Advice for buying used Accord/Civic, please?

My husband and I are looking for a cheap but reliable 2nd car. We've
found the resale value of VWs (our first choice) to be kinda high, so
we thought we might check out Hondas. We need to fit 2 adults, 2
dogs, and a baby potentially, so that means 4 doors.

So, first, would the Civic be sufficient (one dog is a greyhound!), or
would we need to look only at Accords?

Second: how young of whichever is recommended can we get for around
$2000 through private sale, with A/C, manual trans, dual front airbags
and 4/5 doors, that will last about a year, year and a half? If it
dies after that, it's ok, lol. But it has to be pretty reliable in
the meantime. Or is that a pipe dream? We really can't afford more,
seriously...

Anything else we should be thinking about/of?

Thanks for any info!

Kristen

 

Don't know where you are, but I last year found a nice '93 Accord in
Frederick MD for $2500 (single airbag). There were many more on cars.com
to look at in that price range. I'd stick to Accord over Civic, just
because they are bigger. Really comes down to your preference. bob

 

Don't know where you are, but I last year found a nice '93 Accord in
Frederick MD for $2500 (single airbag). There were many more on cars.com
to look at in that price range. I'd stick to Accord over Civic, just
because they are bigger. Really comes down to your preference. bob

 

The fifth generation Civic was made from 1992 to 1995. In most cases, the
last one made in a series (eg 1995) is the best of the bunch since any
bugs found in prior models in the series were repaired. In other words, by
the time the 1995 was made--most all or perhaps ALL of the bugs have been
eliminated. If you can find a great deal on a 1995 Civic--buy it. For
these same reasons, consider the 1996 Prelude or the 1997 Accord. All of
those models were the last in the series.
Jason

 

The fifth generation Civic was made from 1992 to 1995. In most cases, the
last one made in a series (eg 1995) is the best of the bunch since any
bugs found in prior models in the series were repaired. In other words, by
the time the 1995 was made--most all or perhaps ALL of the bugs have been
eliminated. If you can find a great deal on a 1995 Civic--buy it. For
these same reasons, consider the 1996 Prelude or the 1997 Accord. All of
those models were the last in the series.
Jason

 

I think you will prefer the Accord, comfort-wise. I'm not sure how much more
space it affords.

Based on www.edmunds.com, I'd estimate 1994-1996 are possibilities.

As a baseline, Edmunds states for my area (which is not on either coast) one
can expect the following for about $2500:

1995 Accord DX
automatic transmission
air conditioning
100,000 miles
Average condition

Change the mileage to 150k miles, and the average private party price goes
down to about $1300.

I wouldn't go over 150k miles. I'd aim for a 100k miles or lower.

I would expect you could get another 100,000 miles out of this car, assuming
you maintained it properly.

Try to get a car with a written maintenance history. Preferably, a 1995
Accord with a 100k miles on it will have had its timing belt changed in the
last few years. If it hasn't negotiate this into the deal. Figure a $500
credit.

Elle
1991 Civic LX sedan, original owner

 

I think you will prefer the Accord, comfort-wise. I'm not sure how much more
space it affords.

Based on www.edmunds.com, I'd estimate 1994-1996 are possibilities.

As a baseline, Edmunds states for my area (which is not on either coast) one
can expect the following for about $2500:

1995 Accord DX
automatic transmission
air conditioning
100,000 miles
Average condition

Change the mileage to 150k miles, and the average private party price goes
down to about $1300.

I wouldn't go over 150k miles. I'd aim for a 100k miles or lower.

I would expect you could get another 100,000 miles out of this car, assuming
you maintained it properly.

Try to get a car with a written maintenance history. Preferably, a 1995
Accord with a 100k miles on it will have had its timing belt changed in the
last few years. If it hasn't negotiate this into the deal. Figure a $500
credit.

Elle
1991 Civic LX sedan, original owner

 

We are on our 3 accord. I would highly recommend it. The one I am driving
now is a 92 and we got it 2 years ago for $1200 in central Ohio. Needed a
few cosmetic things for about $100. Still driving it, looks good,
everything works except for AC sometimes. Has 225K miles and I wouldn't
hesitate to take it across country.

 

We are on our 3 accord. I would highly recommend it. The one I am driving
now is a 92 and we got it 2 years ago for $1200 in central Ohio. Needed a
few cosmetic things for about $100. Still driving it, looks good,
everything works except for AC sometimes. Has 225K miles and I wouldn't
hesitate to take it across country.

