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Going to see a used car tonight. Tips?
Im going to look at a car tonight. Im bringing a flashlight to do some checking. What should I look for guys/girls?
Since I dont drive manual, my dad will take it for a spin, but when we are looking around the car, what are some things to look at? thanks. |
Don't look at it at night....
Look to see if any panels are out of whack... Check the panel gap... Don't look at it during the rain... Miscoloured body panels... :D |
What about engine wise or anythign like that? Or listen to things to see how they sound?
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Check to see what the fluids look like, this will be a good indication of how well it was maintained. If fluids were changed at the proper intervels then they should look pretty clean.
Take a magnet with you to move over the body panels, this will tell you if there is any bondo on the car. Check the exhaust, the newer it looks the better. These are some of the things I would look at. Good luck and enjoy shopping! |
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Matt, make sure you don't get overly excited.. The dude will obviously try and unload it as quick as possibly.. Always take a night to sleep on the car and see how you feel about it the next morning before you purchase it..
That's my biggest advice to you. Besides that, drive it and ask as many questions as you want, don't be afraid of the seller. Best of luck! Shokker |
Don't be afraid to floor it either on the test drive...
If the owner complains... Just say you are testing for any hesitation in the motor or tranny slip... |
Originally posted by 94EG6HB Don't be afraid to floor it either on the test drive... If the owner complains... Just say you are testing for any hesitation in the motor or tranny slip... |
Dude, if it's a later model, get underneath it and inspect the floors and rocker panels. Poke them, check for rust, patch jobs etc. If this guy is straight-up about selling the car, he won't mind if you take it to your mechanic.. (which you should do BTW, just for a quick inspection). Get the VIN and spend 20 bucks at the ministry for a used car kit, it's always good to check for leans, how many owners, etc. It's better to spend a couple bucks to protect yourself, then to spend thousands to get screwed.. right? Good luck, Terry.
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Ok just got back.
Heres the scoop. I used the magnet, and found that he had done a patch job on both rear 1/4 panels, (typical hondas), it wasn't that bad but after inspection i could see that it had been patched from inside the wheel well in both 1/4 panels. Car has 162,000 km's on it, mint interior, very clean. No rust on the doors, or anywhere else besides the rear 1/4 panels. Car has ZC engine (checked the block and saw the Cam censor for DOHC). Guy put a brand new exhaust on (from headers back, inc. cat converter and all new pipeing etc). It has intake, with k&n filter. New windshield, clutch, pain job etc. Comes with 16" rims, with low profile tires, with lotsa rubber left. Were goign back tomorro for a test drive and better inspection in the day light. He wants $4400 for it, we might work it down. its e-tested and i think he said he will get it certified. |
I hope this might help you:
Umm dont give up when barging the price! He wants to sell the car but also wants the most money. Somewhere there is a medium and then you find it and you get a deal. You say xxx and he says no and you say xxx.....keep doing it but be serious about it and he will break down and suggest a medium, but keep YOUR price firm dont give in. |
$4000 even if the e-test works out...
Scare him into the deal with a $1000 cash deposit.. Go get em if its the car for you.... But make sure you've shoppped around and know EXACTLY what your buying??? |
Yeh thanks guys. I know I really wanted a CRX before a 4th gen, but would take one too. For the price, I think its a really nice car, with lower km's on it, because most crx's are like 88' and have over 200,000 on th ebody alone.
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Thanks everyone for your help, but i went again today, and noticed alot more body work had been done to the car. Bumper didn't line up properly, doors stuck out, and i noticed alot of bondo int he rear fender, and in the corner of the doors that I didn't last night.
I decided to walk away. It was hard but I didn't want to buy a car that would have rust come back after a year or so, then spend major cash to do it right. |
Originally posted by loudsubz Thanks everyone for your help, but i went again today, and noticed alot more body work had been done to the car. Bumper didn't line up properly, doors stuck out, and i noticed alot of bondo int he rear fender, and in the corner of the doors that I didn't last night. I decided to walk away. It was hard but I didn't want to buy a car that would have rust come back after a year or so, then spend major cash to do it right. I think the most important thing at looking at a car, is finding one with a good body. |
Originally posted by loudsubz Thanks everyone for your help, but i went again today, and noticed alot more body work had been done to the car. Bumper didn't line up properly, doors stuck out, and i noticed alot of bondo int he rear fender, and in the corner of the doors that I didn't last night. I decided to walk away. It was hard but I didn't want to buy a car that would have rust come back after a year or so, then spend major cash to do it right. Good eye... :thumbup: |
Let me ask you something, are you buying this car for transportation, or are you buying this car for speed??
