older civic

got a chance to buy a '93 civic hatch for $3500 Canadian -- how dumb is
it to buy a car that old?

Sulpicia

 

Rust? Oil burner? Road hard and put up wet? Million kms? bob

 

I'd say that's a little much for a 13-year-old car, unless it's just
recently been completely rebuilt (new/rebuilt engine, tranny, brakes,
etc.) and the body is absolutely mint...

$1500-$2000 would be a bit more believable.

Then again, looking at www.buysell.ca ("The Buy & Sell" paper in
Canada), they list 42 '93 Civics in BC alone, running from $2900 to
$7500. Median price appears to be in the $4000-$5000 range though, so
maybe $3500 isn't too bad.

 

got a chance to buy a '93 civic hatch for $3500 Canadian -- how dumb is
it to buy a car that old?

Sulpicia

You should have it checked by a mechanic before you buy it. It may or may
not be a good deal based upon the condition of the car and the engine.
Watch the exhaust pipe while someone else starts the car. If black smoke
comes out, don't buy it. Also, run a CARFAX report on the car:
carfax.com
Don't buy it if the carfax report indicates that the car has ever been
involved in an accident. A bent frame is VERY expensive to repair.
Jason

 

None of the above. Runs beautifully on both hills and highway; nice
smooth clutch. 200K kms

 

Recently one of my friend bought a 95 civic for $3000 (Ottawa). So a 93
civic should not be more than 2000 unless something special with it.

Rgds.