 

Honda resale value is also high, although reliability is typically
better than VW.

Bring the whole family (including the dogs and an infant seat) for
test fitting.

Wagons may be helpful, but they are not common (Civic wagon until
1991 in the US, Accord wagon until 1997 in the US).

Reliability will be most dependent on previous owner care and
maintenance. Be especially careful about checking when the timing
belt was last changed -- it is several hundred dollars to change,
and failure can cause major engine damage. Also, on older Hondas,
do full lock parking lot turns; if you hear grinding or clicking
noises, the CV boots have cracked and allowed dirt into the CV
joints, requiring repair (the boots typically last about 100,000
miles or so).

You might also want to look at Chevrolet or Geo Prizms or 1980s
Chevrolet Novas -- rebadged Toyota Corollas with good reliability
and lower resale value from the "Chevrolet" or "Geo" badge.

 

Honda resale value is also high, although reliability is typically
better than VW.

Bring the whole family (including the dogs and an infant seat) for
test fitting.

Wagons may be helpful, but they are not common (Civic wagon until
1991 in the US, Accord wagon until 1997 in the US).

Reliability will be most dependent on previous owner care and
maintenance. Be especially careful about checking when the timing
belt was last changed -- it is several hundred dollars to change,
and failure can cause major engine damage. Also, on older Hondas,
do full lock parking lot turns; if you hear grinding or clicking
noises, the CV boots have cracked and allowed dirt into the CV
joints, requiring repair (the boots typically last about 100,000
miles or so).

You might also want to look at Chevrolet or Geo Prizms or 1980s
Chevrolet Novas -- rebadged Toyota Corollas with good reliability
and lower resale value from the "Chevrolet" or "Geo" badge.

 

Forget Honda. At $2000, you'll probably end up with a headake. Unless
the deal is from a personal aquantance and the orginal owner.

An alternative is the 1996's Lumina.

Pars

 

Forget Honda. At $2000, you'll probably end up with a headake. Unless
the deal is from a personal aquantance and the orginal owner.

An alternative is the 1996's Lumina.

Pars

 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pars" <sdaro(remove)@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.honda,alt.autos.honda
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 5:51 PM
Subject: Re: Advice for buying used Accord/Civic, please?

I'm not sure why you say that, except that bargain hunting requires savvy
and patience. For $2000 you can get a Honda that has been well maintained if
you aren't set on getting one a late model one or getting one in a hurry.

There are a number of things to check. The timing belt should have been
changed in the last 50K miles or so, leaving some time on the belt. No rust
in the cooling system and no varnish in the engine are mandatory, and rare -
that 's why the buyer has to be ready to kiss several frogs. The temperature
guage must stay in the mid-range while driving with the A/C on, because of
the chance of head gasket failure. But intermittent failure to start and
stalling are just signs of main relay trouble, a common and cheap failure
that can cause people to drop the price $1000 or more, not knowing they can
fix it for a tenth that amount.

Mike

 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pars" <sdaro(remove)@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.honda,alt.autos.honda
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 5:51 PM
Subject: Re: Advice for buying used Accord/Civic, please?

I'm not sure why you say that, except that bargain hunting requires savvy
and patience. For $2000 you can get a Honda that has been well maintained if
you aren't set on getting one a late model one or getting one in a hurry.

There are a number of things to check. The timing belt should have been
changed in the last 50K miles or so, leaving some time on the belt. No rust
in the cooling system and no varnish in the engine are mandatory, and rare -
that 's why the buyer has to be ready to kiss several frogs. The temperature
guage must stay in the mid-range while driving with the A/C on, because of
the chance of head gasket failure. But intermittent failure to start and
stalling are just signs of main relay trouble, a common and cheap failure
that can cause people to drop the price $1000 or more, not knowing they can
fix it for a tenth that amount.

Mike

 

Thanks for the tips!

See ya,

Kristen

 

Thanks for the tips!

See ya,

Kristen

 

Buying used is like gambling. The high resale value on the Honda makes it
possible for the crook to pan off a lemon while using the car's inherent
reputation to justify the $2000 charge.

Also, GM's Automatic tranny, from a decade ago, has a better reputation then
Honda's Automatics from the same generation. When shopping for a $2000
Automatic, the durability of the transmission
should be the most important qualifier. It doesn't make sense to spend $1500
on a rebuilt tranny for a car that's worthless.

Pars