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Hey Everyone....

As a recent recipient of my wife's 2001 Honda Civic DX 5M with 130,000 miles on the engine (she's getting herself a newer Civic), I've got a decision to make.

I'm going to be buying a daily driver within the next 12 months (very long commute), as well, and I started thinking about whether it makes sense for me to try and make my wife's Civic my daily driver ? (The engine "appears" to have a lot of life left in it).

I drive 250 miles, round trip, to work, 3 times per week (all Interstate travel). Basically, I will be putting 45-50K miles on the car annually, if I enact it as my daily driver.

I would love to hear your thoughts on whether it is worth spending the money to make it long-commute worthy, or should I sell it and take on a car payment? Also, fuel costs are not an issue (I've got a gas card; its whether I want to take on a car payment).

Here are the facts regarding this car. We are the 2nd owner of the vehicle. Bought it off of my bosses wife at 105,000 miles. To my knowledge they only did routine maintenance. No repairs. It was not abused from an engine revving standpoint, and my wife has driven it for 2 years as a daily driver to/from work (20 miles round trip - mostly in town - 35-45 mph type driving).

Previous maintenance I am aware of.......We did these when we bought the car.
* timing belt, tensioner and water pump at 105,000
* front right lower control arm at 105,000
* front right lower ball joint at 105,000
* front & rear brakes at 105,000
* alignment at 105,000

The engine runs like a top. I mean this lil baby just purrs, idles great and doesn't burn oil.

But the car has had some things develop over the past couple of months and she is in need of some repairs. Here's the list, as I see it (still need to get everything diagnosed and priced out):

The 5M shifts great, and the clutch appears to be working fine. However, in shifting from 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd, it started making a "growling" noise for just a second, and then stops. 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th, no noise......Bearing? Transmission Gear ? this is the one that concerns me most, from a repair standpoint.

Needs new struts....for sure......and I also want to have our mechanic thoroughly check out the suspension. Wheel bearings, control arms, CV shafts, tie rods, etc. To my knowledge, those were all original, other than what we did when my wife bought the car.

Also, the A/C went out at the end of last summer. Appears to be the compressor. I need to get that diagnosed as well, but I know that could be $750-$1,000 easy.

I'm looking at major repairs on a $3,000 car, but I keep thinking about that lil engine that just purrs like a kitten. Am I crazy for even considering this ?

 
Rep Power: 244

I don't think your crazy. I enjoy not having a car payment and I enjoy driving my car so if I have to invest a little money into it, its worth it to me. I am at 180K original clutch and engine (except top end, I'll explain below).

I would replace the timing belt tensioner only because if it breaks, it makes a lot of damage. I bought mine at 100k with the belt being done but the tensioner was not. The tensioner broke on me at 178k. Bent all my intake valves so it cost $1500 to get reman head, new belt, etc. It is only inspected at 105k but not necessary replaced. For $100 part I would replace it. Just something for thought. I'm sure my spirited driving aided in its failure.

 
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GolNat - Thanks for the info. It appears the tensioner was done with the timing belt at 105K (so says the bill), but just to be safe, I am going to double-check with my mechanic.