Going to purchase used Civic, help needed

Have you tried Carfax? not sure why you can't bring to a mechanic to inspect just as an added safety net.

I would think it needs a timing belt/water pump at 90k miles?

Go check out a Honda forum for any specific issues that people are seeing. What is the KBB for a car of that age in that condition? Have you checked to see what a Strut job will cost? I would get him to knock part of that off too.

Quote from Jabbit : I would think it needs a timing belt/water pump at 90k miles?

They always say that but my '97 Civic made it through 160k miles w/o any replacements. That said, if your timing belt does go, whoa...!

Quote from slikdealer4life : I don't have access to a mechanic to inspect it.

What does this mean? There is no mechanic you can take it to!?!? You should absolutely have it looked at.

Quote from slikdealer4life : SDers need some help, have been reading SD threads on buying a car and need some help before I pull the trigger. I'm about to purchase a 2002 Civic DX Automatic Coupe for $4850 cash. Clean title, 84000 miles. Front struts need replacement. Has some scrapes and two minor dents on bumper and boot. Private Party, single owner. Has been serviced at a dealership regularly, last was a month ago. I don't have access to a mechanic to inspect it. I inspected it, it drives fine. Anything I should be worried about? Buyer claims he doesn't want hassle of craigslist and is reducing under KBB fair because of dents.

At 84k, it may need another brake job soon. The tires that have been used have probably been good for 45-50k, in which case another set may be needed soon as well. Check for uneven wear on all tires to see if it needs an alignment. A strut replacement just for the front will cost in the area of $600 by a mechanic or $300-400 if you do it yourself. Take off the front tires and check around the strut for any leaks, signs of oil around the seal. As long as the oil changes have been kept up the engine should be in good shape and those cars last forever if they are well maintained in which case I wouldn't worry too much about the timing belt/chain. I had a 98 Lumina and 88 Cavalier wagon that both went for 350K and never replaced the timing belt. In my experience, it's been the Fords that have been notorious for timing belt and water pump deterioration and failure. Check the color of the transmission fluid. The differential fluid may or may not need replacement, Don't let the kid at Jiffy Lube sell you on it because it is hermetically sealed and really shouldn't be a problem. I have never replaced it. Look under the hood and under the car for any signs of oil leaks. Let it run for a while and then park it in a different spot and then check the ground underneath it. If it looks too clean under the hood, it may have been steam jennied to hide any signs of leaks. Check for wear on the water hoses, especially where they are close to hot engine parts. Check the color of the coolant. As someone else said, a CARFAX is a good idea. Too many, especially now, second level used car dealers have bought cars at auction that have been declared a total loss by insurance companies, either destroyed in accidents and barely come back to life or have been flood damaged. Especially now with all of the flooding going on in the midwest and a few years ago by Katrina in the south. These cars have made it back to a temporary life and a CARFAX will reveal its history, tarnished or clean. These are all things that you, or anyone with a little knowledge, not necessarily a qualified mechanic can check.

Thanks for the inputs,

I had it inspected by a mechanic. Needed transmission fluid to be flushed according to him and front struts replacement. Also he said the rear tires were mismatched (different brands) and could not be rotated.

The car was actually an LX trim. No oil leaks. Also pulled a Carfax, which was clean.

Quote from slikdealer4life : Thanks for the inputs, I had it inspected by a mechanic. Needed transmission fluid to be flushed according to him and front struts replacement. Also he said the rear tires were mismatched (different brands) and could not be rotated. The car was actually an LX trim. No oil leaks. Also pulled a Carfax, which was clean.

You can change transmission fluid yourself its easier then a oil change on hondas, just make sure you use the Honda ATF fluid not the generic equivalent. Also its never recommended to flush a honda transmission ever. If a mechanic told me that I would point him to the official Honda repair manual for the year of car I have where it states not to flush it. Its a simple drain and fill there is no filter to replace either. Its idiot proof. I hope you didnt tell the mechanic it needed the struts replaced, before you took it in. If they arent creaking or leaking they probably are fine.

I would suggest getting the timing belt replaced not because of miles but its 9 years old its due. It will run you probably $400 - $600 at a dealership. Have a dealer do it, it will actually be cheaper most likely they do so many of them compared to a local garage they can do it much faster. I would not suggest doing it yourself. I did mine myself it was a very consuming project, it did save me $300 but Im not sure if it was worth it.

Quote from angiosperm : A I wouldn't worry too much about the timing belt/chain. I had a 98 Lumina and 88 Cavalier wagon that both went for 350K and never replaced the timing belt. In my experience, it's been the Fords that have been notorious for timing belt and water pump deterioration and failure.

Hondas had zero clearance engines up to a few years ago, if the timing belt brakes it takes lots of "stuff" with it. Most often the engine is just scrapped it costs more to fix then its worth. Most cars if the timing chain or belt brakes you just replace it and your on your way again.

maintenance has not been done so you will need that taken care of, if he's looking to get rid of quick make sure you look everywhere. Make sure body panels aren't mix match, black isn't always black.

Quote from moey : Hondas had zero clearance engines up to a few years ago, if the timing belt brakes it takes lots of "stuff" with it. Most often the engine is just scrapped it costs more to fix then its worth. Most cars if the timing chain or belt brakes you just replace it and your on your way again.

+1

Replace it by 100,000. Otherwise Bye Bye car.

i have a 4 door LX 2002 civic.. At about 85k I needed my belt and pump changed (my buddy does my car, so I know it needed it)....