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Hello I am 16 years old and just got my licence a week ago and I am looking for a car. I think i have found one that looks ok. but i just have to go look at it.

I am wondering since I want to do some upgrades/moding. I was wondering what i should do first.

Like does it matter if I install a Cat back exhaust before the lip kit or body kit?

First of all does a cat back exhaust fit on a stock civic? or do you have to do some modding to install it? I was reading a thread that said that there muffler was burning there bumper. Is that just because the muffler was not far away enough from the bumper?

The things i would like to do with my car are as follows:

Install a new stereo system.
Install a new exhaust system.
Install new headers.
Install a body kit or lip kit.

not really sure of what to do for performance upgrades. any performance upgrade ideas would be helpful.

oh ya one question that i forget to ask. I dont know how to drive a stick shift car. so will a performance exaust and headers still sound good with an automatic car?

this is the car that im looking at.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ157420646

thanks! So looking forward to start modding!

 
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First off i would like to ask you what you plan on doing with this car. Do you want it to look good or have power. You can do both, but that depends on your money issues. A 2 door would more often then not have more parts available for aftermarket performance. As your freshly be able to drive I think that would be a solid car to start off with. Then once you get bored and a little driving time you can move onto a manual of your picking.

 
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I would like to have it balanced. Good performance and good looking. Does an after market exhaust like a cat back still sound good on a automatic car?

I'm either going to get a lip kit or a body kit.
want some sort of after market exhaust.
Nice set of Rims
After market stereo.
and install some headers.

I want a car that looks good and also has some performance added to it. and i definitely want it to sound good.

Can i install a Cat back exhaust by myself. I dont know how to weld. is that a problem. Or is it just changing out the pipes. It would still sound good on an automatic car right?

thanks

 
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Hmmmm....Just by looking at the pic I can see damage on the hood. Tells me this car might have been in an accident. If you're serious about this car I'd have a trusted mechanic look over the vehicle for you before buying it. Also by looking at the pic I see hub caps there, which tells me this car at best is an LX trim. That means you'll get that nice 106 hp rated, more like 90 hp D16Y7 engine and tranny. If you know right off the bat you want to mod this car for power I recommend looking into an EX model. Hell, since your buying used I'd recommend only looking at EX models. You get the better engine and you get a slightly nicer interior too. I own an LX and believe me I wish I had done my homework prior to purchasing my car.

 
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Being automatic or manual won't change the exhaust note. It will change the sound it makes when you shift, that's it. You can get a body kit/lip kit/stereo/headers/exhaust/ and anything else as long as you can find it for your car. I would really prefer to look around longer and find a car that has more potential. You would be slightly different for making a 4 door look good. In the long run though as the poster said above me, its better to start ahead then be behind when you buy a car in the first place. What type of engine is in it, a Si version/Ex or the lower models dx/lx.

 
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so what model of Honda civic do you suggest that i get. I would like to find a car that is black. I haven't found a black Honda civic that is really in my price range.

I found this car though. Is it any better.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ159838564

is 200 000 km alot for a car? What should i be asking when i buy a car with 200k on it.
should i just ask for maintenance records. Or is it just best to take it to a mechanic before i buy it. just get it inspected before i buy it? is that the best idea.

sorry i don't know much about buying a used car

 
Rep Power: 222

That's a manual tranny and its not an EX or SI. What I recommend you getting is a Honda Civic EX with an auto tranny. The average miles on a car that age should be around 132,000 to 165,000 miles. Anything more than 165k, I'd question how hard the owner drove the car. Anything really low, and I'd suspect the owner may have tampered with the odometer.

When buying a used car from a private owner You gotta ask the right questions. Here are some key questions that need to be asked imo.

1. Has this car ever been in any kind of accident?
2. Does the car have a clean title (Make sure he has the title and verify it with his ID).
3. What was the car generally used for? Business, daily commuter, ect.?
4. Are you the original owner?
5. Do you have the physical proof that the car has been maintained regularly (i.e. oil changes, tune ups, ect.)?
6. Are there any modifications to the car?
7. Was this car ever stolen?

Your next step should be to visually inspect the exterior of the car. Walk around the car to check for any major dents, scratches or bends in the body. Also check for rust. Get down behind the car and let your eyes move down the length of the car. Make sure all the body lines are straight and where they need to be. Inspect the tires. See if they look low. Check the brake pads to see if they look worn. Finally pop that hood and check all the fluids. You want to make sure they look like they are all level and clean. Check the oil and make sure the oil does not appear to be dirty too.

After that its time for the interior. First check all the doors. Make sure they all open and close properly. Next check the carpet for water stains. That will tell you if the car was ever in a flood or not. Once seated, check all the lights. Make sure your brake lights work, hi and low beams, ect. Pay attention to the way the car smells. If you smell a musty, moldy odor that might be a dead give away that the car was flooded at one point.

Now its time for the test drive. While driving KEEP THE RADIO OFF! You can check that later. You want to be able to hear the car. That way if something is off you'll catch it. See if it pulls to the right or left. Natural drifting is ok, but hard pulling is not.

Outside of that, if the car passes those battery of checks and test and you are serious about buying it, I would then request the car be taken to a trusted mechanic for a final evaluation. If the owner refuses, you gotta ask yourself why?

It aint easy but I hope these tips will help somewhat guide you in the right direction.

 
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Ya i couldn't find any Honda civic Ex in my price range. So i looked for some Honda civic SI, I found this one. But it seems to have lots of Kilometers. 200 000 sure seems like alot!

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ160140308

So what is the difference between the Si and The Ex and all the other models, Like the Lx.

Thanks that long post of yours really helped me figure out how to buy a used car. I am pretty confident i know how to go look at a car and ask questions.

so i dont really know of any mechanics. should i just go to any car repair place and out if they can inspect it. I live around Calgary Alberta. any suggestions

Thanks so much

 
Rep Power: 222

There is no such thing as a 1997 Civic SI. The SI's were halted after 95' and brought back in 99'. Plus again look at those wheels. They got hub caps. An SI would have SI rims. Any car that's an LX or lower will have hubs. Oh and BTW, 200km is about 135k miles so your ok in the miles department.

Here is the break down of the different trims...

SI - Highest model. Is sport tuned with a racing suspension and it has better series engine, B-series. Fully loaded as well.
EX - Highest trim you can obtain with a D-series engine. You will get a vtec motor (D16Y8), moon roof, & alloy wheels. Power everything btw.
LX - Will give you the non-vtec engine (D16y7). However you'll get everything the EX has minus the rims and moon roof.
HX - Its an oddity of honda. Its basically a DX with vtec.
DX - The econo trim. You get nothing in this trim.


No prob.

With this I can't help you out. I'm in SoCal so I don't know anyone in your area. Ask around and find a good mechanic. You might even have to pay to get the car inspected. However once you find a good mechanic, take care of him. You'll need him down the road (no pun intended) .

 
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So you would say that 1997 honda civic is a LX or lower?

I think the best thing to do is to contact the guy with the 1999 honda civic. cheaper less Kilometers. do you think this 1997 has a better engine than the 1999.?
So like you said. There was some damage on the 1999 honda civic. would that be easy to fix. could i just pop out the dent on the hood? or is it just best to buy the 1997?