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I recently bought a 2001 EX 4door, 1 owner, 105K that had an alleged plugged cat converter. The car would run, but not very well. I drove it 80 miles home. On the highway, it shifted erratically, not shifting into high for extended periods, bucking and so on. I was very easy on it the whole way, trying to stay under 2500 RPM.
Now I have a few questions, please help!

Could the supposedly plugged converter affect the auto trans shifting?

I bought the car sight unseen from a lawyer who claimed in writing that she had had all scheduled maintenance, repairs, etc. done since new, except for the converter. I made the assumption that the timing belt had been changed (84 months), but found it hadn't after I paid her. I have not gotten the title yet, would it be wrong for me to ask her to reimburse 700 or so so I can have that done?

I paid 2250 for the car. It had been used in Conn for college, then in DC the remainder. Had damage to right front fender, had paint on opposite fenders where something got too close, but no damage other than that, front and rear fascias scratched, looks OK from 50 feet. Looking under the hood, salt exposure was quite evident with surface corrosion on aluminum and hardware. I maded the assumption that it would be a much nicer car, but I figure I paid too much. Any comments?

Thanks!

 
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You lost me in that text.. You paid for the car before seeing it in person? They gave you the car to drive around but never had you sign the title, or just have not gave it to you yet? Sounds like you have legal issues as well mechanical issues.. I would raise hell about the more than likely bad transmission. Reason they sold it so cheap was since they probably knew it was bad; by selling so cheap was sorta compensating for the problem/problems they did not want to disclose. Even if you have to dish out some money since you picked it up so cheap it may equal out. A CAT would probably have nothing to do with the bucking/erratic shifting, running rough yes. It is possible for a bad vacuum hose leak to cause shifting issues or low on fluid for the transmission.

 
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It was a complicated mess involving a Civic owner with a lost title, who moved 1200 miles away, and left car behind with friend....

It's a black 4 door that looks decent with good tires, if the trans is bad, would an auto recycler give much for it? I imagine it would be worth a lot more parted out....

 
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Just never have heard of someone doing such a thing. Granted i have driven states away for cars but always drove them first.. As for a junk yard, they will only give ya a few hundred. Parting out would work but is timely and a lot of work. Unless you have already found another car, if that one is in good shape i would get a tranny. You got it cheap enough so if you can cough up a little more cash it might be worth it. Wait till you have it in your name though regardless.