Looking for a 99-00 sir...very disappointing search
02-Dec-2008, 08:38 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2008
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Looking for a 99-00 sir...very disappointing search
I am very disheartened after looking for a few weeks for a 99-00 Honda Civic SIR. Every single one I find has either been salvaged, hidden accident vehicle, theft recovery, repaint, misc mechanical stuff not working, paint in poor condition, engine swapped with no paperwork, interior in horrible condition.
I want this car because I owned it as a kid and I can't explain why I want it other then that. It was a joy to own. It is very disheartening to see that pride of ownership is virtually non existent in these cars. When I sold my cars, they were immaculate with respect to mechanical condition and cleanliness. I know it is a 9-10 year old car, but I sold my civic after 8 years and it was gorgeous.
On top of all this, some people are out to lunch on the value. These horrible condition cars have ranged from 5k-12k in asking price. I am absolutely beside myself as to how these horrible condition cars can be listed for so much.
Am I expecting too much?
I want this car because I owned it as a kid and I can't explain why I want it other then that. It was a joy to own. It is very disheartening to see that pride of ownership is virtually non existent in these cars. When I sold my cars, they were immaculate with respect to mechanical condition and cleanliness. I know it is a 9-10 year old car, but I sold my civic after 8 years and it was gorgeous.
On top of all this, some people are out to lunch on the value. These horrible condition cars have ranged from 5k-12k in asking price. I am absolutely beside myself as to how these horrible condition cars can be listed for so much.
Am I expecting too much?
02-Dec-2008, 11:19 PM
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where my car is.
Posts: 5,460
The 2000 civic SiR that I own has had a not so good life before it fell in my hands. But the story has a happy ending...
It began life, originally sold in Florida as a usdm Si model. Over it's life time, it has been salvaged not once but twice (as shown on it's carfax report), and though I wasn't told by the previous owner or salesman, I can tell it has been stolen at least once as well. The previous owner before me brought it up here to Canada (changed the badging, gauge cluster) where I bought it and has finally been given the loving home it deserves. (lol, sounds like I'm talking about a pet).
It had 90,000kms (supposedly) on it when I bought it in feb 06 and now has just broken the 200,000km distance. Do I care about it's path? No. Not now anyways. Because I know the car inside out. I know the car is solid and it has never ever given me any trouble what so ever. Nor has it left me stranded. The engine runs mint, not burning any oil (no blue smoke at all) and has recently put down very healthy numbers on the dyno for a stock B16A2. All I've done is routine maintenance and your typical timing belt every 100k etc...
I guess what I'm saying is, it is possible to buy a car with a horrible past and still have it be as reliable and good as any unmolested car.
But I do agree it is hard to find mint original cars these days, especially rare Honda's. People steal them and rip them apart for their guts. It is a sad reality for us Honda folk.
It began life, originally sold in Florida as a usdm Si model. Over it's life time, it has been salvaged not once but twice (as shown on it's carfax report), and though I wasn't told by the previous owner or salesman, I can tell it has been stolen at least once as well. The previous owner before me brought it up here to Canada (changed the badging, gauge cluster) where I bought it and has finally been given the loving home it deserves. (lol, sounds like I'm talking about a pet).
It had 90,000kms (supposedly) on it when I bought it in feb 06 and now has just broken the 200,000km distance. Do I care about it's path? No. Not now anyways. Because I know the car inside out. I know the car is solid and it has never ever given me any trouble what so ever. Nor has it left me stranded. The engine runs mint, not burning any oil (no blue smoke at all) and has recently put down very healthy numbers on the dyno for a stock B16A2. All I've done is routine maintenance and your typical timing belt every 100k etc...
I guess what I'm saying is, it is possible to buy a car with a horrible past and still have it be as reliable and good as any unmolested car.
But I do agree it is hard to find mint original cars these days, especially rare Honda's. People steal them and rip them apart for their guts. It is a sad reality for us Honda folk.
02-Dec-2008, 11:31 PM
#5
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Join Date: Sep 2008
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I would not mind a salvage or theft recovery vehicle as long as I am the one making the repairs/replacements. Maybe I will go that route and buy one that has been salvaged and or recovered theft and replace the stuff myself. At least that way I can make sure things are done right.
03-Dec-2008, 11:04 AM
#6
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Car had 126,xxx kms, bought it from orgional owner a 62 yr old guy (my friends neighbour) the old guy bought is as an economical car, then when he started taking care of his grand kids so he bought a jeep. The car sat in his garage for 1.5 yrs. All the matiantance records came with the car, it was serviced at honda for evey oil change (never more that 5,000 apart). But he had not down the timing belt or water pump yet. He sold it to me as is $2000. He krowned it every year and only drove it in the wonter to go out of town (he lived downtown and was able to walk everywhere). I had to do the tps sensor it was throwing a code, gave it a little tlc, got is safetied and then parked it for the winter. Only issue with the car are is a press in dent on the pass door, lke someone hit the door while backing out of a parking spot, and the front bumper is cracked.
So you can find a good honda for an ok price that hasn't been abused.
03-Dec-2008, 07:17 PM
#8
I belive i found a great honda, 98 coupe dx 5 speed
Car had 126,xxx kms, bought it from orgional owner a 62 yr old guy (my friends neighbour) the old guy bought is as an economical car, then when he started taking care of his grand kids so he bought a jeep. The car sat in his garage for 1.5 yrs. All the matiantance records came with the car, it was serviced at honda for evey oil change (never more that 5,000 apart). But he had not down the timing belt or water pump yet. He sold it to me as is $2000. He krowned it every year and only drove it in the wonter to go out of town (he lived downtown and was able to walk everywhere). I had to do the tps sensor it was throwing a code, gave it a little tlc, got is safetied and then parked it for the winter. Only issue with the car are is a press in dent on the pass door, lke someone hit the door while backing out of a parking spot, and the front bumper is cracked.
So you can find a good honda for an ok price that hasn't been abused.
Car had 126,xxx kms, bought it from orgional owner a 62 yr old guy (my friends neighbour) the old guy bought is as an economical car, then when he started taking care of his grand kids so he bought a jeep. The car sat in his garage for 1.5 yrs. All the matiantance records came with the car, it was serviced at honda for evey oil change (never more that 5,000 apart). But he had not down the timing belt or water pump yet. He sold it to me as is $2000. He krowned it every year and only drove it in the wonter to go out of town (he lived downtown and was able to walk everywhere). I had to do the tps sensor it was throwing a code, gave it a little tlc, got is safetied and then parked it for the winter. Only issue with the car are is a press in dent on the pass door, lke someone hit the door while backing out of a parking spot, and the front bumper is cracked.
So you can find a good honda for an ok price that hasn't been abused.
Keep looking, you'll find one you like/want eventually. I looked for a good 3-4 months solid before I found mine. All the good ones were sold by the time I called.
03-Dec-2008, 11:00 PM
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2008
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Realistically, what should I be aiming to pay since the price gap is just rediculous. Lets say original everything in very good condition with 150k. What would be a reasonable price to pay? I can't see it being worth more then 6k.
Any input?
Any input?
04-Dec-2008, 08:35 AM
#15
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Posts: 667
Let me know if you are interested.
04-Dec-2008, 10:51 AM
#17
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The search continues...
