Looking To Buy Used Civic Sedan

[firescooby]

I asked this question on another civic site as well. Found this site and looking for additional opinions, thanks in advance.

I am looking to buy a used Civic as a second vehicle/ commuter car. I am gonna be buying anywhere from next week to the next few months. Basically just looking out for a good ride and gonna try to jump on it if I find it.

*** I am wondering what to look out for in these cars in these years (1995+). Do these cars tend to burn oil? Any major parts tend to give problems? Can I manage 250k miles out of one of these with good maintenance? I currently drive a 2004 Toyota Tacoma (5th Toyota) and I am religious about maintenance and use M1 oil at 5k intervals.

What I am looking for:

1995+ FOUR door Civic, 5 speed, low miles as possible and still be in the $5k range. I might be willing to go slightly (up to $6k) for a low mileage car in good shape. It must be four door and 5 speed. Color doesn't matter, nor does options. Cruise would be great, but will add later if it doesn't have.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[imported_Lacuna]

I would say look for an oil burner or transmission grinds. Honda won't be much different than a Toyota in the reliability department. I don't think the 6th gen offered cruise on a manual though. My biggest suggestion would be to not get a CX or LX.

[oompahlumpa]

http://www.autotrader.com
http://www.ebay.com

[firescooby]

Lacuna: Thanks for the help.


oompahlumpa: I was asking things to look out for. I know where I can find them.

[imported_comutek]

do you mean 96+? the 6th gen body is 96-00, the 5th gen is 92-95.

[CeeReX]

Originally posted by Lacuna@Aug 31 2004, 05:52 PM
My biggest suggestion would be to not get a CX or LX.

He is looking to get a sedan,they didn't make a Cx sedan.
He also said that it doens't matter what trim level,so whats wrong with an Lx?

Basically transmission and oil burners,those are the things to look for.Obvisouly the higher the trim level the more options you get,so that will be for you to decide.

[imported_Lacuna]

Nothing is "wrong" with the LX, but it's a gas saver. When comparing the gas milage between the EX and LX there is not a significant difference. So why get a used LX with less power, less braking power, and lets not forget about options. Expecially when we are talking about a small price difference between trims on a used vehicle.

[Smooth_Imports]

Originally posted by Lacuna@Sep 1 2004, 10:17 AM
Nothing is "wrong" with the LX, but it's a gas saver. When comparing the gas milage between the EX and LX there is not a significant difference. So why get a used LX with less power, less braking power, and lets not forget about options. Expecially when we are talking about a small price difference between trims on a used vehicle.

Ummmmmmm, Braking power?? They both had front disk and rear drums? So theres really no differance, And the only option the EX has the LX dosen't is a sun roof.

And lets not say a big power differance because the LX has noticibly a better low end power curve then the EX. Even though the EX has Vtec, It's not that much of a power gainer.

[Vtec_Power]

I have an EX sedan chilling in front of my house, its up for sale if interested. But one thing to look out for is the windows coming off the tracks, the AC control line binding on you, the Heatercore/blower going bad, Oilpan drain plug/gasket leaks, be wary of auto transmissions. Thats all I gotta say other than that they are solid vehicles if you take care of it.

I believe all of the EX sedans came with 4 wheel disk brakes...may just be the 5th gens but who knows. IMO I belive the 5th gens were built better than the 6thand following generations of the civic. You can find some really decent Sedans for REALLY cheap used.

[Smooth_Imports]

Originally posted by Vtec_Power@Sep 1 2004, 11:14 AM

I believe all of the EX sedans came with 4 wheel disk brakes...may just be the 5th gens but who knows. IMO I belive the 5th gens were built better than the 6thand following generations of the civic.

I don't know about 5th gen brakes but the only 6th gen civic to have 4 wheel disk brakes ws the SI.

As far as 5th being better then 6th. It really depends at what your looking at, Each had it's own better qualitys.