MamaBear2015

We're in a bad situation here in Denver right now. We were in an accident about 3 weeks ago and lost our car, and because this area is growing as fast as a gold rush town or something, older good used cars have been hard to find, before they get sold. ( we can afford around $3000 or less )

So we're down to the wire, and the insurance rental car is running out on Monday. We've been going to therapy for my handicapped sister's injury ( air bag sprained her shoulder ) and have had a heck of a time getting out to look at cars before they get grabbed up.

We're looking for a 98-2001 Civic LX or EX with automatic, 4 doors and AC.

So with that model and year range, are these cars pretty much good if we just test drive them, and don't have a mechanic look them over? It's not like with the 2002 Corolla, or anything, where they had small piston oil holes and burned oil at that age, right?

Because with these people on Craig's list, if we ask to take a car to our mechanic, next thing we know, it's been sold out from under us.

Unless we get a car this week, it will cost us about $400 a month to continue this car rental on our own.

Between a rock and a hard place, in Denver area.

Poopies

iTrader: (4)

You're gonna want to research how to inspect a used car on your own, then. Also, you'll want as complete of a maintenance history as you can get. Civics run forever IF they've been taken care of properly.

MamaBear2015

Thanks. Like this?:

http://www.dmv.org/buy-sell/used-car...work-sheet.php

MamaBear2015

By the way, how many MPG should an 02 Civic EX get, with a Vtec?

EdGasket

You want to know when the timing belt was last changed as that can be expensive to get done if you can't DIY. My daughter got a 2000 1.4s hatchback recently and I found out that the belt was last changed 8 years ago so I replaced that, the tensioner, water pump, and crank oil seal plus all 3 external belts. If you can't do this stuff and can't afford to pay someone, then check that at least the cambelt has been changed within the last 3 years; 30K miles (they should be good for 6 years/60K miles whichever comes first). Don't take the person's word for it; make sure you see the receipt so you know its been done.

MamaBear2015

Well, we were running out of time on the insurance rental car that we got on 7-26, so we literally HAD to go out and try to get a car, this afternoon. The insurance runs out Monday and we'd have to start paying about $450 a month for the rental car, then!

So the first one we looked at was this 2002 Civic with a Vtec engine. Seems nice. We MAY need brakes though. But we literally had to buy it without a mechanic seeing it, because people balk if you ask, about 80% of the time now, and we've been going through this Craig's List torture for all these weeks now, because there are SO many people moving here, that by the time we can see a car, it's sold. Hopefully we'll be OK.

Poopies

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, like that lol.

Mine gets around 30-32 on the highway, less when I only drive it short distances.

Why do you say that? BTW, the link doesn't work...

Genyc07

Civics are great cars even with high miles. Stay away from beat up bodies and modified kid cars. You should be able to find a great civic for around 2000$ Don't settle for a beater. Save the extra money for snow tires and mainentance. These cars should feel tight and have no quirks. The timing belts are expensive to replace for sure. But just drive the car try all the switches make sure everything is in good working order and if you hear weird noises or feel vibrations walk away. Once you buy post here and we can help you prioritize any possible repairs. Good luck and welcome to the the group!