If i was going for speed and had a 5000 budget, i would pick up a used V6 protege/323 for that price range.. OUt of the box it will run high 13's... and will cost you no where near as much for a used honda! I miss my protege so much, but once i slam the gas on my new 2k2, my feelings tend to disappear! ED Low 14's STOCK!! Baby Originally posted by loudsubz Ok just got back. Heres the scoop. I used the magnet, and found that he had done a patch job on both rear 1/4 panels, (typical hondas), it wasn't that bad but after inspection i could see that it had been patched from inside the wheel well in both 1/4 panels. Car has 162,000 km's on it, mint interior, very clean. No rust on the doors, or anywhere else besides the rear 1/4 panels. Car has ZC engine (checked the block and saw the Cam censor for DOHC). Guy put a brand new exhaust on (from headers back, inc. cat converter and all new pipeing etc). It has intake, with k&n filter. New windshield, clutch, pain job etc. Comes with 16" rims, with low profile tires, with lotsa rubber left. Were goign back tomorro for a test drive and better inspection in the day light. He wants $4400 for it, we might work it down. its e-tested and i think he said he will get it certified. |
I dont like the quality of Mazda.
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Interesting comment..
Quality of mazda?? Case in fact, my old protege sported a 1.8L BPD motor.. it was far superior over any civic engine possibly including the DOHC B16a.. Although it may not have the horsepower to match, the torque is all there, and if you get down to specs, it will blow the cans off the honda motor.. Case in point, civic motors are all open deck. 1.8L mazda motors are closed, and are turbo ready motors.. I know many miata guys running 15psi stock all day all night.. You try that on a honda motor that is not build and lets talk about quality.. Mazda 1.8BP motor is a closed deck, oil cooled pistons, and one hell of a strong bottom end. Unfortunately the 2.0L pos mazda engine in the newer proteges are more comparable in quality to your civic motors... They can't take that much boost.. I redlined my 1.8L mazda engine everyday at 7200rpms, and after 220,000kms, still no problems. Engine never burned oil and the compression tested out perfectly. I don't know where you get the comment that mazda has poor quality, because in actual fact, in know may civics with much poorer quality that mazdas.. In fact my girlfriends civic si 1996 is a POS and the car isn't even driven hard.. TO be honest, mazda is just as good if not better than honda in quality. In the styling department i am leaning more towards mazda now because honda seems to be blind on how ugly their newer cars are becoming, CASE IN POINT (CIVIC SIR, 7th GEN ACCORD etc..) ED |
I still dont like mazda. From experiences I have heard about and from some people I know, they have had troubles with their cars, with the engines and such, Im not leaning towards mazda. If you like it thats fine, but not me.
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Let the kid buy his civic!!!
A few points I need to make.
1) This is the Toronto Civics Club, not the Protege Club. 2) you're on crack if you think a 1.8BPD has a chance against B16A 3) Mazdas are Fords! (Ford owns controlling interest) (Escort and Protege, MX-6 and Ford Probe, Tribute and Escape) All the same car, for many years... In fact in the next 2 years, the redesign of the Protege will be based up on the Focus Chasis, (which has had 9 recalls in the last 2 years) 4) Its good that you've good experiences with Mazda, not everyone has. I'm sure it wouldn't be cool for everyone to start airing their dirty laundry. 5) Mazda need to have good styling because IMHO they make crappy products and need a way to sell it. ZOOM ZOOM my ass. I rather have a honda car with a honda motor anyday. |
Mini rx7:
OUt of the box it will run high 13's... and will cost you no where near as much for a used honda! |
My ford has a Mazda engine and man, let me tell you of the breakdowns...
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If i was going for speed and had a 5000 budget, i would pick up a used V6 protege/323 for that price range.. OUt of the box it will run high 13's... and will cost you no where near as much for a used honda! They made a 323/protege with a V6??? that runs high 13's???, where do you find this car??? japan? i searched autotrader and couldn't find a v6 323/protege, V6 percedia's are a dime a dozen, no way do they run 13's, the quality of that car is in question, one of my ex's had one and that thing had one problem after another not to mention my old 1.5L sohc non vtec motor had no problem keeping up with that V6, she traded it in for a 99 protege and so far has no problems with it. One thing i will give mazda is 0.9% financing is nice if you can pay a car off in 3 years, but then again if you could affoard 700$ a month payments you'd probably buy something else. If a guy wants to buy a honda or a nissan or a lada or a 120hp vw cabrio for $30000, just let him be my 2 pence |
I have to say a few things in on this!
