Rep Power: 0

Hey, looking at buying a Civic, but when I test drove it, it had a soft raspy sound when accelerating. Right around 3500rpm. It downshifts a little rough, but not crazy bad.
Overall the car is in great shape for its age and runs fine (for the short time I drove it), but that sound makes me uneasy. Boyfriend thinks it might be transmission related.
Any thoughts?

 
Rep Power: 811

it could be an exhaust leak

 
Rep Power: 0

Sorry, should clarify. The raspy sound is coming from the front end. Something under the hood.

 
Rep Power: 811

could still be an exhaust leak in the manifold. the pipe starts at the engine. could also be a bad motor/trans mount since that would explain rough shifting and possibly noises too if the engine or trans is moving around.

 
Rep Power: 189

Check the condition of the transmission fluid if it smells bad (like cats pee) and is dark red/brownish in colour then its in bad need of being changed, this can be the source of the rough downshift as well as incorrect level.

 
Rep Power: 0

96-2000 Civics have a knarly light knocking sound in the engine at that 3500 RPM range. Normal for them. Some worst than others. I retarded my timing just a smidge and it took some of it away. Not saying that's the sound in that car but something to look into. As for rough downshifts, they do clunk a little as your slowing up on a downgrade. That's the grade logic system. If it shifts normal on the way up then it sounds fine. A transmission fluid change doesn't hurt. You have to drain 2.5 litres/quarts at a time driving a few kms/miles in between changes three times to give you an almost total fluid change as you can't drain the torque converter. You'll need about 7 or 8 litres/quarts. They say to use Honda brand ATF only. It's now synthetic but that's OK. Good Luck.