushings replaced with good ones? Its not possible. So far that is the main guarantee I can find with Hondas, if it has a trailing arm, the bushings are going to be shot, unless it was recently replaces or has Energy Suspension bushings.

Frodo got most of it, but I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out what a turnbuckle is.

[FrodoGT]

Steering link. Tie rod, same shit.

[Tony]

I was thinking you were talking about the tie rod end. Man they have 20 different names for the same part.

[dan89]

so basically check what i would on any older car, in addition to the 1/4s and the seals in the back... thanks for the help guys I know some cars have certain weak points that need to be looked at... I just hope this guy hasn't sold it yet

[FrodoGT]

The thing is that the cars dont have many characteristics that you would look for while purchasing one, but rather while owning one. I could go on for days about all the little quirks that these cars have that many others do not. But it just makes me love them more. Knowing that for each thing it does, I know exactly what it is and why it does it and how to fix it. Its like that old ass tv set that randomly goes fuzzy and takes that perfectly placed little love tap to make it come back into focus, and only you know about it. The car takes on a personality. Either you love it and accept it. Or it frustrates and embarrasses you.

[Christ]

To love, honor, and obey... <(--- the oath of a Honda Owner.

BTW, in most cases, the idea is that most ppl who own hondas and haven't done anything to the car don't know that the TA bushings are bad, and hence, will feel like an ass for trying to sell the car to you w/ bad bushings.... so you can get a couple hundred off the price, usually.

[dan89]

Originally Posted by Dr0pZ0n3

To love, honor, and obey... <(--- the oath of a Honda Owner.

BTW, in most cases, the idea is that most ppl who own hondas and haven't done anything to the car don't know that the TA bushings are bad, and hence, will feel like an ass for trying to sell the car to you w/ bad bushings.... so you can get a couple hundred off the price, usually.

I'll have to remeber that, i've got two in mind now.. both are '91. one's blacked out with 17's and a recently rebuilt motor and the other is red with a black hood and appears to be stock... i'll keep yous guys posted

[amy@af]

psssht....you guys are wussies. look for rust, everything else is wrenchable.

[dan89]

going to check out a '91 hatch with a recently (25k mi ago) rebuilt d15 this afternoon, i'm 90% sure i'm gonna grab this one, i'll post some pics if i do

[BLU CIVIC]

hope it works out

[dan89]

I'm getting it! Runs smooth Manual everything (just how i like it), Black ICW 17's, Sony xplod stereo, apparently the a/c works too! I've got to wait for his dad to come back in town to sign the title, which will be next week...

First mod: dropping it an inch or so

quick picture:

[BLU CIVIC]

looks like a civic

but how are you going to drop it? coilovers? lowering springs? make sure you do it right the first time b/c whenever you "drop" these cars the stock shocks are blown shortly thereafter...