Before i owned my P5 i had a 94 626 4 banger with 230 000Kms on it buy the end(before i sold it) And dam that car would not quit. had rims and exaust(super pimp ride) However i do feel that Honda had alot more customer satifaction than Mazda engines. A used Honda also resell at a way higher price than a Used Mazda which is a huge selling point. Don't get me wrong Mini's protege was the $hit, trust me i saw him pull crazy donuts in the Krispy Cream parking lot! Most 1.8 proteges kick ass..........really! But when it comes down to over all fit and finish i have to say Honda makes away with the winner. Personally i love the new SIR i can't stop looking at it, and i would really like someone to show me theirs(hint hint) Us Mazda owners own some nice cars too, our P5 were built with the same fit and finish then a 7th gen si. Mazda is coming up in the Auto world, but really only started getting Mad respect when they brought out the new 2.0LProtege. Before the Protege all mazda had to brag about was the 626(whoop de do) the RX-7(sick car you all know that) and the 323 GTX(mazdas secret wepon) |
Go ask Buff and Stuff....
He is used to everyone looking at his EP3 SIR... Has to clean HUNDRED'S of fingerprints off of it after every meet... Maybe if you buy him a coffee he will even take you for a ride... :thumbup: |
Re: Let the kid buy his civic!!!
1) This is the Toronto Civics Club, not the Protege Club. I lurk on this CIVIC Board to see what you guys are up to and to provide insights... I don't drive a honda but my girlfriend does, and i work on her civic all the time.. I believe she goes by the name WHITECIVICGURL.. I put her GTR wing, intake custom painted dash, etc.. so don't tell me i don't know civics.. 2) you're on crack if you think a 1.8BPD has a chance against B16A THat is a pure ignorant comment.. HOw many stock B16A motors do you know that can push 400hp out of the box in stock form. 1.8BPD motors are turbo derivatives from teh 1.8BPT motor and are stock motors in miatas... I can tell you need to recognize what other manufacutures have to offer other than HONDA>.. ANd for the record i drive a nissan 2k2 Maxima and no longer a mazda, however i keep an open mind and learn everyday about various cars.. 3) Mazdas are Fords! (Ford owns controlling interest) (Escort and Protege, MX-6 and Ford Probe, Tribute and Escape) All the same car, for many years... In fact in the next 2 years, the redesign of the Protege will be based up on the Focus Chasis, (which has had 9 recalls in the last 2 years) Again you don't know anything about what you are talking about.. THe escort used a mazda built motor (1.6L 1.8L) and so did the probe and MX-6... Yes the new protege will be based on teh focus chasis, but thats when mazda will fall down.. And try your CIVIC SIR vs the upcoming MAzdspeed 3, and tell me where your honda talk goes.. THe protege MP3 is already the best handling front wheel drive in the world, even better than the limited edition type R.. 4) Its good that you've good experiences with Mazda, not everyone has. I'm sure it wouldn't be cool for everyone to start airing their dirty laundry. Yeah, good point, again my girfriend drives a civic, and so do lots of my friends.. Some are good and some are plain out ****.. The one thing i agree withyou is that mazda service department sucks ****.. 5) Mazda need to have good styling because IMHO they make crappy products and need a way to sell it. ZOOM ZOOM my ass. I rather have a honda car with a honda motor anyday. YOu rather have a honda car with a honda motor?? Well why dont you drive a CIVIC SIR hatch (New edition( and tell me how many chicks dig your ugly ass wheels.. The proteg 5 is pretty much the best looking wagon out there, and its selling like hotcakes... Good styling?? the best styled civic ever built were the 92-95... 96-99 were not too bad, but after that, well thumbs down.. Honda's get uglier by the day... I know this is off topic, but i am glad you guys are interested in conversing about other cars .. you learn more when you exceed the boundries of just civics ya know.. ED |
Originally posted by 1sicsol Mini rx7: I dont beleive that. ED |
