They cost like 1/5 the normal price when replacing/fixing the engine. They are the way to go. Its just a 4 banger. You shouldn't worry to much tbh.
If you can, try to see if they can do a oil change right infront of you. If there are like globs in the oil, it could be bad. Also depending on how dark the oil comes out.
If the engine sounds like its popping, the sparks are bad and the guy probably didn't take care of the engine well. (It could be possible he did, but was to lazy to change the sparks.)
Edit: make sure the valve cover isn't dark as fuck like oil has been spewing out, but also make sure he didn't clean the valve cover like hes trying to hide something. Even
with the bad (overdue) oil changes, the car will run fine if you give it a little extra tlc. Oil changes a few hundred miles early for the first few changes. oil filter ofc, and the car will run fine.
If the car sounds or feels weird when you drive it, have a person who has driven civics (if you can't find one, you need friends) with you and see if they can point out small malfunctions control/engine wise.
From here its up to you. Take this advise with all cars really.
This post was edited by michaelxdrift on Apr 29 2013 06:31am