Reliability of 96-00 Civic (EK)
 

I'm looking to get something cheap and reliable for booting to work. With my Accord getting turbocharged this summer, driving it back and forth to/from work is looking rather unsensible.

I'm looking at 1996 to 2000 EK Civics as a daily driver, specially the hatch. But I'm concerned about the following:
* Rust
* Drivetrain
* Suspension components

How reliable are those particular components in that generation of Civic? Please no un-biased comments, I want some straight facts about the longevity and reliability of this gen Civic.

Anything I should look for in particular if/when I find a suitable one?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Same as any other civic.....

Typical honda rust
Typical tranny grinds when beat on
since when has suspension ever been an issue?

I don't see anything wrong with DD'ing a turbo'd car as long as you do it right and don't cut corners.

Typical Honda Rust - aside from the quarter panel surface rust, where else should I pay attention to?
Tranny grinds - 1st/2nd? or high/low rpms?
Suspension - I just read some FS ads and some of them mention suspension components replaced with new, I'm assuming there may have been an issue with them?

Keep the replies coming!

i bought an EK about a year and a half ago, stock everythign was perfect, it got me from point A to point B without a fuss, was kept in good condition, no rust, suspension was fine. My own experience is about all i can tell you lol...since then ummm let's see can't tell you about the tranny cause i did a swap, still no visible signs of rust, suspension, had a worn bearing that needed replacing, that's about it

No where unless there's exposed metal

2nd/3rd at high rpm shifts

only problem I've ever experienced was that a lowering spring went soft and the tires started rubbing

i had one for 2 years, 0 problems mechanically.. other than it being a tinbox deathtrap... its a good car :)

My 98 Si had about 170,000k's on it when I traded it in. I had 0 problems with it. The tranny did have a mild grind from 2-3 at very high RPM, but the syncros were replaced under warranty. The suspension was problem free and the car had no rust. The only money I really spent on it during the 4 years I had it was on basic maintenance. I'm actually looking for another as a daily driver myself.

get an accord if you are not set for a civic....since it seems like you want a daily driver not a ricer...

accord are priced similarly compare to the civic...since civics are over priced cause of the "tuner" craze...


problem with civic...RUST...seized rear disc if so equiped...timing belt (record of it being changed)...weak brakes...1.6L SOHC under power...

quite reliable...make sure the engine hasn't been swapped or modd'ed internally than you are more likely to run into trouble with CEL and stuffs...

First look for accident repairs if anything doesnt line up and bondo. Pop the trunk slightly move carpets from both quarter panels look for smooth factory paint inside the trunk. If panel is rippled its been hit and bondod smooth on the outside. You can knock and listen for deep thud thats not metal or bring a magnet. Should still be original paint for that generation if its stock. My 00 ex 4 door beater no accidents and doesnt look like any rust is forming for years to come 130k so far
For rust check the rear quarter panels, underbody and if there is water flooded in the spare tire well
For drivetrain take it once like you stole it if it grabs hard shifts fine
its good. d trannys are like what? 60 buxs?
For suspension if its slammed u will get the common balljoint gremlin, camber, cv boots and broken driveshafts with slicks problem or if your balljoint does go out
Other than that it probably burn lots of oil, overheat or has a distributor problem like a pos

i have a 1996 coupe...has 280 000 on it...and runs fine..first problem i had was a broken valve...not bad for 280 000 kms..little rust started on the hood..but otherwise no problems

look for the ones made in japan

96-2000

transmission bearing...

water in the hatch (tail light gasket)

second O2 sensor failure

or Header's crak...

rust for hood


paint pealing for few colour

rear wing fender rust


That all, i think so

that doesn't make a difference, particularly on a 10 year old car....

But dude, it needs to be mad jdm.... It is a honda civic after all.

I have a 99 si, it's up around 290,000 now and it has never had more than average maintenance done to it.

the only rust i have is from little chips that i never had fixed

I had a 2000 EK from new. In the first 2 years i had 3 drivers side power window regulators replaced under warranty. in the 3rd year a wire in the power lock unit kept arcing so that needed to be replaced. Also under warranty. I sold it back in 2004 soon as the warranty was up. Went back to EG's for a while.

I had an EK hatch for 10 years. The car was bought new in '97 and just sold this summer. Other than the regular maintenance I didn't have to do any other repairs or anything. The suspension felt way better than my brother's 01 Civic, I had actually no rust on it, not even on the rear quarter panels, and even though some people said that they had some problems with the transmission, I had no gears grinding or anything.

I would definitely recommend the EK Civics to anyone willing to buy one.