If your asking "what should I check for" then I suggest once you find a vehicle that you like, ask the seller if you bring it to a licensed shop to have a pre purchase insp done before purchasing it. Save your self the headache and spend the 100 dollars to have it done.

Civics are a good choice for a first car they will run forever with proper maitnence.

This post was edited by FreestyleKing on May 15 2013 11:23pm

tell me more about early 2000's powerstrokes plz.

1: rent a combustion tester (like 25$ deposit at autozne) , ask the owner if they would mind you testing their block. This ensures there is no bhg, its not 100% but very very accurate.
2: check the oil color / consistency. If its black, chunky or anything that doesn't look right keep looking, check the top of the cap as well... Oil should not look be chunky or look like milk ^^.
3: as others have said, take it on a hill or the high way, regardless if its an auto or manual cycle through the gears and check for stutter or hesitation. Kick the a/c on and ensure that it does get cold. Listen for any whining / grinding.
4: Again, watch the temp gauge, if it goes past the half mark on any vehicle there is either air in the system or something wrong.
5: when you return to the house check under the car for any leaking oil, coolant, or tranny fluid.
6: Pull the transmission dipstick and check the fluid. It should be red and SHOULD NOT SMELL BURNED. If it smells burned the tranny will not last a whole lot longer...
7: Pop the hood and look for any seeping gaskets or antifreeze leaks. You will usually see oil marks or corrosion where either of the two have been leaking.
8: Check the tire tread.


My .02$ , stay away from rebuilds unless done by a dealership and proper receipts are on hand. Or as suggested above take it to a shop and have it inspected. You may want to do this first , rather than pay the 100$ and it turns out to be a clear lemon... Good luck!

This post was edited by DoMm on May 16 2013 12:51am

Thanks, this helps alot!

Look at your budget and buy a civic. Only thing I'd check for is rust. If anything happens mechanically it'll be easy and cheap to fix. Rust is gay though.

Just gonna say this....

Blown head gasket : Cheapest - 1k . New gaskets , resurfaced heads, job done correctly. If the oil is milky its likely the bottom end will seize due to lack of oil lubrication / oil starvation because water and oil do not mix..... Basically needs a new engine.
Transmission: 1-2k. If the trans oil smells burned damage is already occurring, they haven't done regular changes and serous consequences can occur....
Not exactly cheap or easy lol...

3,000?

That's another civic you can buy.

Best case scenario, that's why checking for rust wouldn't be in my top 5... Sure its a good idea but I'd rather ensure that the trans and engine are in good working order first...

Ah another big point to check, if the car has a timing belt and is over 100k miles, make sure they have done a timing belt + water pump change after the first 100k. You don't want to ruin your valve train if you have a tb snap lol.

This post was edited by DoMm on May 16 2013 12:46pm

~ Check for rust in frame/under car.
~ Ask when last Oil changes were.
~ Ask if the timing belt was replaced/when.
~ If manual, make sure transmission shift/clutch isn't too bad.
~ Check tire tread.
~ Accident check.