Originally posted by ROB THE BRUCE They made a 323/protege with a V6??? that runs high 13's???, where do you find this car??? japan? i searched autotrader and couldn't find a v6 323/protege, V6 percedia's are a dime a dozen, no way do they run 13's, the quality of that car is in question, one of my ex's had one and that thing had one problem after another not to mention my old 1.5L sohc non vtec motor had no problem keeping up with that V6, she traded it in for a 99 protege and so far has no problems with it. One thing i will give mazda is 0.9% financing is nice if you can pay a car off in 3 years, but then again if you could affoard 700$ a month payments you'd probably buy something else. If a guy wants to buy a honda or a nissan or a lada or a 120hp vw cabrio for $30000, just let him be my 2 pence Just as any civic can accept a B16A or B18C5 swap, mazdas can swap in the lightweight v6's in to the subframes.. Don't believe me?? check out www.a-spec.ca// The total swap costs less than a b16a upgrade, and thats including beefier tranny, suspension and engine installed for under $4000.. And then you will have a sleeper running high 13's.. As for whatever the guy wants to buy, i was only making a suggestion, i don't mind honda's at all, and rather we all hang because we love cars, and not because any one brand is better than the other.. Besides, i drive a car that is in a different class than a civic, however i still enjoy talking to you guys because you love your cars just like i do, and thus we have something in common.. ED |
Re: Re: Let the kid buy his civic!!!
ED>
I believe she goes by the name WHITECIVICGURL.. I put her GTR wing, intake custom painted dash, etc.. so don't tell me i don't know civics.. JSK>Umm... dumb comment but okay. 2) you're on crack if you think a 1.8BPD has a chance against B16A ED>THat is a pure ignorant comment.. HOw many stock B16A motors do you know that can push 400hp out of the box in stock form. 1.8BPD motors are turbo derivatives from teh 1.8BPT motor and are stock motors in miatas... I can tell you need to recognize what other manufacutures have to offer other than HONDA>.. ANd for the record i drive a nissan 2k2 Maxima and no longer a mazda, however i keep an open mind and learn everyday about various cars.. JSK>Well if I've made a mistake here, thats too bad. But you're way over your head, you gotta remember theres someone thats interested in buying a civic... end of story, if you want to start a debate, start a new thread. JSK>3) Mazdas are Fords! (Ford owns controlling interest) (Escort and Protege, MX-6 and Ford Probe, Tribute and Escape) All the same car, for many years... In fact in the next 2 years, the redesign of the Protege will be based up on the Focus Chasis, (which has had 9 recalls in the last 2 years) ED>Again you don't know anything about what you are talking about.. THe escort used a mazda built motor (1.6L 1.8L) and so did the probe and MX-6... Yes the new protege will be based on teh focus chasis, but thats when mazda will fall down.. JSK>I'll give you an opportunity to do a little more research before commenting on that one. ED>And try your CIVIC SIR vs the upcoming MAzdspeed 3, and tell me where your honda talk goes.. THe protege MP3 is already the best handling front wheel drive in the world, even better than the limited edition type R.. JSK>MP3 is a phenominal handler, too bad Mazda doesn't have a clue on how to build a gear box. And the Mazdaspeed Protege? We'll be talking, don't you worry. JSK> Its good that you've good experiences with Mazda, not everyone has. I'm sure it wouldn't be cool for everyone to start airing their dirty laundry. ED>Yeah, good point, again my girfriend drives a civic, and so do lots of my friends.. Some are good and some are plain out ****.. The one thing i agree withyou is that mazda service department sucks ****.. JSK> well atleast we agree on something, the Mazda service department sucks, not only that, Mazda as a company just blows monkey **** JSK> Mazda need to have good styling because IMHO they make crappy products and need a way to sell it. ZOOM ZOOM my ass. I rather have a honda car with a honda motor anyday. ED>YOu rather have a honda car with a honda motor?? Well why dont you drive a CIVIC SIR hatch (New edition( and tell me how many chicks dig your ugly ass wheels.. The proteg 5 is pretty much the best looking wagon out there, and its selling like hotcakes... Good styling?? the best styled civic ever built were the 92-95... 96-99 were not too bad, but after that, well thumbs down.. Honda's get uglier by the day... FYI I could spend all day slamming Mazdas, and in regards to the Protege5, I don't know if you saw the post but I actually owned one for a year.... Sorry Protege Club, but I've never had more problems with any other car in my life. It was the biggest POS and waste of money I ever spent in my life. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA, EVER! BTW: Why do you keep telling me "What I should do?" If you do it again, I'm going to poke you in the eyes the next time I see you. I'm serious I totally resent it when people tell me what I should do. ED>I know this is off topic, but i am glad you guys are interested in conversing about other cars .. you learn more when you exceed the boundries of just civics ya know.. JSK> Oh thank you Obi Wan Kenobi, the all knowing master of cars everywhere. |
