rcjpmp

Hello, all. I've been searching through piles of ConsumerReports, Edmunds, and KBB webpages, and finally these very forum boards, trying to find the best bet on a used car. Having narrowed it down to an 8th gen civic, I'm now caught between the standard coupe, or an SI coupe. ConsumerReports data tells me that an '08 FG2 would be the most reliable of the SI model, while the safest bet for the standard FG1 coupe would be either '09 or '10. I've heard and read complaints about the SI's transmission going, the engine block of the FG1 cracking, and paint issues on both models. My questions are these:

1. How prevalent these are these issues and others, and how likely would it be for a used civic to have these problems if the vehicle has about 100k miles, a clean title, and only one or two owners?

2. Based on your experiences and knowledge, which years would be least worrisome for either model?

3. Is there any way to predict if an SI will have transmission issues or a standard coupe will crack the engine based on the VIN number or another method?

4. If these issues or other do arise after purchasing the vehicle, what options do I have to repair/replace?


Thanks, guys.