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I've been in the market for a 5th or 6th gen hatchback for about two months. I've been browsing the forums but just now registered, so hi!

I was looking originally for a 5th gen because of the fuel economy, but have since expanded my search since there is not much out there in my area (Lincoln, NE), and most of what is is either junk (super rusty) or waaaay overpriced with loads of mods (think 9k for a lowered, swapped engine, etc).

So today I went to a dealer that had three hatch's in: a 95 CX with 150k and no AC for $2900 (I don't think I could deal with that unless I moved back to cali), a 97 Purple DX with 200k for $4000 and... a 97 DX with 17K miles. It was (apparently, can't believe everything...) an auto system demo car so it sat inside a showroom for most of it's life. I think it's true because it seems to have extra speakers wired up. I have NEVER seen a car so old with so low miles. Dealer wants $6000, which is definitely high, but he knows he has a one of a kind car, and he'll let my mechanic check it out first.

So, besides the price, there's one other major downside: it's an automatic. I've been driving an auto for the last 8 years because I got a good deal on one, but I do really miss manual. (Had an '88 civic wagovan before.) I checked on swapping out the transmission for a manual, and my mechanic sounded like he really didn't want to but said it would probably be around $1000. If I got it, I would probably deal with the auto for a few years and then switch to manual if possible.

So! Do I make the leap? Any pro's/con's anyone wants to share?

Here she is:

 
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If you don't take it, I'll drive down from Canada and pick it up myself.
I would give anything to go back to my red hatchback, but it had 430,000kms on it.

I would be surprised if the swap can be done for under $1000, but maybe it requires less interior components than the newer Civics require. Either way, that car is a beauty.

 
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I can't tell ya how many times I've said that.

@ nirak: Definitely take it to the mech but, looks like a very good deal. Gonna cost more than $1000 for a good re-man tranny, misc parts, and labor. Try to find somebody local who has done the swap. There may be import shops (hell, they may have the tranny on hand). Or maybe a local- try to find somebody on this forum or try here: http://honda-tech.com/

 
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Yeah, $1000 seemed too low, esp. considering my mechanic said they'd need an donor car to get all the parts. My mechanic has done them before (he's mostly an import guy, and very honest) but it didn't sound like he *likes* doing them. I'll see him soon when we bring my husband's car in, so I'm going to ask more questions then.

I have driven by several times to look at it and sigh. For some reason the dealer hasn't put it on his website or craigslist yet. So, I'm still considering. A nearby city has a black '98 with 137k miles that's already a manual and 2k cheaper that I am going to try and get someone I know to check out.

I haven't actually test driven it yet, maybe I wouldn't mind the auto trans. I just want a manual car again so bad.