Used car shopping over!

[redsox1975]

Finally my quest for a vehicle has ended, no more watching Craigslist like a hawk or dealing with Car dealers.

Found a 1999 Honda Civic EX with 102,000 miles on it. Paid a little more than I wanted, the guy was asking $4500 and I got it for $4300. Basically bought it right out from under a guy who was on his way to the bank to get $4500. The car has been garaged and is in nice shape. The used car market around here is nuts, I paid over KBB for it, but I think I can get another 100K out of this car if not more. The fuel savings versus driving my F150 back and forth to work will save me around $2000 a year.

 

[Dave Hess]

Great find. Is your car automatic or 5 speed ?

We had a 1998 Civic EX and it was a great car.

 

[redsox1975]

Automatic transmission. The only negative is the timing belt hasn't been replaced, so I will have to get that done. Has good Michelin tires on it which is a plus.

How much does it cost to have the timing belt and water pump replaced? Ball park figure of course.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: redsox1975
Automatic transmission. The only negative is the timing belt hasn't been replaced, so I will have to get that done. Has good Michelin tires on it which is a plus.

How much does it cost to have the timing belt and water pump replaced? Ball park figure of course.



I'd guess $400 for a timing belt replacement, if you can find a decent price mechanic.

Not sure if that's one of the years with the junky transmissions, but I'd be servicing it religiously.

 

[gregk24]

PICS?

 

[skyactiv]

If your mechanically competent, it's an easy car to replace the t belt and water pump on. I'm sure there are good Youtube videos on it. The crank bolt will be tight and requires a good impact wrench is a must. I adjusted the magnetic switch to get the air-compressor to 140 PSI to remove mine.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: redsox1975
Automatic transmission. The only negative is the timing belt hasn't been replaced, so I will have to get that done. Has good Michelin tires on it which is a plus.

How much does it cost to have the timing belt and water pump replaced? Ball park figure of course.



I have a 97 civic hatch with the auto trans as well. I do an annual drain and fill on the transmission and it shifts like a champ (using Valvoline MaxLife ATF).

I changed the timing belt myself on the car, but as mentioned by others, it will probably run you $400 for a shop to do it including water pump.

Regards, JC.

 

[Dave Hess]

That generation Civic has a reliable transmission. Just do 2 drain / refills with ATF and your trans will be good to go. I prefer ONLY using Honda ATF.

If you buy your parts online from RockAuto any local shop can do the labor for around $300.
Post pictures if you can. In my opinion this generation Civic will always go down as the best.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: redsox1975
How much does it cost to have the timing belt and water pump replaced? Ball park figure of course.

Hamilton Honda NJ occasionally advertises a ~$390 tb/wp, drive belt special, which is known to be a very low price. So imo you'll be doing very well to get it for $400-475.

Congrats on new to you ride. I would do a trans drain and fill, easy diy and a good place to start for unknown maintenance.

 

[JavierG]

Good find. Based on your estimate the car will pay for itself within 3 years! Wow!

 

[morepwr]

I would put too much into paying over what KBB says. Its just a guide and they are not always right compared to real world pricing. For a car with proven track record as being reliable and fuel efficient, I think you did just fine. Used cars are in such demand that the prices are higher than most expect.

 

[AKhan87]

Yes you overpaid but if you like the car then you made the right decision, 102k...did you carfax to confirm? It's a joke to put in a gauge cluster from another civic, takes 5 minutes maximum...also there is a way to change the actual mileage as someone on eBay was offering it at one point.

I'm not saying follow my advice on the timing belt but I had 320k on a 2000 automatic civic and now have a 180k on a 96 civic, never had timing belt changes, these cars aren't hard on the belts...keeping that in mind don't rush the change and take your time to find a competent mechanic that will do it in within 150-200 labor Maximum...rockauto.com buy the gates timing belt component kit without water pump and buy an OEM water pump, the cheapest I found at oemautopartz.com

In my opinion I would do 200k intervals with timing belts & water pumps on 96-00 civics. Just makes sure to use Gates belt as it's OEM and an OEM water pump at each interval. I rather spend money on quality parts then overpay someone for labor when you could definetly find someone who would do it for less.

 

[pottymouth]

Originally Posted By: redsox1975
Paid a little more than I wanted, the guy was asking $4500 and I got it for $4300. Basically bought it right out from under a guy who was on his way to the bank to get $4500.


Glad you got the car you wanted, but I think you got played on this one. Why would the seller give up $200 if he had a solid buyer coming back from the bank with the full $4,500? It's a good ploy on the part of the seller to generate a sense of urgency on your part and get you to make a quick decision before thinking about it.

Either way, good luck with the car.

 

[supton]

Sounds like a decent deal. The used market is nuts right now. If it really only has 102k and is low/no rust tho it probably is worth it. Good luck!

 

[cptbarkey]

i think you paid too much and that car is a death trap in a major wreck. however perception is king, and if you think you got a good deal that is all that matters, enjoy.

 

[redsox1975]

Originally Posted By: pottymouth
Originally Posted By: redsox1975
Paid a little more than I wanted, the guy was asking $4500 and I got it for $4300. Basically bought it right out from under a guy who was on his way to the bank to get $4500.


Glad you got the car you wanted, but I think you got played on this one. Why would the seller give up $200 if he had a solid buyer coming back from the bank with the full $4,500? It's a good ploy on the part of the seller to generate a sense of urgency on your part and get you to make a quick decision before thinking about it.

Either way, good luck with the car.


No I didn't get "played", my wife overheard a guy say he was willing to give 4500 for the car and was going to go get the money. I had already sealed the deal, cash in hand wins. This was a private party deal and it took a while to get him to budge off of his asking price.

 

[redsox1975]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
i think you paid too much and that car is a death trap in a major wreck. however perception is king, and if you think you got a good deal that is all that matters, enjoy.


I would say most cars are death traps if the accident is major enough. I've been watching Craigslist for months and if you see a Honda around here you are going to overpay, no question.

I'm sure there are bigger and better deals in Texas.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
i think you paid too much and that car is a death trap in a major wreck. however perception is king, and if you think you got a good deal that is all that matters, enjoy.


To post something like that before someone buys and is looking for opinions, fair enough. To do so post purchase is totally classless.

 

[Dave Hess]

Low mile Hondas and Toyotas keep their value.


BTW, the PCV valve is next to the oil filter, not near the valve cover. When you do an oil change and remove the oil filter, that is a good time to install a new PCV valve. Clean the wire mesh screens on the IAC valve as both tend to get grimy.

There is a very small screw on the rotor that holds it onto the distributor. When you remove the cap... the rotor is positioned that you will not see the screw. Just crank the engine for a fraction of a second and the rotor will spin 180 degrees and the screw will be visible.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Low mile Hondas and Toyotas keep their value.



No kidding. The other day I looked up my truck. One year and 10k later NADA and KBB had it at the same price as purchase!