Need help choosing a car(Honda Civic in mind).

[Hitman47]

So my budget is 10 Gs to buy a car. Doesn't mean I need to spend them all.
Looking for good conditions (Im not a mechanic) & a car with cheap insurance.

Im pretty much set on Honda Civics, but need some ideas on the best options:

- Go to Honda Official Used Cars (they offer a 48 month payment plan I think)

- Go to a dealer

- Buy on kijiji, or similar site (The following look interesting)
--- http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2003-HONDA-CIVIC-SE-AUTOMATIC-FOUR-DOOR-A-C-ONE-OWNER-W0QQAdIdZ267435141
--- http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2005-Honda-Civic-Base-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ267256074
--- http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2002-Honda-Civic-LX-4DR-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ267038845
--- http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1999-HONDA-CIVIC-COUPE-E-TESTED-2300-W0QQAdIdZ261005094
--- http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2001-Honda-Civic-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ267340025
--- http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-Honda-Civic-1-8-DX-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ266833952
--- http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2005-Honda-Civic-DX-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ264467741

Thanks for your time guys. Im buying a car soon.

[davesparky6]

Privately is always the best bet... You'll save around $2000 or so.

[Xtrema]

Go private.

Find the newest one at $5 to $6K range. They don't depreciation much beyond that unless they are in bad condition or really high mileage.

The biggest expense is the timing belt that suppose to be done @ 100K and 200K. So if the mileage is over 100K, make sure you get seller to provide proof that timing belt change is done because I have seen people stretching it up to 150K. If the belt is gone, your engine is gone.

[Hitman47]

Thanks for the prompt response guys.

So any advice on the ones that I listed from Kijiji?
Which ones seem like good offers and why?

[natejj]

Disregard, didn't see you were in Ontario.

[mugenmclude]

All those listed have no mention of repair work done. I for one keep all records even though i don't plan on sell my family car any time soon (05 civic Reverb)

As stated above timing belt,water pump and regular maintenance should be done. Though the manual says T belt do at 170,000 kms but that's pushing it in a lot of peoples opinions.If it snaps,it usually bends valves and causes alot of damage.

I also heard of auto trannys on honda vehicles being weak,i stay away from any auto though.

Id try the 2006 civic. If you don't mind the dash. More power from the engine is a bonus but if like the si model,i hate the drive by wire lag and rev hang.

[Xtrema]

That 05 with 80K and 06 with 64K are better bet of the bunch.

You won't be looking at big ticket repair for a while. Because I'm sure timing belt/water job must run into $700-$800 by now (my last Civic was well over 10 years ago).

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Xtrema
That 05 with 80K and 06 with 64K are better bet of the bunch.

You won't be looking at big ticket repair for a while. Because I'm sure timing belt/water job must run into $700-$800 by now (my last Civic was well over 10 years ago).

If you do it yourself, parts are only $300-ish. :)

Yes on private sales but bring a mechanic friend if you're not mechanically-inclined.

[Hitman47]

Originally posted by Xtrema
That 05 with 80K and 06 with 64K are better bet of the bunch.

You won't be looking at big ticket repair for a while. Because I'm sure timing belt/water job must run into $700-$800 by now (my last Civic was well over 10 years ago).

Thanks a lot. There are posts like this I like : ).
Any other opinions appreciated. I need to buy a car in 1, max 2 weeks.

As for the other guy who was trading a couple. I don't live in calgary :S