Fel

Hey everyone,

Just joined the forum. Whether or not I stay as a long time member is up in the air, I don't yet own a Civic.

This is sort of why I'm here though... I am looking at getting one, and there's one I have lined up. 2001 Si, with about 180,000km on it.

What I'd like to know is, what should I know?

Let me know any specific trouble spots I should watch out for, what kind of maintenance I should look forward to, things like that. If the car looks decent, I'll be taking it in for a PPI before I make any purchases, but I'd like to have a bit of knowledge going in.

Thanks, and hopefully I'll be here a while!

J-SKI

welcome,

hard to say....i mean it's a civic.
is it manual or auto, stock or aftermarket tampered, do all visible lines line up ei hood, trunk, bumpers. any power options, really dirty enigine bay components with signs of leaks,

if the car was maintained, inside and out, the milage is high but it will last a lot longer before engine dies. just bring it to your mechanic for good walk through and try to take it at highway speeds for at least ten minutes.

good luck

how much are they asking for it?

Fel

Hey,

Car is automatic, likely completely stock. I'll be having a good look at the body when I see it, but I haven't been yet. I'm going to be looking at it tomorrow.

This specific car was hit on the front. The owner didn't have insurance, so the bodyshop GM bought it from them. His shop fixed it up... only mechanical damage was to the radiators, which were replaced. He was going to keep the car and give it to his daughter, but apparently she isn't doing so well in high school and is no longer getting a car from dad... haha. Based on this information, I'm not too concerned about accident damage... if the guy was willing to put his daughter behind the wheel, he's convinced it's safe. He is also willing to cover any of the repairs done to it.

Nonetheless, if it does seem like a good candidate, I'll be taking it for a thorough inspection... I have a hook up with some mechanics in the area that will give it due diligence.

He's asking 5400 for it, I'm planning on talking him down a little. The car is in Mississauga.

Jay P

check maintenance has been done reg, condition of tires, wheels, everything, @ 180km check if timing belt has been changed.... uh and anything else jski mentioned

k_r_a_c_k_e_r

iTrader: (3)

Welcome

DumbasSi

Its auto, dont buy it. The only 2 real issues that some of the 01-05 Civics had was problems with the automatic transmission and front struts that wear out fast. Also, 2001 was the first year of that generation and they say you should always stay away from the firt year of production until the bugs are worked out. Its also been in an accident and repaired.

I would look for an 03+ 5 speed if I was looking for that generation of Civic.

What is your budget?

Fel

Unfortunately the car has to be auto... my girl needs to drive it on a regular basis, and she refuses to learn stick. Been down that road, I'm not going to push it... I'm not bothered, I still get to keep my other stick car.

I would like to spend as little as possible, honestly... I'm just looking for something reliable to drive daily, in the 5-6k range. This one fit the bill which is why I'm looking at it. I would love to get a newer one, but I'm not in the mood to be spending bigger bucks on a car right now.... I'm still paying off another car I bought this past summer.


edit:.. are there any obvious signs that the transmission is going bad? Hard shifts between any particular gears?

DumbasSi

If your budget is 5-6, I would look for a 2000 then. They are the older generation, but better in most peoples opinions. They are a bit more basic, but more problem free too. I dont recall any real isues with them. They look nicer in most peoples eyes too. And if you wanted to mod it even slightly, there are many more parts available for the older generation.

I had a 98 and an 03 and I enjoyed the 98 much more.

Do some reading
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum - Honda Civic Forum
2001 Honda Civic complaints, problems & defects information -- [ CarComplaints.com ]
2001 Honda Civic Consumer Review
Take the reviews for what they are, peoples opinions. But certain things like the suspension and tranny are mentioned alot.

Fel

Good to know, thanks.... I'll have a look at some of the 2000 models. I don't mind basic, my cars are a '93 and an '85... I prefer to focus on the driving, not the doodads.

Tuning and modification is a possibility, but only to a mild degree with this car. Most of my mod money goes elsewhere.

Fel

Geez... found a 2000 Si with all the right options..... but 299,000km! Is that trouble for a Civic? He's asking $3800

DumbasSi

I'd say thats alot of k's, but if was maintained it might be worth a look, but for less money.

I just did a quick search on trader.ca and there are a ton of Civics with half as many k's for about $5000 or less.

Fel

Yeah found one at Standard Auto @ lawrence and keele.... 2000 Si with 200k for 5500.

Anyone know the lot? Are they straight?

fingolfin

just look on kijiji or craigslist...

forget about buyer from a dealership... they no better then buying a car privately

Fel

I've been scouting both for about a week... a few things here and there, the first car I mentioned is one of them... I'll probably be going to see a few this weekend.

Dealer is no better than private, but also no worse... plus I can potentially trade in my other car with a lot, as opposed to privately trying to offload it (however, it's unlikely).

bengali548

RUST RUST CHECK THE RUST

especially underbody rust but RUUUUUUST

spike

Welcome to the Club. When buying any used car, you never really know what your getting untill you get it. But good luck with it if you get it. You will enjoy it.

Fel

Haha... yeah, that's always good advice. Rust is a major headache... it's eating away one of my cars right now, and I hate it. I've very careful about it now, and always Rust Check my cars. It's a wonderful product.

Thanks! Yeah, impossible to catch it all, but I'll hope for the best... I've been lucky so far in life... just hope my luck keeps up! *knocks on wood*

Sumol15

Absolutely, I read and heard the same thing. I got a used 02 instead.

rick10

if your budget is 5-6 k you may as well get a 2000 like someone else said. My sister has the 2001 and to be honest i was not impressed , my 2000 drives better and imo looks better too.

You could also look at the acuras. They are the higher version than the civics , my sisters boyfriend has one and it drives amazing

2000 ACURA 1.6 EL SEDAN 4 DOOR
2001 ACURA 1.7 EL

MPR

Welcome to the club!