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After having done my homework and talking to some mechanics, I've decided to buy a Civic, probably one from the early 90's (I'm on a budget).
Is there a checklist about things to check to avoid getting ripped off?

This is what I've come up with so far:
1. Look at the engine oil, burned and coagulated could indicate a problem.
2. If automatic, check the fluid, good is red and clear.
3. Clicking while accelerating in a straight line indicates a problematic CV joint.
4. Test the compression (I have a compression guage) to rule out a blown head gasket or leaky valves.
5. Clicking while turning indicates problematic wheel bearings or axles.
6. Check the transmission engages quickly without a delay and/or thunk.
7. Make sure all the electrical gadgets and lights work.
8. See if there's play in the steering wheel.

That's what I've come up with so far.
Can anybody add anything to this?
I would really appreciate the help.
Thanks in advance.

 
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Take it to a mechanic you trust, have them do a prepurchase inspection on it before you buy it.

That way you know what is already wrong with it and you have bargaining power during the dealing, and you know what to expect in the immediate future.

If it has major problems, then keep looking or dicker the price way down to cover expected repairs.

I would expect any car that is near 20 years old will have some issues.

 
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ezone, yes - thats a good idea, I just can't afford it.
Mechanics want a over a hundred bucks to check out a car.
Indeed, most cars this old this old will have issues, so by the time I've taken several to get checked out only to be told they're bunk, the money is all gone.
The bottom line is, I have to be my own mechanic.
Any help with this would really be appreciated.
What would a mechanic look for?

 
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you have it backwards, clicking while turning means bad cv joint. grinding while going straight means bad bearings.

 
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Run a CarFax or AutoCheck, provides all sorts info...

 
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Good stuff there guys, thanks a lot.
But what I'm really hoping for is somebody to describe, in detail, what a mechanic would do to check one out.

edit:
I think I mis-titled this thread.
Perhaps it should have been - "Mechanical checklist for an early model Civic," or something.

 
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Hard to tell you, each case is different. You can have a checklist, but that's a general thing. Need to be very observant and write everything down that isn't "right". I KNOW I can't rely on my memory.
I look for the problems, I ignore stuff that isn't a problem.
Experience is a great asset when it comes to evaluating a used car.

I suggest (again) that you have a pro do an inspection on any unit you seriously consider buying. Maybe just raise the car in the air and look with a flashlight for a reduced price? Let you look under it yourself?

You should be able to rule out absolute junk right away without help.
OTOH, a 20 year old car here is almost guaranteed to be worn out or rusted out. One tire already in the junkyard.







Title good? Not salvage?
Worth bothering to go any further?




Step #1, know what a "good" car should drive/sound/act/feel like. (If you have never owned, driven, or been in a "good" car, you may not recognize something that is not.)

Step #2, note everything that does not act like a "Good" car.





I start with checking fluids and looking at the tires so I know it shouldn't blow up on a test drive.

Beware of an engine that is already warmed up before you get there. Could indicate it is hard to start cold.
Starts up immediately? No unusual noises?

Test drive with pen and clipboard.
In-town, stop and go.
Railroad tracks.
Smooth roads.
Bumpy roads.
Head for the highway, go at least interstate speeds.

Does it drive "Cadillac Smooth"? (Ok, Civic smooth?)
Note every last detail to be inspected closer back at the shop.
Does it drive smooth at all speeds?
Is it smooth while braking from interstate speeds?
Is it quiet: Body/suspension/interior/wind noise/engine/transmission/exhaust?
Does it bounce excessively?
Does it bang and rattle on bumps?
Shifts good?
Clutch feel and grip?
Gauges work?
Heater/defrost/AC work good?



Back at the shop...
Push all the buttons:
Does everything work as designed?
ALL Lights?
Paint and body?

Interior checks.
Exterior checks.
Engine compartment checks. Belts/hoses/fluids. Obvious recent work, shiny clean new parts.

Raise the car.....
Leaks?
Suspension/tires/brakes?
Exhaust
RUST!?!?

Go back over all the notes made during the initial test drive and inspect whatever is needed there.


This is too hard.
Let me drop the first few sites from a google search of "used car inspection checklist pdf":

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...getting-burned

http://www.dailydollarnewsletter.com..._CHECKLIST.pdf

http://www.aa1car.com/library/used_car_checklist.pdf

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...utos/aut03.pdf

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/shoppi...ges/Suzuki.pdf


Here's a checklist from Honda, but it isn't really geared towards older cars now:
https://pictures.dealer.com/hondaofc...e972225bde.pdf




Does that help?

 
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ezone - yes, that helps enormously.
Thankyou.


edit:
Great links.
I'll print some of them out to take with me - too much to memorize.
I'll update the thread as to how it goes.
I'm still in research mode.
But stay tuned.

edit2:
what i'll probably do is use the checklists to pre-sort the wheat from the chaff, then take one that seems ok to a mechanic.