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I am trying to get ahold of a '01 or '02 civic. I found one in S.F. (union city) with 71,000 miles. Apparently hit from rear and repaired. It's a 1.7 (non vtec) manual transmission.

Should i take it to a mechanic? Is there a consolidated list of items i can inspect on my own? I'm a decent mechanic myself, but I don't know what specifically to look for here. any Bay Area guys have a suggestion for a shop to have look at it? I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Also, what do you guys think of the 1.7l civic? JD Power rated it very well. I'm not looking to throw a million mods on there asap. Maybe a few, though

 
Rep Power: 260

71,000 miles.. id inspect and find out everything you can about previous maintenance... drive it around if u can and see if it shifts gears smoothly.. check the feel of the brakes.. master cylinders are known to leak a bit..since it was hit from the rear.. check everything in the rear under the car.. endlinks..suspension components.. find out everything that had to be FIXED after the accident and make sure they actually were..

the 1.7l civic isnt a performance machine at all. it was rated good by the average consumer.. looking for great gas milage and a decently reliable car.. its comfortable and a great DD/Commuter.. however if you are a performance enthusiast then this may not be the best platform to use. it does not respond well to bolt ons and N/A power isnt what its known for. if you are experienced with boosting motors or swaps, your best bet would be to do just that. the kseries motor is the only current available swap which is a great option if you do not want boost. you can make them look very nice and drive awesome with an upgraded suspension, but without boost/swap this car isnt the fastest at all... good luck.. any common questions you think might have been asked, please search.. welcome to civicforums.

 
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thanks. I'm looking at an '01 with 109k miles for $1000 more. same engine, but with power stuff.

I might have a better chance with the non-salvaged car, come to think of it. there are a lot of parts back there. you've frightened me well enough most likely to just pass up on it.

as far as "performance"-- i've driven fast cars.. then there was my cheap **** years-- you know- after you graduate college and realize that you're not rich... 4 mercedes benz 300d's (or a 240)... ranging in HP from 64 to 81.. rockin! then a diesel jetta ripping at 68 hp-- juiced up to maybe 80 or so.

performance? yeah.. i'm sure i'll be satisfied. I can make a 64hp 2 ton brick move enough to satisfy me these days. i have a crotch rocket for when i'm utterly bored and want to come closer to god.

 
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For 1 g more i would def. go with the clear title but I may have more or less mechanic skills than you. I def. reccomend you have a shop check it out or at least have the frame checked because a twisted frame is dodo.

 
Rep Power: 260

make sure that 01 has had a timing belt changed..

 
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hah. actually i went and test drove a bunch of civics and.... a corolla '03. my gf and i both liked the corolla better! how lamesauce is that?

i saw an 04 civic listed at 39mpg on fueleconomy called the "clean-burn"-- what the flip is that? never heard of it.

 
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ok. found an 01 in sacramento. 105k miles. timing belt hasn't been changed. everything else was regularly serviced. Getting a mechanic to do an hour-long inspection.

Aside from the timing belt, assuming the breakes and tires are tops.... what am i looking at for major service? This is the 1.7L nonvtec.

Is there any benefit of going with the same car in the following gen7 years? aside from it being newer? In other words, did they make any big "first model year" screw ups ??

 
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first model year screw up: automatic tranny47