I dont know where else to put this so ill just post it up in here... right now my car's in the shop and it looks like itll be in and out for a long time and i decided that with what little money i had left i should probably go and buy a cheap, reliable used car... so i found a '91 civic hatch in Columbus, Oh (i live up here) and im going to go take a look at it tomorrow and possibly buy it from him... i dont know much about honda's and was wondering if anyone knew of any problems that are associated with these cars... its has a 5 speed and the chassis has 200,000 miles on it and the engine/ tranny were replaced with a new set that had 86,000 miles on them... he claims to have many new parts on it including brakes, exhaust, radiator, tires, battery, clutch, paint, starter, alternator, and timing belt... the car is also stock... thanks a lot for all of your help
-Josh

 

Ask for the reciepts. And don't take any excuse for an answer. If they did replace that shit they will have reciepts for it. If they don't then the either didn't have the work done, or they are a complete fool for not keeping proof of the new stuff. Either way you wouldn't want to buy that piece from them if that's the case.

 

thanks for the comment... i was already planning on doing that... does anyone else know of any problems that i should check for that are common with this generation civic?
-Josh

 

anybody? c'mon guys- i know someone knows something about these cars or where to find info at least...

 

Check the Honda Tech forum yet?

 

Just remember the chassis has 200,000 miles on it, even if the engine doesn't. Other, probably minor, things will eventually start to give out.

For instance, both of my cars have non-working windshield sprayers. I have to carry a bottle of water to wash the window. Not a big hassle.
Both cars have the heat/air come only out the bottom. Dash vents don't blow at all. Not a big hassle.
Neither car has A/C working, no mention of that on your Honda, or whether you care.

Also, who did the engine swap? And how long ago; as in, have any kinks been worked out, or will you have a nightmare on your hands if you have to figure out how he rigged it to work? If they've driven it, say, 10,000 miles already, it's probably fine. If they just swapped the engine and are selling it, I'd stay away.

I'd rather have a 150,000 mile original engine, than a 90,000 mile swapped motor of unknown origin. How would you even know the true mileage on the motor?

 

ok i just got back from columbus(thats where it was)... i drove the car for about 15 minutes and i didnt find any problems... no noises whatsoever, and the chassis was as tight as it could be... it rode sooo nice and i cant find anything wrong with the car except some blemishes on the exterior like a lil bit of rust, but thats expected from a 13 yr old car in ohio... the tranny had longer throws than i like but that can be easily fixed... i ran it hard and i got it to spin in first and even chirp in 2nd... woot woot lol... but anyways i bought the car and drove it to my house over 2 hours away without a single hitch and with a big smile on my face the whole time... the car could get me into trouble though b/c the speed kept gettin away from me... one minute id be goin 70 and then id look down and the needle's readin 85... and i never noticed it- thats how solid it rode... i just might keep her after all... lol thanks for all of your help guys and ill keep you posted in the honda forum if you want to see how she does... later
-josh

 

ok i just got back from columbus(thats where it was)... i drove the car for about 15 minutes and i didnt find any problems... no noises whatsoever, and the chassis was as tight as it could be... it rode sooo nice and i cant find anything wrong with the car except some blemishes on the exterior like a lil bit of rust, but thats expected from a 13 yr old car in ohio... the tranny had longer throws than i like but that can be easily fixed... i ran it hard and i got it to spin in first and even chirp in 2nd... woot woot lol... but anyways i bought the car and drove it to my house over 2 hours away without a single hitch and with a big smile on my face the whole time... the car could get me into trouble though b/c the speed kept gettin away from me... one minute id be goin 70 and then id look down and the needle's readin 85... and i never noticed it- thats how solid it rode... i just might keep her after all... lol thanks for all of your help guys and ill keep you posted in the honda forum if you want to see how she does... later
-josh

 

This line made me laugh

 

Imagine that