Rep Power: 0

Ok, so I may be bringing home a new EM2 tomorow. I went to check it out the other day, and they had it in the air to replace the ac compressor and the front struts. So, I wasnt able to test drive it. I took a quick look under the car, and all I could tell about the springs were that they were red. When I got home, I looked all of the different springs that could be red, and found that pretty much all spring companies that make red springs make decent springs, except one.....DNA. If I didnt see the name on the spring (I only looked at ONE spring), should I worry? Can the spring be turned where I cant see the name, or is it supposed to be where I can see it? The springs were a little dirty, so they werent new. No biggie. But it seemed like I should still be able to read a name on it or something.
If it's got the DNA springs, should I just turn down the car? I can replace the springs in a couple of months, just not right away. It also doesnt look like the drop is too far. It's got 17" wheels, and looks like there is a 1-2 finger gap. Ya'll know these cars more than I do, so I figured I would get ya'lls opinions. I figured what, a 1.5" drop? I'll put the link to the ad on Autotrader at the bottom.



http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...21197246&Log=0

 
Rep Power: 181

That's a nice looking EM2! Congrats!
My bet is that they're Eibach Sportlines. I say this because Eibach is one of the most well-known brand names in springs, so most Civic owners acknowledge the brand with positive feedback. A respectable owner would easily pick those up, considering they're only around $100.

If you're not sure, take a wheel off when you buy the car and try to turn the spring. They would say "Sportline" on them if it isn't warn off yet.

If possible, try to contact the original owner to ask. I'm sure a dealer has their personal contact information. That's what I had to do to retrieve my EM2's owner manual that the first people kept.

Worst case scenario, buy some new springs and shocks while you're at it. Suspension upgrades are never a waste

 
Rep Power: 192

You need to check what type of struts it has, If it still has the OEM struts they wont be able to handle the drop/spring rate. It can also cause the struts to blow out and it will probably be really bouncy.

 
Rep Power: 256

the way the red is faded so much i don't think there eibach they mite be ebay springs considering the ebay headlights on there. i would make them replace or un-tint the taillights because there illegal and are a liability if you get rear ended it will be considered your fault because of the low light output from the tint. also make them replace those cheap ebay headlights which are also a problem because of leaking and low light output. make sure they put oem parts on it not knock offs.

 
Rep Power: 253

Asking price is too much for the mods that that car has and miles.

You could do better and have an unmodded car.

 
Rep Power: 352

yea. thats car is WAYYYYYYYY tooo expensive for what its been through.

maybe 4k

 
Rep Power: 0

Are those lights really THAT bad? Geez
I figured they were either Skunk2 or Eiback Sportlines since the rear isnt sagging. They just replaced the struts because the old ones were blown apparently. I planned on getting Pro Kits for them in a couple of months.
I wouldnt say the springs are "faded." They just looked dirty from road grime.

::edit:: I just went on Ebay and checked for new headlight prices. It looks like they are $75 for a pair of oem ones. Or is that some cheap shiz? I havent traded the car yet because the guy is replacing the ac condensor, and said that it's not supposed to be in until tomorrow. The main reason I am needing the car is because of the gas mileage. Ya'll are gonna laugh at me, but I'm trading my '02 EP3 for it. It's had a lot of good maintenance done to it, but it gets CRAPPY gas mileage. (Has a bad vtc actuator.) Im not getting close to the rated 28mpg's. And right now Im in school, so I could save a LOT of money in gas. I live in the mountains of NC, and have to travel 30 minutes just to get to school. Starting in August, I could travel up to an additional hour ONE WAY to go to my clinical site. So again, gas mileage is WAAYYYY more important to me than a little extra power. My car has issues, as does this one. I have to weigh the pros and cons of both. I cant get anyone to purchase mine. People think I am trying to rob them, yet cars with this many miles are going for $2k more than what Im asking. I took money off because it has a cracked bumper, needs a new vtc actuator, and a new ELD switch. Crazy *** damn people!

 
Rep Power: 253

Most parts on that car are Ebay junk, brings value of the car down.

Even if the car was stock price is still to high

For 5 grand you can get a lower mileage and newer year, unmolested.

 
Rep Power: 0

Really? I put in all if the specs into KBB and it said the car was worth $4450 stock without any parts. There are no other cars around this area with that amount of miles within my price range. I'm not arguing the car's value, but I can't make everyone around here lower the price on their cars, you know?
He's got a couple of other 7th gen Civics, so I may be able to get him to swap lights. Even if he didnt, what does a new set cost? I saw "oem" ones for $80 on Ebay, but ya'll know how that is. As far as the springs go, if I get the car, it will see a set if Pro Kits within 2 months.
I don't really know what to do here ya'll. I understand that these cars are probably cheaper where ya'll live, but $5k is normal for the specs of this car in this area. Sure, there are some cheaper with fewer miles, but they look like total ****. One car had only 92k miles, but had some funky *** Fast & Furious vinyl stickers, and a body kit that was all scratched up. The dude probably rags the crap out of it. I understand any car I get is gonna have issues. If I can get him to swap head lights, awesome. If not, then they can get swapped out soon. Same for the springs. That will happen soon regardless. A Pro Kit will be easier on the struts, and will be easier to drive in the snow. Other than that, it just had an sri, header, and cat-back. I can even take the tint off of the tail lights. I dont mind the little stuff. Hell, it will give me something to do. Lol
Hell, my car now needs a new vtc actuator, eld switch, new front bumper, and motor mounts. So to ME, as long as the car doesnt have any MAJOR issues, I can deal with the small crap. Hell, if I put in a Pro Kit, and the current springs end up being a decent brand, I can sell them and either get some of my money back, or get new head lights.
After all of that, do ya'll still think it's a bad idea?

 
Rep Power: 181

I think it's a reasonable price, but that's probably because my '05 was $10,000 only 2 years ago. After replacing some of the cheap aftermarket parts on this though, it may be a little pricey.

 
Rep Power: 253

KBB isnt always 100% but in any case you are paying over kbb value? Your paying $545 dollars more for a "modded" up car with inferior quality parts. Do you see where this does not make sense?

 
Rep Power: 0

To me, the wheels and the WAY better gas mileage are worth the $545. I am a broke college student that wouldnt be able to afford wheels otherwise, and the gas mileage will save me a few hundred dollars a year. The only "inferior" parts would be the headlights, which Im gonna ask him to swap out with one of his other 2 Civics. The other 2 are oem, but have a lot more miles. The springs would be the only other "inferior" part, but they still might be a name brand. I wont know until I get underneath the car and actually look for the label on the springs. I'm almost wondering if they arent a name brand since they dont sag in the back. I know that doesnt mean jack, but it may be the case. Who knows. So if the guy replaces the lights, all I have to worry about are the springs. IF they are Sportlines or Skunk2's or something, guys on here run those. (They just have better struts.) I figure replacing the current springs with Pro Kits will help save the oem struts.
I know this about makes me look stupid. But try to look at it from MY point of view. That gas mileage difference is SOOOO important to me. The engine in this car looks really clean. It's not show car ready, but for the amount of miles, it looks great. I spent most of my time there looking at the engine for leaks. I didnt see one leak. I did notice that he was replacing the compressor, struts, and had just replaced the cv axles. So mechanically, the car seems great.
But seriously, if needing to replace the springs is all it honestly needs (if he replaces the lights), would ya'll say that it's still an ok deal?

 
Rep Power: 253

Another civic will have the same gas mileage?..

 
Rep Power: 0

Another one like the EM2, yeah. An EM2's gas mileage is WAY better than the EP3's.

28mpg's vs. 34mpg's