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Long story short I just need A car.

I found a 1989 Honda Civic wagon blue in color in the next town over for $750. It has a straight body and it runs and drives and has 229K miles on it.

The seller says he spent about $400 getting it running by putting on a new coil, starter, and battery. It runs but he says it runs rough. He says it won't rev very high. I asked him if it would go highway speed and he said it will but it just takes a while to get there. He also said a mechanic said it probably needs a new throttle position sensor. I wonder if that's true or if it's about to die completely?

I'm not a mechanic and I'm not wanting to just get this thing and not even make it home with it. After all I'd have to drive it 60 miles over a pretty steep "mountain" highway. Then again, I know these cars can be reliable for a very long time and so long as it just works I'm not worried about it being a nice car. Just don't want something that will leave me on the side of the road.

Can I get you guys' thoughts on this?

Thank you!

 
Rep Power: 221

Sell those rims to some kid and you can probably get half your money back. Could be an intake/exhaust restriction, spark, fuel.
Shouldn't be too bad to get it going properly.

 
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Well, I bought a different one.

That one was 75 miles away up a mountain and REALLY high miles - to heck with that problem once I found this other one. Today I lucked out and found one for sale about 7 or 8 miles from my home.

1989 Civic Wagon with 144K miles. Nearly perfect body. Super crazy clean inside. Runs great! Brakes are a little off. Needs a valve cover gasket. A/C needs service. Also probably needs a new front axle as it clicks when turning hard right. $850

I'm very happy. This is my first Honda and I'm going to fix it up a little. Can't wait to start driving it once I pick it up on Tuesday.

 
Rep Power: 0

Well, I bought a different one.

That one was 75 miles away up a mountain and REALLY high miles - to heck with that problem once I found this other one. Today I lucked out and found one for sale about 7 or 8 miles from my home.

1989 Civic Wagon with 144K miles. Nearly perfect body. Super crazy clean inside. Runs great! Brakes are a little off. Needs a valve cover gasket. A/C needs service. Also probably needs a new front axle as it clicks when turning hard right. $850

I'm very happy. This is my first Honda and I'm going to fix it up a little. Can't wait to start driving it once I pick it up on Tuesday.

 
Rep Power: 221

That one looks much better, congrats on the purchase!