Daily driver opinions...

[starfox07]

I'm needing a new car badly right now, and it will function as my only car for some time into the future. While I love mustangs, its just not what I need right now, nor really what I want. I'm looking for a fun, good handling, reasonably quick car that can get good mileage.

A friend of mine wants to sell me his 95 Civic coupe for $4,000. Its a very very clean dx model with a JDM b16a(complete with KM/h gauges ), hondata, throttle body, headers and a few other bolt ons. The swap is very professionally done and the car is basically pristine.

The only thing that i noticed is that 2nd gear will grind if you don't shift quickly enough. The exhaust is pretty loud too, but I think that could be fixed. The car is high 14's capable and seems to handle very well. What do you guys think? I know its a honda, but its really clean, and I know the last person to buy the car (current owner did a trade for it) paid more than $5k.

The other option is a stock 5 speed prelude, but they are hard to find under 5k, although they look nicer and are more "classy." The only rice thing about the car is the loud exhaust, other than that, its just a lowered civic with nice wheels.

So basically, is a clean 95 civic coupe, with a bolt on B16a worth $4,000?


here is a (tiny) pic of the car in question.

[Ottobon]

no, buy a CRX

actually that particular civic seems okay, i can almost guarantee you that the problem with the exhaust is either too large a diameter or too large of a tip, either will drone like crazy and make a typical rice sound.

I also support the prelude idea, as it seems to go with the great ideals of comfy, but fun.

Just make sure you test drive the hell out of everything.

[BigDaveDogg]

Lol, so ya did decide to post this here, eh?

[Prost264]

I think 4,000 is too much, honestly.

Get the price down and it'll be a good DD.

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by BigDaveDogg

Lol, so ya did decide to post this here, eh?

[prizrak]

Get a used WRX those are pretty fun.

[airmenair]

Originally Posted by prizrak

Get a used WRX those are pretty fun.

For $4K? Where are you looking at cars? I assume there is some sarcasm.

In regards to the civic i'd say no. What you say you want doesn't match up with this car IMO. You want a reliable, funnish daily driver, that has a but of refinement. I don't see it in this car. It looks like something that would become tiresome after much monotonous driving, which is what daily driving is. Also I really recommend buying stock cars regardless to how well done the job is. If this was a project or a weekend runabout or track car thats one thing, but this is another. Be a little more patient and you'll find something.

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by airmenair

For $4K? Where are you looking at cars? I assume there is some sarcasm.

+1 Bro, there are some skewed perceptions of reality around here...

Originally Posted by airmenair

In regards to the civic i'd say no. What you say you want doesn't match up with this car IMO. You want a reliable, funnish daily driver, that has a but of refinement. I don't see it in this car. It looks like something that would become tiresome after much monotonous driving, which is what daily driving is. Also I really recommend buying stock cars regardless to how well done the job is. If this was a project or a weekend runabout or track car thats one thing, but this is another. Be a little more patient and you'll find something.

When the previous owner had it, it was about as clean and good running as a new car.(like not one blemish in the paint or stain in the interior, engine bay was absolutely immaculate, not a bolt out of place) I do know how the current owner has treated it though.

[argatoga]

Can you get a decent Miata for $4k? Even if it's a bit slower, I'm sure you'd have much more fun with it.

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by argatoga

Can you get a decent Miata for $4k? Even if it's a bit slower, I'm sure you'd have much more fun with it.

I just don't like Miata's. They are too small, and to girly looking.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by starfox07

I'm needing a new car badly right now, and it will function as my only car for some time into the future. While I love mustangs, its just not what I need right now, nor really what I want. I'm looking for a fun, good handling, reasonably quick car that can get good mileage.

The only thing that i noticed is that 2nd gear will grind if you don't shift quickly enough. The exhaust is pretty loud too, but I think that could be fixed.

What you want for a DD is something that's going to be good on gas and ***reliable***. All else is secondary.

This Civic is not it. In addition to the complexities introduced with the engine swap, it sounds like this one has a bad synchro that will necessitate a transmission rebuild in the near future. Plus the exhaust work will cost money. Finally, buying a used car from a friend that's trying to unload it is often a bad idea.

Here are some better options from today's Dallas-area Craigslist.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/564433317.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/564386568.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/564235089.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/564217973.html (throw $1000 into the AC system and drive the wheels off it)

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/563836237.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/563766796.html

[Crazyjeeper]

What about something like this?

[airmenair]

Originally Posted by starfox07

+1 Bro, there are some skewed perceptions of reality around here...



When the previous owner had it, it was about as clean and good running as a new car.(like not one blemish in the paint or stain in the interior, engine bay was absolutely immaculate, not a bolt out of place) I do know how the current owner has treated it though.

From the sounds of it, you're going to have to spend time and money just to get the car to the point of where it is liveable. (And you'd already be spending $4k) I can't comment on how it is to drive, but my instincts tell me it would be tiresome. I assume you're considering this primarily because it just presented itself in front of you. But ask yourself, is it something that you actually really want? Would you actually be looking for something like this if it hadn't come upon you?

[The_Finn]

the B16a makes it seem worth while (ebay says north of 2k for a JDM motor and tranny) add to this the Hondata TB (does he have a hondata ecu as well?) and obviously try to talk him down

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by The_Finn

the B16a makes it seem worth while (ebay says north of 2k for a JDM motor and tranny) add to this the Hondata TB (does he have a hondata ecu as well?) and obviously try to talk him down

I know the previous owner paid $5700 for the car, and I think it does have the honda ecu. I know it will rev past 9,000rpm! After owning the car for only a short while, he traded it for a 96 Cobra, and now I want to buy it.

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by airmenair

From the sounds of it, you're going to have to spend time and money just to get the car to the point of where it is liveable. (And you'd already be spending $4k) I can't comment on how it is to drive, but my instincts tell me it would be tiresome. I assume you're considering this primarily because it just presented itself in front of you. But ask yourself, is it something that you actually really want? Would you actually be looking for something like this if it hadn't come upon you?

The only thing that would make it even remotely unlivable is the full race Recaro seat. I can pick up the original seat for free though, and probably sell the Recaro and recoup some money! (Its worth over $1000 new I believe, all kevlar) I should have not really mentioned the exhaust. It's not loud enough to be obtrusive inside the car, just when you really get into it.

[TBoneUs]

After just dealing with the Dallas used car market not that terrible, but I dont really know Hondas so dont listen to me. I was looking for a miata, but in my experience you cant get a high quality Miata for 4k. 5k will do it though if you look hard enough.

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by TBoneUs

After just dealing with the Dallas used car market not that terrible, but I dont really know Hondas so dont listen to me. I was looking for a miata, but in my experience you cant get a high quality Miata for 4k. 5k will do it though if you look hard enough.

See thats the thing. I've been around this car for a while. I know that its a good car and has never broken down on any of its owners. I know its in good shape and I know its been treated right. Going with a car from not around town is sort of a risk, you might end up with a car with many hidden problems that the owner would obviously not reveal.

[Hidden_Hunter]

Ignore, ricers like to talk up the reliability of the B series motor (like in the integra as a 1.8) but they have a habit of drinking oil when older and leaking from seals. Also check power steering, they have a nasty habit of leaking as well

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by Hidden_Hunter

Ignore, ricers like to talk up the reliability of the B series motor (like in the integra as a 1.8) but they have a habit of drinking oil when older and leaking from seals. Also check power steering, they have a nasty habit of leaking as well

I don't think the powersteering leaks, but I will look into the oil. That would be a leakdown test correct? I've heard that the B16 has a little more longevity than the B18, and I would assume thats to do with the longer stroke in the b18=higher piston speed.