Mazdaspeed vs SiR? How come Mazda needs to put a turbo on their 2.0 to get it up to 160-170 hp and Honda can make a 160hp 1.6 and a 200 hp 2.0. (as a matter of fact Honda also makes a 240 hp 2.0 but we'll leave the S2000 out of this one)
Also I highly doubt the MP3 can out handle a Type R. I am actually the owner of a 2001 2.0 Protegé (you might recognize my username from toprotegé.com) and I'm still glad I bought it cuz the 7g Civic couldn't touch it for the $ IMO, I got 130 hp, 16"alloys, spoiler, moonroof, rear discs, whiteface guages, etc... for the same $ as a 7g sedan with none of these options (and I get Honda at cost so that's pretty bad) but lay off a bit it's no supercar and this is a Civic forum. PS: My EG Civic runs circles around my Protegé! PPS: There are plenty of B16's running well over 400hp, Probably more than Mazda's 1.8... Ever heard of Lisa Kubo?.. Oh, sorry that's more like 700 hp! |
Originally posted by StewPiddass Also I highly doubt the MP3 can out handle a Type R. The MP3 is faster through the slalom than the Type R I know, crazy, but its still slow and has a lousy gear box! |
wow, lots of guys from the protege club here. cool. hehehe....
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Originally posted by 94EG6HB Go ask Buff and Stuff.... He is used to everyone looking at his EP3 SIR... Has to clean HUNDRED'S of fingerprints off of it after every meet... Maybe if you buy him a coffee he will even take you for a ride... :thumbup: |
To JookSingKid
If i have offended you, I never intended to do that. If not, then thanks for taking the time to reply to this post. First off, i never told you what to do. I am merely giving my points to this discussion. And if you slam mazdas, thats fine with me, because i don't even drive one. ON a brighter note, I just got back from Cayuga, ran against a heavily modified Acura INtegra type R, and my stock 2k2 pulled a 14.61 1/4 mile at a 96mph trap beating the type R who had a 14.7. I ran two 14.6 sec runs back to back. Not to shabby for a full size family car.. I saw the TAC fully modified CIVIC running i thnk 10's... But in the end, most civics and integras couldn't touch me. I also smoked a ford mustang v8 5speed, Acura 3.2 type S, and another maxima.. Oh well just wanted to share my times on my first runs.. ED |
Re: Re: Re: Let the kid buy his civic!!!
Originally posted by JookSingKid BTW: Why do you keep telling me "What I should do?" If you do it again, I'm going to poke you in the eyes the next time I see you. I'm serious I totally resent it when people tell me what I should do. Just wanted to add my part. STOCK My B16 makes 160HP (which is 100 HP per liter) I bought my del Sol because it's unique, (not like the P5's) and also because there are tonnes of common parts to civics so I can still take advantage of the massive ammount of available parts. At the end of the day a Mazda gets my heart rate going like my dads oldsmoblie. But when a B16 hits the 8000 RPM redline.... Oh and before anyone mixes it up mimiRx7 is ED the Nissan/Mazda guy, Not to be confused with Ed the del Sol guy. |
Re: Re: Re: Re: Let the kid buy his civic!!!
Originally posted by echien LOL AHhahaah, poke him in the eye Agh... that's funny.. Just wanted to add my part. STOCK My B16 makes 160HP (which is 100 HP per liter) I bought my del Sol because it's unique, (not like the P5's) and also because there are tonnes of common parts to civics so I can still take advantage of the massive ammount of available parts. At the end of the day a Mazda gets my heart rate going like my dads oldsmoblie. But when a B16 hits the 8000 RPM redline.... Oh and before anyone mixes it up mimiRx7 is ED the Nissan/Mazda guy, Not to be confused with Ed the del Sol guy. Too bad, i can not go past 6500rpm on my maxima, stupid rev limiter... I have VTEC too!!! LOL.. ED |
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