97" Honda Civic 1.4i

[Danny180]

I was just wondering if there were any common faults to look for on the afor mentioned vehicle?

I am going to buy one for my girlfriend and I wanted to know what to look for before I go. I am an experienced mechanic but I haven't had much experience with Civic's.

Just a few pointers would be very much appreciated.

Thanks all.

 

[Prince]

Just check out everything as normal...if it has a full service history it should be ok as Honda's are sound as far as faults are concerned, plus they'll go forever! I'm sure she'll be very happy!

 

[obi_waynne]

I think accident damage is pretty much all you need to watch for. The engines should not leak oil and as Prince says are pretty reliable.

If it doesn't have a full service history walk away - you could be paying for some elses neglect. Have you thought about the body style - the coupe is very nice but even a 4 door hatch has pleasing lines to it.

 

[Danny180]

It is a Coupe, she don't like 5 door cars. Ok, well thanks for the info guys. Obviously I'm going to be checking out all the usual stuff and my contacts at the DVLA will be able to tell me a few things that perhaps the seller may 'neglect' to tell me.

Thanks for your help.

I'll post some details if I do decide to get it.

 

[pgarner]

i had the 5 dr car for 4 years bought it at 52k and traded it in at 98k. at the 60k service i was told trailing arm bushes would be lucky to get 2k more out of them. still hadnt changed them when i sold it, and it was still handling klike when i got it. Never took it back to hondas again for a service they wanted around £600 worth of stuff done to it ( It had a full 60k service done at 52 when i bought it, new timing belt etc) and the only thing i had to shell out for was 2 back boxes 1 mid section (really should have went stainless after the 1st one ) 4 sets of brake pads (3 cheap 1 decent) and a set of new discs. oil changes every 6k and the thermostat gave up on me at 94k so a serious overheating issue if sitting behind someone. changed coolant and thermo, no other issues other than that.

Hope thats some help to you

 

[pgarner]

oh yeah and should have said they need to be reved hard to get anything out of them under 3k theres nothing

 

[Danny180]

Thanks for the info mate. Obviously I won't be taking it to a garage as I will do the work myself, so no worries there. She won't be using the vehicle for power, she's not interested in speed, just likes the look of the car. I will keep in mind the power aspect though and also I may look into s.s system aswell, probably make one up myself though rather than take it to a 'specialist'.

If you do know of anything else that may be of use just let me know as it is very much appreciated, unfortunately, I know my Pugs, Hyundai's, Skoda's, VW's and Vauxhall's, but not my Honda's.

Cheers.

 

[pgarner]

yeah i ended up doing most of the stuff myself after that 1st shock. if id changed the pads for decent ones the 1st time then i prob would have only had to change them twice rather than 4 times.

i always had an issue come MOT time with the rear drivers brake drum. it failed the 1st 2 years as it was full of crud. after this i got my mechanic to clean them both out before testing. doubt this will be an issue if theres discs on the rear.

structurally its a very strong car. i slipped on wet gravel, think there must have been some oil as well, and went over a roundabout. blew out 3 tyres and wreaked the honda alloys. all the car needed was the tracking adjusted everything else was fine with it

 

[Danny180]

Well, I can do all the work myself if it does have drums, I'm used to getting down and dirty with cars.

Hmm, I don't know if it does have discs on the rear, haven't physically seen it yet.

Ouch, that must have been a bit of a crash then?

I'm going to moddify it for her anyway, new alloys, brakes, suspsension, decent s.s exhaust, might trim the seats in black leather for her aswell, depends how generous I feel lol.

 

[obi_waynne]

The things we do for love eh? What if she insists on you getting her a pink one?

 

[Danny180]

Ha, no, she hates pink cars, she wants a full respray in black.
Even if she did ask for Pink, that wouldn't happen as I'd refuse to allow it lol. Then she'd refuse something else and I would end up doing it. Good job then that she doesn't want pink lol.

Well, as I said, it depends on how generous I'm feeling as to what I'm going to do for her (in terms of the car obviously).

 

[obi_waynne]