I want your second opinion on this car...

[jaylo]

I am in the process of purchasing this car for winter driving. I am trying to haggle the price but I believe that the person is asking a little bit much for this car.

I mean I don't want to lowball because this person is a good friend but at the same time I want to be honest and offer at least a reasonable price. Any help will be appreciated!

It is a 1988 Honda Civic hatchback, it has 245,000KM on it. Here are my observations:

The good:
-clutch replaced at 180,000KM
-drives straight
-idle is good, engine sounds healthy
-heater very hot
-lady driven
-no accident
-should be excellent on gas

The bad:
-Super rust everywhere
-driver side headlight water damaged
-tail lights water damaged
-driver seat extremely ripped (seatbelts too)
-engine block coked with oil (could be vc gasket or worse)
-windshield crack in the middle
-timing belt never been done
-battery dead
-no stereo
-passenger side key not working (broken in before)
-driver side rear bumper falling off
-passenger side axle shot
-setting #1 on the fan does not work, 2-4 are fine

The pics:
















Thank you in advance!

Jay

[jcrules99]

i personally wouldnt buy it, but if i had to, i wouldnt pay more than 500

[AE92_TreunoSC]

timing belts break aroudn 200,000 on those hondas, and as you may know its an interference motor. The labour on the timing belt is almost worth more then the car.

Plus it wont pass the safety without the worth of the car being spent on it either from the sounds of it.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

wont pass safety... lots of stuff to get fixed... sounds like a car you pass along as a first vehicle... not worth more than a hundred... better off giving it to the kidney foundation

[japancar]

I would have to agree. Unfortunately this car needs too many things done on it. If its a beater you want, then go for it. Be aware of the mechanical problems, since if they can go on you, they will.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I wouldn't touch that car, it's probably worth $200 and no more.

[SilverBoost]

If it were an animal, you'd be humane and euthanize it to end it's suffering.

[Cruz]

Originally posted by SilverBoost
If it were an animal, you'd be humane and euthanize it to end it's suffering.

+1.

Strong chance it won't get you through the winter in the shape it's in.

[rc2002]

Most of the problems you listed are quick and cheap fixes. If you're willing to put the time in, then they'll make it so that you can get a better deal on the car. Engines for that car are easy to find, as are parts.

It'd be a good project car, but driving beaters in the winter doesn't appeal to me. You'll want a reliable car when it's -35C out. I would just go and lease a pontiac sunfire or something.

[jaylo]

Yes they are cheap fixes and I want to haggle down the price some more and maybe spend a little bit to fix it. But it will probably shoot close to $500 to fix the car itself.

[asp integra]

way to many problems to make the car worthwhile, i say combine the money u were gonna spend on this car, and the cost of repairs and get something that will last the whole winter!

[frostyda9]

I say go for it. It's a total POS, like a winter beater should be. Change the axle and TB, make sure the alternator is working and get busy with some winter e-braking